Autumn songs that were hits in the 80s. Classic and popular tracks from Japanese music.
The Showa-era pop scene produced countless masterpieces—what kind of songs do you like? Even after decades, there are so many wonderful tunes whose lyrics you still remember and find yourself humming, etched in your heart.
Among them, this article will introduce songs perfect for autumn, selected from popular hits of the 1980s.
Whether you listened to them in real time back then or are from a younger generation who didn’t experience that era, please enjoy these timeless classics that will resonate with your heart.
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Autumn songs that were hits in the ’80s: Japanese masterpieces and popular tracks (21–30)
Blue NovemberKisugi Takao
A mellow ballad that portrays a bittersweet love, this is an autumn classic delivered by Takao Kisugi.
The lyrics—singing of jade-green memories and the long nights of fall—leave a strong impression.
The lingering attachment and loneliness for a love that has passed are expressed beautifully.
This piece was included on the album “With Time,” released in November 1988, and was issued as a single the following year.
It was also used in a Dai-ichi Life commercial, resonating with many people.
Highly recommended for those spending long autumn nights alone or those troubled by love.
Why not surrender yourself to its gently permeating melody?
September RainŌta Hiromi
Hiromi Ohta is a singer also known for hit songs like “Momen no Handkerchief” and “Akai High Heels.” This song, “September Rain,” was released in 1977 as her ninth single.
The lyricist and composer are Takashi Matsumoto and Kyohei Tsutsumi, the same team behind Ohta’s debut song “Amadare.” When Ohta sings the lyrics, which depict a heartrending love, her gentle voice makes the sadness even deeper.
The opening of the chorus is particularly striking, conveying a sense of a woman’s inner strength.
It’s an autumn classic that makes you hear the chill of the rain alongside a love growing cold.
Photographs of SeptemberYamamoto Tatsuhiko
A classic autumn song released by Tatsuhiko Yamamoto in October 1982.
Featured on the album “Taiyo ga Ippai,” this ballad centers on bittersweet memories of love.
The September breeze awakens recollections of summer gone by, delicately portraying scenes of looking back on a lost romance.
Its simple yet resonant melody and the past emotions likened to photographs are particularly striking.
It’s a track you’ll want to listen to at an autumn dusk, lost in thought by the window.
Highly recommended for those who want to feel the poignancy of love and the passage of time.
The Koshu Highway is already in autumn.RC sakuseshon
“Kōshū Kaidō wa Mō Aki na no sa” is a song by RC Succession, the rock band fronted by Kiyoshiro Imawano.
It was included on their third album, Single Man, released in 1976, alongside the classic “Slow Ballad.” Although uncredited on the album, members of the American funk band Tower of Power and Godiego’s keyboardist Mickey Yoshino took part in the recording.
The contrast between the wistful sound at the beginning and the rock vibe in the middle section is fascinating—give it a listen!
MissingKubota Toshinobu
This is a gem of a ballad by Toshinobu Kubota, known for his uniquely groovy style, perfect for an autumn night.
It poignantly conveys, with a soulful voice, the helpless love between a man and a woman who care deeply for each other yet can never be together.
The struggle of wanting to forget but being unable to, and the regret of wishing they had met earlier, really hits home.
The song was included on his debut album, “SHAKE IT PARADISE,” released in September 1986, and was used as an ending theme for shows like World Pro Wrestling.
Though it wasn’t released as a single, it remains one of his most beloved signature songs.
It feels like a gentle companion to the quiet loneliness that follows the bustle of summer.
Melancholy CasablancaGō Hiromi
A song by Hiromi Go released in July 1982.
It was featured in a Suntory “Akadama Punch” commercial and became a major talking point.
It reached No.
2 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and ranked 14th on the 1982 year-end chart.
It also finished 8th on The Best Ten’s year-end ranking, showcasing its immense popularity at the time.
The song centers on lost love and the melancholy of reminiscing, with lyrics reminiscent of the film Casablanca.
Hiromi Go’s heartrending vocals resonate deeply with listeners.
It’s a perfect track for those who want to immerse themselves in memories of romance.
Island in SeptemberIse Shozo
A classic song that paints a nostalgic autumn scene.
Released in September 1984, this track features a gentle melody infused with folk-pop elements.
The lyrics, expressing the bittersweet feelings at summer’s end, showcase Shozo Ise’s highly sensitive poetic touch.
Vivid depictions of a cobalt-blue sky and sea, as well as the Milky Way, create a dreamlike atmosphere.
The song is included on the album “Rias-shiki no Koi” and holds an important place in Ise’s solo career.
It’s a recommended track for those who want to feel a warm, soul-soothing comfort on a quiet autumn night.