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


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