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.
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- 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.
Greatest Tracks & Hit Songs by Bands from the 1980s (11–20)
SUMMER DREAMTUBE
An evocative song that captures the sparkle of a summer romance.
Released in April 1987 as TUBE’s fifth single, this track was featured in a Kirin “Kirin Lemon” commercial and soon became a staple summer driving song for young people.
Its catchy riff and upbeat rhythm vividly color seaside dates and memories with a loved one.
Peaking at No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and reaching No.
1 on TBS’s “The Best Ten,” it has long been cherished as one of TUBE’s signature youth anthems of summer.
It’s a refreshing and nostalgic tune that conjures scenes of coastal drives, favorite songs recorded onto cassette tapes, and young lovers basking in the radiant sunshine.
JUST ONE MORE KISSBUCK-TICK
BUCK-TICK made their debut in 1987.
Back then, with bleached long hair spiked up, they had a very flashy look and were pioneers of the visual kei scene.
While their appearance isn’t flashy anymore, their stage performance is still incredibly cool.
Heartbroken over JuliaChekkāzu
The Checkers’ fifth single sets a bittersweet love story to a beautiful melody.
Released in November 1984, it vividly portrays the protagonist’s sense of loss and the faint memories of two people who met in the city.
The song reached No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart and also topped the 1985 year-end ranking.
It was featured in the 2019 drama “Your Turn to Kill,” resonating across generations.
It’s a recommended track for soothing the pain of heartbreak or reminiscing about precious moments with a loved one.
Vixen on the RunBARBEE BOYS
This is a classic duet featuring male and female twin vocals that captures the allure of a bewitching, mysterious woman.
The urban tone of the soprano sax and the sophisticated arrangement leave a strong impression, lightly portraying the give-and-take between a man and a woman.
Released in April 1987 as BARBEE BOYS’ seventh single and used as the image song for Asahi Beverages’ Mitsuya Fruits, this track is highly recommended for those who want to feel the nuances of romance and the atmosphere of the city at night.
FAIRYSHOW-YA
A song that paints a fantastical melody line and a mysterious female figure has become one of SHOW-YA’s signature tracks, beloved by many fans.
The lyrics vividly and emotively depict black hair swaying in the light and a woman dancing in a silk dress, capturing the spellbinding presence of someone like a fairy.
Originally included on the 1986 album “WAYS,” the song proved so popular that it was re-recorded as a self-cover on the March 2012 album “GENUINE DIAMOND.” It’s a piece that gently embraces the feelings hidden in the heart.
This is fine as it is.Kinniku Shoujo Tai
This is an unusual work that fuses the heavy metal and pop of Kinniku Shōjo Tai.
Through the story of a protagonist who spends a long 13 years in prison for a crime they didn’t commit, it sharply portrays the deep conflicts and contradictions of the human condition.
Included on the album “Neko no Tebukuro,” it was released in July 1989 and was also used as a commercial song for Shōnen Publishing’s magazine “Monthly On Stage.” Recommended as a track that speaks to the heart when you’re at a crossroads in life or facing unreasonable circumstances.
It’s an intense song, but it might prompt you to take a fresh look at your life.
In my heart, thank you.Thetōnanseihoku
A gem of a love song that beautifully captures the bittersweet emotions of romance.
It portrays the protagonist’s feelings—aching and earnest, yet left unspoken—set against a gentle soundscape.
Released in April 1986 and also included on the March 1986 album “Hikō Shōnen,” the song was featured in a commercial for Kenwood’s mini component system ROXY, winning the hearts of many music fans.
For anyone who’s struggled to be honest about their feelings of love, this track continues to shine with a timeless allure.
CLOUDY HEARTBOØWY
This is a masterpiece created by BOØWY, a rock band that defined the 1980s.
Kyosuke Himuro’s vocals brilliantly convey the subtleties of complex emotions.
With lyrics depicting love, parting, and the wavering of the heart, it carries a message that resonates deeply with listeners.
The song is included on the album “BEAT EMOTION,” which reached No.
1 on the Oricon album chart, stayed on the chart for 11 weeks, and sold 343,000 copies.
It’s a track I highly recommend to anyone struggling with love or relationships.
Burn, you fine womanSera Masanori & Tsuisto
This group, The Twist, is the kind that makes you slap your knee and say, “Now this is the ’80s.” Their smash hit “Moero Ii Onna” also made waves in Shiseido’s “Summer Campaign: Natsuko’s Summer” commercial.
When karaoke was just starting to catch on, countless people would change the woman’s name in the song to that of their own favorite woman when they sang it.
Incidentally, the band’s name, Twist, is said to come from “twist” in the sense of being perverse or contrary.
MarionetteBOØWY
A single from the sixth album by BOØWY, the legendary rock band that has had a huge impact on today’s Japanese rock scene and still enjoys enduring popularity.
It became the band’s first No.
1 on the Oricon charts, and it’s widely known for the many cover versions by various artists, including a self-cover by vocalist Kyosuke Himuro.
Starting with an intro that plays the chorus melody on guitar, the song features a structure and energy that recall the prototype of rock sound in J-pop, shining with a timeless brilliance even today.
It’s a classic that any fan of Japanese rock should know.
