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Lovely hit song

Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese pop idols of the 80s

The 1980s were truly the “golden age of idols,” a decade that saw the rise of many legendary Japanese idols who left their mark on music history, such as Seiko Matsuda and Akina Nakamori.

Not only did they spark a social phenomenon, with many young people emulating their hairstyles and fashion, but we also can’t overlook the fact that countless hits and timeless songs were born in that era—songs that are still sung today in the 2020s.

This article brings together and introduces the classic and hit songs performed by the idols of the 1980s.

Whether you’re from that generation or a younger music fan curious about idol songs from this era, be sure to check it out!

Playlist

Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese pop idols of the 80s
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastSecond LoveNakamori Akina
Second LoveNakamori Akinaplay_arrow
As a masterpiece of 80s idols, this time is a certain…
2eastSmile for MeKawai Naoko
Smile for MeKawai Naokoplay_arrow
Speaking of iconic songs by 80s idols, Naoko Kawai...
3eastSWEET MEMORIESMatsuda Seiko
SWEET MEMORIESMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
A song by Seiko Matsuda released in 1983. Although it was a B-side, it became popular through a commercial.
4eastSailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hiroko
Sailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hirokoplay_arrow
This piece, which became Hiroko Yakushimaru’s debut song...
5eastLove Won’t StopWink
Love Won't StopWinkplay_arrow
The song that became the catalyst for their big breakthrough…
6eastLips NetworkOkada Yukiko
Lips NetworkOkada Yukikoplay_arrow
Entering the entertainment industry after appearing on 'Star Tanjō'…
7eastSubtly flashy (bling-bling, but nonchalant)Kondō Masahiko
Subtly flashy (bling-bling, but nonchalant)Kondō Masahikoplay_arrow
Needless to say, a representative of the 1980s...
8eastStartled! GoodTahara Toshihiko
Startled! GoodTahara Toshihikoplay_arrow
A landmark song of 1980s idol pop...
9eastC−GirlAsaka Yui
C−GirlAsaka Yuiplay_arrow
Iconic of the late-’80s idol scene,…
10eastGive me a last kiss on the cheekMatsumoto Iyo
Give me a last kiss on the cheekMatsumoto Iyoplay_arrow
Speaking of Iyo-chan, Iyo is still 16, or something like that...
11eastRainy NishiazabuTonneruzu
Rainy NishiazabuTonneruzu
At the time, this song sold well too. The lyrics and music were written and compo…
12eastHeartbroken over JuliaChekkāzu
Heartbroken over JuliaChekkāzuplay_arrow
It's a classic song that sings about the pain of a youthful heartbreak...
13eastMonument of SorrowMinamino Yoko
Monument of SorrowMinamino Yokoplay_arrow
One of the iconic songs of the ’80s, by Yoko Minamino...
14eastZIGZAG SeventeenShibugakitai
ZIGZAG SeventeenShibugakitaiplay_arrow
Released in 1982, it topped the Oricon cha...
15eastYou’re My Only Shinin’ StarNagayama Miho
You're My Only Shinin' StarNagayama Mihoplay_arrow
A classic song that resonates with bittersweet love was released in 1980...
16eastAndrola of the LabyrinthKoizumi Kyoko
Androla of the LabyrinthKoizumi Kyokoplay_arrow
An idol singer who was part of the so-called 'Flower 82 Generation'...
17eastMUGO… so sexyKudō Shizuka
MUGO... so sexyKudō Shizukaplay_arrow
From the late 1980s to the 1990s, Japan's po...
18eastParadise GalaxyHikaru GENJI
Paradise GalaxyHikaru GENJIplay_arrow
Hikari GEN..., who brightened the golden age of 80s idols
19eastMasqueradeShonentai
MasqueradeShonentaiplay_arrow
One of the iconic songs that colored the dazzling 1980s, …
20eastOneway GenerationHonda Minako
Oneway GenerationHonda Minakoplay_arrow
One of the iconic songstresses of the 1980s, Mi…
21eastambushIshikawa Hitomi
ambushIshikawa Hitomiplay_arrow
Hitomi Ishikawa was a classic, orthodox idol. As for her own gen…
22eastDESIRENakamori Akina
DESIRENakamori Akinaplay_arrow
Naka, who debuted thanks to “Star Tanjō!”, ...
23eastDancing HeroOginome Yōko
Dancing HeroOginome Yōkoplay_arrow
When I appeared on “Chibikko Utamane Best Ten”…
24eastTemptation Beam: Clak!Hayami Yū
Temptation Beam: Clak!Hayami Yūplay_arrow
When it comes to Yū Hayami’s signature songs, “Natsuiro no Nancy” comes to mind…
25eastTouchIwasaki Yoshimi
TouchIwasaki Yoshimiplay_arrow
Iwasaki Hiromi’s younger sister, Iwasaki Yoshimi. Her older sister’s vocal ability, recognition…
26eastStop fightingKawai Naoko
Stop fightingKawai Naokoplay_arrow
Even those who used to be fans of his slightly glamourous girlfriend…
27eastGraduationKikuchi Momoko
GraduationKikuchi Momokoplay_arrow
Popular as a pure, innocent idol with an adorable smile...
28eastribbonHori Chiemi
ribbonHori Chiemiplay_arrow
Speaking of Chiemi Hori, “Instructor!” and “Clumsy no…
29eastSomething like… Bara Bara for youTahara Toshihiko
Something like… Bara Bara for youTahara Toshihikoplay_arrow
Toshi-chan, aka Ta..., back when he was still a bit baby-faced,
30eastWild AgeKudō Yūki
Wild AgeKudō Yūkiplay_arrow
The eldest daughter of singer Hachirō Izawa, she was scouted in Shibuya...
31eastGraduationsaitou yuki
Graduationsaitou yukiplay_arrow
She won the Grand Prix in the 3rd Miss Magazine contest hosted by Weekly Shonen Magazine...
32eastRed Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko
Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
An iconic idol representing the 80s, who still has a loyal...
33eastI’m not afraid of wolves at all.Ishino Mako
I'm not afraid of wolves at all.Ishino Makoplay_arrow
Mako-chan, she says she's right in the middle of the '80s...
34eastSentimental JourneyMatsumoto Iyo
Sentimental JourneyMatsumoto Iyoplay_arrow
She passed the audition to play ToshiHiko Tahara’s younger sister and de…
35eastA net with a sighMinamino Yoko
A net with a sighMinamino Yokoplay_arrow
In 1988, the spring commercial for Kanebo Cosmetics featu…
36eastHeavenly KissMatsuda Seiko
Heavenly KissMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
A spark of love, a heart-thrilling tune
37eastThe Girl Who Leapt Through TimeHarada Tomoyo
The Girl Who Leapt Through TimeHarada Tomoyoplay_arrow
The actress Tomoyo Harada, well known from the Blendy commercials, …
38eastRoppongi Junjō-haOginome Yōko
Roppongi Junjō-haOginome Yōkoplay_arrow
At the time, with a disco-dance-like style, it was in step with the era...
39eastBlown by the yellow sandKudō Shizuka
Blown by the yellow sandKudō Shizukaplay_arrow
Shizuka Kudo came from the Onyanko Club and was active in Ushirogami Hikaretai.
40eastThe Door to SummerMatsuda Seiko
The Door to SummerMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
The sparkling arrival of summer and the beginning of love...
41eastLapis-Lazuli EarthMatsuda Seiko
Lapis-Lazuli EarthMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
A warm message that finds hope in the darkness...
42eastBlue PhotographMatsuda Seiko
Blue PhotographMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
Although it was a single’s B-side track, it served as a drama’s theme song...
43eastBlue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko
Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
It brings the sparkle of the sun and the scent of the sea breeze...
44eastFlashy!!!Nagayama Miho
Flashy!!!Nagayama Mihoplay_arrow
Miho Nakayama’s classic brimming with synth vibes
45eastA slight fever, maybeitō maiko
A slight fever, maybeitō maikoplay_arrow
It has a strong variety-show image, but originally it was a...
46eastNAI・NAI 16Shibugakitai
NAI NAI 16 Shibugaki-taiplay_arrow
Speaking of Shibugakitai, even now it’s still all about “Sushi Kui Ne”…
47eastA maiden who came runningMita Hiroko
A maiden who came runningMita Hirokoplay_arrow
She entered the entertainment industry after being scouted as a model for the magazine Seventeen.
48eastuniformMatsuda Seiko
uniformMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
Seiko Matsuda has an incredible number of hit songs. She’s still at the forefront today…
49eastFairy AgeIshikawa Hidemi
Fairy AgeIshikawa Hidemiplay_arrow
Her entertainment industry debut was through an audition for Hideki Saijo’s younger sister…
50eastNice to meet you, melancholy.Gō Hiromi
Nice to meet you, melancholy.Gō Hiromiplay_arrow
Hiromi Go, who has been active on the front lines for many years. And…
51eastSexy NightMihara Junko
Sexy NightMihara Junkoplay_arrow
Junko Mihara, who is now active as a member of the House of Councillors...
52eastCNagayama Miho
CNagayama Mihoplay_arrow
In the TBS drama “Maido Osawagase Shimasu,” de...
53eastColor · White BlendNagayama Miho
Color · White BlendNagayama Mihoplay_arrow
The song 'Iro White Blend' provided by Mariya Takeuchi…
54eastA girl like James DeanŌsawa Itsumi
A girl like James DeanŌsawa Itsumiplay_arrow
The 7th HoriPro Talent Scout Carava...
55eastRomanceIwasaki Hiromi
RomanceIwasaki Hiromiplay_arrow
Hiromi Iwasaki, who later transitioned to a career as a musical actress. …
56eastTake a deep breath.Watanabe Marina
Take a deep breath.Watanabe Marinaplay_arrow
There was a time when I was called Marina…
57eastDream-colored MessageNishimura Tomomi
Dream-colored MessageNishimura Tomomiplay_arrow
The debut of Tomomi Nishimura, well known for her airheaded/natural persona...
58eastwaiting in vainHori Chiemi
waiting in vainHori Chiemiplay_arrow
She was on the verge of winning the Horipro Scout Caravan...
59eastwailing in griefKudō Shizuka
wailing in griefKudō Shizukaplay_arrow
The 3rd “Miss Seventeen Contest”…
60eastNancy of Summer ColorsHayami Yū
Nancy of Summer ColorsHayami Yūplay_arrow
Having spent her childhood growing up in Guam and Hawaii, she...
61eastThey are lovers.Moritaka Chisato
They are lovers.Moritaka Chisatoplay_arrow
1st Pocari Sweat Image Girl Con...
62eastSwaying ShonanIshikawa Hidemi
Swaying ShonanIshikawa Hidemiplay_arrow
Later, the Shibu-… reflected in the background of this image
63eastValentine KissKunikyo Sayuri
Valentine KissKunikyo Sayuriplay_arrow
Kokushō! During Onyanko Club’s heyday, even back then he…
64eastHello/GoodbyeKashiwabara Yoshie
Hello/GoodbyeKashiwabara Yoshieplay_arrow
Yoshie Kashiwabara, who debuted from Star Tanjō. “Ha...
65eastBOY’s ThemeKikuchi Momoko
BOY's ThemeKikuchi Momokoplay_arrow
Momoko Kikuchi’s “BOY no Theme” is a movie theme song, with lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto.
66eastSosotteHonda Minako
SosotteHonda Minakoplay_arrow
Speaking of Minako Honda, “1986 no Marilyn”...
67eastCamouflageKashiwabara Yoshie
CamouflageKashiwabara Yoshieplay_arrow
Speaking of Yoshie Kashiwabara, it's 'Harunononi' and 'Hello...'
68eastWith love to the water planetMoriguchi Hiroko
With love to the water planetMoriguchi Hirokoplay_arrow
It was her debut song and also became one of her signature tracks...
69eastTATTOONakamori Akina
TATTOONakamori Akinaplay_arrow
Akina Nakamori’s signature 80s dance tune
70eastFull of SunHikaru GENJI
Full of SunHikaru GENJIplay_arrow
Roller skates, the signature of Hikaru Genji...
71eastwitchKoizumi Kyoko
witchKoizumi Kyokoplay_arrow
Kyoko Koizumi’s songs also include many major hits, and...
72eastMarilyn in 1986Honda Minako
Marilyn in 1986Honda Minakoplay_arrow
To appear on the audition show “Star Tanjō”...
73eastAfter all, I’m an idolKoizumi Kyoko
After all, I'm an idolKoizumi Kyokoplay_arrow
Mixing irony and humor to portray the light and shadow of idols…
74eastMelon SighYamase Mami
Melon SighYamase Mamiplay_arrow
The 10th HoriPro Talent Scout Caravan…
75eastDo You Remember Love?Iijima Mari
Do You Remember Love?Iijima Mariplay_arrow
Released to the world as the theme song for the anime Macross…