Debut songs by female artists from the 1980s

Friday ChinatownYasuha

Fly-day Chinatown / Yasuha Official Lyric Video

I still see her on TV a lot even now, but to be frank, she’s the only one who inherited her father’s talent for performing in front of people.

I can’t believe she was able to produce such an amazing song right from her debut…

Is she not doing music anymore?

Come back, my time.Takeuchi Mariya

Mariya Takeuchi – Come Back, My Time (Turning Back the Time) [1978]

Despite her idol-like looks, Mariya Takeuchi is characterized by a distinctly deep voice for a woman, and as a songwriter she has undoubtedly left her mark on the history of Japanese pop music.

Lately, it seems she has been striving to revitalize her family’s famous long-established inn.

Sun, God, BoyNoda Mikiko

Mikiko Noda “Sun, God, Boy” Official Music Video

Why the lyrics were written with Greek mythology as a motif remains a mystery.

Still, it has been crafted into a delightfully laid-back idol pop song, showcasing the superb taste of Moonriders’ craftsman Keiichi Suzuki.

Speaking of which, Mikiko Noda is said to hold a wine sommelier qualification as well.

From the bathroom with loveYamashita Kumiko

Kumiko Yamashita “With Love from the Bathroom”

Kumiko Yamashita’s debut song, known for its fast-paced, hard-edged sound, had a uniquely mood-kayo atmosphere to it.

However, who would have thought she would later experience exactly what the lyrics here describe…

Life is mysterious.

Daphne odora (Jinchoge)Ishikawa Yuko

Daphne / Yuko Ishikawa

Because of her lovely looks and work in gravure, there was a tendency for people to think she was an idol, but her actual position was that of a singer-songwriter.

However, this debut single falls into the enka kayō genre, with both lyrics and composition handled by professionals.

White WeekendAn Ruisu

[1971] White Weekend by Ann Lewis [Full Single]

In the 1980s, Ann Lewis was hugely popular with the “bad crowd” as a talented rock diva.

However, she debuted in the early ’70s, and as you can hear here—perhaps a precursor to idol pop—the music carries an atmosphere reminiscent of mood kayō (traditional mood pop).

A painfully true storyHarada Tomoyo

A painfully true story

Harada Tomoyo’s debut song, written by Takao Kishii.

The sorrowful, heartrending melody is quintessential Kishii.

Come to think of it, she continued her music career steadily through the ’90s—quite an achievement for someone who started as an idol!

Slow motionNakamori Akina

Akina Nakamori – Slow Motion

Akina Nakamori’s debut song, known for her shadowy presence compared to other idols of her generation.

It’s a classic that would go on to be covered by numerous famous musicians, but listening now, you can still hear that she was a teenager—there’s a touch of sweetness that hasn’t completely faded.

Perhaps that’s exactly what makes it so charming.

Rainy MidosujiŌyō Fifi

Rainy Midosuji (Ouyang Feifei)

Here is the Japanese debut song of Ouyang Feifei, an artist from Taiwan who churned out hit songs in Japan from the 1970s to the 1980s.

It really gives off a strong sense of the era, but it was originally an instrumental number by The Ventures.

P.S.I LOVE YOUPINK SAPPHIRE

[Official] PINK SAPPHIRE “P.S. I LOVE YOU” (Music Video) Pink Sapphire / P.S. I Love You (1st single)

Strictly speaking, Pink Sapphire, who debuted in 1990, aren’t an ’80s artist.

However, this song retains a strong ’80s sound, and Pink Sapphire themselves gave off an ’80s vibe.

They were also known as a band with high-level musicianship.