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]
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	youKozaka Akiko		A masterpiece about unrequited love written by a high school student
2	Friday ChinatownYasuha		A classic gem of exotic charm from the Showa-era Chinatown
3	Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya		A classic of 80s city pop, the bittersweet emotions of love
4	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		Released in December 1975, this work...
5	foreignerKUBOTA Saki		An intro that exudes an exotic atmosphere…
6	My loverGorin Mayumi		Beloved by many as a quintessential ballad of the Showa era…
7	You’re Kiwi, Papaya, and Mango, aren’t you?Nakahara Meiko		Masterpieces of Showa-era kayōkyoku: the origins of their distinctive titles and the background of their production
8	Shiretoko Ryojo (Shiretoko Travel Sentiment)Katō Tokiko		A classic song depicting the nature of Shiretoko and the feelings of love
9	FANTASYNakahara Meiko		A positive breakup song, 'FANTASY…'
10	Message of RougeArai Yumi		A classic by Yumi Arai, an iconic song of love and growth
11	Graduation PhotoArai Yumi		A song of youthful bittersweetness and memories
12	spring thunderfuki no tō		A classic song that sings about the end of winter in Hokkaido
13	If I’m wrapped in kindnessArai Yumi		Charming and timeless songs by Yumi Arai
14	I bear a grudge.Nakajima Miyuki		A song of heartbreak’s pain and deep resentment
15	You can do it!Nakajima Miyuki		A powerful anthem cheering you on as you take a new step
16	night after nightKurahashi Yoeko		Yoeko Kurahashi’s “Yona Yona Yona,” a song that stirs the heart
17	4:00 AMOhnuki Taeko		The quiet before dawn and the restart of the heart
18	Flying to IstanbulShōno Mayoyo		A classic with exotic flair, expressing the fleeting nature of love
19	Message of RougeMatsutoya Yumi		A classic song about standing up to infidelity and celebrating women's strength
20	Mysterious Peach PieTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi’s spring song, expressing the exhilaration of love with refreshing clarity
21	stationTakeuchi Mariya		The city, which is experiencing a global revival boom...
22	No one knows anyone.Katō Tokiko		Tokiko Kato unfolds a world of song with just a guitar.
23	wicked womanNakajima Miyuki		This work, still beloved today as a classic from the Showa era, is...
24	Equator Girl: Dokki!Yamashita Kumiko		Queen of the Sun, Summer Love, a Technopop Masterpiece
25	How are you?Shimizu Yukiko		Yukiko Shimizu’s debut song, singing while playing a folk guitar
26	I want to go back to that dayArai Yumi		A classic song that sings of gentle sorrow becomes a hit.
27	A Lonely RoomTakagi Asaya		Debut prize won in a lonely room
28	My Pure LadyOzaki Ami		A 1977 hit song: Asami Kobayashi captivates in a Shiseido commercial
29	April Fools in DecemberEPO		A poignant tale of Christmas loneliness and heartbreak
30	Hee, hee, hee, hee,EPO		EPO’s upbeat songs have continued to be loved for nearly forty years.
31	White Winterfuki no tō		A famous song by Fukinotō that sings of the end of autumn.
32	Farewell SongNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s breakout song
33	Lullaby of the Thistle MaidenNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s debut song—lyrical and highly polished.
34	clownNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s classic waltz. A protagonist hiding the sorrow of a broken heart.
35	Between the Sky and YouNakajima Miyuki		The Appeal of Miyuki Nakajima’s “Between the Sky and You”
36	Stranger – Theme of the Silk RoadKUBOTA Saki		The oriental phrase leaves such a strong impression…
37	ShihoriGorin Mayumi		A poignant song that quietly reflects on past love
38	girlGorin Mayumi		Mayumi Itsuwa’s debut song: the quiet of winter and a young girl’s feelings
39	Sometimes, old storiesKatō Tokiko		Tokiko Kato’s classic song that sings of life
40	Song of Circumnavigating Lake BiwaKatō Tokiko		A student song themed on Lake Biwa became a big hit
41	Love, my deepest apologies for troubling you when you are so busy.Harayuko		Southern All Stars’ Haruyoshi’s autumn classic, an eternal masterpiece
42	The night of my birthdayHarayuko		Haruyuki Hara’s 3rd single, a masterpiece depicting a night of love
43	Women Who Fall in Love in SummerOhnuki Taeko		Taeko Ohnuki’s cosmopolitan love song
44	city; urban areaOhnuki Taeko		Taeko Onuki’s classic, expressing the loneliness of the city
45	MeditationOzaki Ami		Ami Ozaki’s debut song, with its sophisticated sound and clear, translucent vocals
46	Happy Birthday…to meYamashita Kumiko		A heartwarming song to celebrate a birthday
47	curseYamazaki Hako		Yamazaki Hako’s cursed song expresses the darkness of the heart.
48	Orie’s SongYamazaki Hako		A moving enka song with lyrics by Hiroyuki Itsuki, sung by Hako Yamasaki.
49	The morning I had forgottenYamamoto Junko		A song that gently portrays the youth of a red bird
50	Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako		Cheering on a new beginning with Takako Okamura’s song
51	I want to go back to that dayMatsutōya Yumi		Yuming's signature song, a Showa-era autumn tune
52	Surf Paradise, Ski ParadiseMatsutōya Yumi		Yuming’s classic winter song, heartwarming music
53	The Refrain Is ScreamingMatsutōya Yumi		Yuming’s signature breakup song
54	My lover is Santa ClausMatsutōya Yumi		Yumi Matsutoya’s classic Christmas song
55	Departing AutumnMatsutōya Yumi		A classic from the young Yumi Matsutoya that delicately depicts an autumn scene
56	The last spring breakMatsutōya Yumi		A classic song that sings of graduation memories in the spring season.
57	If I’m wrapped in kindnessMatsutoya Yumi		The heartwarming music and lyrics of Yumi Arai
58	Across this wide fieldMoriyama Ryoko		The Splendor of Ryoko Moriyama’s Folk Music
59	Sugarcane fieldMoriyama Ryoko		Known as a classic that colored the Showa-era pop music scene…
60	My RevolutionWatanabe Misato		Song of Courage to Take a New Step Forward
61	When the cherry blossoms bloomWatanabe Misato		Misato Watanabe’s classic that depicts a springtime send-off
62	SeptemberTakeuchi Mariya		A timeless song that resonates on a long autumn night, an autumn breeze in the heart.
63	Cheer up!Takeuchi Mariya		Songs provided to Hiroko Yakushimaru, popular songs by Mariya Takeuchi
64	Come back—my timeTakeuchi Mariya		Preaching the importance of personal time in Mariya Takeuchi’s debut song
65	December RainArai Yumi		A poignant song about winter loneliness and heartbreak
66	contrailArai Yumi		Expressing Yumi Arai’s youthful impressions with a clear, translucent singing voice
67	No reply needed.Arai Yumi		Yuming’s debut song, a sophisticated masterpiece
68	Late Summer (A Season for One)Arai Yumi		The end of love layered over the seasons’ scenery
69	Demon-Counting SongKarashima Midori		A masterpiece that resonates with Midori Karashima’s cold despair
70	I won’t forgetTakayama Iwao		Takayama Gen begins his singing career with his solo debut single.
71	Seriously Only You (Let’s Get Married)Takeuchi Mariya		A love song in the style of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March
72	I want to go back to that dayArai Yumi (Matsutoya Yumi)		Yumi Matsutoya, who is still active as a singer, sa...