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?

Playlist

Masterpieces and hit songs of 80s Japanese pop (kayōkyoku)
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	My RevolutionWatanabe Misato		Cheer Song of Sailor Uniform Street
2	Wine Red Heartanzenchitai		Koji Tamaki’s iconic masterpiece representing the Showa era
3	For me to be myselfOzaki Yutaka		One of Yutaka Ozaki’s signature songs, also used as a theme song
4	Blue Sky Only YouHikaru Ippei		Hikaru Ippei’s 1981 debut song
5	DJ in My LifeShibugakitai		Shibugakitai’s nostalgic summer love song
6	KILLShibugakitai		Shibugakitai’s urbane breakup song
7	Sword DanceHikaru GENJI		Hikaru Genji love battle song hit
8	LADYShonentai		Shonentai singles, anime theme songs
9	Startled and GoodTahara Toshihiko		Toshihiko Tahara’s 1980s hit songs
10	CROSS TO YOUotoko		A high-velocity rock number by Otokogumi
11	Parting Highwayotoko		An iconic youth rock anthem that races on a motorcycle
12	Blue Jeans MemoryKondō Masahiko		A blockbuster youth kayō song by Masahiko Kondo
13	Yokohama teakKondō Masahiko		A love song by Masahiko Kondo set in Yokohama
14	Love = Do!Tahara Toshihiko		Toshihiko Tahara’s 1981 hit song “Cha-Cha”
15	Fall in LoveKobayashi Akiko		Showa-era love songs from TV dramas
16	Forbidden Rouge MagicImagawa Kiyoshiro + Sakamoto Ryuichi		A luxurious collaboration between Kiyoshiro Imawano and YMO
17	SHOW MEMorikawa Yukari		Eurobeat becomes a massive hit as a TV drama theme song
18	Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS		Introduction to The Blue Hearts’ signature songs
19	Saddle of a Shooting StarKubota Toshinobu		The overwhelming vocal prowess of Toshinobu Kubota is captivating.
20	Goodbyeofukōsu		Moving Off Course 1979’s famous song moved me
21	TOKIOsawada kenji		Julie's Parachute Outfit Single
22	ONLY YOUBOØWY		BOØWY's classic 1987 single
23	I want to protect youMatsutōya Yumi		Atsushi Terao’s movie theme song
24	TATTOONakamori Akina		1988 sequin costume jazz song
25	FriendsRebekka		The powerful songs of REBECCA
26	A Man’s Badge of HonorShima Daisuke		Daisuke Shima’s “Otoko no Kunshō” was a big hit.
27	I’ll wait.amin		Amin’s debut single is a big hit
28	Lullaby of a Serrated HeartChekkāzu		The Checkers’ classic song is trending
29	Can’t Stop the RomanticC-C-B		A light, up-tempo track from a 1985 album
30	Embraced by the wintry windKoizumi Kyoko		Kyoko Koizumi's signature song to appear on Kōhaku
31	Under the big onionbakufū suranpu		Sunplaza Nakano's Pen-friend Love Song
32	Full of memoriesH₂O		A song released by H2O in 1983
33	Angel’s WinkMatsuda Seiko		The hit song that announced Seiko Matsuda’s marriage
34	Graduationsaitou yuki		Yuki Saito’s classic graduation song
35	SherryOzaki Yutaka		Overcoming the pain of chasing dreams and moving forward
36	Return to Myself ~ I won’t, I won’t, summer.Hamada Mari		Mari Hamada’s single becomes a hit with a rock style
37	B BLUEBOØWY		A 1986 rock song by BOØWY.
38	Season in the SunTUBE		A track from TUBE’s 1986 album that evokes the feeling of summer
39	Roppongi HeartbreakAn Ruisu		Ann Lewis's big hit song
40	GET WILDTM NETWORK		Classic theme songs from City Hunter
41	MonicaYoshikawa Koji		Kōji Kikkawa’s lively classic debut song
42	A street corner where even lovers get wetNakamura Masatoshi		Mood kayōkyoku song composed by Keisuke Kuwata for Masatoshi Nakamura
43	Distance of the Starry SkyTHE ALFEE		A song that showcases Toshihiko Takamizawa’s rock guitar
44	Southern WindNakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori’s 1984 hit song
45	Beloved DaysHoriuchi Takao		A Shōwa-era classic: the theme song of the Byakkotai
46	Tears aren’t just for show.Nakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori has a turning point as an artist with lyrics and music by Yosui Inoue
47	SWEET MEMORIESMatsuda Seiko		Popular songs that remind you of nostalgic love
48	The Bride SambaGō Hiromi		Hiromi Go's uptempo samba song
49	Marilyn in 1986Honda Minako		Their signature song is a rock-style, midriff-baring track.
50	I can’t stop this sadnessAnri		Anri's signature single from 1983
51	Goodbye to sorrowanzenchitai		A single by Anzen Chitai won the grand prize
52	Rainy NishiazabuTonneruzu		Heartbreak song, Kohaku will be achieved later
53	Detective StoryYakushimaru Hiroko		Theme songs of Hiroko Yakushimaru's movies
54	If tomorrow were to come…warabe		A single released in 1983. A song by Warabe with a relaxed rhythm.
55	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		A celebratory song sung at weddings
56	Glass AppleMatsuda Seiko		A delicate masterpiece that sings of Seiko Matsuda’s romantic feelings
57	Lapis-Lazuli EarthMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s signature song about finding hope in the darkness
58	Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko		Seiko Matsuda’s classic summer love song
59	Ah, heartlessAn Ruisu		Anne Lewis's 1986 hit song
60	You’re My Only Shinin’ StarNagayama Miho		Miho Nakayama's 1988 Song of the Year-winning track
61	dragonflyNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		A classic song that sings of the struggles of a young person who moved to Tokyo
62	CAT’S EYEAnri		Released in 1983, a smash-hit anime theme song
63	Heartbroken over JuliaChekkāzu		The Checkers' biggest hit song
64	MarionetteBOØWY		A classic by BOØWY—a masterpiece that encapsulates the allure of rock.
65	NO. NEW YORKBOØWY		BOØWY’s early ambitious work: New York Love Story
66	The hottest summer in the worldPRINCESS PRINCESS		A youthful love song, a burning passion for setting out on a new journey
67	TouchIwasaki Yoshimi		Touch is an anime song that sings about youthful romance.
68	Lonely Tropical FishWink		Wink's 5th single is a big hit
69	atonementTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng Farewell to a Loved One
70	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		Won the Grand Prix for three consecutive years with Teresa Teng’s classic song
71	Sumire September Loveippūdō		Released in 1982, covered by SHAZNA
72	Setting Sail SASURAITerao Akira		The guitar sounds like a ship’s whistle, evoking a sense of melancholy.
73	Lullaby of the Holy MothersIwasaki Hiromi		Hiromi Iwasaki’s Single Award win
74	Hold Me TonightTahara Toshihiko		Toshihiko Tahara’s drama theme song single
75	Dancing HeroOginome Yōko		Yoko Oginome’s signature song resurged in popularity thanks to the “bubble dance.”
76	Sneaker BluesKondō Masahiko		Masahiko Kondo’s debut single is a million seller
77	MasqueradeShonentai		Shonentai’s 1986 debut song
78	I wish you would hold me.Kudō Shizuka		Kudo Shizuka’s 3rd single, released in 1988
79	If I Could Play the PianoNishida Toshiyuki		Promoted from the B-side insert song of Genta Ikenaka
80	GOOD-BYE YouthNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi's theme song for The Family Game
81	Don’t take off my sailor uniformo nyanko kurabu		A huge boom with Onyanko Club’s debut song
82	My loverGorin Mayumi		A song that sings of unrequited love for Kida Kosuke
83	While shining…Tokunaga Hideaki		Hidemi Tokunaga’s breakout work, featuring his soaring, supple vocals
84	A long nightMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s rock-style single becomes a big hit
85	Dancing All Nightmonta & burazāzu		Classic Tearful Blues Guitar Songs
86	Paradise GalaxyHikaru GENJI		A smash hit from Hikaru Genji that’s certain to sell out
87	Ruby RingTerao Akira		Terauchi Akira’s breakout work, a Japan Record Award–winning song
88	Beyond the GoodbyeYamaguchi Momoe		The last song announcing Momoe Yamaguchi’s retirement
89	Aeolian of the WindTokunaga Hideaki		Panasonic commercial song, fantastical track
90	Blown by the yellow sandKudō Shizuka		A legendary song released in 1989 with lyrics by Miyuki Nakajima