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.
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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: Revisiting New Music Masterpieces from the ’70s–’80s (11–20)
Love is a mirageGam
Gamu was a male duo that debuted in September 1980 with this song, which was selected as an Outstanding Song at Yamaha’s Popular Song Contest held that year.
They also appeared on music programs with this song, which passionately portrays a heartbreaking love.
It reached as high as No.
3 on the Oricon charts and sold 690,000 copies.
First loveMurashita Kōzō
Kozo Murashita made his debut as a singer in 1979 after passing a CBS/Sony audition.
“Hatsukoi” (First Love) was his fifth single, released in 1983.
With lyrics and a melody that evoke a sense of nostalgia, it reached No.
3 on the Oricon charts and became a hit, selling over 500,000 copies.
Listening to OliviaAnri
A melody that gently envelops the lingering ache of a bittersweet romance, paired with refined musicianship, resonates deeply in the heart.
The lyrics, which carefully depict a woman healing her delicate emotions after a breakup while listening to Olivia Newton-John’s songs, have struck a chord with many.
With Anri’s clear, translucent vocals giving the piece a sophisticated, urban feel, it was released in November 1978 and included on the album “Anri.” In 2008, it was also featured as an insert song in the Nippon TV drama “Saito-san,” cementing its status as a timeless classic loved across generations.
This warm ballad offers comfort to those trying to recover from the pain of heartbreak and to anyone who has experienced parting with someone dear.
Flying to IstanbulShōno Mayoyo
This is a classic song that portrays the fragility of love, woven from an urbane melody rich with exotic flair and a polished vocal performance.
While symbolically expressing a brief encounter and parting, its exotic atmosphere resonates deeply.
It artfully depicts the feelings of a heartbroken woman through the motif of a journey to a foreign land, with Kyōhei Tsutsumi’s composition and Tetsuya Chiaki’s lyrics in superb harmony.
Released in April 1978 as Mayoyo Shōno’s fifth single, it won the Nakayama Shimpei Award at the 20th Japan Record Awards and also secured a spot in that year’s 29th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
This piece is recommended for those who wish to face the end of love with hope, and for those who cherish the feelings they keep close to their heart.
A long nightMatsuyama Chiharu
The classic songs that colored the 1970s are still a soothing oasis for many people in their 60s today.
Among the many tracks from that era, Chiharu Matsuyama’s “Nagai Yoru” holds a special place.
Riding the wave of New Music’s shift toward rock, its exhilarating, fast-paced melody made it unforgettable and a karaoke staple.
While it carries a touch of nostalgia, it also sparks excitement, making it beloved across generations.
It’s a must-listen not only for those who want to look back on their youth, but also for younger listeners interested in exploring Showa-era pop.
Let’s get married.yoshida takurou
Takuro Yoshida was a pioneering figure in New Music, involved in all aspects of the industry—including songwriting for others, producing, and running a company—and he had a major impact on the history of Japanese popular songs.
“Let’s Get Married” is his third single, released in January 1972, and it became a hit, peaking at No.
3 on the Oricon charts.
Unforgettable Youth Songs: Revisiting New Music Masterpieces from the 1970s–80s (21–30)
Among the seasonsMatsuyama Chiharu
This was Chiharu Matsuyama’s fifth single, released in August 1978.
It was used in a Glico chocolate commercial, which became a major topic partly because Momoe Yamaguchi and Tomokazu Miura—who were at the height of their popularity at the time—appeared in it.
The song reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts and became a massive hit, selling 850,000 copies.
As a rising star in the New Music scene, he continued to release hit songs thereafter.