Revival hits driven by social media! Classic Showa-era songs popular with Gen Z
In recent years, subscription-based services and other music platforms have been becoming the new standard for discovering music.
Perhaps as a result, songs from the Showa and Heisei eras have been enjoying revival hits more and more often.
On social media, too, classic gems from the past are being used in dance videos, and it feels like the J-pop scene has changed compared to a decade or two ago.
So this time, we’re introducing beloved Showa-era classics that are popular with Gen Z.
Whether they feel nostalgic to you or totally fresh, there’s something for every generation to enjoy!
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A revival hit centered on social media! Showa-era classics popular with Gen Z (1–10)
Friday ChinatownYasuha
A debut single from the early 1980s is back in the spotlight.
Set in Chinatown, this song paints a world brimming with exotic atmosphere and is shining anew amid the city pop boom.
Lively streets at midnight, bursting neon signs, and encounters with foreigners—the lyrics, which express the feeling of freedom in a foreign land, evoke vivid images in listeners’ minds.
Released in September 1981, the track only reached No.
69 on the Oricon chart at the time, but since its digital release in May 2022, it has found its way to many new ears.
Blending nostalgia with freshness, this work is perfect for a nighttime drive or for getting in the mood before an overseas trip.
Dancing Hero (Eat You Up)Oginome Yōko
This is the seventh single by Yoko Oginome, who made her entertainment debut after appearing on the TV show “Chibikko Utamane Best Ten” when she was in fourth grade.
It’s a Japanese-lyric cover of a song that became a worldwide hit by British singer Angie Gold, and its classic disco sound at the time made a striking impact on the J-pop scene, setting it apart from other idol songs.
Many will also recall its revival in 2017, sparked by the “Bubble Dance” performed by the dance club of Osaka Prefectural Tomioka High School.
It’s a dance tune loved across generations and a surefire way to hype up any drive as background music.
School HeavenFingā 5
Known as a classic that sings of the sweet and sour taste of youth, this song was released in March 1974 as a signature work by Finger Five and became a major hit.
Its catchy melody, depicting secret classroom crushes and friendship, continues to capture the hearts of many.
It was also used as an insert song in the film Waterboys, making it beloved across generations.
The track has recently been rediscovered by Gen Z through social media.
It’s perfect for livening up a karaoke session or when you’re in the mood for a touch of nostalgia.
Revival hits centered on social media! Classic Showa-era songs popular with Gen Z (11–20)
A Member of the Fire BrigadeRATS&STAR
Released in 1983, this song is considered one of Rats & Star’s signature works.
With an arrangement that incorporates elements of funk and Latin music, it portrays events sparked by an alluring woman against the backdrop of a summer beach.
Chosen as a Shiseido campaign song, it topped the Oricon singles chart and became a major hit, selling over 600,000 copies.
It also won the Gold Award at the 25th Japan Record Awards.
With its distinctive choreography and catchy melody, it’s a song that has been loved across generations for many years.
Give it a listen when you want to liven up a karaoke session or reminisce about summer memories.
Love Song of LumMatsutani Yūko
Yuko Matsutani’s debut single, best known as the opening theme of the anime Urusei Yatsura.
Its lyrics, which express the bittersweet feelings of a woman in love, and her distinctive vocals captured the hearts of many listeners.
Released in October 1981, the song has remained beloved over the years, also being used as a synchronized track in the TV drama WATER BOYS 2.
It’s a poignant yet powerful love song that speaks for women struggling with love, and it remains a popular choice for karaoke.
Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya
A song included on singer-songwriter Mariya Takeuchi’s sixth album, VARIETY, released in April 1984.
She is known as an iconic artist in Japanese city pop, which has been attracting renewed attention in recent years.
The ensemble is superb, packed with the very essence of city pop—crisp, urban-tinged guitar comping and a funky 16-beat groove.
With its stylish arrangement and catchy melody, it’s the kind of song that feels great to sing at karaoke.
The music video released in 2021 has racked up over 40 million views, underscoring that this classic is loved across generations.
Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi
Known as an innovative work that bridged folk songs and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular music), this piece is distinguished by its fresh, dialogue-style lyrics between a man and a woman.
Centered on a long-distance relationship, it sensitively portrays the feelings of a man who has moved from a western region to Tokyo and the woman who remains in their hometown.
Upon its release in 1975, it became a massive hit, selling 867,000 copies, and it continues to be cherished as one of Hiromi Ōta’s signature songs.
It’s a timeless classic that can be enjoyed across generations—recommended both for those who feel nostalgic and those who find it refreshingly new.