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.

Playlist

Best City Pop Classics: Recommended Popular Songs [Timeless & Modern]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Midnight Door ~Stay With Me~Matsubara Miki		An artist’s signature works, jazzy music, and their charm
2	Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi’s “Plastic Love” is gaining attention overseas.
3	SPARKLEYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita's “SPARKLE,” a classic song from the 1980s
4	You are in full color.Ohtaki Eiichi		Eiichi Ohtaki’s classic song “You Are Natural Color”
5	Pink ShadowBureddo & Batā		A heartwarming classic woven from love and music
6	Like an angel.rikon densetsu		A city pop song that portrays summer romance
7	Chuo FreewayMatsutōya Yumi		City pop, the representative music of Yumi Arai
8	Night lights on my cheeksYoshida Minako		A masterpiece by Minako Yoshida that paints a nightscape
9	You are the queen.punipuni denki		Puni Puni Denki’s music: the cutting edge of city pop
10	SHADOW CITYTerao Akira		A sophisticated urban love song for adults
11	Believe in Loveburū pepāzu		A romantic song in 80s-style city pop
12	DOWN TOWNShugā Beibu		The legendary music of Sugar Babe
13	Monroe WalkMinami Yoshitaka		City pop is 80s new music.
14	SUMMER SUSPICIONSugiyama Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe		City pop classic by Kiyotaka Sugiyama & Omega Tribe
15	Dramatic RainInagaki Junichi		A city pop classic that depicts urban romance
16	Friday ChinatownYasuha		A city pop classic, Night’s Brilliance
17	Orphanscero		Songs by cero that contributed to the city pop revival
18	meditationOzaki Ami		A meditative track brimming with the charm of city pop
19	WINDY SUMMERAnri		A city pop classic, a refreshing summer song
20	4:00A.M.Ohnuki Taeko		The stillness before dawn, Taeko Ohnuki’s singing voice
21	SeptemberTakeuchi Mariya		A classic song portraying the end of a romance from summer to autumn
22	city; urban areaOhnuki Taeko		The charm of Taeko Onuki, whose songs epitomize urbane city pop
23	Tokyo TowerKadamatsu Toshiki		A single that depicts the night in a big city
24	AliensKirinji		A signature song by Kirinji—listless and distinctive.
25	Two Red Starskinmokusei		A city pop band famous for their signature songs
26	There’s no show as wonderful as love.Iwasaki Yoshimi		Yoshimi Iwasaki’s city pop masterpiece
27	RIDE ON TIMEYamashita Tatsuro		Tatsuro Yamashita's city pop classic
28	SeptemberTakeuchi Mariya		Representative female artists of city pop
29	kissORIGINAL LOVE		The five-member band “Kiss” has a signature song that was used as a TV drama theme song.
30	246:3AMInagaki Junichi		Junichi Inagaki’s 3 A.M. on Route 246, an elegy of the city night
31	Fade-out (in a wavering heart)Inagaki Junichi		City pop that portrays adult romance and pain
32	Midnight PretendersAran Tomoko		A city pop classic, the feelings of the urban night
33	Twilight AvenueStardust Revue		A classic by Starebi that expresses a woman's feelings in love.
34	A Happy EndingOhtaki Eiichi		Eiichi Ohtaki scores a major hit with Love Generation
35	Wind like musicEPO		EPO, the sophisticated city pop masterpiece
36	If I Could See You in My Dreams feat. Tomoyo HaradaDEEN		The classic song by Happy End’s Eiichi Ohtaki
37	Southern CrossInagaki Junichi		Okinawa campaign song depicting the ambiance of a tropical paradise
38	Monochrome VenusIkeda Satoshi		A hit song from the bubble era, popularized by a car commercial.
39	The Last Holy NightSugiyama Kiyotaka		Kiyotaka Sugiyama's Christmas song becomes a big hit
40	Steps of TearsKaoru Sudo		1960s-style single “Tears Step” and Kaoru Sudo
41	CAT’S EYEAnri		Anri scored a hit with 'Cat's Eye'.
42	An afternoon when I want to see youInagaki Junichi		Junichi Inagaki’s city pop song, a bittersweet feeling in the afternoon
43	Shadow DancerIkeda Masanori		Masanori Ikeda’s second single, a song from a coffee commercial.
44	Morning of the PegasusIgarashi Hiroaki		A refreshing hit song by a singer-songwriter
45	No more tears are neededSuzuki Masayuki		Masayuki Suzuki’s signature city pop songs
46	Summer HornsInagaki Junichi		Junichi Inagaki’s summer classic, coloring the late summer
47	You’re My Only Shinin’ StarKadamatsu Toshiki		Toshiki Kadomatsu’s classic song dedicated to Miho Nakayama
48	Dance at Nightfurenzu		A danceable, mature summer dance track
49	Make up shadowInoue Yosui		The pioneer of city pop, Yosui Inoue’s classic song
50	Sorrowful Diamond RingInagaki Junichi		A sophisticated love song that colors the city night
51	Goodbye DayKisugi Takao		Takao Kisugi’s classic song “Goodbye Day” becomes a hit.
52	In the Canary IslandsOhtaki Eiichi		Eiichi Ohtaki’s classic song “A LONG VACATION”
53	And then I’m at a lossŌsawa Yoshiyuki		Yoshiyuki Osawa’s soul-stirring masterpiece, a timeless charm
54	Spirit Of LoveSing Like Talking		A popular band that fuses jazz and soul
55	Wednesday MoonTokunaga Hideaki		Hideaki Tokunaga's hit song “Wednesday Moon”
56	Circus NightNanao Tabito		Tavito Nanao’s famous song—mellow, beautiful music.
57	Just like back thenBureddo & Batā		A classic youth anthem created by Yuming and her staff
58	The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi		Yasushi Nakanishi becomes a hit singer with 'Saigo no Ame'
59	Hold on MeKohiruimaki Kahoru		Kahoru Kohiruimaki, theme song for “Marriage Story”
60	Stop the night once moreSakiya Kenjirō		From artist to singer: the birth of a hit song
61	To the City of RainbowsTakano Hiroshi		A song that was a big hit during the ski boom era
62	My Pure LadyOzaki Ami		Ami Ozaki’s classic song became a huge hit through a cosmetics commercial.
63	SOMEDAYSano Motoharu		Moto Haru Sano's classic song featured on a popular album
64	Goodbye OceanSugiyama Kiyotaka		Kiyotaka Sugiyama’s classic song “Sayonara no Ocean”
65	Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko		The city pop classic “Akai Sweet Pea”
66	life hackVaundy		A pop song that expresses feelings of love
67	You were mineKubota Toshinobu		An R&B-style theme song for a Monday 9 p.m. drama—an urban, city-chic track.
68	You And INakanishi Keizō		Keizo Nakanishi, popular for 1990s commercial hit songs
69	You are 1000%.1986OMEGATRIBE		Omega Tribe’s representative works from the 1980s
70	Rainy summerYudai Suzuki		Yudai Suzuki was popular in the ’80s for “Rainy Summer.”
71	No Future VacationUesaka Sumire		A song with the charm and atmosphere of 80s anime music
72	Purple TownYagami Junko		Junko Yagami’s New York campaign song is a big hit
73	Simple LoveOhashi Junko		Impressive songs by the singer Junko Ohashi
74	It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki		Masaki Ueda’s classic Osaka city pop song
75	The Amagi Legend Murder CaseSekiguchi Makoto		Makoto Sekiguchi of C-C-B, solo hit song
76	ODD TAXIsukaato to PUNPEE		A lo-fi beat track depicting a city nightscape
77	Dancin’ With Your LiesSing Like Talking		The charm of Chikuzen Sato’s singing voice and music
78	GRAVITATIONSInoue Akira		An 80s fusion song with a striking intro
79	I want to be honest. Don’t you tell him?haifaisetto		Mari Sugiyama’s 80s-style pop love song
80	COBALT HOURArai Yumi		Lively fusion music with cobalt
81	808Suchmos		A disco-funk style song. A warning to the modern age.
82	Colorful CityOhnuki Taeko		Taeko Onuki’s airy song covered by Tomoyo Harada
83	Thrilling Uplifting StreetOzawa Kenji		Representative song by Kenji Ozawa, an icon of Shibuya-kei music.
84	High LineToki Asako		Asako Toki’s city pop–style song “High Line”
85	Even if I callMurata Kazuhito		Kazuhito Murata’s West Coast-style classic
86	Excited Watchingitō ginji		Ginji Ito, a musician who represents city pop
87	Calling YouAbe Yasuhiro		A classic AOR masterpiece Japan is proud of
88	Give me a slow boogieMinami Yoshitaka		Yoshitaka Minami’s classic song “Slow na Boogie” is a popular track.