The debut song of a Japanese rock band from the 1980s
This time, I’ll introduce debut songs by Japanese rock bands from the 1980s.
The 1980s were an exciting era when many musical styles emerged—new wave, punk, visual kei, and more—making the rock scene especially interesting.
Often called the “band boom” era, this period saw a great number of distinctive bands.
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Debut songs by Japanese rock bands from the 1980s (1–10)
BE MY BABYCOMPLEX
Released in April 1989, this was COMPLEX’s debut single, and it was also included on their first album, COMPLEX, which came out the same month.
COMPLEX was a rock band formed by singer-songwriter Koji Kikkawa and Tomoyasu Hotei, the former guitarist of BOØWY, who started the band because they had been friends for some time.
A self-cover version is also included on Tomoyasu Hotei’s best-of album.
Dark SidePHAIDIA
With a searing vocal presence and a heavy, resonant sound, the music draws listeners in an instant into a dark and beautiful world.
Representing the early days of Japan’s gothic rock scene, PHAIDIA delivers a work that distills the allure of their initial period.
This track appears on the acclaimed 1985 release In The Dark.
Even as it portrays despair and inner darkness, you can feel an irresistible, decadent beauty residing within.
The fact that it was recorded in a Tokyo studio in May 1985 seems to convey the heat of the underground scene at the time.
Put it on at night when you want to forget the everyday and immerse yourself in a beautifully mysterious world, and its decadent splendor will surely resonate in your heart.
I’M ON FIRE44MAGNUM
A song included on 44MAGNUM’s debut album “DANGER,” released in December 1983.
Since it appears as the first track, it is regarded as their debut song.
As a full-fledged metal rock band, their then-unusual hairstyles and outfits drew attention, and they are considered pioneers of visual kei rock in Japan.
The performance is impressive, hardly seeming like that of a debut track.
Debut Songs by Japanese Rock Bands from the 1980s (11–20)
Stormy FridayHOUND DOG
Released in March 1980, this was HOUND DOG’s debut single, and it was also included on their first album, “Welcome to the Rock’n Roll Show,” released in May of the same year.
Although the band formed in 1976, their debut came four years later due to delays in securing a record label and difficulties in creating songs they were satisfied with.
EverydayJITTERIN’JINN
Released in October 1989, this was JITTERIN’JINN’s debut single, and it was also included on their first album, DOKIDOKI, released in November of the same year.
They were a girls’ band that debuted on a popular late-night TV show’s music segment in the late 1980s, and they went on to release many hit songs.
“Natsu Matsuri,” which became a big hit when covered by Whiteberry in 1999, is originally a JITTERIN’JINN song.
Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS
Released in May 1987, this is THE BLUE HEARTS’ debut single.
It’s also included on their first album, THE BLUE HEARTS, which was released the same month.
Even before their debut, THE BLUE HEARTS were well-regarded for their musical style and live performances, but in fact their independently produced pre-debut song, ‘Hito ni Yasashiku’ (Be Kind to People), sold better.
Although this debut song, ‘Linda Linda,’ is now highly acclaimed, it wasn’t particularly well received at the time.
I’LL KILL YOUX
Released in June 1985, this was X’s debut single before they changed their name to X JAPAN.
It was also included on their first album, Vanishing Vision, released in April 1988.
X JAPAN had a major impact on the Japanese rock scene in the 1990s, but this song was produced during their indie days, and there’s a story that all copies were sold out entirely through hand-to-hand sales by the band and its associates.