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.
- A collection of nostalgic hit songs and classics from the 70s
- A roundup of debut songs by Japanese female artists from the 1970s
- Female Singer-Songwriters of the ’60s: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- Top 1980s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- [Showa Kayō] A roundup of Japanese love songs that hit in the 1970s
- [70s Western Music] Timeless Masterpieces and Popular Songs by Female Singers
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese idols from the 1970s
- Recommended love songs for women in their 70s: A collection of nostalgic love songs
- Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
- Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking: 1970s Japanese Music
- [Japanese Music] A Collection of Heart-Touching Hit Folk Songs from the 1970s
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 80s
- Commercial songs from the 70s. Nostalgic TV commercial jingles.
Top Female Singer-Songwriters of the 1970s: Popular Songs Ranking [2026] (41–50)
Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako50rank/position
Known for its heartwarming lyrics and melody, Takako Okamura’s signature song gives a gentle push to those embarking on a new chapter, such as entering school.
Though originally written as a breakup song, its universal message resonates in many situations.
Released in 1987, the track was used as the ending theme for Fuji TV’s information program “Time 3” and as a commercial song for Musashi Prep School, earning broad support across generations.
Singing of passion for dreams and the courage to overcome hardships, this piece is perfect for anyone starting a new life.
As you step onto a new stage in life, why not listen to this song and draw strength from it?
1970s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026] (51–60)
I want to go back to that dayMatsutōya Yumi51rank/position
This song is one of the signature pieces by Yumi Arai—better known as Yuming—who was a trailblazer among singer-songwriters.
When people think of Showa-era autumn songs, many may recall this very melody.
It portrays a woman’s heartrending longing as she cannot forget a bygone love and wishes to return to her youthful days.
The scenes of piecing together torn photographs and leaving a tear-blurred address tucked in the door convey emotions bordering on obsession.
Released in October 1975, the song was chosen as the theme for the TBS drama “Family Secrets” and reached No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart.
It’s a number you’ll want to listen to quietly on a melancholic autumn evening, reminiscing about the past.
Surf Paradise, Ski ParadiseMatsutōya Yumi52rank/position
Known by the nickname “Yuming,” singer-songwriter Yumi Matsutoya has released numerous hit songs, from her own original works to tracks she’s written for others.
Her song “Surf Tengoku, Ski Tengoku,” included on her 10th album SURF & SNOW, was used as the theme song for the film Take Me Out to the Snowland.
Its lyrics, which heighten the anticipation of winter’s snowy landscapes, set hearts dancing alongside an urban ensemble.
Despite never being released as a single, it has become a staple winter song and stands as a representative number of the 1980s.
The Refrain Is ScreamingMatsutōya Yumi53rank/position
A signature song by singer-songwriter Yumi Matsutoya that sings of the pain of heartbreak and lingering regret.
Included on the album “Delight Sight Light KISS,” released in November 1988, it became widely loved beyond Yuming’s core fans, even topping the cable broadcasting charts.
The lyrics, with their memorable, repeated questions, vividly capture the emptiness and remorse that follow a breakup.
Emotions depicted from both male and female perspectives give the song a universal theme that resonates with many.
It’s a moving classic recommended for anyone who has experienced a parting or is struggling with a relationship with someone important.
I want to protect youMatsutōya Yumi54rank/position
A song released by Yumi Matsutoya in 1981.
Chosen as the theme song for the Kadokawa film “The Aimed School,” it became a major hit and is one of the iconic classics of the Showa era.
As the title suggests, it sings of a profound love that gently envelops a cherished person, and a warm resolve to stay by their side while accepting one’s own weaknesses.
Its beautiful melody intertwined with Matsutoya’s tender, translucent vocals quietly soaks into the listener’s heart.
It’s a heartwarming track filled with universal kindness—one that makes you want to listen closely while thinking not only of romantic love, but also of the important people right in front of you, such as family and friends.
My lover is Santa ClausMatsutōya Yumi55rank/position
When it comes to Christmas songs, this is the one! Many people probably think of it first.
Included on Yumi Matsutoya’s 10th original album released in 1980, this track has now become a winter classic.
It has been passed down through performances by popular artists such as Seiko Matsuda and Hitomi Shimatani, and new covers have continued to be released even into the 2020s.
As Christmas approaches, you’re sure to hear Yumi Matsutoya’s voice all around town.
Even as various artists release new Christmas songs every year, its popularity never fades—truly a legendary piece.
Departing AutumnMatsutōya Yumi56rank/position
Above all, it’s astonishing to think this song was written when she was just around twenty.
It’s an early work by Yumi Matsutoya, back when she performed as Yumi Arai, and it’s included on the classic album “MISSLIM,” released in October 1974.
The scene of autumn slipping through the trees and disappearing into the night seems to delicately depict farewells to cherished people and places, as well as the start of a new chapter.
You can picture the protagonist setting off with quiet resolve, even while steeped in sentimentality.
Set against the sophisticated sound crafted by Caramel Mama and others, this hidden gem evokes a gentle, lingering emotion through Yuming’s poetic world and expressive power.
It’s a perfect song for an autumn night when you find yourself at a crossroads in life, lost in thought.