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