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 (31–40)
Otaru no hito yoTsuruoka Masayoshi to Tokyo Romanchika
You can’t help but be captivated by the pleasant tone of Masayoshi Tsuruoka’s requinto guitar in this song, which portrays the romance between a man who set off with Otaru as its stage and the woman he left behind in his hometown.
The singer masterfully switches between a sweet chest voice and falsetto, expressing it beautifully with a heartfelt, tightening delivery.
Twilight Ginzarosu purimosu
Set against the streets of Ginza, this song portrays a love story between a mature man and woman.
By using memories from each block—First through Eighth Chome—as the refrain lyrics, it achieves a fresh resonance that makes the piece memorable, rather than just another typical Ginza song.
Flying to IstanbulShōno Mayoyo
It was released in 1978 as Mayo Shono’s fifth single.
With its exotic sound, the song became a major hit and greatly boosted Istanbul’s recognition in Japan.
It has also been covered by many female artists and continues to be sung as one of Mayo Shono’s signature songs.
You are my very lifeMizuhara Hiroshi
With powerful backing—lyrics by Yasunori Kawauchi and composition by Kosho Inomata—this song propelled Hiroshi Mizuhara, who had been affectionately known as “O-mizu” yet was struggling, into nationwide fame.
His vocals, which seem to reveal the sincere romantic feelings of a clumsy man, moved many listeners.
Nakanoshima BluesAkiniba Yutaka & Aronaitsu
Cool Five also sing this song, but this is the original, the real deal.
It’s Showa-era blues by men who lived their lives in the nightlife of Sapporo.
Released in 1973, it created a buzz and was later issued in a nationwide edition.
It’s a masterpiece that radiates deep melancholy.