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.
Playlist
| Classic and hit kayōkyoku songs from the nostalgic 1960s | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Isn’t it fine as long as you’re happy?Sara Naomi | play_arrow | A classic song that represents the 1960s, the heyday of kayōkyoku (Japanese pop). |
| 2east | In the pouring rainWada Akiko | play_arrow | This song by Akiko Wada is her breakthrough work and... |
| 3east | Scat at DawnYuki Saori | play_arrow | A ski that beautifully evokes the scene at daybreak… |
| 4east | school daysPegī Hayama | play_arrow | Known as one of Peggy Hayama’s signature songs… |
| 5east | Just as there are stars in the skyAraki Ichiro | play_arrow | Araki Ichiro’s ... released in 1966 |
| 6east | A woman aloneDyūku Eisesu | play_arrow | Released in 1965, a heartbroken woman in Kyoto’s beautiful… |
| 7east | Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio, Yoshinaga Sayuri | play_arrow | A song released in 1962 that won the 4th Japan Record Award... |
| 8east | Blue ChateauJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu | play_arrow | Blue co... for the era of GS released in 1967 |
| 9east | Isezakicho BluesAoe Mina | play_arrow | This work, one of Mina Aoe’s signature songs, is set in Yokohama… |
| 10east | Slave of LoveOkumura Chiyo | play_arrow | When it comes to Chiyo Okumura’s signature songs, this is the one that comes to mind… |
| 11east | Thank you, night fog, again tonight.Ishihara Yūjirō | play_arrow | Mr. Yujiro Ishihara, known for his sweet, wistful singing voice... |
| 12east | The flowers were late.Miki Katsuhiko | play_arrow | I tried to find footage from when it was released in 1967, but... |
| 13east | When the Acacia Rain StopsNishida Sachiko | play_arrow | Nishida, known for a husky voice and strong expressive power... |
| 14east | Little Finger MemoriesItō Yukari | play_arrow | Yukari Ito in her younger days, released in 1967… |
| 15east | ReunionMatsuo Kazuko | play_arrow | A tearful performance that fully showcased Kazuko Matsuo’s vocal prowess… |
| 16east | Cute flowerZa Pīnattsu | play_arrow | The Peanuts, released in 1959… |
| 17east | Forever and everZa Sabeji | play_arrow | The charm lies in the nostalgic melody and the lyrics that pierce the heart... |
| 18east | Applause for loveKomadori Shimai | play_arrow | Representing nostalgic Japanese kayōkyoku from the 1960s… |
| 19east | So sad I can’t bear itZa Fōku Kurusedāzu | play_arrow | A hauntingly beautiful melody that lingers in the ear, marked by profound melancholy… |
| 20east | In Search of Love and DeathAoyama Kazuko | play_arrow | As one of the representative kayōkyoku songs of the 1960s... |
| 21east | 12th graderFunaki Kazuo | play_arrow | Released in 1963—there are several theories, but… |
| 22east | Dream GuideYamaguchi Momoe | play_arrow | The legendary idol Yama..., who has left behind many classic songs, |
| 23east | Forbidden LoveMoriyama Ryoko | play_arrow | A song released by Ryoko Moriyama in 1969, cumu... |
| 24east | You are my very lifeMizuhara Hiroshi | play_arrow | This is footage from the 1967 New Year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, but... |
| 25east | Love FugueZa Pīnattsu | play_arrow | The song released by The Peanuts in 1967… |
| 26north_east | Song of the Mountain Mandaakudakkusu | play_arrow | A beautiful chorus by four men released in 1962… |
| 27north_east | Yanagase BluesMikawa Ken’ichi | play_arrow | Kenichi Mikawa’s third single released in 1966… |
| 28south_east | To Marie on Fifth AvenuePedoro & Kapurishasu | play_arrow | While swapping vocalists several times, always hu… |
| 29east | Black Cat TangoMinagawa Osamu | play_arrow | The original song released in 1969 is a Japanese version of an Italian children’s song... |
| 30east | Otaru no hito yoTsuruoka Masayoshi to Tokyo Romanchika | play_arrow | Tsuruoka Masayoshi and Tokyo Romantica’s debut sing... |
| 31east | soft; gentle; pliantMisora Hibari | play_arrow | A song released in 1964 that won the 7th Japan Record Award... |
| 32east | The world is for the two of us.Sara Naomi | play_arrow | Back when it was released in 1967, on every channel... |
| 33east | Flower NecklaceZa Taigāsu | ![]() | The GS, which enjoyed absolute popularity when it was released in 1968... |
| 34east | I want to go far away.Jerī Fujio | play_arrow | Released in 1962, covered by many artists… |
| 35east | Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi | play_arrow | Released in 1968, now active as an actress i… |
| 36east | Miracle of LoveHide to Rozanna | play_arrow | Released in 1968, both Hide and Rosanna were young... |
| 37east | Waltz of StarlightSen Masao | play_arrow | As Masao Sen’s sixth single, in 1966... |
| 38east | I’m in trouble.Yamamoto Rinda | play_arrow | As Linda Yamamoto’s debut single, 196... |
| 39east | Song of the DawnKishi Yoko | play_arrow | It is a song released by Yoko Kishi in 1964, and the following year 1… |
| 40east | Only youSaigō Teruhiko | play_arrow | His debut song released in 1964 by Teruhiko Saigō... |
| 41east | March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko | play_arrow | Released as Kiyoko Suizenji’s 23rd single in 19… |
| 42east | Misty Lake MashuFuse Akira | play_arrow | Japan’s most … now widely known today, released in 1966… |
| 43east | Hibari’s Sado Love StoryMisora Hibari | play_arrow | The single released by Hibari Misora in 1962… |
| 44east | Tunnel HeavenZa Dainamaitsu | play_arrow | Youth that symbolizes the Group Sounds of the ’60s... |
| 45east | I don’t want to let go.Za Yangāzu | play_arrow | A coming-of-age love song that sings of sweet and bittersweet feelings of love... |
| 46east | blue eyesJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu | play_arrow | A band with a melancholy-tinged melody that stirs the heart... |
| 47east | The lights of Sakhalin do not go outZa Jenoba | ![]() | The 1960s grooves that Crown Records proudly presents... |
| 48east | No-No BoyZa Supaidāsu | ![]() | Sophistication influenced by the British Beat… |
| 49east | Please, God!Za Tenputāzu | play_arrow | The prayer of youth, staking its sweet sentiments on God, is earnest… |
| 50east | What you wantZa Hapuningusu Fo | play_arrow | A show that brings the masterpieces of the Group Sounds era to the present… |
| 51east | A world without youZa Bībāzu | play_arrow | Psychedelic rock sounds with a touch of melancholy… |
| 52east | Blind BirdZa Moppusu | play_arrow | In the turbulent 1960s, the psychedelic mov... |
| 53east | Ha-ha-haZa Rindo & Rindāzu | play_arrow | Set to a light rhythm and a bright melody, 1… |
| 54east | With the setting sunZa Wairudowanzu | play_arrow | A refreshing melody that captures a scene standing out against the blue sky… |
| 55east | Let’s go, Shake!Terauchi Takeshi & Banīzu | play_arrow | A youthful romance unfolding on the beach, and an ele… |
| 56east | The Song of KemekoZa Dātsu | ![]() | February 1968, when the bittersweet scent of youth lingered in the air… |
| 57east | The Maiden with Flaxen HairVirejji Shingāzu | play_arrow | The radiant purity of youth and the bittersweet stirrings of first love... |
| 58east | Legend of the EmeraldZa Tenputāzu | play_arrow | As the third single by The Tempters... |
| 59east | Ozasiki SongMatsuo Kazuko & Wada Hiroshi & Mahina Sutāzu | play_arrow | Released in 1964, the composer of this song is unknown, so… |
| 60east | Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzu | play_arrow | It sold 2.7 million copies at the time of its 1968 release... |
| 61east | The last dance is mineKoshiji Fubuki | play_arrow | Released in 1961, the Takarazuka Revue alumna Fubuki Koshiji’s… |
| 62east | A rose has bloomed.Maiku Maki | play_arrow | The folk song that Maki Maki released in 1966... |
| 63east | Last Night’s SecretOgawa Tomoko | play_arrow | As Tomoko Ogawa’s debut single in 1968… |
| 64east | newspaper boyYamada Tarō | play_arrow | Released in 1965, Japanese people were poor like in “Oshin”… |
| 65east | Sūdara-bushiUeki Hitoshi | play_arrow | The actual record released in 1961 is by Hajime Hana and the Ku... |
| 66east | Tokyo Dodonpa GirlWatanabe Mari | ![]() | Released in 1961, this song was also covered by artists like Yosui Inoue... |
| 67east | Nagasaki BluesAoe Mina | Released in 196… as Mina Aoe’s 11th single | |
| 68east | Angel’s TemptationMayuzumi Jun | play_arrow | Released in 1968 as Jun Mayuzumi’s fourth single… |
| 69east | Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu | play_arrow | Released in 1966, this song later became The Hander… |
| 70east | Tokyo Olympic OndoMinami Haruo | play_arrow | The Tokyo Olympics, released in 1963 and held in 1964… |
| 71east | Goodbye Comes After the DanceBaishō Chieko | play_arrow | A song released by Chieko Baisho in 1965, … |
| 72east | Love me to the bone.Jō Takuya | play_arrow | The first release under the same name by Takuya Jo |
| 73east | Fossil of LoveAsaoka Ruriko | play_arrow | The single released by Ruriko Asaoka in 1969… |
| 74east | Coffee RumbaNishida Sachiko | play_arrow | Masterpieces that colored the Showa era’s pop music scene are revived here... |
| 75east | I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu | play_arrow | The origins of this song, with lyrics by Rokusu Eiju released in 1961... |
| 76east | Forever with youKayama Yūzō | play_arrow | One of the well-known Wakadaisho’s signature songs, released in 1965… |
| 77east | older womanMori Shinichi | play_arrow | A single released by Shinichi Mori in 1968, … |


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