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
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- [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: Revisiting New Music Masterpieces from the 1970s–80s (21–30)
Parting at 22kaze
Kaze was a duo consisting of Shozo Ise from Kaguya-hime and Kazuhisa Okubo from the folk band Neko.
“22-sai no Wakare” (Farewell at 22) was their debut single, released in February 1975.
Its worldview, which directly confronted the theme of parting, was striking, and it became a major hit, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon charts and selling 700,000 copies.
Just like back thenBureddo & Batā
A graduation ceremony with cherry blossom petals dancing in the air, and a moving song of departure.
Released in the 1970s yet loved across generations, the song is Bread & Butter’s “Ano Koro no Mama.” Kureta Keiko’s poignantly beautiful lyrics are paired with a gentle, subdued composition by Haruomi Hosono and Masataka Matsutoya.
The contrasting worldview—between the passion of chasing dreams and the cool composure of letting them go—resonates with everyone and is sure to touch the heart.
Unforgettable Youth Songs: Revisiting the New Music Classics of the ’70s–’80s (31–40)
Poem of Youthyoshida takurou
Singer-songwriter Takuro Yoshida, often called a “founding father of J-POP” for bringing the then-minor genres of folk and rock into the mainstream in the 1970s.
The title track of his first album, “Seishun no Uta” (Poem of Youth), later released as a single, is known as a popular song.
Its lyrics, which include provocative phrases evocative of the era, depict the preciousness of each person’s youth, just as the title suggests.
It’s a song with a universal theme, marked by bluesy guitar phrases and an old-school arrangement.
The last spring breakMatsutōya Yumi
A beautiful ballad by Yumi Matsutoya that gently embraces the transience of the season when spring arrives and the milestone of graduation.
With tender emotion, it portrays the feelings of saying goodbye to student life while carrying a faint crush and lingering attachment, set against quiet scenes of the school.
Included on the album “OLIVE” and released in July 1979, this piece features Matsutoya’s delicate vocals and soft piano melody that resonate deeply.
It gently depicts moments that evoke nostalgic memories—such as classrooms bathed in spring sunlight and the sound of footsteps along long corridors—and is a song that, when listened to with older adults, can spark lively reminiscences of each person’s youthful days.
Shadows of Youthchūrippu
A masterpiece whose gentle vocals and delicate melodic lines seep into the heart.
Its grand narrative—portraying profound love for a partner and the resolve to walk through life together—strikes a deep chord.
Seamlessly blending folk and pop, the song brings out the full musical allure of Tulip.
Released as a single in June 1974 and also included on the album “Seishun no Kage,” it garnered widespread support.
It has since been covered by numerous artists and used as an insert song in the drama “Under One Roof.” It’s the perfect track for moments at life’s crossroads or when you want to face forward with a calm mind.
A heartwarming message song you’ll want to listen to with someone special—highly recommended.
My good friendKamayatsu Hiroshi
This work is infused with heartfelt themes of friendship and youth.
It’s a classic song powerfully sung by Hiroshi Kamayatsu.
The lyrics, full of nostalgia and warmth, gently wrap you in memories of friends from your school days.
Released in February 1975, the track reached No.
1 on the Oricon chart and became a major hit, selling over 700,000 copies.
Its gem-like melody, blending folk and rock, poignantly conveys the longing to reunite with friends.
Recommended for those who want to feel unchanging friendship amid changing times.
Let the soul-stirring vocals deepen your feelings for the people you cherish.
Farewell to the Days of YouthArisu
In March, during graduation season, I imagine many people feel like listening to this.
It was released as a single in 1977 by Alice, a folk group that was hugely successful in the 1970s and produced numerous classic songs.
The rich strings resonate beautifully, perfectly matching Shinji Tanimura’s deep, solid vocals.
It’s dynamic yet so comfortable you could listen to it endlessly.
That feeling that everyday life was the greatest treasure of all… Isn’t that what everyone comes to feel after graduating?
