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
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Classic nostalgic hits: A collection of youth songs
- [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 (41–50)
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.”
[Unforgettable Youth Songs] Looking Back at the New Music Classics of the 1970s–80s (51–60)
Sachikobanba hirofumi
Hirofumi Banba is the vocalist of the folk group Banban, which had hits in 1975 including “Ichigo Hakusho o Mou Ichido” (Let’s Read the Strawberry Statement Again).
After disbanding the group in 1978, he made his solo debut, and his fourth single, “Sachiko,” released in September 1979, reached No.
2 on the Oricon chart and sold 750,000 copies.
Morning of the PegasusIgarashi Hiroaki
Hiroaki Igarashi passed an audition for the record label CBS/Sony and made his debut in 1980.
Pegasus no Asa (Morning of Pegasus) was his third single, released in November of the same year.
With its fresh and bright feel, the song reached No.
3 on the Oricon charts and became a hit, selling 500,000 copies.
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!
The Drunkard Has ReturnedZa Fōku Kurusedāzu
With a high-pitched voice and humor-laden musical expression, a fantastical story unfolds that shuttles between heaven and earth.
While satirically conveying the dangers of drunk driving, its innovative musicality—woven with nods to the Beatles, the Heart Sutra, and even Beethoven—is captivating.
Released by The Folk Crusaders in December 1967, the song became the first million-seller in Oricon chart history and was even adapted into a Toei film.
Far from sounding like a track born to fill out an album, this masterpiece combines experimental sound with social consciousness, making it a recommended tune for those who want to savor life’s subtleties along with a good laugh.
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.