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] Looking Back at the New Music Classics of the 1970s–80s (51–60)
The morning I had forgottenYamamoto Junko
The July 1971 single by the folk group Akai Tori is like a mental landscape that gently reflects the youth of those days.
Skillfully blending the essences of folk and pop, Junko Yamamoto’s clear, translucent vocals and the beautiful harmonies soothe the listener’s heart.
Rofu Yamagami’s poetic lyrics quietly evoke memories of days gone by, while Kunihiko Murai’s melody tenderly accompanies them.
Included on the album Akai Tori II, this piece features a calm arrangement that conveys the freshness of a morning breeze.
It’s a recommended song for moments when you want to pause amid a busy life to reflect on yourself, or when you feel like immersing yourself in cherished memories.
GraduationMatsuyama Chiharu
With a gentle singing voice that warmly watches over new chapters in life, this spring melody has echoed across Hokkaido.
Chiharu Matsuyama’s beautiful ballad invites us to look back on our youthful days while filling us with hope for the future.
The soulful guitar tones and clear, soaring vocals are sure to bring back many memories.
Released in 1979, the song was created as the theme for STV’s program “Graduation at Kushiro High School.” It was also included on the album Seishun (Youth) and continues to be cherished as a classic folk song.
Why not spend a heartwarming time reminiscing together with older adults, letting nostalgic stories blossom?
Imperial Regent Declarationsadamasashi
Masashi Sada, who had hits like “Shourou Nagashi” as part of the folk duo Grape, released “Kanpaku Sengen” as his solo single in October 1979.
The song’s portrayal of a clumsy man’s way of expressing love resonated with listeners, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart and becoming a massive hit with 1.22 million copies sold.
Your MorningKishida Satoshi
Tomofumi Kishida, who made his debut as a singer in 1976, also debuted as an actor in 1979 in the TBS drama “Ai to Kassai to.” The song “Kimi no Asa,” which was featured in the drama and released in March 1979, became a massive hit, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon chart and selling 600,000 copies.
He is currently active under the name Toshiyuki Kishida.
Unforgettable Youth Songs: Recalling the New Music Masterpieces of the ’70s–’80s (61–70)
Words of FarewellKaientai
Kaientai is a folk group fronted by Tetsuya Takeda, who continues to be active today as an actor and TV personality.
In 1979, the drama “Mr.
Kinpachi in Class 3-B,” in which Takeda starred as a teacher, earned high ratings, and its theme song—released in November of the same year—became a massive hit.
It reached No.
1 on the Oricon chart, sold 950,000 copies, and is still sung today as a classic graduation song.
I want to go back to that dayArai Yumi (Matsutoya Yumi)
Yumi Matsutoya, who is still active as a singer, had the maiden name Arai before marriage.
A pioneer among female artists in the New Music genre, her song “Ano Hi ni Kaeritai” was released under the name Yumi Arai in October 1975 and became a major hit, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon chart and selling over 600,000 copies.
My loverGorin Mayumi
Mayumi Itsuwa made her debut in 1972, at a time when female singer-songwriters were rare.
Her single “Koibito yo,” released in August 1980, topped the Oricon charts and became a massive hit, selling 960,000 copies.
A classic breakup song that matches the mood of late autumn, it has been covered not only in Japan but across Asia.