Legendary Japanese rock masterpieces and hit songs of the 1960s
The Spiders, The Wild Ones, The Tigers, The Folk Crusaders, Swing West…
Here are studio staff–recommended classics and hit songs from standout rock artists of the 1960s.
A truly legendary playlist that supported the dawn of Japanese rock.
Playlist
| Legendary Japanese rock masterpieces and hit songs of the 1960s | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Legend of the EmeraldZa Tenputāzu |  play_arrow | A poignant lakeside love story, a classic by Kenichi Hagiwara |
| 2east | This Bad GirlThe Golden Cups |  play_arrow | A classic hit from the ’60s with a powerful message of love |
| 3east | Tunnel HeavenZa Dainamaitsu |  play_arrow | A youthful rock song from the 1960s Group Sounds scene |
| 4east | With the setting sunZa Wairudowanzu |  play_arrow | Refreshing Blue Sky Group Sounds Classic |
| 5east | Swan’s Tearsokkusu |  play_arrow | A poignant, heart-touching song that captures the bittersweet pain and wistful melancholy of first love. |
| 6east | Walkin’ BluesZa Gōruden Kappusu |  | A landmark of Japanese blues rock |
| 7east | I love you, I love you, I love you.Za Kānabītsu |  play_arrow | Hit songs by The Carnabeats |
| 8east | Ha-ha-haZa Rindo & Rindāzu |  play_arrow | A bright pop tune by The Lind & Lindaers |
| 9east | The Maiden with Flaxen HairVirejji Shingāzu |  play_arrow | A 1968 smash hit that portrays youth and first love |
| 10east | Flower Necklacetaigāsu |  | The Tigers’ classic of youth: Love and Hope |
| 11east | The setting sun is crying.Za Supaidāsu |  play_arrow | Goodbye, Tears—an iconic song of bittersweet youth |
| 12east | Please, God!Za Tenputāzu |  play_arrow | The Tempters’ famous song, Koigokoro and Inori |
| 13east | Blind BirdZa Moppusu |  play_arrow | The Mops’ pioneering psychedelic debut |
| 14east | blue eyesJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu |  play_arrow | A classic masterpiece from the dawn of the Group Sounds era depicting a bittersweet love in the northern country |
| 15east | Let’s go, Shake!Terauchi Takeshi & Banīzu |  play_arrow | Group Sounds, the representative works of Takeshi Terauchi and the Bunnys |
| 16east | Bang, bang, bangZa Supaidāsu |  play_arrow | The Group Sounds signature song “Ban Ban Ban” |
| 17east | Love only for youZa Taigāsu |  play_arrow | A classic hit by The Tigers, a song of pure love |
| 18east | On the way home in midwinterZa Ranchāzu |  play_arrow | A classic song that portrays a yearning love on a winter night |
| 19east | Legend of LoveZa Fingāzu |  | An innovative track of Group Sounds |
| 20east | I’ve had enough of love.Za Dainamaitsu |  play_arrow | The Dynamites’ classic: the bittersweet love of youth |
| 21east | Tomorrow’s Childeipuriru fuuru |  play_arrow | The pioneering musical world of April Fools |
| 22east | Good Night BabyZa Kingutonzu |  play_arrow | A classic from the ’60s, a bittersweet love song |
| 23east | Forever and everZa Sabeji |  | A poignant love song with a memorable chorus |
| 24east | Blue ChateauJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu |  play_arrow | A classic song that waits for love in a blue castle, representing the 1960s |
| 25east | Itsuki LullabySuuingu Uesuto |  play_arrow | Sublimating traditional Japanese music through rock |
| 26east | So sad I can’t bear itZa Fōku Kurusedāzu |  play_arrow | A melancholic masterpiece that expresses the pain of life |
| 27east | What you wantZa Hapuningusu Fo |  play_arrow | An experimental masterpiece single of Group Sounds |
| 28east | A world without youZa Bībāzu |  play_arrow | The Beavers’ heartbreak rock song |
| 29east | I don’t want to let go.Za Yangāzu |  play_arrow | The Youngers’ signature coming-of-age love song from 1968 |
| 30east | The lights of Sakhalin do not go outZa Jenoba |  | The debut song of The Genova, a Russian-folk-style ballad |
| 31east | No-No BoyZa Supaidāsu |  | Hiroshi Kamayatsu’s British beat-infused rock masterpiece |
| 32east | The Song of KemekoZa Dātsu |  | A classic youth song depicting a first love for a chemistry girl |
| 33east | You were young back then.Za Supaidāsu |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of the bittersweetness of youth, The Spiders |
| 34east | The Rock of SufferingZa Burū Inparusu | A classic of youth that expresses the feelings of young people. | |
| 35east | Let’s be friends.Za Autokyasuto |  play_arrow | A classic of 1960s Japanese rock that colors youth |
| 36east | Empty worldJakkusu |  play_arrow | Yoshio Hayakawa’s profound lyrics and soul-stirring melodies |
| 37east | White Coral Reefzū nī vū |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of beautiful tropical scenery |
| 38east | Small snackPurple Shadows |  play_arrow | The Purple Shadows’ gemlike love song |
| 39east | The sea is in love.Za Riganīzu |  play_arrow | Seaside Love Song by The Riganies: A Page of Youth |
| 40east | Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu |  play_arrow | A hit song that portrays the fleeting nature of youth by the summer seaside |
| 41east | Distant ShoreShaapu Hōkusu |  | Passionate guitar, timeless youth anthem |
| 42east | Black Sand BeachKayama Yūzō & Za Ranchāzu |  | A classic of 60s surf rock, music that makes you feel the ocean |
| 43east | perpetual motionThe Mops |  play_arrow | A groundbreaking classic from the dawn of Japanese rock |
| 44east | Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-DaZa Kānabītsu |  play_arrow | A classic of Japanese rock, across generations |
| 45east | I want to hug you.Tōkyō Bītoruzu |  play_arrow | A classic from the dawn of Japanese rock, a love song |
| 46east | White Swingbiriibanban |  play_arrow | A classic that wraps you in nostalgic memories |