Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 1960s
Japan in the 1960s was a tumultuous era: right in the midst of the so-called “period of rapid economic growth,” hailed as the Miracle of the East, with developments like the Tokyo Olympics and the Osaka World Expo.
In the music scene, beyond the frenzy surrounding The Beatles’ visit to Japan, there were many epoch-making events—such as Kyu Sakamoto’s classic “Ue o Muite Arukō” topping the U.S.
charts under the title “SUKIYAKI.”
In this article, we’ll introduce nostalgic Japanese pop songs that colored Japan in the ’60s.
Enjoy these beloved classics—from kayōkyoku and folk songs to Group Sounds (GS)—that remain popular even with today’s younger generation!
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Classic and Hit Japanese Pops from the Nostalgic ’60s (51–60)
Coffee RumbaNishida Sachiko
Coffee Rumba is a single by Sachiko Nishida released in 1961.
The original song was composed by Venezuela’s Jose Manzo Perroni and became a worldwide hit.
Although it was a competing release with The Peanuts, the Sachiko Nishida version—which radically changed the lyrics—was particularly well received.
It is a classic that has been covered by many Japanese singers.
Love You, TokyoKurosawa Akira & Rosu Purimosu
“Love You Tokyo” is the debut single by Akira Kurosawa and Los Primos, released in 1966.
It reached number one on the Oricon chart and is one of their signature songs.
Celebrated as a classic of mood kayō (melodic mood pop), it remains a popular choice for karaoke today.
Only youSaigō Teruhiko
“Kimi Dake o” is the debut single by Teruhiko Saigō, released by Crown Records in 1964.
It sold 600,000 copies and became a major hit.
He won the New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards.
Teruhiko Saigō, along with Yukio Hashi and Kazuo Funaki, was known as one of the “Gosanke” (the Big Three).
Sad KangarooDanī Iida to Paradaisu Kingu
“Kanashiki Kangaroo” (Sad Kangaroo) is a single released in 1963 by Danny Iida and The Paradise King.
A version sung by American singer Pat Boone was also a hit.
The original song depicts a scene in which a ranch owner is delivering his last will.
In Danny Iida and The Paradise King’s version, the lyrics comically portray a boy’s heartbreak.
Classic and Hit Japanese Pop Songs from the Nostalgic ’60s (’61–’70)
Rainbow-colored lakeNakamura Akiko
“Rainbow-Colored Lake” is the seventh single by Akiko Nakamura, released by King Records in 1967.
It sold 800,000 copies and became her first hit.
She performed it on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Akiko Nakamura was popular for her striking features and powerful singing voice.
Jenny, JennySuzuki Yasushi
“Jenny Jenny” is a single by Yasushi Suzuki released in 1962.
It is a cover of a song performed by American rock singer Little Richard.
It became a major hit in Japan during the height of the rockabilly boom.
This song made Yasushi Suzuki famous, and he went on to work as a host, actor, and entertainer.
In conclusion
We’ve brought you a selection of classic hits from 1960s Japan, and for those who lived through that era, many of these songs may have been so nostalgic they could bring you to tears.
How many of them are familiar to the younger generations? You might have felt that you’ve “heard most of them somewhere before.” If you’re eager to listen more, use this article as a guide and dive deeper!