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?
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- Classic nostalgic summer hits from the ’80s. A roundup of summer songs.
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- 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 (31–40)
Return to Myself ~ I won’t, I won’t, summer.Hamada Mari
It was released in 1989 as Mari Hamada’s ninth single.
It was used as a campaign song for Kanebo Cosmetics and debuted at No.
5 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
The rock style is really cool.
B BLUEBOØWY
A track from the 1986 album BEAT EMOTION.
BOØWY is a four-piece rock band formed in 1981, centered around Kyosuke Himuro and Tomoyasu Hotei from Gunma.
The original title of this song was “True Blue.” Its straightforward rock-style beat meshes perfectly with Kyosuke Himuro’s vocals, making it a truly cool song.
Season in the SunTUBE
Included on the 1986 album “THE SEASON IN THE SUN.” TUBE is a four-member band from Kanagawa Prefecture that debuted in 1985.
With rhythms and melodies that evoke an open, tropical vibe and high-toned vocals, this is the kind of song that lets you strongly feel their signature “summer” just by listening.
Roppongi HeartbreakAn Ruisu
It was released in 1984 as Ann Lewis’s 25th single.
The song became a big hit, gaining strong support on cable requests and in karaoke.
It was used as the commercial song for “Warikka Highball CAN.” The lyrics of this song and of her 27th single, “Aa Mujou,” are said to be modeled after the singer Koji Kikkawa.
GET WILDTM NETWORK
Included on the 1987 album “Gift for Fanks.” It was used as the ending theme for the anime City Hunter.
The meticulously crafted synthesizer melody and the chopper-style bass groove are really cool.
Masterpieces and hit songs of 80s kayōkyoku (41–50)
MonicaYoshikawa Koji
This song was released as a single in 1984 and also served as the artist’s debut.
It was chosen as the theme song for the film Sukampin Walk, in which Koji Kikkawa himself starred.
The lively rhythm pairs perfectly with his vocals.
It’s a thrilling, cool classic.
A street corner where even lovers get wetNakamura Masatoshi
It was released in 1982 as Masatoshi Nakamura’s 17th single.
It’s a mood kayōkyoku song written and composed by Keisuke Kuwata.
It served as the theme song for the film “The Kamata March” and was also used as an insert song in the Fuji TV dramas “Omakase Kudasai” and “Omakase Kudasai, Ore no Nyōbō-dono.”