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Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese idols from the 1970s

In the history of Japanese idols, the 1970s can truly be called the de facto “first year of idols,” a period when numerous legendary singers and groups emerged, creating the blueprint for today’s idol scene.

Many talents from that era are still active across various fields, and the music scene of the 1970s can rightly be called a treasure trove of superstar names that are instantly recognizable.

In this article, we’ll introduce classic songs left behind by these ’70s idols, featuring both male and female artists together.

It’s full of timeless hits you’ve likely heard at least once, so younger generations interested in idol songs from this era—and Japanese pop music more broadly—should definitely check it out!

Playlist

Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese idols from the 1970s
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastMy boyfriend is left-handed.Asaoka Megumi
My boyfriend is left-handed.Asaoka Megumiplay_arrow
One of the top idols representing the 1970s, …
2eastA Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe
A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoeplay_arrow
With a refreshing melody that heralds the arrival of spring and a nostalgi…
3eastMy Blue BirdSakurada Junko
My Blue BirdSakurada Junkoplay_arrow
As a classic hit by an idol representing the 1970s...
4eastBoys and girlsGō Hiromi
Boys and girlsGō Hiromiplay_arrow
Still going strong as an active force even in the 2020s...
5eastSummer MissSakakibara Ikue
Summer MissSakakibara Ikueplay_arrow
As Ikue Sakakibara’s seventh single in 1978…
6eastPrivate railway line areaNoguchi Goro
Private railway line areaNoguchi Goroplay_arrow
Lyrics that evoke melancholy and nostalgia, paired with a pleasant melody...
7eastSmiling Backkyandīzu
Smiling Backkyandīzuplay_arrow
Speaking of classic hits by idols from the ’70s, the bittersweet me…
8eastDo whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji
Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenjiplay_arrow
Kenji Sawada, who dominated the music scene of the 70s...
9eastLaura Covered in ScarsSaijō Hideki
Laura Covered in ScarsSaijō Hidekiplay_arrow
Passionate vocals and powerful lyrics leave a strong impression, Saijo...
10eastLove Requestaizaki shinya
Love Requestaizaki shinyaplay_arrow
This song, released in April 1975, ...
11eastUFOpinku redii
UFOpinku rediiplay_arrow
This song, released in December 1977, ...
12eastbulldogfoorību su
bulldogfoorību suplay_arrow
A representative group of the early Johnny’s era, and...
13eastteacherMori Masako
teacherMori Masakoplay_arrow
Masako Mori's debut single, released in 1972…
14eastCotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi
Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromiplay_arrow
A dialogue format between a man and a woman with the theme of a long-distance relationship…
15eastsentimentalIwasaki Hiromi
sentimentalIwasaki Hiromiplay_arrow
One of the representative female singers of the 1970s, Iwa...
16eastI’m not afraid of wolves at all.Ishino Mako
I'm not afraid of wolves at all.Ishino Mako
The audition program on Nippon TV, “Star….”
17eastA Boy Riding a DolphinShiro Michiru
A Boy Riding a DolphinShiro Michiruplay_arrow
As their debut single, in December 1973, Lily...
18eastYou’re not alone.tenchi mari
You're not alone.tenchi mariplay_arrow
As Mari Amachi’s third single overall, 197...
19eastA City Turning ColorsMinami Saori
A City Turning ColorsMinami Saoriplay_arrow
A clear, translucent singing voice emblematic of the 1970s, and…
20eastAs long as the sun is in the skynishikino akira
As long as the sun is in the skynishikino akiraplay_arrow
As Akira Nishikino's third single in 19...
21eastforeignerKUBOTA Saki
foreignerKUBOTA Sakiplay_arrow
In 1979, with Saki Kubota’s debut single...
22eastYOUNG MAN (Y.M.C.A.)Saijō Hideki
YOUNG MAN (Y.M.C.A.)Saijō Hidekiplay_arrow
It was Hideki Saijo’s 28th single, released in 1979…
23eastpoppy flowerAgunesu Chan
poppy flowerAgunesu Chanplay_arrow
Agnes Chan’s debut in Japan...
24east17 years oldMinami Saori
17 years oldMinami Saoriplay_arrow
As Saori Minami’s debut single in 1971...
25eastAt the coffee shopabe shizue
At the coffee shopabe shizueplay_arrow
As Shizue Abe’s debut single, in 1973…
26eastThe Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko
The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumikoplay_arrow
As Rumiko Koyanagi’s 4th single, in 1972…
27eastYokosuka StoryYamaguchi Momoe
Yokosuka StoryYamaguchi Momoeplay_arrow
As Momoe Yamaguchi's 13th single, in 1976...
28eastAquamarine Lovetenchi mari
Aquamarine Lovetenchi mariplay_arrow
As an insert song for the drama “Jikan Desu yo,” Ocha no…
29eastListening to OliviaAnri
Listening to OliviaAnriplay_arrow
As Anri’s debut single in 1978…
30eastCinderella HoneymoonIwasaki Hiromi
Cinderella HoneymoonIwasaki Hiromiplay_arrow
As Hiromi Iwasaki’s 14th single, in 1978…
31eastGood-bye, My LoveAn Ruisu
Good-bye, My LoveAn Ruisuplay_arrow
The sing... released by Ann Lewis in 1974
32eastRed BalloonAsada Miyoko
Red BalloonAsada Miyokoplay_arrow
As the debut single of Miyoko Asada, 197…
33eastSexy Bus StopAsano Yūko
Sexy Bus StopAsano Yūkoplay_arrow
As the 8th single by Yuko Asano, in 1976…
34eastSinbad on the Shorepinku redii
Sinbad on the Shorepinku rediiplay_arrow
A sweet, lingering tale of a woman who falls in love, set on a summer seaside.
35eastWhen you become an adultŌba Kumiko
When you become an adultŌba Kumikoplay_arrow
The single released by Kumiko Ooba in 1978...
36eastNo-No BoyZa Supaidāsu
No-No BoyZa Supaidāsu
Sophistication influenced by the British Beat…
37eastAs time goes bysawada kenji
As time goes bysawada kenjiplay_arrow
The 14th single by Kenji Sawada, aka Julie, ...
38eastHow are you?Shimizu Yukiko
How are you?Shimizu Yukikoplay_arrow
Released in 197… as Yukiko Shimizu’s debut single
39eastSunflower GirlItō Sakiko
Sunflower GirlItō Sakikoplay_arrow
As Akiko Ito’s debut single in 1974…
40eastA Lonely RoomTakagi Asaya
A Lonely RoomTakagi Asayaplay_arrow
At the 5th Yamaha Popular Song Contest…
41eastInspector Pepperpinku redii
Inspector Pepperpinku rediiplay_arrow
As Pink Lady’s debut single…
42eastGlass SlopeTakada Mizue
Glass SlopeTakada Mizueplay_arrow
Released in 197… as Mizue Takada’s debut single
43eastyounger boykyandīzu
younger boykyandīzuplay_arrow
As the Candies’ fifth single, on the 19…