RAG MusicHit Song
Lovely hit song

Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 80s

A special feature on Japanese hit songs that colored the 1980s! These include hits by artists who went on to have a major impact on later eras and by idols who enjoyed charismatic popularity—songs so beloved that many people can still sing along today.

Many timeless classics remain popular, especially revival hits and Showa-era kayōkyoku that have gained traction among younger generations even in the Reiwa era and beyond.

That said, when you think, “I want to listen to Japanese music from the ’80s,” it can be hard to decide where to start.

We’ve put together a selection focused on massively successful hits that we recommend you listen to first in those moments.

Use this as a companion to reminisce about memories from back then or to discover new music!

Playlist

Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 80s
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastRuby RingTerao Akira
Ruby RingTerao Akiraplay_arrow
Released in February 1981, Akira Terao’s so...
2eastSailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hiroko
Sailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hirokoplay_arrow
A classic song about youth and farewell. November 1981…
3eastI’ll wait.amin
I'll wait.aminplay_arrow
It’s Aming’s signature song, released in July 1982...
4eastDancing All Nightmonta & burazāzu
Dancing All Nightmonta & burazāzuplay_arrow
Here’s a classic song that represents the 80s! Monta &…
5eastWine Red Heartanzenchitai
Wine Red Heartanzenchitaiplay_arrow
The name of Anzen Chitai in this “Wine Red no Kokoro”...
6eastforeignerKUBOTA Saki
foreignerKUBOTA Sakiplay_arrow
Debut released in October 1979…
7eastLife won’t give (it) to me / Unyielding lifeSegawa Eiko
Life won't give (it) to me / Unyielding lifeSegawa Eikoplay_arrow
An enka melody released in March 1986...
8eastThe Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku
The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisakuplay_arrow
A heartrending love that depicts winter flowers as a metaphor for love...
9eastMarionetteBOØWY
MarionetteBOØWYplay_arrow
A quintessential hit of the 1980s, in July 1987...
10eastCheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshiplay_arrow
“Kanpai” is a 1980 release by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi…
11eastDiamondsPRINCESS PRINCESS
DiamondsPRINCESS PRINCESSplay_arrow
The sm… that dominated the hit charts in 1989,
12eastCHA-CHA-CHAIshii Akemi
CHA-CHA-CHAIshii Akemiplay_arrow
It’s a classic that defined the ’80s. In the chorus, the s…
13eastDESIRE -Passion-Nakamori Akina
DESIRE -Passion-Nakamori Akinaplay_arrow
It dramatically changed Akina Nakamori’s image at the time...
14eastHeartbroken over JuliaChekkāzu
Heartbroken over JuliaChekkāzuplay_arrow
A song released in November 1984, ...
15eastParadise GalaxyHikaru GENJI
Paradise GalaxyHikaru GENJIplay_arrow
The iconic hit by Hikaru Genji that colored the 1980s is...
16eastIf tomorrow were to…warabe
If tomorrow were to...warabeplay_arrow
A gem of a ballad that portrays everyday happiness and hope...
17eastCat’s EyeAnri
Cat's EyeAnriplay_arrow
Released in August 1983 as the 13th single…
18eastMUGO… so sexyKudō Shizuka
MUGO... so sexyKudō Shizukaplay_arrow
An early hallmark released in August 1988…
19eastSWEET MEMORIESMatsuda Seiko
SWEET MEMORIESMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
A buoyant, bouncy intro that lifts the heart—pure pop...
20eastMy RevolutionWatanabe Misato
My RevolutionWatanabe Misatoplay_arrow
This song was released in 1986, and...
21eastGLORIAZIGGY
GLORIAZIGGYplay_arrow
ZIGGY's 'GLORIA' is actually from 198...
22eastDancing HeroOginome Yōko
Dancing HeroOginome Yōkoplay_arrow
“Dance…” which became one of Yoko Oginome’s signature songs
23eastTRAIN-TRAINTHE BLUE HEARTS
TRAIN-TRAINTHE BLUE HEARTSplay_arrow
The Blue Hearts’ “TRAIN-TRAIN” is 1…
24easthuge nuisanceUNICORN
huge nuisanceUNICORNplay_arrow
Normally, when making a debut, you first release a single…
25eastCherry blossomMatsuda Seiko
Cherry blossomMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
That super-popular Seiko Matsuda presents the Cherry Bra...
26eastBlue StasieonKawai Sonoko
Blue StasieonKawai Sonokoplay_arrow
Sonoko Kawai’s “Aoi Stasyon (Blue Station)” is from 1986…
27eastKiss me with your eyesZa Vīnasu
Kiss me with your eyesZa Vīnasuplay_arrow
"Kiss wa Me ni Shite" was released in 1981...
28eaststationTakeuchi Mariya
stationTakeuchi Mariyaplay_arrow
A movie about unexpectedly running into an old lover at a train station at twilight...
29eastMary AnnTHE ALFEE
Mary AnnTHE ALFEEplay_arrow
Originally, it started out in the form of a band that was mainly folk, and…
30eastFriendsRebekka
FriendsRebekkaplay_arrow
A classic synth-driven dance-rock track, an anthem of youth
31eastMasqueradeShonentai
MasqueradeShonentaiplay_arrow
I didn’t know the group Shonentai at all, and then…
32eastOpera Glasses in WinterEri Nitta
Opera Glasses in Winter Nitta Eriplay_arrow
AKB48 members sometimes do solo activities and such...
33eastGET WILDTM NETWORK
GET WILDTM NETWORKplay_arrow
This song was released in 1987...
34eastANGELHimuro Kyosuke
ANGELHimuro Kyosukeplay_arrow
Kyosuke Himuro’s Angel was re… in July 1988.
35eastThe Door to SummerMatsuda Seiko
The Door to SummerMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
The sparkling arrival of summer and the beginning of love...
36eastHeavenly KissMatsuda Seiko
Heavenly KissMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
A spark of love, a heart-thrilling tune
37eastLapis-Lazuli EarthMatsuda Seiko
Lapis-Lazuli EarthMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
A warm message that finds hope in the darkness...
38eastBlue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko
Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
It brings the sparkle of the sun and the scent of the sea breeze...
39eastA Scandal with That GirlChekkāzu
A Scandal with That GirlChekkāzuplay_arrow
The Checkers present: a scandal with that girl...
40eastSecond LoveNakamori Akina
Second LoveNakamori Akinaplay_arrow
As the third single, in November 1982...
41eastBohemianKatsuragi Yuki
BohemianKatsuragi Yukiplay_arrow
“Bohemian” was released in 1983 “...
42eastTATTOONakamori Akina
TATTOONakamori Akinaplay_arrow
Akina Nakamori’s signature 80s dance tune
43eastClose your eyes and come here.BARBEE BOYS
Close your eyes and come here.BARBEE BOYSplay_arrow
Male and female vocals, and with slightly more mature/risqué lyrics...
44eastHigh School LullabyImokin Torio
High School LullabyImokin Torioplay_arrow
This Imo Kin Trio, Yoshio Waruo Futsuo, uh...
45eastStardust StageChekkāzu
Stardust StageChekkāzuplay_arrow
The title track is the theme song for the TBS serial drama “Uchi no Ko ni Ka….”
46eastStreet-corner TwilightShaneruzu
Street-corner TwilightShaneruzuplay_arrow
The third single, released in February 1981…
47eastOnly for youShonentai
Only for youShonentaiplay_arrow
Their 6th single, released in June 1987…
48eastGlass AppleMatsuda Seiko
Glass AppleMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
The fourteenth single, released in August 1983…
49eastTears aren’t just for show.Nakamori Akina
Tears aren’t just for show.Nakamori Akinaplay_arrow
As their tenth single, in November 1984...
50eastRiverside HotelInoue Yosui
Riverside HotelInoue Yosuiplay_arrow
“Riverside Hotel” was released in 1982…
51eastGoodbye to sorrowanzenchitai
Goodbye to sorrowanzenchitaiplay_arrow
The ninth single, released in June 1985...
52eastEquator Girl: Dokki!Yamashita Kumiko
Equator Girl: Dokki!Yamashita Kumikoplay_arrow
“Equator Girl Doki” was released in 1982…
53eastChristmas EveYamashita Tatsuro
Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuroplay_arrow
"Christmas Eve" was released in 1983...
54eastwhite parasolMatsuda Seiko
white parasolMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
The seventh single, released in July 1981…
55eastRed Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko
Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
When you think of THE idol, it’s gotta be this person, right?
56eastSingle AgainTakeuchi Mariya
Single AgainTakeuchi Mariyaplay_arrow
Mariya Takeuchi’s “Single Again” is 1989…
57eastMonicaYoshikawa Koji
MonicaYoshikawa Kojiplay_arrow
It became Mr. Koji Kikkawa’s debut single and his own…
58eastMy loverGorin Mayumi
My loverGorin Mayumiplay_arrow
The 18th single, released in August 1980, sh…
59eastmemory glasseshorie atsushi
memory glasseshorie atsushiplay_arrow
"Memory Glass" was released in 1981 and...
60eastAfter all, I’m an idolKoizumi Kyoko
After all, I'm an idolKoizumi Kyokoplay_arrow
I was surprised when I first saw the title of this song…
61eastDadPRINCESS PRINCESS
DadPRINCESS PRINCESSplay_arrow
A heartwarming classic portraying the bond between father and daughter, loved across generations.
62eastLimit LoversSHOW-YA
Limit LoversSHOW-YAplay_arrow
Expressing women's true feelings and emotions through heavy metal
63eastAh, heartlessAn Ruisu
Ah, heartlessAn Ruisuplay_arrow
A passionate, heartrending love story set to powerful rock so…
64eastGoodbyeofukōsu
Goodbyeofukōsuplay_arrow
The seventeenth single, released in December 1979...
65eastNight of 15Ozaki Yutaka
Night of 15Ozaki Yutakaplay_arrow
This song is actually something Mr. Yutaka Ozaki experienced when he was 14 years old...
66eastA Tearful RequestChekkāzu
A Tearful RequestChekkāzu
This song really gave the impression that the Checkers burst onto the scene.
67eastTeenage in GlassHikaru GENJI
Teenage in GlassHikaru GENJIplay_arrow
This song is Hikaru Genji’s second single and...
68eastLonging for AndalusiaKondō Masahiko
Longing for AndalusiaKondō Masahikoplay_arrow
At the time, Masahiko Kondo, who was an idol, cho...
69eastSo let go of that hand.B’z
So let go of that hand.B'zplay_arrow
The Allure of B’z’s 80s Debut Song and Youth
70eastONLY YOUBOØWY
ONLY YOUBOØWYplay_arrow
A signature song by BOØWY, a cry of pure love and protection
71eastThe hottest summer in the worldPRINCESS PRINCESS
The hottest summer in the worldPRINCESS PRINCESSplay_arrow
A youthful love song, a burning passion for setting out on a new journey
72eastI am a storm.SHOW-YA
I am a storm.SHOW-YAplay_arrow
Rock of determination to live true to oneself
73eastIn my heart, thank you.Thetōnanseihoku
In my heart, thank you.Thetōnanseihokuplay_arrow
A masterpiece that portrays heartrending emotions, a song that resonates with the heart
74eastA flawless rock ’n’ rollerarajin
A flawless rock ’n’ rollerarajin
Love and Rebellion of a Self-Proclaimed Rockstar
75eastGreen poinsettiaKawai Sonoko
Green poinsettiaKawai Sonokoplay_arrow
Sonoko Kawai’s Christmas song, Green Poinsettia
76eastChaco’s Seaside StorySazan Ōrusutāzu
Chaco’s Seaside StorySazan Ōrusutāzuplay_arrow
The fourteenth single, released in January 1982…
77eastMysterious Peach PieTakeuchi Mariya
Mysterious Peach PieTakeuchi Mariyaplay_arrow
“Mysterious Peach Pie” was released in 1980…
78eastHigh-Teen BoogieKondō Masahiko
High-Teen BoogieKondō Masahikoplay_arrow
The seventh single, released in June 1982…
79eastDetective Story / Just a Little GentleYakushimaru Hiroko
Detective Story / Just a Little GentleYakushimaru Hirokoplay_arrow
The second overall single, released in May 1983, ...
80eastA long nightMatsuyama Chiharu
A long nightMatsuyama Chiharuplay_arrow
“The Long Night” is Matsuyama’s [song/album] released in 1981…
81eastLet’s start from ‘I Love You’anzenchitai
Let's start from 'I Love You'anzenchitaiplay_arrow
Safety Zone, a group of true musicians
82eastFull of ChristmasKudō Shizuka
Full of ChristmasKudō Shizukaplay_arrow
A heartwarming Christmas song by the multi-talented Shizuka Kudo
83eastSurf Paradise, Ski ParadiseMatsutōya Yumi
Surf Paradise, Ski ParadiseMatsutōya Yumiplay_arrow
Yuming’s classic winter song, heartwarming music
84eastRiver of Ten Thousand MilesCHAGE and ASKA
River of Ten Thousand MilesCHAGE and ASKAplay_arrow
“Banri no Kawa” was released in 1980 as “C…
85eastLove Can’t Stop ~Turn It Into Love~Wink
Love Can't Stop ~Turn It Into Love~Winkplay_arrow
Wink was in a certain magazine’s beauty contest, in both the first and second terms…
86eastmetropoliskurisutaru kingu
metropoliskurisutaru kinguplay_arrow
This great metropolis of the Crystal King is actually Lily…
87eastWhen I turn around, it’s YokohamaMarushia
When I turn around, it's YokohamaMarushiaplay_arrow
"If You Turn Around, Yokohama" was released in 1989...
88eastFalling in LoveKobayashi Akiko
Falling in LoveKobayashi Akikoplay_arrow
This song is from the TBS drama series “Friday Wives…”
89eastThe True Face of the StormKudō Shizuka
The True Face of the StormKudō Shizukaplay_arrow
Even before joining Onyanko Club, she had been active as a singer and more...
90eastC-GirlAsaka Yui
C-GirlAsaka Yuiplay_arrow
She became hugely popular as the third Saki Asamiya in Sukeban Deka...
91eastSneaker BluesKondō Masahiko
Sneaker BluesKondō Masahikoplay_arrow
Released in December 1980 as the debut single...
92eastRunawayShaneruzu
RunawayShaneruzuplay_arrow
Debut single released in February 1980...
93eastStrawberry TimeMatsuda Seiko
Strawberry TimeMatsuda Seikoplay_arrow
Seiko Matsuda’s 23rd single, released for the first time in 1 year and 10 months.
94eastSentimental and DearTahara Toshihiko
Sentimental and DearTahara Toshihikoplay_arrow
It went on sale in June 1980 (Showa 55)...
95eastdragonflyNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
dragonflyNagabuchi Tsuyoshiplay_arrow
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi's song Tonbo was relea...
96eastRunnerbakufū suranpu
Runnerbakufū suranpuplay_arrow
Originally it was a somewhat more radical song, and in performance it would...
97eastFUNK FUJIYAMAkome kome CLUBKome Kome Club’s “FUNK FUJIYAMA” is...
98eastHappy! Fun! I love it!DREAMS COME TRUE
Happy! Fun! I love it!DREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
Chosen as the song for Ezaki Glico’s “Pocky” commercial…
99eastFuture Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE
Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUEplay_arrow
It’s an album that was released in November 1989…
100eastDon’t take off my sailor uniformo nyanko kurabu
Don't take off my sailor uniformo nyanko kurabuplay_arrow
At the time, amateurish-looking female college students were active on television, becoming a social phenomenon.
101eastMedaka Siblingswarabe
Medaka Siblingswarabeplay_arrow
Warabe (Tomoko Takabe, Atsumi Kurasawa, Mami Takahashi) 1…
102eastatonementTeresa Ten
atonementTeresa Tenplay_arrow
“Tsugunai” is a track from the 1984 release “Te…
103eastA Member of the Fire BrigadeRATS&STAR
A Member of the Fire BrigadeRATS&STARplay_arrow
In April 1983, the group changed its name to “Chanels…
104eastBroken-winged angelNakamura Ayumi
Broken-winged angelNakamura Ayumiplay_arrow
“Tsubasa no Oreta Angel” began to be re—
105eastYou were mineKubota Toshinobu
You were mineKubota Toshinobuplay_arrow
Toshinobu Kubota's 'You were mine' is...
106eastKOME KOME WARkome kome CLUB
KOME KOME WARkome kome CLUBplay_arrow
It became Kome Kome Club’s seventh single, and…
107eastPassion, Hot Wind, SerenadeKondō Masahiko
Passion, Hot Wind, SerenadeKondō Masahikoplay_arrow
The fifth single, released in January 1982…
108eastCan’t Stop the RomanticC-C-B
Can't Stop the RomanticC-C-Bplay_arrow
The third single, released in January 1985…
109eastfortissimoHOUND DOG
fortissimoHOUND DOGplay_arrow
"ff (fortissimo)" was in 1985...
110eastFlashy!!!Nagayama Miho
Flashy!!!Nagayama Mihoplay_arrow
“Flashy!!!” features Miho Nakayama herself, and…
111eastA Love Game Between a Man and a WomanHino Mika, Aoi Shiro
A Love Game Between a Man and a WomanHino Mika, Aoi Shiroplay_arrow
“Otoko to Onna no Love Game” was released in 1986…
112eastLonely ChaplinSuzuki Kiyomi with Rats & Star
Lonely ChaplinSuzuki Kiyomi with Rats & Starplay_arrow
"Lonely Chaplin" was in 1987...
113eastFirst loveMurashita Kōzō
First loveMurashita Kōzōplay_arrow
"Hatsukoi" is a song by Takao Murashita that was released in 1983...
114eastSeason in the SunTUBE
Season in the SunTUBE
“Season in the Sun” is from 1986…