1970s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Come back—my timeTakeuchi Mariya64rank/position

Come back—my time

Crafted by the star-studded duo of lyricist Kazumi Yasui and composer Kazuhiko Kato, this song marks Mariya Takeuchi’s memorable debut single.

Long beloved as the theme for an Isetan commercial, its urban, stylish sound feels like the dawn of city pop.

Delivered in Takeuchi’s youthful, translucent voice, the message of “Come back—this is my time” gently resonates with those of us who tend to push ourselves too hard.

When we’re busy living each day to the fullest, it’s easy to forget to make time for ourselves—but listening to this track might just lift your spirits and make you think, “That’s right, I’m going to reclaim my time.”

December RainArai Yumi65rank/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.

contrailArai Yumi66rank/position

Yumi Matsutoya – Vapor Trail (Yumi Arai The Concert with Old Friends)

The story of a boy drawn on a white slope reflects Yumi Arai’s inner landscape from her youth.

With a clear, crystalline voice and beautiful piano lines, she gently sings of a longing for the heavens and a parting from the earthly world.

Inspired by feelings for a classmate from her elementary school days, the piece takes flight on a fragile yet refreshing melody, brimming with the radiance of life and hope for liberation.

Released in November 1973 as the title track of the album “Hikōki Gumo,” it drew renewed attention in 2013 as the theme song for Studio Ghibli’s “The Wind Rises.” It is a gem of a song that tenderly supports those who have experienced the loss of someone dear, as well as young people standing at a crossroads in life.

No reply needed.Arai Yumi67rank/position

No Need To Reply / Henji Wa Iranai

This is the memorable debut single by Yumi Arai, known as Yuming, who would go on to lead the later J-POP scene.

Produced by Hiroshi Kamayatsu, with illustrious musicians like Yukihiro Takahashi participating, it’s an astonishingly polished track for a debut.

Its light, American rock-style sound pairs perfectly with her urbane, slightly cool vocals.

The lyrics, in which she senses the end of a romance and draws the curtain herself by saying “I don’t need an answer,” also feel like a brave front masking held-back loneliness.

That precocious sensibility may well have been the glimmer of the talent that would later give rise to countless masterpieces.

Demon-Counting SongKarashima Midori68rank/position

Showa 60 Horror Anime Song [Yoma Counting Song] With Lyrics

Even Midori Karashima, famed as a master of winter ballads like “Silent Eve,” sang spine-chilling songs like this in her early career.

With each number counted—one, two—the song depicts a curse-like world where a burning love plunges into hell and the underworld.

Her pure, beautiful voice only heightens the icy despair in the lyrics, and that contrast sends shivers down your spine.

This piece was produced in February 1989 as an insert song for the OVA “Yoma.” Listen to it on Halloween night, and its beautiful melody may amplify the terror so much that you won’t be able to spend the night alone!

I won’t forgetTakayama Iwao69rank/position

I Won’t Forget – Iwao Takayama @ Tokyo Club, Live on 2011/1/29

Iwao Takayama formed the group Banban with Hirofumi Bamba and Hiroshi Imai in 1971, and after leaving the band in 1975, he made his solo debut with this song.

The lyrics and music were written by Takayama himself, and he has since been actively working as a solo singer.

Seriously Only You (Let’s Get Married)Takeuchi Mariya70rank/position

Only You in Earnest (Let’s Get Married) – Mariya Takeuchi

It’s a classic that seems made for weddings, opening with an intro that quotes Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.” The proposal words, written entirely in English, resonate as a straightforward message of love.

Included on Mariya Takeuchi’s April 1984 album “VARIETY,” the song was produced by Tatsuro Yamashita.

It’s also well known that Ryuichi Sakamoto took part in the intro performance, and that it was used as the image song for Kagome’s “Libera” in 1984 and as a Nissan “Cefiro” commercial song starting in August 1994.

Brimming with a happy atmosphere, it would be perfect to play during the entrance at your reception or for the cake-cutting scene.