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

Fly-day ChinatownYasuha36rank/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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yamamoto

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When the cherry blossoms bloomWatanabe Misato37rank/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 Mariya38rank/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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yuri

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stationTakeuchi Mariya39rank/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 Yumi40rank/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 Yumi41rank/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?

Graduation PhotoArai Yumi42rank/position

Graduation Photograph / Sotsugyou Shashin (2022 Ｍix)

When you’re feeling sad, you open an album and gaze at the photos, or you spot someone in town but can’t bring yourself to call out… It’s a classic by Yumi Arai filled with the bittersweetness of youth that everyone has felt at least once.

Released in February 1975 as a song provided to Hi-Fi Set, it was later included in Yumi Arai’s own album “COBALT HOUR” in June of the same year.

Since then, it has been used as the theme song for the film “Watch with Me” and in the drama “Sotsu Uta,” resonating across generations.

It’s a heartwarming song that gently stays by your side when you want to bask in nostalgia or when you’ve gone through a farewell with someone dear.