Classic and hit kayōkyoku songs from the nostalgic 1960s
The 1960s are often remembered for Group Sounds and rock, but in reality, the charts were largely dominated by kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs).
It was also still a time when enka remained popular, and even those who were children back then probably have a rich repertoire of enka and kayōkyoku.
This time, we’re spotlighting nostalgic kayōkyoku from the music of the 1960s.
The 1960s were an era when classic, mainstream kayōkyoku drew the most attention.
If you’d like to look back on memories from that time through music, be sure to read this article to the end.
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Classic and hit kayōkyoku songs from the nostalgic 1960s (21–30)
Otaru no hito yoTsuruoka Masayoshi to Tokyo Romanchika
It was released in 1967 as the debut single of Masayoshi Tsuruoka and Tokyo Romantica.
The song was created based on the real-life experience of a member of Masayoshi Tsuruoka and Tokyo Romantica, who fell in love with a local woman while on tour in Kushiro, and it reached No.
2 on the Oricon charts.
It is a song that is supported as a local anthem of Otaru.
soft; gentle; pliantMisora Hibari
Released in 1964 and winner of the 7th Japan Record Award, this is, in my opinion, an absolutely essential song from the 1960s.
The title evokes the image of judo—expressed as “柔 (ju),” a sport that represents Japan—but the song itself is an anthem of encouragement, whether for the world of competition or for times when one loses their way in life.
I hope athletes will remember the message of this song during the Tokyo Olympics.
The world is for the two of us.Sara Naomi
When the song was released in 1967, you could see Naomi Sagara on every channel, but it seems she’s hardly active in show business now and is working as a businesswoman.
She had a rather androgynous image; although she’s wearing a dress in this picture, she usually wore pants.
The song is simple but a happy tune, so it was often sung at weddings.
Love FugueZa Pīnattsu
This is a song released by The Peanuts in 1967, presented as one of the entries in their “Love” series.
Lyricist Rei Nakanishi received the 1967 Japan Record Award for Lyrics for this work, and the song was also performed at the 18th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1967.
It has become one of The Peanuts’ signature songs.
Song of the Mountain Mandaakudakkusu
Released in 1962, the beautiful chorus of four men has remained strong even as they’ve aged, but now only Kazuo Tohyama—nicknamed “Zō-san” (Mr.
Elephant)—is still with us.
“Yama-otoko no Uta” isn’t a comic song at all, yet somehow, hearing it now, it feels different from how it did back then—perhaps that’s just the times.
Back then, phrases like “Don’t fall for a ○○” were even used as popular catchphrases.