Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1970s: the golden age of idols and kayōkyoku (Japanese pop songs)
What songs come to mind when you think of Japanese hit songs from the 1970s?
Those who lived through that era in real time probably recall a wide range of hits.
With the spread of color television, people began to enjoy music from a visual perspective as well.
The 1970s are often called the golden age of kayōkyoku and idols.
Even generations who weren’t yet born will find many familiar, approachable songs that make you think, “Hey, I’ve heard this before!”
Please enjoy these captivating hit songs from the 1970s!
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Nostalgic Japanese Hit Songs of the 1970s: The Golden Age of Idols and Kayōkyoku (21–30)
A street corner where stars fallSatoi Ito to Happī & Burū
It has a light, catchy rhythm that makes your body sway side to side without thinking.
The line “Let’s dance,” and the background “turuturuturu~” part are really memorable.
He’s super handsome and cool.
Any girl who hears this is sure to have her heart skip a beat.
younger boykyandīzu
Released in 1975, it’s a pop love song, just as the title says, about a “younger boy.” Thanks to this song, Candies made their first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen and also entered the Oricon Top 10 for the first time.
The choreography is cute.
applausechiaki naomi
In the 1973 annual singles ranking, Naomi Chiaki ranked fourth.
The song, which has the feel of a mature woman’s blues, became one of her signature pieces.
It sold 620,000 copies, making it the top-selling single by a female singer.
applausechiaki naomi
Released in 1972, this is one of the classic nostalgic hits.
It is one of Chiaki’s signature songs and won the Grand Prize at the Japan Record Awards.
The song portrays a woman who has lost her lover, depicting her resolve to stand on stage and sing even as she nearly loses hope.
The song is based on Chiaki’s real experience of losing someone she dearly loved.
Because of its content, it came to be called a “private novel” kayō (confessional pop) song.
17 years oldMinami Saori
This is the striking debut single by Saori Minami, who burst onto the scene from Okinawa in 1971 like a comet.
The title “17-sai” (“Seventeen”), sung by her at the age of 16, is incredibly memorable, isn’t it? The scene of being alone by the seaside with someone you love, heart fluttering with a slightly grown-up kind of romance, is something many of us may have experienced.
The sweet-and-sour, slightly bittersweet feelings carried by the stylish, Western-influenced sound blend perfectly with Saori Minami’s clear, luminous voice, and even today it makes your heart tighten without you realizing it.
The Scent of CyclamenFuse Akira
Released in 1975, this song swept the major titles at year-end music shows and awards that year.
The sight of the singer performing while playing the guitar, combined with his sweet voice, captivated listeners and made it a massive hit.
Interestingly, at the time, cyclamen flowers did not come in light purple, but the success of this song inspired the later development of light purple cyclamen and fragrant cyclamen.
That’s how beloved this song was by so many people.
Thank you for everything.Inoue Jun
A 1971 hit song.
Following “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” it was another hit for Jun Inoue after The Spiders disbanded and he went solo.
With lyrics by Rofu Yamagami and music by Kyohei Tsutsumi, the song—enhanced by Inoue’s warm personality—fills you with a cozy, friendly feeling just by listening.
The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko
Although it was overshadowed by the monster hit “Onna no Michi,” Rumiko Koyanagi once again took the No.
2 spot on the 1972 annual singles chart.
This song also boasted sales of around 700,000 copies and remains a popular choice for karaoke even today.
Yokohama TwilightItsuki Hiroshi
This was Itsuki’s re-debut single, released in 1971.
It’s one of his signature songs, which won awards at the Japan Record Awards and the Kayo Awards.
Amazingly, Hiroshi Itsuki is his fourth stage name.
This was the first song he released as “Itsuki,” and he says he has a deep attachment to it.
It’s a city-themed song about Yokohama and is loved alongside Ayumi Ishida’s similarly city-themed “Blue Light Yokohama.” Itsuki’s trademark singing style began with this song.
Thousand KnivesSakamoto Ryuichi
This is the title track from Ryuichi Sakamoto’s debut album, released in 1978.
An instrumental piece, it was produced using the cutting-edge technology of the time.
Employing synthesizers and computers, it’s an ambitious work that created a new “Ryuichi sound.” It’s packed with diverse musical elements, from pieces that emulate sounds of nature to tracks influenced by reggae.
A key track that marks the early stages of Sakamoto’s musical exploration, it was later self-covered by YMO.
It’s a highly experimental piece that anyone seeking to explore the possibilities of music should definitely hear.