A special feature on classic and hit songs by bands that were active in the 1980s
Speaking of the 1980s—especially the latter half—it was a time when many rock bands that would later rise to prominence made their debuts, laying the groundwork for the band boom that swept the early ’90s.
This time, we’ll introduce some classic songs by bands that were active in the ’80s.
If you watch footage of them from back then without having experienced it in real time, you might be surprised by their fashion and hairstyles.
But including their flamboyant “rock fashion,” please enjoy the sounds of the 1980s that led to the golden age of Japanese rock.
- Nostalgic yet fresh!? Classic masterpieces of Japanese rock from the 1970s and 1980s
- Debut song of a Japanese band from the 80s
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s
- 1980s: Legendary Western Rock Bands’ Classic and Hit Songs
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 80s
- [Nostalgic Classics] Hit Japanese Love Songs from the 1980s
- Debut song of an 80s visual-kei band
- Masterpieces and hit songs of 80s Japanese pop (kayōkyoku)
- A collection of nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1980s that still linger in our ears
- Top Male Singer-Songwriter Hits of the 1980s: Ranking [2026]
- Cool band: A rock band that represents Japan
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
- Classic nostalgic summer hits from the ’80s. A roundup of summer songs.
Masterpieces and Hit Songs by Bands from the 1980s (111–120)
Even though I’m looking for it…FAIRCHILD
FAIRCHILD was memorable for YOU’s cute singing voice.
Their debut single, “Omakase Pythagoras,” was used as the ending theme for the TV show Sanma no Manma.
Personally, my favorite is “Sagasheteru nonii.”
OUTFriction
This track with its heavy, resonant dissonance is Out by FRICTION, a no wave band formed by bassist Reck.
People unfamiliar with this kind of music might be surprised, but no wave is a very popular genre in the United States.
Reck once made his mark as the guitarist for Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, a band that represented New York.
Shouldn’t the dense, languid sound he brought back from America be more widely appreciated?
Go AheadTHE STAR CLUB
THE STAR CLUB debuted in 1984.
Since their debut, they’ve remained an active, leading PUNK band.
Opinions may be divided on vocalist HIKAGE’s relentlessly aggressive sound and voice, but I think “Go Ahead” is a very cool song.
RaideenYellow Magic Orchestra
Yellow Magic Orchestra is a music group that Japan proudly presents to the world.
Its keyboardist, Ryuichi Sakamoto, wrote Rydeen inspired by the film Star Wars.
It’s been used in countless TV programs and movies, so even those who didn’t grow up with it have likely heard it.
The track also incorporates Japanese elements, such as sampled sounds of galloping horses, which is delightful.
Take this opportunity to give it another listen.
Crazed FruitArisu
Alice’s 18th single, released in July 1980, by the folk/new music trio of Shinji Tanimura, Takao Horiuchi, and Toru Yazawa.
At the time, the “new music” genre was in the spotlight and booming, and the song became a major hit, selling 400,000 copies.
I experienced the release in real time, and I remember how fresh the synth-driven intro phrase and the sounds in the interlude felt back then.
Of course, the track also fully showcases the hallmark harmony work of Tanimura and Horiuchi, so it’s a song I highly recommend even to those who didn’t witness their success in real time.
HEART OF MADNESSkodomo bando
The band Kodomo Band, led by Tsuyoshi Ujiki, is a legendary group with many fans in the industry.
Their song “HEART OF MADNESS” was used as the theme song for the theatrical version of the anime Fist of the North Star.
Watching nostalgic live footage from back then, it’s striking how Tsuyoshi Ujiki is always bursting with energy.
They were a very lively band.
HattoriUNICORN
It’s their third album, released in June 1989.
Apparently, all the members handled both the songwriting and composing.
From the start, Tamio Okuda had been thinking, “Let’s make the next album’s title ‘Hattori,’” but the staff at the time were reportedly against it.