Female Singer-Songwriters of the ’60s: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

April Fools in DecemberEPO15rank/position

April Fools in December

Released in 1985, this song is a ballad that captures the aching sadness lurking beneath the festive Christmas season.

As the title suggests, the paradox of “April Fool in December” symbolizes a love betrayed.

The lyrics intertwine the pain of discovering that the person believed to be the only one was not, with the loneliness of spending Christmas prioritizing work, vividly reflecting the gap between romantic ideals and reality.

Arranged by Hiroshi Sato, the adult-oriented sound weaves strings with restrained synthesizers.

Included on the album “PUMP! PUMP!” and later re-recorded in a self-cover version, it has long been cherished as one of EPO’s signature songs.

Recommended for those entering winter with a broken heart, or anyone who resonates with the less-than-glittering side of Christmas.

White Winterfuki no tō16rank/position

☆彡 White Winter / Fukinoto ≪Lyrics≫ (1974) ≪No.1♪≫

Set against the shifting season from late autumn into winter, this work gently sings of the bittersweet ache of a love now past.

Released in September 1974 as Fuki no Tō’s debut single, it reached No.

14 on the Oricon weekly chart and sold approximately 185,000 copies.

Rooted in a simple acoustic guitar arrangement, the interwoven harmonies of the duo’s voices delicately portray the deepening loneliness of autumn and the arrival of a white winter.

Its unadorned, pure folk sound quietly evokes nostalgia for lost time, making it a timeless classic.

Perfect for nights when you reminisce about a former love, or for lingering by the window as the snow falls.

You guys are kiwi, papaya, and mango, aren’t you?Nakahara Meiko17rank/position

You Guys Are Kiwi, Papaya, and Mango, Aren’t You? (1984) / Meiko Nakahara

“Kimitachi Kiwi Papaya Mango dane” is a song released by Meiko Nakahara in 1984, and it was also the track that brought her to fame.

The song was created as the theme for Kanebo’s summer cosmetics and is said to evoke the image of women shining beautifully under the sun.

It’s unclear what exactly “kiwi, papaya, mango” is meant to represent, but the mysterious ring of the words paired with the Latin-style rhythm makes it truly memorable, doesn’t it?

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Yuuki

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I bear a grudge.Nakajima Miyuki18rank/position

Urimi/masu by Miyuki Nakajima (with lyrics) covered by t. yukimi

Miyuki Nakajima, who also served as a radio show host, is actually very cheerful and full of humor.

Still, I can’t help but think that the image some people have of her as “dark” might come from this song.

Even with the dot in the title, Urami・masu is essentially “I resent you,” making it a groundbreaking approach both as a song title and a lyrical motif.

The lyrics—“I was dumped in a terrible way, so I will resent you until I die”—leap beyond the realm of poetry and even have a frightening edge.

It’s a track where you should pay attention to Nakajima’s tremulous vocal delivery.

era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki19rank/position

Era - Live 2010–11 (from Tokyo International Forum Hall A)

This is the second single by singer-songwriter Miyuki Nakajima, who continues to captivate listeners with a powerful voice you can’t forget after hearing it once and lyrics that depict both love and madness.

Known as a staple for graduation ceremonies, it has been featured in music textbooks and selected as one of the “100 Best Japanese Songs,” making it a beloved piece across generations.

Its dramatic development and an arrangement that makes you feel there could be no better lyrics for the melody showcase Nakajima’s timeless, original sensibility from the very start of her career.

Catchy yet tinged with melancholy that resonates in the heart, it’s a classic from the Showa era that will surely continue to be sung for years to come.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Between the Sky and YouNakajima Miyuki20rank/position

Between the Sky and You

Singer-songwriter Miyuki Nakajima holds the remarkable record of topping the singles chart across four decades, from the 1970s through the 2000s.

Her 31st single, Between the Sky and You, released as a double A-side with Fight!, became a million-selling hit as the theme song for the TV drama A Homeless Kid, which sparked a major social phenomenon.

The sentimental lyrics, woven through her trademark powerful vocals, instantly bring scenes from the drama to mind as you listen.

It’s an emotional number that’s sure to draw attention at karaoke, especially with people from that generation.

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Hoshino Takashi

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girlGorin Mayumi21rank/position

Mayumi Itsuwa “Shōjo” / Mayumi Itsuwa “Girl”

Possessing a quiet and delicate atmosphere, this song was released in 1972 as Mayumi Itsuwa’s debut.

Through the image of a girl standing on a winter veranda, it portrays a mindset that quietly watches the changing seasons and the passage of time.

The poetic lyrics are striking, as they bring to the surface the subtle relationship between the girl’s inner world and the outer world amid the stillness of midwinter.

Combined with Itsuwa’s crystal-clear vocals, it has become a classic that gently moves the listener’s heart.

It’s a song you’ll want to hear on a winter night, alone with your thoughts.