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!
- [Nostalgic Hits] Popular Japanese dance music songs that were hits in the 1990s
- [Wamono] A roundup of popular 1970s Japanese dance songs and disco kayō
- Get into it! Dance to it! Enjoy it! Best J-POP Dance Tracks
- Dance music in Japanese (J-pop) that people in their 50s used to listen to. Nostalgic classic hits.
- For seniors in their 80s: Stay healthy while having fun. Introducing dance songs that make you want to move!
- [Definitive Edition] Masterpieces and Hit Songs of 80s Disco
- [Nostalgic Hits] Japanese dance music that resonates with people in their 40s.
- Including global hits! 80s songs popular on TikTok
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
- Guaranteed to make you want to dance! Dance tracks that defined the Heisei era
- Dance music that was popular among Gen Z. A song that went viral.
- Popular Nostalgic Hits and Classics Ranking [1980s Japanese Music Ranking]
- Nostalgic yet fresh!? Classic masterpieces of Japanese rock from the 1970s and 1980s
Revival among the youth? Japanese dance music hits from the 1980s. Showa-era dance tracks (21–30)
RYDEENYellow Magic Orchestra
Yellow Magic Orchestra, commonly known as YMO, is a band consisting of Yukihiro Takahashi, Haruomi Hosono, and Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Even at the time, they were noted as an exceptional group of artists whose scale exceeded the boundaries of Japan.
Many musicians have been influenced by them, and one of the most representative today is Perfume.
There was even a concert where Perfume danced while video of YMO performing Rydeen in the 1980s played in the background.
Mugo… mm… that’s sexy.Kudō Shizuka
As an idol who looked great in purple, she was extremely popular among the slightly delinquent-style fashion-loving older guys and gals of the time.
The fact that the lyrics were written by Miyuki Nakajima was also a hot topic.
The guitar in the intro was striking, and kids who couldn’t play guitar all imitated it with their mouths.
The electronic elements of the song matched well with Shizuka Kudo’s vocals, too.
Jenny is in a bad moodJūshii Furūtsu
A single released in 1980.
Juicy Fruits is a band formed around Haruo Chikada.
For its time, the piece—sung entirely in a whispery voice by the female vocalist Illya—was innovative, and it was very cute and danceable.
Dancing All Nightmonta & burazāzu
Here’s a signature hit of the ’80s! A soulful track by Monta & Brothers, it portrays the bittersweet feelings of lovers dancing the night away.
The tender, aching lyrics mesh perfectly with the distinctive synthesizer-driven sound.
Released in April 1980 as their debut single, it topped the Oricon weekly chart for 10 consecutive weeks and won numerous awards, including a Japan Record Award Gold Prize.
In 2005 it was featured in a Mizkan commercial, continuing to be loved across generations.
Whether it’s a night swayed by love or a party with friends, this song is guaranteed to hype up any scene.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to feel the exhilarating sound of the ’80s.
Lucky LoveWada Kanako
It’s a very catchy song featuring the vocals of Kanako Wada, an idol who epitomized the ’80s.
Set to a lively melody, it portrays the wavering feelings caught between an ideal love and the reality of romance.
Released in November 1988, this track was also used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Ie to Nyobo to Otoko no Meiyo,” and it left a lasting impression on many listeners.
It’s the perfect song for anyone struggling with love or feeling nostalgic for their youth.
Just one listen will lift your spirits—like a little bit of magic.