[Showa Kayō] A roundup of Japanese love songs that hit in the 1970s
Faint first loves, heartrending unrequited crushes, passionate declarations of love… The 1970s produced countless Japanese love songs that still make our hearts flutter today.
In an era that blossomed with rich sensibilities and free expression after the period of rapid economic growth, feelings of love were sung both directly and delicately across a diverse sonic palette—from intense rock sounds and enka to kayōkyoku and city pop.
In this article, we introduce exquisite love songs born in the golden age of Shōwa-era pop.
Whether you’re basking in nostalgia or discovering these songs for the first time, come savor the timeless sparkle of youthful love.
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[Showa Kayō] A collection of Japanese love songs that hit in the 1970s (21–30)
Windmill of Lovecherisshu
This is a single released by Cherish in January 1974, which stayed on the Oricon weekly chart for 19 consecutive weeks.
Its peak position was No.
3.
It was also performed at the 25th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Mari Amachi and Megumi Asaoka covered the song.
Forbidden lovesawada kenji
This was Kenji Sawada’s third single, released in March 1972.
It won the Vocal Performance Award at the 14th Japan Record Awards and the Excellence Award at the 5th Japan Cable Music Awards.
Sawada also performed this song on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Its highest position on the Oricon charts was No.
4.
Aquamarine Lovetenchi mari
This was Mari Amachi’s debut song released in October 1971, and at the time she was given the catchphrase “Snow White.” It peaked at No.
3 on the Oricon chart.
It was once used as an insert song in Fushigi na Melmo.
Let me have that wonderful love once moreKatō Kazuhiko, Kitayama Osamu
It’s a single released by Osamu Kitayama and Kazuhiko Kato in April 1971, which reached No.
10 on the Oricon weekly chart.
Many musicians, including Mari Amachi and Yosui Inoue, have covered it.
It’s also well known as a choral piece.
Let’s get married.yoshida takurou
It’s a single released by Takuro Yoshida (now known as Takuro Yoshida) in January 1972, which reached No.
3 on the Oricon chart.
That same year, Yoshida actually married Keiko Shikaku.
The song has been covered by many singers, including Mari Amachi and Saori Minami.
Summer for Twoainu
This is the debut single released by the rock band Aido in May 1975.
Shogo Hamada, who wrote and composed the song, later covered it himself.
There are also cover versions by Tatsuro Yamashita and Megumi Shiina.
Incidentally, Aido disbanded the year after the release.
My boyfriend is left-handed.Asaoka Megumi
It is a single released by Megumi Asaoka in July 1973, which reached number one on the Oricon chart.
It also won the Popularity Award at the Japan Record Awards and the Broadcast Music Award at the Japan Kayō Awards.
Asaoka made her first appearance at the Kōhaku Uta Gassen with this song.