Enthralling mood kayō: A collection of classic Showa-era songs
Suddenly, but what kind of image do you all have of “mood kayō” (mood ballads)?
If you’re from a younger generation, you may not have even heard of the genre “mood kayō” in the first place.
Born in the postwar era, mood kayō is, as the name suggests, a form of kayōkyoku (Japanese popular song), but its definition is actually quite ambiguous.
You could say it’s a genre that values sentiment—indeed, the very “mood”—more than strictly musical elements.
This time, we’re focusing on this uniquely alluring, adult music born of the Shōwa era—mood kayō—and have gathered some representative classics.
Whether you’re a young music fan curious about Shōwa-era kayōkyoku or someone who lived through those times, please enjoy!
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Enthralling mood kayō: A collection of Showa-era classics (71–80)
I fell in love with Yuko like that.Masuiyama Tashirō
While demonstrating the talent to rise as high as ōzeki as a sumo wrestler, Masuiyama Daishirō also pursued an unusual career as a singer from his active days.
This song of his captivates with a sweet voice that pairs exquisitely with mood kayō.
It’s a classic from the Shōwa era, likely dedicated to Yūko-san everywhere across the country.
Woman’s PathMiya Shirō to Pinkara Torio
This song, which became a massive hit selling over three million copies in total, hides a subtle mastery in its wild, husky-sounding yet delicately controlled vocals and the artful way the words are delivered—but forget the critic-speak; just sit back and be captivated.
When the rain stopsAsaoka Yukiji
This is a single released by Yukiji Asaoka in 1970 that became a hit the following year, 1971.
It won the Composer’s Award at the 13th Japan Record Awards.
Thanks to the song’s success, she made her 10th overall appearance—and her first in five years—at the 22nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
It has become one of Asaoka’s signature songs and has been covered by many artists.
Raised in ShinjukuTsuyama Yōko, Ōki Hideo
Among the many place names, choosing to compete on the grand stage of metropolitan Shinjuku means subjecting oneself to equally intense scrutiny, yet they deliver a performance so outstanding it blows away that risk.
You can hear the results of their training—their perfectly synchronized breathing and vocal delivery are truly pleasing.
This is goodbye today.Sugawara Yoichi
Released in 1967 (Showa 42), she is still active today, singing beautifully, but I chose this because there was footage from her younger days.
As the title suggests, the lyrics are a farewell poem.
While farewells are commonplace, this song became a huge hit thanks to her outstanding vocal ability and beautiful voice, to the point that it became synonymous with farewell songs.
SubaruTanimura Shinji
This is a song released by Shinji Tanimura in 1980, with both lyrics and music written by Tanimura himself.
Seven years after its release, in 1987, he performed this song at the 38th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, marking his first appearance on the show.
Covered by many artists, it has become one of Tanimura’s signature songs.
Freeze my heartTakayama Iwao
It was released in 1992 as Iwao Takayama’s 13th single.
It was chosen as the theme song for the Yomiuri TV-produced, Nippon TV network morning serial drama “Shugyoku no Onna,” and it won many awards, including the 26th Japan Cable Radio Awards and the Lyrics Award at the 35th Japan Record Awards.
With this song, he made an appearance at the 44th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, where he performed it.