80s commercial songs. A roundup of Japanese songs from the 80s that have been used in commercials.
In this article, we’ll be introducing, all at once, the songs that were used in commercials aired in the 1980s, as well as 80s tracks that have been featured in commercials over the years!
Speaking of 80s music, a wide variety of artists—bands, female idols, singer-songwriters—burst onto the scene, and all of them gained tremendous popularity.
Countless songs were used in commercials, and many timeless classics that are still loved today were born during this era.
We’ve picked a wide range, from staple tunes you still hear often to hidden gems you might not have heard in a while, so please take this opportunity to listen closely and enjoy.
- 80s Western pop hits featured in commercials. A roundup of nostalgic CM songs.
- Catchy Showa-era commercial jingles. Introducing famous songs recently featured in commercials, too!
- A must-see for people in their 30s and 40s! A roundup of nostalgic 1990s commercial jingles
- [Nostalgic Commercials] A compilation of commercials that aired in the Showa era
- Commercial songs from the 70s. Nostalgic TV commercial jingles.
- Heartwarming nostalgic commercial jingles: a special collection of timeless hits that take you back.
- [I want to hear it again!] Songs from Suntory commercials. Popular commercial jingles
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 80s
- Western songs from the 90s featured in commercials. A roundup of CM songs.
- [Summer Tunes] A roundup of commercial songs featured in summer ads
- [Touches the heart] Bittersweet commercial songs: those famous tracks that make you tear up
- Classic nostalgic summer hits from the ’80s. A roundup of summer songs.
- [Nostalgic Classics] Hit Japanese Love Songs from the 1980s
80s commercial songs. A roundup of Japanese songs from the 80s used in commercials so far (71–80)
Distant Street Corner (The Wanderin’ Street)Kuwata Keisuke
This commercial portrays the casual, everyday life of a cohabiting couple and introduces AIRism innerwear as a constant, everyday staple.
It shows them spending time together in a way that looks very happy, and combined with the gentle visuals, it’s a spot that makes viewers feel happy too.
Of course, the BGM also plays a role in enhancing that mood—the song is Keisuke Kuwata’s “Tooi Machikado (The wanderin’ street).” Released in 1988, it was also used in a Fujifilm commercial in the past.
Startled and GoodTahara Toshihiko
“Hatsushite! Good” is a single by Toshihiko Tahara released in September 1980.
It topped the Oricon charts for consecutive weeks and won the Best New Artist Award at the 22nd Japan Record Awards.
It was used as a commercial song for Glico.
Nancy of Summer ColorsHayami Yū
It was released in 1983 as Yū Hayami’s fifth single.
The song was used as the image song for a Coca-Cola commercial featuring Hayami herself, reached the Top 10 on the Oricon Weekly Chart for the first time, and became her biggest hit.
Thanks to the song’s success, she made her first appearance at the 34th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1983.
Lonely Tropical FishWink
Panasonic’s commercial opens with a striking image: someone holding a stereo as the earphones trailing from it glide smoothly through the air.
It symbolically portrays the ever-evolving ways we enjoy music.
The earphones seem to move with intent, dancing to the rhythm in space, expressing how sound stays close to us—free and weightless.
Coloring the spot is Wink’s classic hit “Lonely Tropical Fish.” The bittersweet yet pop sensibility of this quintessential 1980s track harmonizes beautifully with the stylish movements and aesthetic of the visuals.
The direction and music, evoking both nostalgia and freshness, remind us of the comfort of feeling connected to sound.
Ban Ban BanKUWATA BAND
Titled “LifeColors,” this commercial introduces T-shirts in a variety of colors to match different scenes.
Each color even has a name perfectly suited to its scene—like “Horizon Green” and “After-school Orange”—which feels really charming.
It highlights how, with Uniqlo, you can choose T-shirts from a rich palette of colors.
The background music is “Ban Ban Ban,” released by Kuwata Band in 1986.
Its refreshing, catchy melody line and the groovy bass line that supports it are especially striking.
Be sure to give it a careful listen.