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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- [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)
HEROKai Band
Kaiband is a band centered around vocalist Yoshihiro Kai, which debuted in 1974.
“HERO,” released in December 1978, was featured in a Seiko wristwatch commercial, reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts, and became a major hit with sales of 670,000 copies.
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.
The person I used to likekaguya hime
These are tracks from Kaguya-hime’s album produced by Takuro Yoshida, released on April 20, 1972.
The songs quietly express feelings toward someone you loved and lost.
When you’re heartbroken, it might be good to sing them at karaoke and have a good cry.
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.
White Winterfuki no tō
This is a lyrical piece that poignantly sings of the transition from autumn to winter.
Carried by the gentle tones of an acoustic guitar, it overlays the sorrow of a bygone love and shifting emotions onto the changing of the seasons.
The transparent harmonies of Fukinotou weave a delicate world that resonates deeply in the heart.
Released as a debut single in September 1974, the song gradually gained popularity after being featured on Takuro Yoshida’s All Night Nippon, eventually reaching No.
14 on the Oricon charts.
As the duo’s signature song, it has since been covered by numerous artists.
It is a track that gently accompanies the resolve to quietly accept the end of a romance—one to listen to when you wish to heal the wounds of heartbreak or to put your feelings in order.