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.
Playlist
| 1970s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | youKozaka Akiko |  play_arrow | A masterpiece about unrequited love written by a high school student |
| 2 | Friday ChinatownYasuha |  play_arrow | A classic gem of exotic charm from the Showa-era Chinatown |
| 3 | Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | A classic of 80s city pop, the bittersweet emotions of love |
| 4 | era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | Released in December 1975, this work... |
| 5 | foreignerKUBOTA Saki |  play_arrow | An intro that exudes an exotic atmosphere… |
| 6 | My loverGorin Mayumi |  play_arrow | Beloved by many as a quintessential ballad of the Showa era… |
| 7 | You’re Kiwi, Papaya, and Mango, aren’t you?Nakahara Meiko |  play_arrow | I spent my youth around the time this song was a hit… |
| 8 | Shiretoko Ryojo (Shiretoko Travel Sentiment)Katō Tokiko |  play_arrow | A classic song depicting the nature of Shiretoko and the feelings of love |
| 9 | FANTASYNakahara Meiko |  play_arrow | A positive breakup song, 'FANTASY…' |
| 10 | Message of RougeArai Yumi |  play_arrow | A classic by Yumi Arai, an iconic song of love and growth |
| 11 | spring thunderfuki no tō |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings about the end of winter in Hokkaido |
| 12 | If I’m wrapped in kindnessArai Yumi |  play_arrow | Charming and timeless songs by Yumi Arai |
| 13 | Graduation PhotoArai Yumi |  play_arrow | A song of youthful bittersweetness and memories |
| 14 | You can do it!Nakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | A powerful anthem cheering you on as you take a new step |
| 15 | night after nightKurahashi Yoeko |  play_arrow | Yoeko Kurahashi’s “Yona Yona Yona,” a song that stirs the heart |
| 16 | 4:00 AMOhnuki Taeko |  play_arrow | The quiet before dawn and the restart of the heart |
| 17 | Flying to IstanbulShōno Mayoyo |  play_arrow | A classic with exotic flair, expressing the fleeting nature of love |
| 18 | Message of RougeMatsutoya Yumi |  play_arrow | A classic song about standing up to infidelity and celebrating women's strength |
| 19 | Mysterious Peach PieTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | Takeuchi’s refreshing depiction of the exhilaration at the start of love… |
| 20 | stationTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | The city, which is experiencing a global revival boom... |
| 21 | No one knows anyone.Katō Tokiko |  play_arrow | With just a single guitar, they unfold the wonderful world of that song… |
| 22 | I bear a grudge.Nakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | A song of heartbreak’s pain and deep resentment |
| 23 | wicked womanNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | This work, still beloved today as a classic from the Showa era, is... |
| 24 | Equator Girl: Dokki!Yamashita Kumiko |  play_arrow | Queen of the Sun, Summer Love, a Technopop Masterpiece |
| 25 | How are you?Shimizu Yukiko |  play_arrow | Released in 197… as Yukiko Shimizu’s debut single |
| 26 | I want to go back to that dayArai Yumi |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of gentle sorrow becomes a hit. |
| 27 | A Lonely RoomTakagi Asaya |  play_arrow | At the 5th Yamaha Popular Song Contest… |
| 28 | My Pure LadyOzaki Ami |  play_arrow | A hit song from 1977. With a refreshing melody and... |
| 29 | April Fools in DecemberEPO |  play_arrow | A poignant tale of Christmas loneliness and heartbreak |
| 30 | Hee, hee, hee, hee,EPO |  play_arrow | EPO’s upbeat songs have continued to be loved for nearly forty years. |
| 31 | White Winterfuki no tō |  play_arrow | A famous song by Fukinotō that sings of the end of autumn. |
| 32 | You guys are kiwi, papaya, and mango, aren’t you?Nakahara Meiko |  play_arrow | “You guys are Kiwi, Papaya, and Mango, aren’t you…?” |
| 33 | Farewell SongNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | Miyuki Nakajima’s fifth release, which came out in 1977… |
| 34 | Lullaby of the Thistle MaidenNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | Different from the image of the “queen of heartbreak songs,” … |
| 35 | clownNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | The plaintive strains of a waltz reach deep into the heart... |
| 36 | Between the Sky and YouNakajima Miyuki |  play_arrow | Four decades from the 1970s to the 2000s... |
| 37 | Stranger – Theme of the Silk RoadKUBOTA Saki |  play_arrow | The oriental phrase leaves such a strong impression… |
| 38 | Please don’t say goodbyeGorin Mayumi |  play_arrow | A sense that Yumi Matsutoya’s song will be wonderful |
| 39 | ShihoriGorin Mayumi |  play_arrow | A poignant song that quietly reflects on past love |
| 40 | girlGorin Mayumi |  play_arrow | Mayumi Itsuwa’s debut song: the quiet of winter and a young girl’s feelings |
| 41 | Sometimes, old storiesKatō Tokiko |  play_arrow | Tokiko Kato’s classic song that sings of life |
| 42 | Song of Circumnavigating Lake BiwaKatō Tokiko |  play_arrow | A student song themed on Lake Biwa became a big hit |
| 43 | Love, my deepest apologies for troubling you when you are so busy.Harayuko |  play_arrow | Southern All Stars’ Haruyoshi’s autumn classic, an eternal masterpiece |
| 44 | The night of my birthdayHarayuko |  play_arrow | Haruyuki Hara’s 3rd single, a masterpiece depicting a night of love |
| 45 | Women Who Fall in Love in SummerOhnuki Taeko |  play_arrow | Taeko Onuki evokes the image of a summer night in the city… |
| 46 | city; urban areaOhnuki Taeko |  play_arrow | Taeko Onuki’s classic, expressing the loneliness of the city |
| 47 | MeditationOzaki Ami |  play_arrow | Ami Ozaki, who was expected to be the 'second Yuming'... |
| 48 | Happy Birthday…to meYamashita Kumiko |  play_arrow | A heartwarming song to celebrate a birthday |
| 49 | curseYamazaki Hako |  play_arrow | Yamazaki Hako’s cursed song expresses the darkness of the heart. |
| 50 | Orie’s SongYamazaki Hako |  play_arrow | A moving enka song with lyrics by Hiroyuki Itsuki, sung by Hako Yamasaki. |
| 51 | The morning I had forgottenYamamoto Junko |  play_arrow | July 1971 of Fork Group Akai Tori’s… |
| 52 | Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako |  play_arrow | Cheering on a new beginning with Takako Okamura’s song |
| 53 | I want to go back to that dayMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | Yuming's signature song, a Showa-era autumn tune |
| 54 | Surf Paradise, Ski ParadiseMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | Yuming’s classic winter song, heartwarming music |
| 55 | The Refrain Is ScreamingMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | A singer-songwriter who sings about the pain of heartbreak and regret… |
| 56 | My lover is Santa ClausMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | Yumi Matsutoya’s classic Christmas song |
| 57 | Departing AutumnMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | A classic from the young Yumi Matsutoya that delicately depicts an autumn scene |
| 58 | The last spring breakMatsutōya Yumi |  play_arrow | A classic song that sings of graduation memories in the spring season. |
| 59 | If I’m wrapped in kindnessMatsutoya Yumi |  play_arrow | The heartwarming music and lyrics of Yumi Arai |
| 60 | Across this wide fieldMoriyama Ryoko |  play_arrow | Ryoko Moriyama, a godlike figure in the folk world. Guita... |
| 61 | Sugarcane fieldMoriyama Ryoko |  play_arrow | Known as a classic that colored the Showa-era pop music scene… |
| 62 | My RevolutionWatanabe Misato |  play_arrow | Song of Courage to Take a New Step Forward |
| 63 | When the cherry blossoms bloomWatanabe Misato |  play_arrow | Misato Watanabe’s classic that depicts a springtime send-off |
| 64 | SeptemberTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | A timeless song that resonates on a long autumn night, an autumn breeze in the heart. |
| 65 | Cheer up!Takeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | Songs provided to Hiroko Yakushimaru, popular songs by Mariya Takeuchi |
| 66 | Come back—my timeTakeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | Lyrics by Kazumi Yasui, music by Kazuhiko Kato… |
| 67 | December RainArai Yumi |  play_arrow | A poignant song about winter loneliness and heartbreak |
| 68 | contrailArai Yumi |  play_arrow | The story of a boy drawn on a white slope is Yumi Arai... |
| 69 | No reply needed.Arai Yumi |  play_arrow | Yumi, who would go on to lead the later J-POP scene… |
| 70 | Late Summer (A Season for One)Arai Yumi |  play_arrow | The end of love layered over the seasons’ scenery |
| 71 | Demon-Counting SongKarashima Midori |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that resonates with Midori Karashima’s cold despair |
| 72 | I won’t forgetTakayama Iwao |  play_arrow | Iwao Takayama, together with Hirofumi Bamba and ... Imai in 1971... |
| 73 | Seriously Only You (Let’s Get Married)Takeuchi Mariya |  play_arrow | A love song in the style of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March |
| 74 | I want to go back to that dayArai Yumi (Matsutoya Yumi) |  play_arrow | Yumi Matsutoya, who is still active as a singer, sa... |