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

night after nightKurahashi Yoeko15rank/position

Yoko Kurahashi - Yonayona Yona Full.

Yoeko Kurahashi is known for a style that blends jazz with Japanese popular ballads.

Her song Yonayona Yona portrays her tossing and turning at night, lost in troubling thoughts.

The psychological state is depicted quite realistically, so anyone who’s had similar experiences will likely feel it’s speaking directly to them.

Her uniquely distinctive vocal delivery is also a highlight.

It’s unlike any other singing style, so please give it a listen yourself.

Although the song expresses despair and may initially feel unsettling, it gradually becomes addictive.

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yamamoto

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4:00 AMOhnuki Taeko16rank/position

Taeko Ohnuki – 4:00 AM – 1978

This song is themed around the stillness and introspection before dawn.

It delicately captures the quiet atmosphere of 4 a.m., imbued with the protagonist’s inner turmoil and desire for a fresh start.

Included on the album “MIGNONNE,” released in September 1978, it is one of Taeko Onuki’s signature works, beloved by many fans.

The beautiful arrangement by Ryuichi Sakamoto is also a highlight.

It’s perfect for night owls or anyone standing at a crossroads in life.

Use it in your Instagram story late at night to create a calm mood.

Be sure to listen while feeling the quiet of the night.

Flying to IstanbulShōno Mayoyo17rank/position

Flying to Istanbul

This is a classic song that portrays the fragility of love, woven from an urbane melody rich with exotic flair and a polished vocal performance.

While symbolically expressing a brief encounter and parting, its exotic atmosphere resonates deeply.

It artfully depicts the feelings of a heartbroken woman through the motif of a journey to a foreign land, with Kyōhei Tsutsumi’s composition and Tetsuya Chiaki’s lyrics in superb harmony.

Released in April 1978 as Mayoyo Shōno’s fifth single, it won the Nakayama Shimpei Award at the 20th Japan Record Awards and also secured a spot in that year’s 29th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

This piece is recommended for those who wish to face the end of love with hope, and for those who cherish the feelings they keep close to their heart.

Message of RougeMatsutoya Yumi18rank/position

Rouge's Message – Yumi Arai (Yumi Matsutoya) (Full)

This is a song distinguished by its lively rhythm and refreshing melody.

The story of a woman who discovers her boyfriend’s infidelity, leaves a message written in lipstick on the bathroom mirror, and boards a train to visit his mother is bold and humorous, making it especially appealing.

While it carries a cautionary message about cheating, it also presents a positive, strong female figure—one of Yumi Matsutoya’s masterpieces.

Released in February 1975 and included on the album COBALT HOUR, the track features chorus contributions from Tatsuro Yamashita and others, resulting in a vibrant sound.

In 1989, it was chosen as the opening theme for the film Kiki’s Delivery Service, and it has continued to be loved across generations.

With its bright and cheerful tone expressing powerful feelings toward a lover, this song gently encourages women struggling with romance and is highly recommended to many listeners.

Mysterious Peach PieTakeuchi Mariya19rank/position

Mariya Takeuchi – Mysterious Peach Pie [Live Version / 2000]

A spring song brimming with Mariya Takeuchi’s charm, depicting the fresh exhilaration of a budding romance.

The natural brilliance that colors the city further heightens the feelings of that moment you fall in love.

It gently captures the buoyant, fluttery sensation of an unexpected, delightful encounter arriving at just the right time.

Released in February 1980, the song reached No.

3 on the Oricon chart.

Chosen for Shiseido’s spring campaign and enhanced by Mitsuo Hagita’s light, airy arrangement, it caused quite a stir.

A perfect track for those who want to discover a new self with the arrival of spring, or to bask in bittersweet memories of young love.

stationTakeuchi Mariya20rank/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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No one knows anyone.Katō Tokiko21rank/position

I sang Tokiko Kato’s “Daremo Daremo Shiranai.”

With just a single guitar, Tokiko Kato unfolds a marvelous world of song.

Many people may not be familiar with her debut track, right? As her career has grown through the ’70s and ’80s, her music has deepened, and surely many listeners resonate with Tokiko’s art.