AOR classic. A timeless, highly recommended hit.
Adult-oriented rock (AOR) began as an expression of youthful, primal impulse in rock music, and as it grew through encounters with various genres, it evolved into a mellow, urbane, and sophisticated sound.
AOR gently embraces the joys, sorrows, and loneliness you encounter in everyday life—it’s truly a soundtrack for grown-ups.
Here, we’ve selected some classic tracks in that vein.
As you listen, let the rich sound and lyrics resonate with your own feelings.
Surely, even a heart that’s felt a bit parched will be filled with new moisture.
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AOR classics: Timeless, highly recommended hits (81–90)
Can’t Smile Without YouBarry Manilow
“Can’t Smile Without You” (Japanese title: “Namida-iro no Hohoemi”) is a hit song covered by Barry Manilow in 1978.
The original is by the Carpenters.
In the mid-1980s, the music publisher Dick James Music sued, claiming that Wham!’s “Last Christmas” (1984) was a plagiarism of this song, but it was reportedly settled out of court.
Wait for MeDaryl Hall & John Oates
Daryl Hall & John Oates are very well-known and popular in Japan.
They have so many hit songs, but I chose this one for its strong AOR flavor.
Daryl’s silky vocals and the performance’s mature ease are especially captivating.
PersonallyKarla Bonoff
“Personally” is a song included on Wild Heart of the Young, released in 1982 by American singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff.
Its urbane, languid yet rhythmic feel gives it an AOR vibe—highly recommended.
SailingChristopher Cross
It’s a masterpiece that beautifully captures the quiet and loneliness of the night.
Christopher Cross’s gentle vocals and the laid-back melody envelop the listener’s heart.
Using sailing as a metaphor, the lyrics sing about life’s journey and self-discovery, resonating with many people.
Released in June 1980, the song topped the Billboard charts and won a Grammy.
It was also used as the theme song for the film “Arthur,” which helped it reach an even wider audience.
When your heart is weary or you’re spending a quiet night alone, listening to this track is sure to be soothing.
Baby Come BackPlayer
This is a soft rock classic that earnestly sings of a heartfelt longing for lost love.
Released in September 1977, it reached No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100 the following year.
The tender vocals and poignant melody tighten the listener’s chest.
The protagonist wandering the city through the night is a figure anyone who’s experienced heartbreak can relate to.
The loneliness and regret of returning to the same old state even when morning comes flow through the gentle rhythm.
The song was also used in the film Transformers and is loved by a wide range of generations.
It’s a track I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone grieving the loss of someone dear.