[80s Japanese Music] Popular Christmas songs: from hit tracks to hidden gems!

The Second Christmaschūrippu

TULIP: The Second Christmas

When you spend time with someone special, even cold winter days feel warm…

This is a love song that sings of such straightforward feelings.

It’s a track by the band Tulip, known for producing numerous classics like “Saboten no Hana” and “Kokoro no Tabi,” included on their 16th album, “New Tune,” released in 1985.

The relaxed tempo and the rich, expansive sound arrangement are absolutely irresistible.

Listening to it brings a sense of calm.

How about letting this song color your Christmas this year?

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Araki Jakkan

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DING DONGPRINCESS PRINCESS

[ DING DONG ] 1989 PRINCESS PRINCESS

This is a song produced by Princess Princess with the theme of love songs, included on their fourth album “LOVERS,” released in 1989.

Sung over Princess Princess’s signature energetic rock sound, it tells of spending a solo Christmas while savoring unforgettable memories.

Although songs with this kind of theme often carry a sad mood, its boundless brightness seems likely to make you forget the loneliness.

Miracle Play: The Night Angels DescendDip In The Pool

Miracle Play: The Night Angels Descend

A classic, uniquely 80s Christmas song that dreamily captures the stillness and mystical mood of Christmas night.

Released by Dip In The Pool, it beautifully matches Miyako Koda’s translucent vocals with Tatsushi Kimura’s meticulously crafted synthesizer arrangements.

It came out on vinyl in December 1987 and was released on CD the following year.

The song was also featured in a Marui Christmas commercial, winning over many listeners.

Blending ambient and synth-pop, its distinctive warmth and quietude must have felt refreshingly new to music fans of the time.

It’s a perfect track for spending Christmas night with someone special—or for those who wish to enjoy a peaceful moment alone.

EVE to the TERMINALNakamori Akina

Terminal Madeno Eve

One of the tracks included in Akina Nakamori’s four-disc CD box set “AKINA,” which gathers carefully selected songs from a vast catalog.

This song, “TERMINAL made no EVE” (“Eve Until the Terminal”), originally appears on a concept album produced by Shizuka Ijūin, and once you know that, it sounds as if it captures a single scene from a larger story.

The slightly bittersweet lyrics are also noteworthy: “an unstable Christmas that hints at a breakup, yet the woman still can’t quite let go…” When sung by Nakamori, that poignancy is all the more profound.

It may be a Christmas masterpiece that isn’t widely known—at least outside her core fanbase.

Dear ChristmasMinamino Yoko

Noriko Minamino Dear Christmas (1989)

“Nanno” Yoko Minamino’s eighth studio album is titled ‘Dear Christmas.’ It’s a concept album in which every track is related to Christmas.

The first track on the album is the song ‘Dear Christmas.’ Since the song’s title was used for the album title, it must have been a particular favorite.

The lyrics continue almost like a monologue: ‘Let’s forget the busyness and the sadness—it’s Christmas,’ offering a soothing, seasonally fitting sentiment.

It’s a track where you can savor a slightly more grown-up Yoko Minamino.

Forest ChristmasOhnuki Taeko

Taeko Ohnuki: Forest Christmas

A hidden gem by Taeko Onuki that paints a magical scene unfolding in a winter forest.

Originally produced in 1985 as a non-commercial release, the track was later included on the 1986 album “Comin’ Soon,” drawing attention from fans.

Blending ambient and pop elements, its sound evokes Onuki’s unique worldview.

The lyrics, which sing of a Christmas in a forest wrapped in stillness and serenity, call to mind a special time spent in nature, away from the clamor of the city.

With Onuki’s delicate vocals harmonizing with a warm melody, this is a song you’ll want to play on a quiet winter night—highly recommended for anyone seeking a calming moment.

Heartbroken over JuliaChekkāzu

Heartbroken over Julia

The Checkers were a rock band emblematic of the ’80s, and their signature song is “Julia ni Heartbreak.” It’s a track that sings of love for an ex and the sorrow of a broken heart.

Its heartrending lyrics have been cherished by people across generations.

Interestingly, there aren’t any words in the song that explicitly evoke Christmas.

However, because the B-side of the single featured “The Checkers’ X’mas Song,” this track also became established as a Christmas song.

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yamamoto

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