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

Departing AutumnMatsutōya Yumi31rank/position

Departing Autumn

Above all, it’s astonishing to think this song was written when she was just around twenty.

It’s an early work by Yumi Matsutoya, back when she performed as Yumi Arai, and it’s included on the classic album “MISSLIM,” released in October 1974.

The scene of autumn slipping through the trees and disappearing into the night seems to delicately depict farewells to cherished people and places, as well as the start of a new chapter.

You can picture the protagonist setting off with quiet resolve, even while steeped in sentimentality.

Set against the sophisticated sound crafted by Caramel Mama and others, this hidden gem evokes a gentle, lingering emotion through Yuming’s poetic world and expressive power.

It’s a perfect song for an autumn night when you find yourself at a crossroads in life, lost in thought.

The last spring breakMatsutōya Yumi32rank/position

Saigo No Haruyasumi

This song, included on the 1979 album OLIVE, delicately portrays the bittersweet feelings of a girl on the verge of a season of farewells.

The sorrow of knowing that it will no longer be easy to meet after graduation unfolds at a gentle tempo, carried by Matsutoya’s characteristically tender melody.

A timeless spring classic from the Showa era, it resonates with listeners of every generation.

Why not listen to it slowly, drawing it close to your heart as you bask in the spring sunlight?

Message of RougeMatsutoya Yumi33rank/position

Rouge's Message – Yumi Arai (Yumi Matsutoya) (Full)

This is a song distinguished by its lively rhythm and refreshing melody.

The story of a woman who discovers her boyfriend’s infidelity, leaves a message written in lipstick on the bathroom mirror, and boards a train to visit his mother is bold and humorous, making it especially appealing.

While it carries a cautionary message about cheating, it also presents a positive, strong female figure—one of Yumi Matsutoya’s masterpieces.

Released in February 1975 and included on the album COBALT HOUR, the track features chorus contributions from Tatsuro Yamashita and others, resulting in a vibrant sound.

In 1989, it was chosen as the opening theme for the film Kiki’s Delivery Service, and it has continued to be loved across generations.

With its bright and cheerful tone expressing powerful feelings toward a lover, this song gently encourages women struggling with romance and is highly recommended to many listeners.

Across this wide fieldMoriyama Ryoko34rank/position

This Wide, Open Field – Ryoko Moriyama

This piece opens with a calm resonance that evokes the vastness of grasslands.

Ryoko Moriyama’s warm vocals gently accompany the listener’s heart.

Released in January 1967 as Moriyama’s debut single, it is also included on the folk album “Kono Hiroi Nohara Ippai / Ryoko Moriyama Folk Album No.

1.” The lyrics, filled with praise for nature and pure affection, are suffused with the gentle warmth of a picture book.

Broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” and included in elementary school music textbooks, the song has been loved across generations.

It’s recommended for times when your heart feels tired or when you want to dwell on thoughts of someone dear.

Fly-day ChinatownYasuha35rank/position

Fly-day Chinatown / Yasuha Official Lyric Video

“Furaidi Chinatown” has been going viral on TikTok too, hasn’t it? It’s a track by singer-songwriter Yasuha, included on her 1981 album Yokohama Gensō (Yokohama Fantasy), which features songs themed around Yokohama.

The exotic, foreign-flavored lyrics and the alluring, sultry sound have earned widespread support.

I hope you’ll savor its mysterious atmosphere.

By the way, the “Furaidi” in the title isn’t “Friday,” but a coined word derived from “to fly.”

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When the cherry blossoms bloomWatanabe Misato36rank/position

Misato Watanabe — When the Cherry Blossoms Bloom

Misato Watanabe’s “Sakura no Hana no Saku Koro ni” is a song that portrays a new beginning with the arrival of spring.

Since its release in 1988, its lyrics have never faded with time, evoking thoughts of the season of farewells.

Watanabe’s gentle yet powerful voice cheers on many listeners and guides them toward the refreshing feeling of a spring day.

Especially on a blustery spring day when your heart feels unsettled, give this song a listen.

Mysterious Peach PieTakeuchi Mariya37rank/position

takeuchi

This is Mariya Takeuchi’s fourth single, released in 1980.

Chosen as a campaign song for Shiseido cosmetics, it became her first entry into the Oricon Top 10 and enjoyed a long run on the charts—her first major hit.

Its bright sound, which seems to capture the buoyant heart of a woman in love, matches beautifully with Takeuchi’s soft, feminine vocals.

It’s easy to see why the lyricist praised it during recording as a perfect pop song for her voice.

The way feelings of love are compared to a peach pie is utterly charming, isn’t it?

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stationTakeuchi Mariya38rank/position

Station – Mariya Takeuchi

This is the 16th single by Mariya Takeuchi—an iconic singer-songwriter in the city pop genre, which has seen a global revival.

It’s a self-cover of a song she originally wrote for the legendary idol singer Akina Nakamori, released as a double A-side with “AFTER YEARS.” The bittersweet lyrics set to a wistful melody evoke the complex emotions of a breakup you thought you’d moved past but still lingers somewhere in your heart.

Also used as the theme song for the film “Goodbye Mama,” it is one of Mariya Takeuchi’s signature tracks.

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Hoshino Takashi

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December RainArai Yumi39rank/position

December Rain / Jyunigatsu No Ame

This song, which captures the loneliness of winter and the bittersweet longing for a love that has passed, is a gem that represents the early work of Yumi Arai.

Released in October 1974 and included on the album MISSLIM, it features a restrained band performance as its foundation, while the beautiful choral work by Tatsuro Yamashita and Taeko Onuki leaves a strong impression.

There is even an anecdote that Yamashita agreed to join the recording on the condition that he handle the chorus arrangement.

Set against a winter scene of December rain, a quiet nostalgia for days that will never return rises to the surface.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to softly by a window streaked with cold rain, when you feel like immersing yourself in memories of the past.

If I’m wrapped in kindnessArai Yumi40rank/position

Embraced In Softness / Yasashisa Ni Tsutsumareta Nara

This song, still beloved as a classic from the Showa era, captivates with its delicate melody and deep emotional expression.

Its lyrics, which portray feelings of love and gratitude, take on a different resonance when you listen again as an adult.

Included on the album MISSLIM released in October 1974, it was also used as the ending theme for the 1989 film Kiki’s Delivery Service.

Its relaxed tempo is another charm, allowing you to focus closely on the words.

It’s a recommended track for moments when you want to reflect on your feelings for someone special in a calm atmosphere.

Wrapped in Yumi Arai’s gentle vocals, why not spend a heartwarming moment?