Best City Pop Classics: Recommended Popular Songs [Timeless & Modern]

CAT’S EYEAnri

cat’s eyes (1983 Cat’s Eye) OP

Anri’s 13th single, released in August 1983.

After debuting in 1978 with “Olivia wo Kikinagara” and having no major hits, she handled the theme song for the anime Cat’s Eye, which became a massive success.

An uptempo city-pop track that matched the anime’s urban vibe.

It reached No.

1 on the Oricon weekly chart, with total sales of 820,000 copies.

SOMEDAYSano Motoharu

MOTOHARU SANO — SOMEDAY

Released as a single in June 1981 and later included on the album “SOMEDAY,” which came out in May of the following year.

Although the single did not sell well at the time and failed to chart on Oricon, the album “SOMEDAY” released the next May became a hit, peaking at No.

4 on the Oricon charts.

It has since become one of Motoharu Sano’s signature songs, still widely sung at karaoke today.

Make up shadowInoue Yosui

Make up shadow

A pioneering figure of city pop who was active as a singer-songwriter from the 1970s through the 1980s, Yosui Inoue released the single “Make up shadow” in July 1993, which served as the theme song for the TV drama “Subarashiki Kana Jinsei” (What a Wonderful Life).

Among his songs spanning various genres, this track stands out for its particularly urban vibe.

Boosted by the drama’s popularity, it peaked at No.

2 on the Oricon charts and sold a total of 817,000 copies.

And then I’m at a lossŌsawa Yoshiyuki

Yoshiyuki Osawa — And Then, I’m At a Loss

Works by Yoshiyuki Osawa that still don’t feel dated even today.

Along with the sound, the lyrics are superb, piercing straight into the heart.

There’s a single moment where the otherwise steady-flowing melody shifts, as if echoing the movement of one’s emotions.

That’s where all the poignancy seems to be concentrated.

Released in 1984.

There are numerous cover versions by other artists.

No more tears are neededSuzuki Masayuki

No more tears are needed

Masayuki Suzuki, who served as the vocalist for Rats & Star, made his solo debut in 1986 with the single “Natsu That Vanished Behind the Glass.” He gained popularity singing sophisticated city pop for adults.

Released in May 1992, “Mou Namida wa Iranai” became his biggest hit thanks to its impactful chorus, peaking at No.

8 on the Oricon charts and selling a total of 560,000 copies.

Goodbye OceanSugiyama Kiyotaka

Kiyotaka Sugiyama ~Sayonara no Ocean~

An exceptionally good voice! Listening to Kiyotaka Sugiyama now makes me feel that all over again.

“Sayonara no Ocean” was his first single after going solo, released in 1985.

It’s a song that carries the scent of the sea breeze—one that makes you imagine many young people at the time driving along the coast while listening to it.

You are 1000%.1986OMEGATRIBE

1986 OMEGA TRIBE – Kimi ha 1000％ [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Omega Tribe was a band active in the 1980s.

Starting with Kiyotaka Sugiyama as the original frontman, the lead vocalist changed several times.

The frontman on this release is Carlos Toshiki.

Released in 1986, it features a distinctly era-typical urban sound and lyrics.

It is the debut single of 1986 Omega Tribe.