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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- 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
- You'll surely remember your youth. Spring songs recommended for people in their 40s.
- 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 (41–50)
Please give me wingsakai tori
This is a signature song by Akai Tori, known for its powerful, beautiful harmonies.
It’s a classic that fills you with a fresh, hopeful feeling, like a bird spreading its pure white wings and soaring freely across the sky.
Released in February 1971 as the B-side to the single “Takeda no Komoriuta,” the song has been loved across generations and was even used at the opening ceremonies of both the Nagano and Tokyo Olympics.
For karaoke, we recommend singing it with a clear, expansive voice.
It’s sure to get audiences of all ages—from the young to the elderly—excited.
Be sure to sing it with your own feelings carried in the melody!
[Unforgettable Youth Songs] Looking Back at the New Music Classics of the 1970s–80s (51–60)
The season the sun gave usaoi sankakujougi
A song that vividly captures the brilliance of youth was released in February 1972 and became a nationwide hit.
Known as the signature song of Aoi Sankakujōgi, it was used as the theme for the NTV youth drama “Tobidase! Seishun,” selling over one million copies.
The lyrics delicately portray the feelings of young people, teaching the importance of facing forward and living alongside friends.
The song has since been covered by various artists, and in 2017 it was also chosen as the ending theme for “Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun.” Its beautiful, moving melody and powerful vocals make it highly recommended for anyone nostalgic for their youthful days.
The youth I walked through with youkaze
Kaze’s “The Youth I Walked With You” is a classic deeply etched in the hearts of those who spent their youth in the 1970s.
The lyrical words written by Shozo Ise portray universal themes such as friendship, love, and parting, awakening unforgettable memories that lie dormant in the listener’s mind.
The harmony woven by the beauty of the melody and Ise’s vocals stirs the poignant emotions of youth and unfailingly tugs at the heartstrings.
Since its 1976 release, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Hiromi Ota, and has continued to be loved across generations.
It is a piece you’ll want to listen to when you pause at life’s turning points and feel like immersing yourself in memories of former friends and lovers.
Johnny’s LullabyArisu
This is “Johnny’s Lullaby,” a popular song by Alice, a folk band that was active in the 1970s—the heyday of youth for people now in their 60s.
The refreshing melody of the acoustic guitar brings back the vivid freshness of those younger days.
The harmonies of the two frontmen are pleasing to the ear and evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Among Alice’s many classics, this one—lyrics included—perfectly fits memories of youth, so it’s a song I’d love to see you sing at karaoke when you get together with classmates from back then.
Ah, youthyoshida takurou
It was first released in 1975 by the band Trans-Am, with the song composed by Takuro Yoshida.
Takuro Yoshida later covered it himself, and Masatoshi Nakamura has also covered it.
This passionate song about youth is perfect for belting out at karaoke.
It was spring, wasn’t it?yoshida takurou
This is one of the tracks from Takuro Yoshida’s best-selling album, “Genki Desu,” released in 1972.
“Harudatta ne” combines a unique charm with innovative elements that have captured the hearts of many fans and never let go.
It is also one of the representative works that fully showcases Yoshida’s musicality, and it can be said to have had a significant impact on the Japanese music scene.
Aoba Castle Love Songsatou muneyuki
Composed by Muneyuki Sato from Sendai during his time as a DJ on a local FM station, this song marked his single debut in May 1978.
It became a hit, reaching No.
3 on the Oricon weekly chart.
He also performed the song on the Kouhaku Uta Gassen, and later expanded his career by starring as an actor, including in the lead role in “2-nen B-gumi Senpachi Sensei.”