Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking: 1970s Japanese Music
We’re excited to present the latest top 100 ranking of nostalgic Japanese pop songs, introduced all at once in order of most views!
We’ve picked out beloved classics that were hits in the 1970s.
Listening again like this, you’ll notice many songs are still enjoying revivals today.
Be sure to check them out.
The playlist is updated every week.
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Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking [1970s Japanese Music Ranking] (61–70)
metropoliskurisutaru kingu64rank/position
Released in November 1979, this song celebrates the strong will and hope of those who keep chasing their dreams.
Known as Crystal King’s signature track, it became a million seller.
It delicately portrays the harshness of urban life and the emotions of people pursuing their aspirations, and its universal theme and melody have continued to be loved across generations.
It’s a moving number, powered by soaring high-tone vocals, recommended for anyone chasing a dream or seeking the courage to jump into a new environment.
Let me have that wonderful love once moreKatō Kazuhiko, Kitayama Osamu65rank/position
A timeless song whose refreshing acoustic guitar tones and seamless harmonies resonate in the heart.
It sings, with a refined melody, of the ache of a love that has ended and of memories of beautiful days that will never return.
Originally produced as the debut song for a female duo, it was released in April 1971 as a single credited jointly to Kazuhiko Kato and Osamu Kitayama.
Since then, it has been included in music textbooks and sung as a staple at choral competitions, gaining widespread popularity across generations.
In 2002, it was also chosen as the theme song for FNS 27-Hour Television.
Evoking both the brilliance and the bittersweetness of youth, this is a track you’ll want to listen to quietly during farewells with friends or seasons of new beginnings.
My good friendKamayatsu Hiroshi66rank/position
This work is infused with heartfelt themes of friendship and youth.
It’s a classic song powerfully sung by Hiroshi Kamayatsu.
The lyrics, full of nostalgia and warmth, gently wrap you in memories of friends from your school days.
Released in February 1975, the track reached No.
1 on the Oricon chart and became a major hit, selling over 700,000 copies.
Its gem-like melody, blending folk and rock, poignantly conveys the longing to reunite with friends.
Recommended for those who want to feel unchanging friendship amid changing times.
Let the soul-stirring vocals deepen your feelings for the people you cherish.
bullseyeYamamoto Rinda67rank/position
Linda Yamamoto’s signature song is gaining popularity on Instagram Reels.
It’s known for its memorable phrases and lyrics that exude a mischievous, coquettish charm.
The song portrays a confident woman and sings about the strength to make the most of one’s allure.
Released in February 1973, it reached No.
14 on the Oricon chart and led to her return to the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen in 1991 after 17 years.
It’s also beloved as a baseball cheer song and remains a staple at high school baseball games even after more than 50 years.
This is a recommended track for those seeking a nostalgic vibe or a boost of confidence.
MissingKubota Toshinobu68rank/position
A song by Toshinobu Kubota, known as a quintessentially poignant ballad of the Showa era.
Featured on the album “SHAKE IT PARADISE,” this gem portrays the pain of heartbreak and the turmoil of the heart.
Its delicate vocals and melody resonate deeply with listeners, movingly expressing the sorrow of parting, lingering attachment, and the strong will to move forward.
Since its release in September 1986, it has been covered by many artists and cherished across generations.
It has also been used as a TV program’s ending theme, its allure continuing to shine across time.
A heart-stirring piece that stands by those who have experienced heartbreak.
The Scent of CyclamenFuse Akira69rank/position
It’s a classic that topped the Oricon weekly chart at the time and became Mr.
Fuse’s only million-seller, with over 1.05 million copies sold.
Released in April 1975 as Akira Fuse’s 17th single, the song was written and composed by Kei Ogura, who was also working as a banker then.
It swept the major music awards of 1975, including the Grand Prize at the 17th Japan Record Awards.
With delicate color imagery like “the hue of raw silk” and “pale purple,” the lyrics resonate as they layer feelings for a loved one with the fragrance of flowers.
Set against a gentle arrangement centered on strings and acoustic guitar, Fuse’s clear, expansive vocals truly shine.
It’s the kind of love song you’ll want to listen to quietly on a night when you’re thinking of someone dear.
Please tell me.Iju Kayoko70rank/position
This is the theme song of the anime Heidi, Girl of the Alps, which aired in 1974 as part of the World Masterpiece Theater series and is based on children’s literature by Swiss author Johanna Spyri.
The sound has a majestic, sunny feel—as if gazing out over the Alpine mountains where the story is set—and it seems to reflect the protagonist Heidi’s bright, straightforward personality.
The timbre of the brass at the beginning and the yodeling chorus draw listeners into the world of the work.
