Masterpieces and hit songs of 80s Japanese pop (kayōkyoku)
The ’80s were full of hit songs, weren’t they?
Here are some especially recommended classics and hits from the era’s signature kayōkyoku tunes.
It’s a timeless, legendary playlist that rewrote the history of Japanese music—one we want both those who spent their youth back then and those who didn’t to listen to.
We feature a wide range of artists, from bands and singer-songwriters to idols.
A karaoke contest limited to this decade would be a blast, wouldn’t it?
- Popular Nostalgic Hits and Classics Ranking [1980s Japanese Music Ranking]
- A collection of nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1980s that still linger in our ears
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 80s
- [Songs from the Showa Era] Introducing classic tracks that are easy to sing at karaoke.
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese pop idols of the 80s
- Top 1980s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- Recommended youth songs for people in their 80s: A collection of nostalgic classics
- A special feature on classic and hit songs by bands that were active in the 1980s
- Nostalgic yet fresh!? Classic masterpieces of Japanese rock from the 1970s and 1980s
- Classic nostalgic summer hits from the ’80s. A roundup of summer songs.
- [1980s J-Pop] Popular winter songs: from chart-toppers to hidden gems!
- Including global hits! 80s songs popular on TikTok
- Thrilling to Cool Showa-Era Tunes! Classic Songs from Female Singers and Artists of the Showa Period
Masterpieces and hit songs of 80s kayōkyoku (61–70)
Dancing HeroOginome Yōko
Released in 1985 as Yoko Oginome’s seventh single, it became one of her signature songs and marked her first entry into the top 10 of the Oricon Weekly Chart.
In 2017, the song enjoyed a revival hit after it was featured in the “Bubble Dance” by the dance club of Osaka Prefectural Tomioka High School, gaining popularity among younger generations as well.
Sneaker BluesKondō Masahiko
It was released in 1980 as Masahiko Kondo’s debut single.
It became an instant million-seller and his biggest hit.
It is the theme song for Toho’s “Tanokin Super Hit Series” Part 1, the film Youth Graffiti: Sneaker Blues.
GOOD-BYE YouthNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
This song is a single released in 1983.
It was chosen as the theme song for the drama The Family Game, in which Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi himself played the lead role.
Many men are likely to relate to its wistful lyrics.
Be sure to check out the drama as well.
MasqueradeShonentai
This song was released as a single in 1986.
I’m sure some of you sing it often at karaoke.
It’s Shonentai’s debut track and one of their signature songs.
Even now, the melody in the chorus sounds really cool.
I wish you would hold me.Kudō Shizuka
It was released in 1988 as Shizuka Kudo’s third single.
The song was created by the star-studded duo of lyricist Goro Matsui and composer Tsugutoshi Goto, and it reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
Contrary to the mature lyrics, Shizuka Kudo was 17 at the time and reportedly went to the studio wearing her high school uniform.
If I Could Play the PianoNishida Toshiyuki
Released as a single in 1981, it was used as an insert song for the drama “Ikenaka Genta 80-kilo II,” in which he himself starred.
It was originally the B-side of the single, but due to the strong response, there’s a story that the A-side and B-side were swapped and it was re-released.
Set to a beautiful piano melody, the song gently portrays a man living awkwardly, in his own clumsy way.
Don’t take off my sailor uniformo nyanko kurabu
It was released in 1985 as Onyanko Club’s debut single, with lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto.
There’s an anecdote that the song’s unveiling event drew more fans than expected, causing chaos at the venue and leading to its cancellation.
This song became the catalyst for the Onyanko Club boom.