[Autumn Love Songs] A selection of love songs that portray a bittersweet longing

My loverGorin Mayumi

My Lover

Mayumi Itsuwa’s “Koibito yo,” which begins with a stately, classical-music-like introduction, was released in 1980.

It was her 18th single.

It reached No.

1 on the Oricon chart and became her biggest hit and signature song among her singles.

Gondola on a Moonlit NightHorikawa Sanae

Sanae Horikawa "Gondola on a Moonlit Night"

Sanae Horikawa’s debut single “Tsukiyo no Gondola,” released in 1991.

It exudes the quintessential vibe of idol songs from that era, and its lyrics about a young girl’s innocent first love bring a sweet, tangy feeling to the surface.

It makes you think, “Did I have a time like that too…?” and leaves you with a gentle ache of nostalgia.

Please give it a listen.

TSUKIAmuro Namie

TSUKI – Namie Amuro (Full)

Namie Amuro, a singer who enjoyed phenomenal popularity in the 1990s to the point of becoming a social phenomenon and is remembered as one of the divas of the Heisei era.

Her 41st single, “TSUKI,” used as the theme song for the film “I Just Wanna Hug You,” also garnered attention for its dreamlike music video filmed in Iceland.

The lyrics tell a story of gazing up at the moon while thinking of a beloved person you’ve parted from, stirring up a sentimental mood.

With its transparent, lucid vocals and a melody tinged with wistfulness, it’s a poignant yet beautiful number that resonates in the heart.

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Hoshino Takashi

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cosmos (flower)Yamaguchi Momoe

Cosmos - Momoe Yamaguchi - Cosmos

A super-famous song written and composed by Masashi Sada.

It’s a work that everyone recognizes as a classic for autumn.

A scene of a daughter soon to be married and her mother sitting on the engawa, watching cosmos flowers sway in the autumn breeze.

You could call it one of Japan’s quintessential pastoral images.

The song was released in 1977.

Adolescence (with an autumnal/reflective nuance)Iwasaki Hiromi

adolescence

Hiromi Iwasaki debuted in the 1970s.

Among the female idol singers who debuted in that era, she stood out for her exceptional vocal ability and captivated listeners across a wide age range.

Her steady, unwavering singing style and assured expressiveness let listeners enjoy her music with confidence.

This song was released in 1977 and won numerous music awards.

Stop the twilightTokunaga Hideaki

Hidemasa Tokunaga – Stop the Twilight – Healing Song Prince – Junya Komatsu

With a high, crystal-clear voice like pure glass, this ballad beautifully captures the twilight scene, a song that feels as if it washes the listener’s heart clean.

It’s a track that makes you want to immerse yourself completely, where the world woven by the melody is perfectly complemented by Hideaki Tokunaga’s singing.

The Wind RisesMatsuda Seiko

Seiko Matsuda - The Wind Rises

Seiko Matsuda, a super idol of the 1980s.

This is her seventh single, released in 1981.

The lyrics were written by Takashi Matsumoto and the music was composed by Eiichi Ohtaki—an amazing duo who created a massive hit.

It’s a grand-scale song with remarkable color and clarity.

If you haven’t heard it, be sure to give it a listen.