Memorable Youth Songs: Looking Back on New Music Masterpieces from the 1970s–80s
New Music, which incorporated elements of folk and rock while remaining more approachable, captured the hearts of many.
GARO’s “Gakuseigai no Kissaten” and Kaguyahime’s “Kandagawa” gently portrayed the everyday lives of young people at the time, while Alice’s “Champion” and Masashi Sada’s “Kampaku Sengen” powerfully voiced down-to-earth feelings.
These classic songs that colored the memories of youth continue to resonate with many people even today.
Here, we present a selection of exquisite gems from the 1970s, woven with delicate lyrics and melodies.
- A collection of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the 70s
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- Classic and hit kayōkyoku songs from the nostalgic 1960s
- Masterpieces that sing about various lives. Recommended popular songs.
[Unforgettable Youth Songs] Looking Back at the New Music Classics of the 1970s–80s (51–60)
Aoba Castle Love Songsatou muneyuki
Composed by Muneyuki Sato from Sendai during his time as a DJ on a local FM station, this song marked his single debut in May 1978.
It became a hit, reaching No.
3 on the Oricon weekly chart.
He also performed the song on the Kouhaku Uta Gassen, and later expanded his career by starring as an actor, including in the lead role in “2-nen B-gumi Senpachi Sensei.”
Imperial Regent Declarationsadamasashi
Masashi Sada, who had hits like “Shourou Nagashi” as part of the folk duo Grape, released “Kanpaku Sengen” as his solo single in October 1979.
The song’s portrayal of a clumsy man’s way of expressing love resonated with listeners, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart and becoming a massive hit with 1.22 million copies sold.
Your MorningKishida Satoshi
Tomofumi Kishida, who made his debut as a singer in 1976, also debuted as an actor in 1979 in the TBS drama “Ai to Kassai to.” The song “Kimi no Asa,” which was featured in the drama and released in March 1979, became a massive hit, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon chart and selling 600,000 copies.
He is currently active under the name Toshiyuki Kishida.
Sachikobanba hirofumi
Hirofumi Banba is the vocalist of the folk group Banban, which had hits in 1975 including “Ichigo Hakusho o Mou Ichido” (Let’s Read the Strawberry Statement Again).
After disbanding the group in 1978, he made his solo debut, and his fourth single, “Sachiko,” released in September 1979, reached No.
2 on the Oricon chart and sold 750,000 copies.
Words of FarewellKaientai
Kaientai is a folk group fronted by Tetsuya Takeda, who continues to be active today as an actor and TV personality.
In 1979, the drama “Mr.
Kinpachi in Class 3-B,” in which Takeda starred as a teacher, earned high ratings, and its theme song—released in November of the same year—became a massive hit.
It reached No.
1 on the Oricon chart, sold 950,000 copies, and is still sung today as a classic graduation song.