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.

Playlist

A special feature on classic and hit songs by bands that were active in the 1980s
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Distance of the Starry SkyTHE ALFEE		Alfee’s “Hoshizora no Distance” is a popular song.
2	ONLY YOUBOØWY		A signature song by BOØWY, a cry of pure love and protection
3	GLORIAZIGGY		ZIGGY’s second single, a masterpiece that conveys the allure of rock
4	Can’t Stop the RomanticC-C-B		From friendship to love, a bittersweet song of youth
5	Limit LoversSHOW-YA		Expressing women's true feelings and emotions through heavy metal
6	So let go of that hand.B’z		The Allure of B’z’s 80s Debut Song and Youth
7	FriendsREBECCA		Signature songs of the 1980s rock band REBECCA
8	The hottest summer in the worldPRINCESS PRINCESS		A youthful love song, a burning passion for setting out on a new journey
9	SUMMER DREAMTUBE		A summer youth, seaside driving song
10	Shake Hipkome kome CLUB		A classic hit by Kome Kome Club with an irresistible, upbeat rhythm
11	NO. NEW YORKBOØWY		BOØWY’s early ambitious work: New York Love Story
12	Heartbroken over JuliaChekkāzu		A poignant love classic by The Checkers that moves the heart.
13	Vixen on the RunBARBEE BOYS		An urban love song for men and women, an enchanting classic
14	In my heart, thank you.Thetōnanseihoku		A masterpiece that portrays heartrending emotions, a song that resonates with the heart
15	DadPRINCESS PRINCESS		A heartwarming classic portraying the bond between father and daughter, loved across generations.
16	JUST ONE MORE KISSBUCK-TICK		BUCK-TICK is a pioneer of visual kei.
17	FAIRYSHOW-YA		SHOW-YA’s mystically moving song
18	This is fine as it is.Kinniku Shoujo Tai		Songs of adversity and hope by Muscles Girl Band
19	Burn, you fine womanSera Masanori & Tsuisto		The appeal of Twist, a band emblematic of the ’80s
20	Limit LoversSHOW-YA		SHOW-YA’s signature songs: a fusion of passion and music
21	I’M GETTIN’ BLUEZIGGY		30 years since his debut, Mr. Jukki Morishige remains.
22	Be kind to othersTHE BLUE HEARTS		THE BLUE HEARTS were also in the '80s…
23	CLOUDY HEARTBOØWY		A classic by BOØWY, a song of emotions that resonates with the heart
24	A flawless rock ’n’ rollerarajin		Love and Rebellion of a Self-Proclaimed Rockstar
25	Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS		A coming-of-age song by a punk rock band, an immortal classic.
26	HURRY UP MODEBUCK-TICK		BUCK-TICK, a band of masterpieces such as “Aku no Hana” (Evil Flowers)
27	Self ControlTM NETWORK		A masterpiece that showcases TM NETWORK’s musicality
28	All the coins I haveTHE STREET SLIDERS		A classic song by the band The Street Sliders
29	VIRGINITYREBECCA		Rebecca’s signature songs and tracks with heartrending lyrics
30	In the night sky after the rainRC sakuseshon		An iconic song from the '80s: Kiyoshiro’s passionate rock
31	I am a storm.SHOW-YA		Rock of determination to live true to oneself
32	Tsuppari High School Rock’n Roll (Going-to-School Version)Yokohama Ginbae		A classic song that portrays youth culture of the 1980s
33	heavy rainTHE MODS		A classic that sings of burning passion, battered by the rain
34	crimsonX JAPAN		X Japan’s signature song, pioneers of metal
35	I can’t even become a stray dog.THE STREET SLIDERS		A renowned band known for its bluesy music
36	Private HeroineREBECCA		Rebecca’s classic hit, a memory of youth
37	Close your eyes and come here.BARBEE BOYZ		The saxophone and Kyoko’s voices captivate.
38	On Lucian HillRED WARRIORS		The classic by RED WARRIORS still shines today.
39	MarionetteBOØWY		The famous song from BOØWY’s “PHOTO GRAPH”
40	Time BombUP-BEAT		A moving song engraved with cries of dreams and defiance
41	DEAR FRIENDSPERSONZ		PERSONZ, formed in 1983, still active
42	Mary AnnTHE ALFEE		THE ALFEE's 'Marianne' is a masterpiece.
43	Let’s fall in loveZa Rūsutāzu		The Roosters: The band’s evolution and musical influences
44	ENDLESS RAINX JAPAN		X JAPAN’s moving heartfelt ballad
45	LEMON TEASHEENA & THE ROKKETS		The sad love story of SHEENA & THE ROKKETS
46	Selfish JulietBOØWY		The seven years of the legendary 80s band BOØWY
47	sure dansekome kome CLUB		Kome Kome Club is a large-band group, and their live shows are a lot of fun.
48	EL DORADOSeikima II		Seikima-II’s classic song “EL DORADO”
49	The future is in our hands.THE BLUE HEARTS		A signature youth punk song by THE BLUE HEARTS
50	Wax MuseumSeikima II		The heavy metal tracks of Seikima-II and their distinctive worldview
51	DiamondsPRINCESS PRINCESS		The appeal of Princess Princess’s signature song “I”
52	The Never-Ending SongTHE BLUE HEARTS		THE BLUE HEARTS in 1987...
53	ONE WAY HEARTSHOW-YA		A representative early rock song by SHOW-YA
54	A ballad for youTHE MODS		Here is a passionate classic song by THE MODS.
55	DON’T STOP BELIEVINGZIGGY		ZIGGY’s classic rock songs and their easy-to-enjoy appeal
56	Let’s walkJUN SKY WALKER(S)		JUN SKY WALKER(S), debut on Hokoten (pedestrian paradise street)
57	Wine Red Heartanzenchitai		A classic ballad that portrays mature love
58	Don’t Stop Loveofukōsu		Off Course is a band that represents the 1980s.
59	B BLUEBOØWY		BOØWY’s first hit single, a song featured in a film
60	MOREEARTHSHAKER		Earthshaker’s classic song—its lyrics and passion are captivating.
61	Roses and WineRED WARRIORS		The band’s ups and downs and history of reunions
62	1000 ViolinsTHE BLUE HEARTS		THE BLUE HEARTS are the voice of the kids
63	Get WildTM NETWORK		TM NETWORK's signature song, the famous theme from City Hunter
64	RASPBERRY DREAMREBECCA		REBECCA 80s charming sound
65	Fallin’ Angel ~The Lamenting Angel~PERSONZ		A powerful song that gives hope—a timeless classic.
66	huge nuisanceUNICORN		Unicorn, the legendary band, reunites
67	Daydream BelieverZa Taimāzu		The Timers by Kiyoshiro Imawano, filled with thoughts for his mother
68	Season in the SunTUBE		Summer love song, bittersweet memories of youth
69	ff (fortissimo)HOUND DOG		Signature songs of the rock band HOUND DOG
70	Crazy NightLOUDNESS		LOUDNESS's debut song at Madison Square Garden
71	Lovers’ PavementTHE ALFEE		ALFEE’s 1984 hit song reaches No. 1
72	MORNING AFTERRED WARRIORS		Roses and wine, ROCK with delicate lyrics
73	The Clown’s MelancholyTHE STREET SLIDERS		A poignant ballad of a clown that resonates with the heart
74	DAY BREAKotoko		The passionate debut song by Otokogumi sings of hope.
75	Skip Beat (SKIPPED BEAT)KUWATA BAND		Southern’s Kuwata’s other band, a legendary musical group
76	Let’s start from ‘I Love You’anzenchitai		Anzen Chitai is a group of true musicians.
77	EverydayJITTERIN’JINN		Appearance on “Yuji Miyake’s Ikasu Band Heaven (Ika-ten)”
78	Two People’s Summer StorySugiyama Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe		A summer classic by Kiyotaka Sugiyama & Omega Tribe
79	BE MY BABYCOMPLEX		COMPLEX's hit song, Digital Rock
80	BODY TO BODYSOFT BALLET		Innovative songs by SOFT BALLET
81	TRAIN-TRAINTHE BLUE HEARTS		A sense of speed, the cry of youth, the courage to live
82	Street Rock’n Roller44MAGNUM		The metal band 44MAGNUM from the Kansai region is currently active.
83	White MiracleSeikima II		The innovative ballad “White Miracle” by Seikima-II
84	Cats N’ RatsPINK CLOUD		An iconic 80s rock song known for its philosophical lyrics
85	romanticTHE STALIN		THE STALIN’s rebellious song infused with social critique
86	Special BoyfriendGO-BANG’S		GO-BANG’S’s signature song “Special Boyfriend”
87	1974 (Visitor from 16 Light-Years)TM NETWORK		The early TM Network classic '1974' and the allure of synthesizers
88	Impossible!bakufū suranpu		Bakufu Slump’s debut and signature song(s)
89	KOME KOME WARkome kome CLUB		Funk-flavored Kome Kome Club single, first pressing CD
90	I’m a LoserUNICORN		UNICORN’s early classic song “I’m a Loser”
91	YES-YES-YESofukōsu		Off Course’s classic song “YES-YES-YES”
92	TRUTHT-SQUARE		T-SQUARE’s classic song “TRUTH” is popular across generations.
93	FriendsRebekka		A classic synth-driven dance-rock track, an anthem of youth
94	MARDER GAMEARB		Signature songs by ARB and tracks that sing about shocking social issues
95	S.D.I.LOUDNESS		The achievements of LOUDNESS, the pioneers of Japanese metal (Japametal)
96	Dancin’ DollTHE STREET SLIDERS		THE STREET SLIDERS is 1…
97	SWEAT & TEARSTHE ALFEE		THE ALFEE's 23rd single, 80s rock
98	Star Love LetterTHE BOOM		Breakthrough with the debut song “Shima Uta.”
99	MPRINCESS PRINCESS		The famous song “Diamonds” by Princess Princess
100	half run-upTM NETWORK		The music group TM NETWORK, which debuted in 1984
101	Chaco’s Seaside StorySazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern's inventive masterpiece, music that colors the summer
102	To be happyFLYING KIDS		The band that won the first Grand Prix on Ikaten
103	Tearful BirthdayHOUND DOG		HOUND DOG’s classic song “Birthday of Tears”
104	Runnerbakufū suranpu		A youthful rock hit song by Bakufu Slump
105	I’m smitten with you.Yellow Magic Orchestra		YMO’s innovative classic that depicts a summer romance
106	Lullaby of a Serrated HeartChekkāzu		The Checkers’ debut song, rising in popularity
107	Until my voice is goneJUN SKY WALKER(S)		JUN SKY WALKER(S) has reunited.
108	ANGEL PASSED CHILDRENBOØWY		I found myself irresistibly drawn into a world swirling with madness...
109	DOWN TOWN SHUFFLEBOØWY		With a groovy bassline, it's like Tomoyasu Hotei...
110	OUR REVOLUTIONBOØWY		Kyosuke Himuro’s sharp vocals and Tomoyasu Hotei...
111	Through the tunnelBO GUMBOS		An enchanting track with a New Orleans–style sound
112	RADIO MAGICEARTHSHAKER		EARTHSHAKER's signature song, a pioneer of J-rock
113	Even though I’m looking for it…FAIRCHILD		FAIRCHILD with YOU’s striking vocals
114	OUTFriction		The appeal of No Wave, its heavy, rich tones
115	Go AheadTHE STAR CLUB		The achievements of the punk band THE STAR CLUB
116	RaideenYellow Magic Orchestra		Ryuichi Sakamoto’s classic “Rydeen,” a must-listen track
117	Crazed FruitArisu		Alice’s smash hit and the charm of 80s music
118	HEART OF MADNESSkodomo bando		Ujiki Tsuyoshi's Band Legend
119	HattoriUNICORN		A 1990s album produced by Tamio Okuda and others
120	Stardust StageChekkāzu		The Checkers is a popular idol band.
121	ShakyamuniKinniku Shoujo Tai		A representative song of Muscle Girl Band, with an absurd worldview
122	Chance has comeBARBEE BOYS		BARBEE BOYS' captivating youth song
123	Meat SongThe Pīzu		A unique band themed around meat
124	You are 1000%.Karurosu Toshiki & Omega Toraibu		Carlos Toshiki & Omega Tribe
125	A Tearful RequestChekkāzu		Birth of a big hit song by The Checkers
126	Under the Big Onion ~ Distant Feelingsbakufū suranpu		The large onion is the gibōshi of the Nippon Budokan.
127	ROUTE 246LINDBERG		ROUTE 246, a representative song of LINDBERG from the 80s
128	Shoot the arrow of angerNOVELA		The Appeal of NOVELA, Pioneers of Progressive Hard (Rock)
129	Even though (I/you/they) became stupidThe Pīzu		The Pees' music is fun yet bittersweet.
130	Jenny is in a bad moodJūshii Furūtsu		Introduction to the idol song “Jenny Is in a Bad Mood”
131	I want to be the subject of rumors.bakufū suranpu		Bakufu Slump’s youth song, singing about self-expression
132	Serves-You-Right Hotheaded GirlGO-BANG’S		Girls band GO-BANG’S from Hokkaido
133	I baked a taiyaki.bakufū suranpu		The bizarre song by Bakufū Slump, “Taiyaki Yaita.”