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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- [Spring Songs Recommended for People in Their 40s] Relive Your Youth! A Selection of Nostalgic Tracks
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- 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: 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.
Kanda Riverkaguya hime
Kaguya-hime is a three-member group led by Kosetsu Minami.
“Kandagawa” is a single released in September 1973.
Its worldview—vividly reflecting the social climate of the time, such as scenes of meeting up outside public bathhouses—captivated many people nationwide and became a major hit, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
Light Blue RainYagami Junko
This is Junko Yagami’s fifth single, released in May 1978.
Although Yagami had already earned a strong reputation for her vocal ability before debuting—winning numerous awards at events such as Yamaha’s Popcon, the World Popular Song Festival, and the Viña del Mar International Song Festival—this was her first song to enter the Oricon Top 10.
It peaked at No.
2 on the weekly chart and sold 588,000 copies.
triggerSera Masanori & Tsuisto
The band group Twist, with Masanori Sera as the vocalist.
In 1977, they won the Grand Prix at Yamaha’s Popcon, known as a gateway to success for New Music artists.
While many bands were folk-oriented, they brought a strong rock sensibility to the forefront and gained popularity.
Their song “Hikigane,” released in August 1978, reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts and achieved the highest sales, with 548,000 copies sold.
ChampionArisu
Alice is a band consisting of three members: Shinji Tanimura, Takao Horiuchi, and Toru Yazawa.
Although they had no major hits immediately after their 1972 debut, they subsequently released a string of successes such as “Kaerazaru Hibi” and “Fuyu no Inazuma.” Their biggest hit was “Champion,” released in December 1978, which reached No.
1 on the Oricon chart and sold 780,000 copies.