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.
Playlist
| AOR classic. A timeless, highly recommended hit. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Heart of MineBobby Caldwell |  play_arrow | “Heart of Mine” is Bobby... |
| 2east | What A Fool BelievesThe Doobie Brothers |  play_arrow | A track that embodies the essence of soft rock, with rhy… |
| 3east | Georgie PorgieTOTO |  play_arrow | Especially TOTO, which is said to have many fans in Japan... |
| 4east | Your Only LonelyJ.D. Souther |  play_arrow | Released in 1979. J.D. Souther (Ji… |
| 5east | Crystal LoversGrover Washington Jr. |  play_arrow | A classic AOR masterpiece that evokes a rainy night in the city... |
| 6east | Valentine (I Was Wrong About You)Ned Doheny |  play_arrow | This is characterized by a smooth and mellow sound… |
| 7east | New York City SerenadeChristpher Cross |  | The urban sound released in 1981 is... |
| 8east | I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)Daryl Hall & John Oates |  play_arrow | From the 1981 album “Private E…” |
| 9east | American MorningRandy Vanwarmer |  play_arrow | The original title is ‘Just When…’ |
| 10east | I’m Not In Love10cc |  play_arrow | The desolation that follows failing to say the words “I love you”… |
| 11east | After the Love Has GoneEarth, Wind & Fire |  play_arrow | AO composed by Mr. David Foster… |
| 12east | A night just for the two of usRobbie Dupree |  play_arrow | Released in 1980. At the time of its release, the arrangement was… |
| 13north_east | Love Is Stronger Than PrideSade |  play_arrow | A heart wavering between love and pride, through jazz... |
| 14south_east | Driving Home For ChristmasChris Rea |  play_arrow | With a melody and lyrics that evoke the arrival of winter, th… |
| 15east | I.G.Y.Donald Fagen |  play_arrow | “I.G.Y.” is Steely Dan’s... |
| 16east | Just the Way You AreBilly Joel |  play_arrow | Gently enveloped in a compassionate, mature love… |
| 17east | Baby, Come BackPlayer |  play_arrow | A classic that instantly conjures up the image of the American West Coast... |
| 18north_east | You Are My LadyFreddie Jackson |  play_arrow | The name of Mr. Freddie Jackson has become widely known... |
| 19south_east | Chuo FreewayMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | “Chuo Freeway” is a song that represents Japan, compo… |
| 20east | Through the FireChaka Khan |  play_arrow | The classic album “I Feel for You” re… |
| 21east | Silhouette of the WindBobby Caldwell |  play_arrow | As an AOR artist, in Japan Dan… |
| 22east | I Just Wanna StopGino Vannelli |  play_arrow | Released in 1978. Not very well known in Japan... |
| 23north_east | Let’s fall in love.Carole Bayer Sager |  play_arrow | Included in the 1978 album 'TOO'... |
| 24south_east | On The BeachChris Rea |  play_arrow | “On The Beach” is a British... |
| 25north_east | Hard to Say I’m SorryCHICAGO |  play_arrow | 「Hard to Say I’m Sor… |
| 26north_east | A Woman like youRuss Ballard |  play_arrow | A sweet, heartrending singing voice resonates deep within the heart... |
| 27south_east | She’s Out With A Gun AOR Melodic Rock City LightsVAN ZANT |  play_arrow | VAN ZAN, released in 1985… |
| 28east | Shake ItIan Matthews |  play_arrow | Ian Mash… released in 1978 |
| 29east | I Go CrazyPaul Davis |  play_arrow | Released in 1977. In Japan, it’s somehow... |
| 30east | Arthur’s ThemeChristpher Cross |  play_arrow | The film Arthur, released in 1981… |
| 31east | St. Elmo’s FireJohn Parr |  play_arrow | The song that became a worldwide hit in 1985 is… |
| 32north_east | Memorable SneakersSneaker |  play_arrow | The only pair of sneakers released in 1982... |
| 33south_east | EscapeRupert Holmes |  play_arrow | "Escape" is Rupert Holmes's... |
| 34east | SaraFleetwood Mac |  play_arrow | “Sara” was released by Fleetwood Mac in 1979… |
| 35east | Jo JoBoz Scaggs |  play_arrow | The 1980 album Middle Man… |
| 36east | 99TOTO |  play_arrow | “99” is a TOT released in 1979… |
| 37east | Sweet days of reminiscenceLittle River Band |  play_arrow | Released in 1978. With soaring vocals and… |
| 38east | Minute by MinuteThe Doobie Brothers |  play_arrow | The early Doobie Brothers had a gritty, down-to-earth feel… |
| 39east | HonestyBilly Joel |  play_arrow | “Honesty” is by Billy Joel... |
| 40east | Listening to OliviaAnri |  play_arrow | "Listening to Olivia" is a Japanese singer... |
| 41east | Is it you?Lee Ritenour |  play_arrow | Released in 1981. Lee Ritenour is a fu… |
| 42east | Livin’ It UpBill LaBounty |  play_arrow | Released in 1982. When talking about AOR, this is... |
| 43east | Secrets In The DarkChris Thompson |  play_arrow | Known as one of Chris Thompson’s signature songs... |
| 44north_east | Mr. Summertimesaakasu |  play_arrow | “Mr. Summertime” was re— in 1978 mi… |
| 45north_east | JojoBoz Scaggs |  play_arrow | “Jojo” is a middle-… released in 1980. |
| 46south_east | CarelessStephen Bishop |  play_arrow | A 1976 classic by a master of soft rock… |
| 47north_east | longerDan Fogelberg |  play_arrow | Released in 1980. From the very top of the head to the tips of the toes... |
| 48north_east | You Wouldn’t Know LoveMichael Bolton |  play_arrow | A collection of heartrending love stories by Michae… |
| 49north_east | Whatcha Gonna Do for MeNed Doheny |  play_arrow | This song is Chaka Khan’s “What Cha’ Gonna Do for Me”… |
| 50south_east | hot rod heartsRobbie Dupree |  play_arrow | Hot Rod Hearts is Robbie D... |
| 51east | Lost In LoveAir Supply |  play_arrow | So fresh you can’t help but say it! It’s so clear and translucent… |
| 52east | If it takes all nightB.J.Thomas |  play_arrow | B.J. Thomas’s warm, heartfelt song… |
| 53east | SailingChristopher Cross |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that beautifully captures the stillness and sense of solitude of the night... |
| 54east | Baby Come BackPlayer |  play_arrow | A heartfelt song that longs for a lost love… |
| 55east | Heart Of The NightPoco |  play_arrow | 「Heart Of The Night」… |
| 56east | FreedomDane Donohue |  play_arrow | Soft melodies and a pleasant rhythm leave a strong impression... |
| 57east | The Year Of The CatAl Stewart |  play_arrow | 『The Year Of The Cat… |
| 58east | One More ChanceAlias |  play_arrow | A poignant wish that tugs at the heart—this is a classic AOR masterpiece... |
| 59east | Lonely FreewayLarry Lee |  play_arrow | When driving with the window open, feeling the wind... |
| 60east | Goin’ DownGreg Guidry |  play_arrow | “Goin’ Down” is a song by the American s... |
| 61east | Silhouette of LoveJim Photoglo |  play_arrow | I’m feeling a slightly melancholic mood… |
| 62east | This Could Be the NightLoverboy |  play_arrow | A song brimming with a powerful yet delicate charm. 19… |
| 63east | OceansSurvivor |  play_arrow | A magnificent piece that evokes the vast ocean. 1986... |
| 64east | How Deep Is Your LoveBee Gees |  play_arrow | A 1977 pop ba… that questions the depths of sweet love |
| 65east | Ellie My LoveBill Champlin |  play_arrow | It's a masterpiece that passionately sings of a heartrending love. Southern All S... |
| 66north_east | Biggest Part of MeAmbrosia |  play_arrow | Released in 1980. Ambrosia is an Ame… |
| 67north_east | Lonely BoyAndrew Gold |  play_arrow | This song begins with a catchy piano melody. The chil... |
| 68north_east | Can’t Smile Without YouBarry Manilow |  play_arrow | 「Can’t Smile Without… |
| 69south_east | Look At What You GotDRIVE ,SHE SAID |  play_arrow | A heartrending song filled with thoughts for a loved one. DR… |
| 70east | PersonallyKarla Bonoff |  play_arrow | "Personally" was in 1982 a... |
| 71east | Year Of The CatAl Stewart |  play_arrow | Al Stewart’s ... released in 1976 |
| 72east | Go EasyAlien |  play_arrow | The Swedish hard rock band, Ali… |
| 73east | SOMEONEBEAU COUP |  play_arrow | Formed in Cleveland in the 1980s... |
| 74north_east | Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for YouGeorge Benson |  play_arrow | The universality of love, by George Benson... |
| 75north_east | WHO’S CRYING NOWJourney |  play_arrow | A gem of a piece whose sweet piano melody resonates in the heart... |
| 76north_east | ReminiscingLittle River Band |  play_arrow | Little …, released in 1978 |
| 77north_east | Keep On Loving YouREO Speed Wagon |  play_arrow | It’s a heartfelt expression that conveys the powerful strength of sincere love… |
| 78north_east | Sad EyesRobert John |  play_arrow | Released in 1979. Reached No. 1 on the U.S. charts... |
| 79north_east | Yes-Noofukōsu |  play_arrow | "Yes-No" was released in 1980... |
| 80north_east | I just Wanna StopGino Vannelli |  play_arrow | "I just Wanna Stop" is... |
| 81north_east | Wait for MeDaryl Hall & John Oates |  play_arrow | Daryl, who is very well-known and popular even in Japan... |
| 82north_east | HimRupert Holmes |  play_arrow | Rupert Holmes is known for 'Escape'... |
| 83south_east | Desert MoonDennis DeYoung |  play_arrow | Mr. Dennis DeYoung, whose presence resonates in the heart across time… |
| 84south_east | That’s What Friends Are ForDionne Warwick |  play_arrow | A classic song that extols the importance of friendship, by Dion… |
| 85south_east | Stranger In ParadiseDwayne Ford |  play_arrow | A Canadian arti… released in 1981 |
| 86east | loverGlenn Frey |  play_arrow | In the cold season, in front of a brightly blazing fireplace, with the person you love… |
| 87east | Bluer Than Blue / Prologue of SorrowMichael Johnson |  | A very beautiful piece. From autumn heading into winter… |
| 88east | She is Wait for MeAIRPLAY |  play_arrow | Released in 1980. From the very beginning, it’s bursting with freshness... |