![Ranking of Popular Oldies and Classic Songs [1960s Japanese Music Rankings]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/L9y8RrMEbGA/hqdefault.jpg)
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.
- Nostalgic Japanese hit songs from the 1960s. A collection of popular Showa-era classic melodies.
- Classic and hit kayōkyoku songs from the nostalgic 1960s
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 1960s
- Hit songs in Japan in the late 1960s
- Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking: 1970s Japanese Music
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Classic nostalgic hits: A collection of youth songs
- A collection of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the 70s
- A roundup of classic Showa-era kayō songs: a comprehensive introduction to timeless tracks loved across generations.
- [Today's Recommended Nostalgic Songs] Memories from those days come flooding back! A collection of gem-like classics
- Good songs recommended for people in their 60s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- Popular Showa-era pop. Timeless hit songs.
- Popular Japanese songs among men in their 60s: recommended masterpieces and classic tracks
- A heartbreak song that resonates in the chest of a man in his 60s: memories of youth woven by classic Showa-era masterpieces
Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking [1960s Japanese Music Ranking] (1–10)
Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko1rank/position
It’s a classic with a striking intro that seems to carry the sparkle of the sun and the scent of the sea breeze.
You can picture a summer day by the ocean with someone you love—the racing heartbeat and the little burst of boldness that comes with it.
It evokes scenes of a sweet and dazzling romance.
This song, which propelled Seiko Matsuda to the status of “eternal idol,” was released in July 1980 as her second single and is also included on her debut album, SQUALL.
As the theme for Glico’s ice cream commercial, it brightened living rooms across the nation and topped The Best Ten for three consecutive weeks.
It’s a refreshing track that instantly paints listeners’ hearts in summer hues.
First loveMurashita Kōzō2rank/position
Kozo Murashita was a singer-songwriter who gained popularity for his highly original musical style that mixed New Music and folk songs.
Many men in their 60s were likely captivated by his melodic sensibility, which conveyed smoothness even within a kayōkyoku-like flow.
His song “Hatsukoi” is his biggest hit number.
Although its range is narrow, from mid1 F to mid2 G#, the chorus requires singing the high notes on the “tsu” consonant, so lowering the key by one step from your optimal key will likely give you the most stable pitch.
youKozaka Akiko3rank/position
This work, still loved today as one of the quintessential masterpieces of the Showa era, was written by Akiko Kosaka when she was just 16.
The lyrics she wove are filled with dreams and hopes for the future.
The vivid depiction of an ideal family life resonates deeply with listeners.
Released in December 1973, it became a smash hit in no time, spending seven consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Oricon chart and ranking second on the year-end singles chart.
Akiko Kosaka’s clear, translucent voice and the lyrics imbued with pure sentiments are recommended not only for those troubled by love, but also for anyone who quietly cherishes feelings for someone special.
Dancing Hero (Eat You Up)Oginome Yōko4rank/position
This disco-influenced song, released in 1985 (Showa 60), is a cover of a British singer’s track and became Yoko Oginome’s seventh single.
It won numerous music awards and ranked 12th on the Oricon year-end chart.
It also gained attention through use on television programs.
In 2017, it was thrust back into the spotlight thanks to a performance by the Tomioka High School Dance Club in Osaka Prefecture, leading to a revival hit.
The lyrics depict a night of parties and romance, expressing a longing for a dreamlike, one-night encounter.
It’s the perfect track for anyone looking to fire up a dance party!
Tears aren’t just for show.Nakamori Akina5rank/position
A classic from the Showa era is capturing attention once again.
Known as one of Akina Nakamori’s signature songs, this gem was written and composed by Yosui Inoue.
Released in November 1984, it sparked a major response, including reaching No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
The lyrics portray the loneliness and heartache felt within human relationships, prompting deep reflection on the meaning of tears.
Marking a turning point from idol to artist, this work fully showcases Nakamori’s vocal prowess and expressive talent.
It’s a recommended song for those who have experienced parting with someone dear, or for anyone wishing to confront their own emotions.
Lapis-Lazuli EarthMatsuda Seiko6rank/position
This is a grand piece that sings of deep love and hope for the Earth.
Released by Seiko Matsuda on her 1986 June album “SUPREME,” the work features lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto and music by Natsumi Hirai, depicting the story of people traveling around the Earth as if aboard a spaceship.
The image of a beautifully gleaming lapis-lazuli Earth and the feelings for the people living upon it unfold alongside a sweeping melody that resonates deeply with listeners.
It also carries wishes for world peace and environmental protection, and it has been included in high school music textbooks and embraced as a choral piece.
In April 2010, it was used as a wake-up call on the International Space Station, coloring the moment of gazing at the Earth from space.
It is a moving song that speaks to the heart when you want to feel the Earth’s beauty and the preciousness of life.
Playback Part 2Yamaguchi Momoe7rank/position
This is the 22nd single by Momoe Yamaguchi, the iconic idol of the Showa era, released in May 1978 (Showa 53).
When it comes to Momoe Yamaguchi, I’ve always thought of her not so much as a sparkling, bubbly idol, but rather as a singer with a slightly dark, mature allure—and this song fits that image perfectly.
It’s fair to say it’s one of the tracks where her charm is showcased to the fullest.
As I revisited her vocals to write this piece, I was struck by how solid her projection and singing technique are, and once again amazed by the high caliber of Showa-era idols—singers in the true sense of the word.
The lyrics even drop the names of supercars that were all the rage at the time, which gives the song a distinctly period feel—and that, too, is part of what makes listening to it now, in the Reiwa era, so appealing.
