Best City Pop Classics: Recommended Popular Songs [Timeless & Modern]
City pop has been gaining momentum, especially overseas, after Mariya Takeuchi’s “Plastic Love” exploded in views on YouTube.
Originally, it referred to songs from the late 1970s to the 1980s that emphasized a sophisticated, urban vibe, but over time its definition and interpretation have gradually expanded.
Since the 2000s, it’s also been discussed in terms of its stylish, moody image, and perceptions vary from person to person.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of tracks—from classic, beloved city pop that laid the foundations of modern pop music to songs that capture a fresh, contemporary feel.
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 80s
- [BGM] Attractive City Pop
- City pop perfect for creating a romantic date atmosphere (Adults Only)
- A collection of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the 70s
- Classic and hit J-pop songs from the nostalgic ’90s
- [Revisited] A roundup of popular and classic Showa-era songs that are trending now [2026]
- [Japanese Music] Masterpieces of 2000s Pop: A roundup of hit songs from 00s J-POP
- From City Pop to Ballads!! Mariya Takeuchi’s Easy-to-Sing Songs
- From Japan! Technopop masterpieces and recommended popular tracks
- Popular Showa-era pop. Timeless hit songs.
- Memorable Youth Songs: Looking Back on New Music Masterpieces from the 1970s–80s
- A Classic of Korean City Pop [KOREAN CITY POP]
- Nothing but iconic hits that defined an era! 2000s classics popular on TikTok
Best City Pop Classics: Recommended Popular Songs [Timeless & Modern] (81–90)
Even if I callMurata Kazuhito
Kazuhito Murata, who sadly passed away in 2016.
Released in 1982, this work is a stylish song that opens with a guitar intro brimming with the brightness of the American West Coast.
You can feel the influence of the West Coast sound in the arrangement as well, resulting in a breezy, pleasantly crisp piece.
Excited Watchingitō ginji
Ginji Ito, who worked alongside Tatsuro Yamashita as a songwriter for Sugar Babe.
His songs feature wonderful lyrics and a moody ensemble—truly emblematic of 80s city pop.
And when it comes to his signature tune, it has to be Ukiki WATCHING, the theme song for the daytime TV show Waratte Iitomo! If you listen to the original, you’ll find it’s not the sparkly TV-style pop, but a city pop track with beautiful guitar melodies that you can really appreciate.
Calling YouAbe Yasuhiro
Remembered as a classic piece of Japanese AOR.
Its chord progressions reflect the trends of the time.
In terms of arrangement, you can hear influences from artists like Boz Scaggs, such as the saxophone parts inserted between vocal sections.
That wistful atmosphere was also essential to city-pop love stories.
Released in 1991.
Give me a slow boogieMinami Yoshitaka
Yoshitaka Minami, a New Music–style singer, is also known as a songwriter for works such as Hiromi Go’s “Sexy You” (originally titled “Monroe Walk”) and Hiroko Yakushimaru’s “Main Theme.” Released in January 1981, “Slow na Boogie ni Shitekure” is a single he performed himself and is considered one of his signature songs.
It served as the theme song for a film of the same title broadcast in 1983, and was later used in the 1990s as a commercial song for the Honda Civic.
The track has an urban atmosphere that begins with a striking intro.
It peaked at No.
6 on the Oricon chart and sold a total of 284,000 copies.
In conclusion
Among the many songs, they all have a vibe that simply listening makes you feel comfortable and lets you spend a relaxed, unhurried time, right? It made me realize I want to consciously cherish those moments as well.
Listening to city pop again might make today’s pop music sound different and lead to new discoveries.