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!
Playlist
| Revival among the youth? Japanese dance music that was a hit in the 1980s. Showa-era dance tracks. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Dancing HeroOginome Yōko |  play_arrow | The so- of Yoko Oginome released in 1985... |
| 2east | CHA-CHA-CHAIshii Akemi |  play_arrow | Released in 1986. The original song is a Western disco track... |
| 3east | SHOW MEMorikawa Yukari |  play_arrow | The sin… released by Yukari Morikawa in 1987 |
| 4east | Can’t Stop the RomanticC-C-B |  play_arrow | The quintessential hit song representing the ’80s is C-C-B’s da— |
| 5east | Marilyn in 1986Honda Minako |  play_arrow | Honda, the eternal idol who left this world at a young age… |
| 6north_east | TownYoshida Minako |  play_arrow | Mina Yoshida, who has changed her appearance time and again through her music... |
| 7south_east | TATTOONakamori Akina |  play_arrow | Akina Nakamori’s signature 80s dance tune |
| 8east | DESIRE -Passion-Nakamori Akina |  play_arrow | The 1980s’ iconic songstress, Akina Nakamori’s repr… |
| 9east | RaideenYellow Magic Orchestra |  play_arrow | Yellow..., the music unit that Japan proudly presents to the world |
| 10east | Get WildTM NETWORK |  play_arrow | A techno-pop band representing the 80s... |
| 11east | A Tearful RequestChekkāzu |  play_arrow | One of the iconic songs of the ’80s, about a broken heart… |
| 12east | DEAR FRIENDSPERSONZ |  play_arrow | The overwhelming presence and power of vocalist JILL... |
| 13east | A Member of the Fire BrigadeRATS&STAR |  play_arrow | Known as one of Rats & Star’s signature songs, this… |
| 14east | Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | A song that represents Japan’s music scene of the ’80s… |
| 15east | Midnight Door ~ Stay With MeMatsubara Miki |  play_arrow | Captivating with its unforgettable beautiful melody and heartrending lyrics… |
| 16east | Love Won’t Stop – Turn It Into Love –Wink |  | The original song for this work was by an Australian arti… |
| 17east | MarionetteBOØWY |  play_arrow | A classic by BOØWY—a masterpiece that encapsulates the allure of rock. |
| 18east | Lonely Tropical FishWink |  play_arrow | The W... that took the world by storm in the late ’80s |
| 19east | Before anything else, from atop the roadIsseifubi Sepia |  play_arrow | Sepia’s music conveys the meaning of life. |
| 20east | Dance If You Want ItKubota Toshinobu |  play_arrow | Toshinobu Kubota's smash hit—energetic and profound. |
| 21east | LOVELAND,ISLANDYamashita Tatsuro |  play_arrow | The album “FO…” released in 1982 |
| 22east | Give Me UpBaBe |  play_arrow | Michael Fortunati’s debut sing… |
| 23east | Man and WomanOhashi Junko |  play_arrow | Evocative of the disco sound of the ’80s… |
| 24east | I won’t lose!BARBEE BOYS |  play_arrow | With BARBEE BOYS, the way they’re called “anego” (big sis)… |
| 25east | Roppongi HeartbreakAn Ruisu |  play_arrow | A track guaranteed to get anyone dancing. Debi... |
| 26east | Dancing All Nightmonta & burazāzu |  play_arrow | Here’s a classic song that represents the 80s! Monta &… |
| 27east | RYDEENYellow Magic Orchestra |  play_arrow | Yellow Magic Orchest… |
| 28east | Mugo… mm… that’s sexy.Kudō Shizuka |  play_arrow | As an idol who looks good in purple, at the time a bit... |
| 29east | Lucky LoveWada Kanako |  play_arrow | Kanako Wada, an idol who represents the 1980s… |
| 30east | Late-blooming girlTogawa Jun |  play_arrow | The album Suki..., released in 1985 |
| 31east | Jenny is in a bad moodJūshii Furūtsu |  play_arrow | A single released in 1980. Di… |
| 32east | TOP SECRET MANThe Plastics |  play_arrow | In the 1980s, P-MODEL, Hikashu… |
| 33east | Midnight Down TownSugiyama Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe |  play_arrow | Even the intro, which evokes a samba rhythm, Kiyoshi Sugiyama… |
| 34east | VenusNagayama Yōko |  play_arrow | Yoko Nagayama, who has firmly established herself as an enka singer, … |
| 35east | Wine Red Heartanzenchitai |  play_arrow | Anzen Chitai’s adult love song |
| 36east | HeartbeatFujiwara Miho |  play_arrow | Energetic synth-pop and funk are... |
| 37east | FriendsRebekka |  play_arrow | A classic synth-driven dance-rock track, an anthem of youth |
| 38east | Flashy!!!Nagayama Miho |  play_arrow | Miho Nakayama’s classic brimming with synth vibes |
| 39east | MasqueradeShonentai |  play_arrow | The emotions of Kamen Butokai and the charm of Shonentai |
| 40east | Into The NightNarita Masaru |  play_arrow | Katsunari's classic 80s disco hit, a summer standard |
| 41east | The heart won’t come back.Hayami Yū |  play_arrow | A powerful synth-pop song that transcends parting |
| 42east | Love is Do!Tahara Toshihiko |  | Top idol of the early 80s, Toshihiko Tahara sa— |
| 43east | Close your eyes and come here.BARBEE BOYS |  play_arrow | When it comes to BARBEE BOYS’ signature works, it would have to be… |
| 44east | Ah, heartlessAn Ruisu |  play_arrow | A song that expresses a love story in rock |
| 45east | Heartbreak Sun Tribesutābō |  play_arrow | Starbow, in a short period of just two years... |
| 46east | You were mineKubota Toshinobu |  play_arrow | Toshinobu Kubota’s classic ’80s track—bittersweet, funky R&B |
| 47east | NEVERMIE |  play_arrow | MIE, formerly of Pink Lady (now known as Miu)… |