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.
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- [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 [Classics & Modern] (41–50)
Steps of TearsKaoru Sudo
Tears Step, with a nostalgic ’60s pop flavor, is a single released in 1982.
Kaoru Sudo and Masamichi Sugi, who composed this song, once formed a unit and appeared in a joint concert with Yuming.
Sadly, she passed away in 2013 at the young age of her fifties.
Spirit Of LoveSing Like Talking
SING LIKE TALKING is a three-member band led by vocalist Chikuzen Sato that made its major debut in 1988.
As they continued to take on new challenges by incorporating diverse music from around the world, such as jazz and soul, they grew to the point where their albums reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts in the 1990s.
They had few hit singles; their best-selling single is “Spirit Of Love,” released in 1995, which sold around 80,000 copies.
Shadow DancerIkeda Masanori
Masanori Ikeda, who is still active as an actor, debuted as a singer in 1986.
“Shadow Dancer” was his second single, released in March of the following year, and it was used in a DyDo Coffee commercial.
It peaked at No.
18 on the Oricon charts, with total sales of 84,000 copies.
Just like back thenBureddo & Batā
A brother duo affectionately known by the nickname “Burebata” released this song in 1981.
With lyrics and composition by Kureta Keiko (a pseudonym of Yuming) and arrangements by the stellar pair of Haruomi Hosono and Masataka Matsutoya, it was created by an exceptionally all-star lineup.
The lyrics portray a striking contrast between “me,” who is still chasing dreams as always, and “you,” who cast those dreams aside long ago—a contrast that tightens the listener’s chest.
To the City of RainbowsTakano Hiroshi
Hiroshi Takano made his solo debut in 1988.
Rainbow City was released in February 1990 and was used in a Mizuno ski-wear commercial.
In the midst of the ski boom at the time, it was played frequently at ski resorts and brought Hiroshi Takano into the public eye.
It peaked at No.
2 on the Oricon chart and sold a total of 277,000 copies.
Summer HornsInagaki Junichi
It’s a masterpiece that leaves an especially strong impression not only within the city pop of the 1980s but also among Junichi Inagaki’s works.
I’m struck by its assured descriptive power that lets you slip effortlessly into the world of the song.
When summer draws to a close, you’re bound to hear it playing from somewhere; it’s a track you want to listen to in late summer.
Goodbye DayKisugi Takao
Takao Kisugi, famous as a composer, made his solo debut in the 1970s.
Just before “The Remaining Dream” (Yume no Tochū), the theme song of Sailor Suit and Machine Gun that he provided to Hiroko Yakushimaru, became a hit, he released Goodbye Day in May 1981.
Chosen as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama Love Hotline, it wasn’t an explosive hit, but its quality gradually caught on and it became a long-running success.