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

We’ll be ranking popular songs and hidden gems by female singer-songwriters from the ’70s.

Breakthrough hits by legendary SSWs who are still going strong today will also make an appearance.

It’s a playlist that even younger listeners will find thoroughly satisfying.

1970s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Song Rankings [2026] (71–80)

I want to go back to that dayArai Yumi (Matsutoya Yumi)71rank/position

Yumi Matsutoya, who is still active as a singer, had the maiden name Arai before marriage.

A pioneer among female artists in the New Music genre, her song “Ano Hi ni Kaeritai” was released under the name Yumi Arai in October 1975 and became a major hit, reaching No.

1 on the Oricon chart and selling over 600,000 copies.

Late Summer (A Season for One)Arai Yumi72rank/position

Yumi Matsutoya – Late Summer (A Season Alone) (Live)
Late Summer (A Season for One)Arai Yumi

This is a song by Yumi Arai that overlays the changing seasonal scenery with the end of a romance and the beginning of time alone.

The sight of leaves blazing with color and delicate flowers swaying in the wind seems to reflect the protagonist’s loneliness.

The song was included on the album “The 14th Moon,” released under the name Yumi Arai in November 1976, and it also served as the theme song for the NHK dramas “Natsu no Furusato” and “Maboroshi no Budōen.” Its poignant melody—mingling a lingering affection for the summer that has passed with a quiet resolve for the seasons to come—resonates deeply with listeners.

Whether you play it on a drive while reminiscing about summer or during a slightly chilly evening stroll, it will gently keep you company.