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
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 80s
- Popular Showa-era pop. Timeless hit songs.
- Best City Pop Classics: Recommended Popular Songs [Timeless & Modern]
- A collection of nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1980s that still linger in our ears
- [Japanese Music] A Collection of Heart-Touching Hit Folk Songs from the 1970s
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Classic nostalgic hits: A collection of youth songs
- [Spring Songs Recommended for People in Their 40s] Relive Your Youth! A Selection of Nostalgic Tracks
- Big Hits, Including New Standard Favorites! Best Hits of Popular J-POP Songs
- For people in their 50s: Songs that make you want to sing—perfect for driving
- [Standard] A Collection of Songs You Want to Listen to While Driving—Tunes You'll Find Yourself Humming
- Classic and hit kayōkyoku songs from the nostalgic 1960s
- Masterpieces that sing about various lives. Recommended popular songs.
Unforgettable Youth Songs: Recalling the New Music Masterpieces of the ’70s–’80s (61–70)
Morning of the PegasusIgarashi Hiroaki
Hiroaki Igarashi passed an audition for the record label CBS/Sony and made his debut in 1980.
Pegasus no Asa (Morning of Pegasus) was his third single, released in November of the same year.
With its fresh and bright feel, the song reached No.
3 on the Oricon charts and became a hit, selling 500,000 copies.
I want to go back to that dayArai Yumi (Matsutoya Yumi)
Yumi Matsutoya, who is still active as a singer, had the maiden name Arai before marriage.
A pioneer among female artists in the New Music genre, her song “Ano Hi ni Kaeritai” was released under the name Yumi Arai in October 1975 and became a major hit, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon chart and selling over 600,000 copies.
My loverGorin Mayumi
Mayumi Itsuwa made her debut in 1972, at a time when female singer-songwriters were rare.
Her single “Koibito yo,” released in August 1980, topped the Oricon charts and became a massive hit, selling 960,000 copies.
A classic breakup song that matches the mood of late autumn, it has been covered not only in Japan but across Asia.
A café in a student districtGARO
GARO was a three-member music group, and “Gakuseigai no Kissaten” (The Café in the Student Quarter) was released as a single in June 1972 and became a major hit.
Although it was a single cut from an album and originally the B-side, it continued to sell steadily and reached No.
1 on the Oricon chart in the spring of the following year.
The song portrays students of the time as the student protest movement was waning, resonating with many young people.
In conclusion
We’ve introduced a number of classic songs that colored the New Music scene of the ’70s. Their heartfelt lyrics and warm melodies continue to soothe many people across generations. The songs featured here have not lost their luster and, I believe, still shine brightly in our hearts. Why not listen to them once more, along with the memories of your youth?