Old songs from the Showa to Heisei eras: a collection of timeless classics loved across generations
These days, thanks to the widespread use of Spotify and Apple Music, people of all ages can easily listen to a wide variety of songs.
Social media platforms like TikTok have also sparked an increase in older songs becoming revival hits among young people.
In this article, we’ll be showcasing a selection of hit tracks from the Showa and Heisei eras all at once!
There are plenty of timeless masterpieces that haven’t lost their charm, so take this opportunity to give them another listen.
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- Songs from the Heisei retro era that will get any generation excited! Timeless tracks you’ll want to listen to now.
- Popular Showa-era pop. Timeless hit songs.
- Revival hits driven by social media! Classic Showa-era songs popular with Gen Z
- [Nostalgic Songs] A compilation of classic anime themes that hit home for those born in the Showa and Heisei eras
- Evokes the charm of the good old days. Showa-era inspirational songs that are still loved today.
- Hits that resonate across generations! Popular 1990s songs on TikTok
- [Showa Era] A Collection of Enka Hits: Timeless Classics Loved Across Generations
- Thrilling to Cool Showa-Era Tunes! Classic Songs from Female Singers and Artists of the Showa Period
- Songs to Enjoy in Summer! Classic Hits Special (Showa & Heisei)
Old songs from the Showa to Heisei eras: A roundup of timeless classics loved across generations (21–30)
Among the seasonsMatsuyama Chiharu
This was Chiharu Matsuyama’s first song to reach number one.
At the time, it was also used in a TV commercial, and since that chocolate ad featured Momoe Yamaguchi and Tomokazu Miura—who were a hot topic back then—it stuck in my mind like their theme song.
Blue MountainsFuji Yama Ichirou, Nara Mitsue
This song, which has repeatedly ranked first as a representative tune of the Showa era in music program requests, resonated with people dreaming of postwar recovery and gave them the strength to live.
The fact that those involved with the song have received the People’s Honor Award also speaks to its significance.
Old songs from the Showa to Heisei eras: A collection of timeless classics loved across generations (31–40)
My good friendKamayatsu Hiroshi
Released in 1975 (Showa 50).
Hiroshi Kamayatsu, famous as “Monsieur,” was a former member of the Group Sounds band The Spiders.
He later went solo and remained active, exploring various musical genres.
This particular song, however, has both lyrics and music by Takuro Yoshida.
Within the slightly wordy lyrics that reminisce about old friends, the feelings portrayed are those of a man from an earlier generation than Kamayatsu himself.
The term “bankara,” for instance, is probably almost archaic now.
Beautiful NameGodaigo
This is Godiego’s ninth single, released in 1979.
As a supporting song for the International Year of the Child and through NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” it was frequently heard in living rooms across Japan.
Let your body sway to the pleasant sound that blends Japanese and English.
Love VacationZa Pīnattsu
This track makes you happy to realize that such a cool, modern sound was resonating even in Showa-era Japan.
The coquettish twin duo’s perfectly synchronized harmonies are pleasing to the ear, and as a song that’s great for both singing and dancing, it was widely loved across a variety of scenes.
The Never-Ending SongTHE BLUE HEARTS
Being a misfit in society is overwhelmingly more sad than not, but when it comes to listening to this song, it’s designed so that people who have lived in such circumstances come out ahead.
There’s probably no other song where slang like “piece of crap” or “scum” sounds this gentle.
The Apple SongNamiki Michiko, Kirishima Noboru
Set in an era when the scars of the postwar ruins still remained, this song, which brightened Japan with its radiant singing voice, likens itself to an innocent apple and, using wording that those who understand will understand, portrays a desire to stand with the children of the time—children who, unable to say what they wanted to say, silently endured hardship.