Ranking of Popular Oldies and Classic Songs [1960s Japanese Music Rankings]
We present the latest top 100 ranking of classic Japanese pop songs, all at once, ordered by the highest number of plays!
We’ve picked out nostalgic hits from the 1960s!
Listening again, you’ll notice many songs are still being revived today.
Be sure to check them out.
The playlist is updated weekly.
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Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking [1960s Japanese Music Rankings] (41–50)
ambushIshikawa Hitomi50rank/position
Written and composed by Yumi Arai and arranged by Masataka Matsutoya, this song was originally created for Seiko Miki, with lyrics woven from her real-life experiences.
In 1981, Hitomi Ishikawa released a cover that became the biggest hit of her career.
Thanks to Ishikawa’s pure image and translucent voice, it’s easy to overlook, but the content is, by Matsutoya’s own admission, a song about a stalker! While the feelings of peeking into a café or lying in wait on someone’s way home out of a desperate desire to make them turn around may be somewhat understandable, it’s best to keep such behavior confined to the realm of imagination.
Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking [1960s Japanese Music Ranking] (51–60)
Sailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hiroko51rank/position
The song that became a massive hit as the theme for a coming-of-age film was also Hiroko Yakushimaru’s debut.
Her clean, pure vocals perfectly match the lyrics depicting a girl’s growth, capturing the hearts of many listeners.
Released in November 1981, it became a major hit, selling around 1.2 million copies on the Oricon charts.
The jacket featuring visuals from the film is also memorable.
There’s even a self-cover version with a jazzy arrangement that exudes a more mature allure, offering a fresh way to appreciate the song.
School HeavenFingā 552rank/position
Released in 1974, Finger 5’s “Gakuen Tengoku” is a classic that straightforwardly sings about a boy who’s head over heels for the heroine of his class.
The song is famous for its memorable opening calls—“Are you ready?” and “Hey hey hey heeey!”—and has been covered by many artists.
Notable versions include Kyoko Koizumi’s 1989 cover, Shingo Mama (played by Shingo Katori) in 2001, and Dream5 in 2011.
Loved and passed down through the generations, the song continues to be sung across eras.
Season in the SunTUBE53rank/position
A signature TUBE song that vividly sings of summer love and youth.
It features an urban vibe reminiscent of the Shonan coast and distinctive maj7 chord progressions.
Released in June 1986 and used in a Kirin Beer commercial, the track proudly claimed the top spot in TUBE’s popularity rankings.
It captures the ache of summer romance and the wish to preserve beautiful moments forever.
More recently, Hanni of the K-pop group NewJeans covered the song, drawing fresh attention.
It’s a perfect tune for seaside summer days or BBQ parties, and it’s also recommended for anyone wanting to reminisce about nostalgic youthful memories.
Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu54rank/position
The debut song of The Wild Ones, a pioneering Group Sounds band, is “Omoide no Nagisa” (Beach of Memories).
The band was formed by leader Kunihiko Kase after his stints with groups like The Spiders and Takeshi Terauchi & Blue Jeans, aiming to create a new sound unlike anything before.
Kase’s signature 12-string guitar tone gives “Omoide no Nagisa” its ineffably resort-like atmosphere.
Lyricist Shigeki Torizuka was working gigs playing by a pool at the time of production, and he came up with the lyrics while watching that scene.
Waltz of StarlightSen Masao55rank/position
Released in March 1966, this song initially struggled in sales, but thanks to Masao Sen’s own promotional efforts, it gradually gained popularity and became a major hit, selling over 2.5 million copies.
Set to a three-beat waltz rhythm, the lyrics poignantly portray a heartrending love that really resonates.
Their depiction of the pain of choosing to part ways and the deep love for the other person is especially compelling.
It’s a perfect song for when you want to bask in nostalgia or when you’re feeling a little blue.
Seaside BoundZa Taigāsu56rank/position
When it comes to heart-thumping numbers that conjure dazzling sunshine and a blue sea, this early masterpiece by The Tigers surely comes to mind.
Released in May 1967, the track bursts with a rhythm that makes you want to dance with someone you love, perfectly capturing the exhilaration of a summer romance.
You can almost see the radiant smiles of young people whispering sweet nothings by the shore, and just listening lifts your spirits.
Skillfully blending traditional Japanese rhythmic sensibilities with rock ’n’ roll, the song became a massive hit, ultimately selling over 500,000 copies.
It was also included on the album “The Tigers: The World Is Waiting for Us,” and gained popularity as the theme song for the drama “Yattaze Baby!” as well as a chant for Shonan Bellmare.
It’s a timeless summer anthem—ideal for a summer drive or seaside BGM, and a perfect gateway for those who want to experience the GS sound.