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.
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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!
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.
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.