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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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- A collection of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the 70s
- Classic and hit J-pop songs from the nostalgic ’90s
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- [Japanese Music] Masterpieces of 2000s Pop: A roundup of hit songs from 00s J-POP
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- Popular Showa-era pop. Timeless hit songs.
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Best City Pop Classics: Recommended Popular Songs [Timeless & Contemporary] (1–10)
Midnight Door ~Stay With Me~Matsubara Miki
It’s a wonderful piece, with a bouncy sound and her voice laid over it to perfection.
For its time, the melody line and arrangement were strikingly jazzy and sophisticated.
Released in 1979, this work is one of her signature pieces.
She was an outstanding artist with captivating lyrics, but she passed away at the young age of 44.
Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya
This is the song that became a huge topic as a Japanese classic unearthed by music nerds around the world, especially in the United States: Mariya Takeuchi’s “Plastic Love.” From the perspective of overseas music fans, when you say “Japanese city pop,” this track became the go-to example.
Riding that wave, countless remixes and covers were uploaded to YouTube and elsewhere, making a big splash in the 2010s.
Funky and urban, it’s a masterpiece that truly embodies city pop with an unmistakable metropolitan mood.
SPARKLEYamashita Tatsuro
Tatsuro Yamashita’s 1982 release “SPARKLE.” It’s an insanely cool track, with a melody so beautiful and a charmingly retro vibe that it hardly feels like a Showa-era song.
While it exudes the mood of the ’80s, its groove is anything but dated—absolutely stunning.
It’s the kind of masterpiece that lets you proudly say, “’80s Japanese music could hold its own against the world!” If this song grabs you, why not dive deeper into Tatsuro Yamashita’s catalog, or explore his band Sugar Babe as well?
You are in full color.Ohtaki Eiichi
Among the genre of city pop that defined the 1980s, Eiichi Ohtaki’s “Kimi wa Tennenshoku” stands as a monumental work.
With an urban, forward-looking feel, it became a representative song of the 80s city pop movement that swept across Japan.
Even today it’s a pleasure to listen to; its sound still feels fresh and new.
The fact that it’s been used in commercials and covered by numerous musicians attests to its popularity and quality.
It’s an indispensable classic when talking about the golden era of city pop.
Pink ShadowBureddo & Batā
An irresistibly heart-fluttering Bread & Butter love song.
Its romantic world, where love is whispered under a full moon, is simply wonderful.
You can almost picture the two of them dancing a barefoot waltz in the park.
Released in September 1974, this work captivates with its mellow sound and folk-pop sensibility.
It was even reissued in 2022 on pink vinyl, a testament to how deeply it’s still loved by many fans.
A masterpiece that shines with Bread & Butter’s harmonies and delicate musicality—nostalgic and romantic, perfect for listening to with someone you love.
Like an angel.rikon densetsu
A song that portrays an emotional summer romance.
The city pop flavor is stylish, with breezy melodies and rhythms that evoke the freedom of summer and the thrill of love.
Released in August 2024, the cover features an illustration by popular artist Hisashi Eguchi.
The music video is also out, further deepening the song’s world.
It’s perfect for looking back on summer memories or listening with your partner.
Be sure to enjoy Rikon Densetsu’s sweet, mellow vocals and freewheeling guitar work.
Chuo FreewayMatsutōya Yumi
City pop rose to prominence in the 1970s, with Yumi Arai standing out among female artists.
At the time, New Music–style artists who sang city pop tended to release albums of around ten tracks, rather than focusing on singles.
“Chuo Freeway” is a track from Yumi Arai’s fourth original album, The 14th Moon.
Its lyrics weave in scenes along the Chuo Expressway, making it, in my view, an essential song for a drive.