Revival among the youth? Japanese dance music that was a hit in the 1980s. Showa-era dance tracks.
Due to American influence, in the 1980s Japan also saw dance music that heavily used drum machines and synthesizers become popular as it was incorporated into pop and other genres.
Behind the scenes, a wealth of superb, funky disco tracks were produced in large numbers, many of which remain timeless classics still talked about today.
In this era of retro revival, why not listen to the dance music that was in vogue in the ’80s?
For those who spent their youth back then, it will sound nostalgic; for generations who didn’t experience the era, it will sound fresh and new!
In this article, we’ve selected recommended dance tracks from that time.
Enjoy!
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Revival among the youth? Japanese dance music hits from the 1980s. Showa-era dance tracks (21–30)
LOVELAND,ISLANDYamashita Tatsuro
This song was included on the 1982 album “FOR YOU,” and it conjures an image of a woman dancing on a midsummer sidewalk, sweat dripping as she moves.
Although it wasn’t released as a single when the album first came out, it was issued as a single in 2002 as a TV drama theme song.
It’s a work brimming with the atmosphere of summer.
Man and WomanOhashi Junko
An electric and captivating track that evokes the disco sound of the ’80s.
The lyrics, depicting the fragility and poignancy of love, blend beautifully with Junko Ohashi’s powerful vocals.
Included on the album “Blue Desert,” released in March 1994, the song incorporates elements of city pop, reflecting the trends of the time.
With lyrics that resonate deeply and a danceable rhythm, it’s sure to support those struggling with matters of the heart.
A heartwarming song you’ll want to listen to with someone special.
Give Me UpBaBe
Michael Fortunati’s debut single.
It’s been covered by many artists, but it seems BaBe’s cover sold the most.
It’s a quintessential Eurobeat track that shook Japan’s discos noisily night after night at the time.
BaBe’s harmonies were lovely, and their choreography also became trendy.
Roppongi HeartbreakAn Ruisu
A guaranteed crowd-pleaser that anyone can dance to.
When she debuted, Ann Lewis was a demure and cute singer in the vein of “Goodbye My Love.” Before we knew it, she was singing songs like this that exude a decidedly more mature mood.
Released in 1986, it’s a masterpiece of danceable rock kayō (Japanese pop).
Midnight Down TownSugiyama Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe
The intro that evoked a samba rhythm was also a hallmark of Kiyotaka Sugiyama & Omega Tribe.
That positive kind of lightness—beyond just being breezy—must have fit the times.
Instead of heavy dancing, it’s a groove that just sways lightly; a pleasant track from an era when the word “languid” wasn’t even used all that much yet.