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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Ranking of Popular Nostalgic Songs and Classics [1970s Japanese Music Ranking] (91–100)
Forever with youKayama Yūzō91rank/position
As an immortal wedding song that vows eternal love, this piece—considered a signature work of Yuzo Kayama, known as the “Young General”—has been sung since the Showa era.
Released as a single in December 1965, it’s well known as the theme song for the film “The Young General of the Electric Guitar.” The lyrics, written by Tokiko Iwatani, depict a beautiful twilight scene and unchanging love, while the composition—credited to Kosaku Dan—reportedly sold over three million copies at the time.
The spoken line in the interlude, “I feel so happy,” is extraordinarily famous and warmly envelops listeners, filling them with joy.
This moving ballad, elevated by grand strings, is perfect for a moment when the groom expresses his honest feelings to the bride.
How about singing it with heartfelt emotion at the wedding reception to celebrate the couple’s new beginning?
Let’s get married.yoshida takurou92rank/position
It is known as a song that significantly changed the status of folk music in the Japanese music scene.
Released as a single on January 21, 1972, it refreshed the prevailing image of protest songs and presented a new form of folk music through colorful wording and distinctive arrangements.
Through this song, Takuro Yoshida helped make folk music widely accepted as pop music among young people.
Against the backdrop of the late 1960s, when love marriages were becoming more common, the release portrayed an assertive proposal from a man to a woman—an approach that was remarkably innovative for its time.
With the resonant tone of the acoustic guitar that pierces the heart, it can be called a timeless masterpiece cherished across generations.
poppy flowerAgunesu Chan93rank/position
This was Agnes Chan’s Japanese debut single, depicting the pure feelings of a girl who tells her fortune in love using poppies blooming on a hill.
Her clear, gentle voice weaves together her thoughts, worries, and loneliness for a lover who has gone off to a distant city.
Released in November 1972, the song became a major hit, reaching No.
5 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.
She also performed it at the 24th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1973, which helped ignite her popularity.
It remains beloved by many today as a heartwarming song that evokes the arrival of spring and is perfect for reminiscing about bittersweet memories of first love.
A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe94rank/position
It’s a classic song with a refreshing melody that heralds the arrival of spring and lyrics that evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Released in November 1978 as the theme song for the Japanese National Railways’ travel promotion campaign, it became a major hit, enhanced by Momoe Yamaguchi’s beautiful vocals.
The song masterfully portrays the intertwining of the protagonist’s anticipation for a new departure and their feelings for the past, delivering a deeply resonant message to listeners.
It’s often sung at life’s milestones, such as weddings and graduations, and its cross-generational appeal is one of its enduring charms.
When the spring weather tempts you to set off on a journey, why not give this song a listen?
Monkey MagicGodiego95rank/position
A song inspired by the story of Journey to the West, distinguished by lyrics entirely in English.
The lyrics, which depict the monkey’s birth and his departure for the West, evoke a mythic worldview and a spirit of adventure.
Released in December 1978, it became a massive hit as the theme song for the drama of the same name.
It was also included on the album “Journey to the West (MAGIC MONKEY)” and achieved million-seller status.
This work has long been cherished as one of GODIEGO’s signature songs.
It’s recommended not only for those who want to enjoy a nostalgic classic, but also for anyone seeking a song with an epic, narrative quality.
bulldogfoorību su96rank/position
Four Leaves, a representative group from the early Johnny’s era that left a major mark on the idol scene of the 1970s.
The song they released in 1977 is a particularly popular classic of the idol kayō style, with lyrics by Akira Ito and music by Shunichi Tokura.
With lyrics that put rugged masculinity front and center and a rock-influenced arrangement featuring aggressive guitar sounds, it’s the kind of track that would definitely get the crowd going at karaoke.
You could also call it a killer 70s idol tune that would fit perfectly at DJ events themed around the music of this era.
interaction; friendly contact; bondingNakamura Masatoshi97rank/position
Masatoshi Nakamura has produced numerous masterpieces as an actor.
He also began working as a singer in the 1970s and released several hit songs.
Fureai here is an insert song from the youth drama Ware Ra Seishun!, which centers on rugby and in which he stars; it was also his debut single.
If you know the drama, you might picture the club members deepening their bonds through rugby.
The song is also used in Hitoshi Matsumoto’s film Big Man Japan, but despite being the same track, the atmosphere there is quite different.
Perhaps one of this song’s unique charms is how dramatically its mood can change depending on the part that’s used.
Midnight PretendersAran Tomoko98rank/position
This song sung by Tomoko Aran is very popular on Instagram Stories.
Its lyrics, depicting a secret love between two people drifting along the nighttime sea, are striking, and it’s known as a classic of city pop.
It was included on the album “Floating Space,” released in May 1983, with music composed by Tetsurō Oda.
In 2022, it was sampled by Canadian artist The Weeknd, bringing it to a new audience worldwide.
It’s the perfect track for creating a mature atmosphere—whether for a night drive or making memories with a lover.
Be sure to try using it in your Instagram Story!
Love in KyotoNAGISA YŪKO99rank/position
It is a single released by The Ventures in February 1970.
In May of the same year, a cover version by Yūko Nagisa was released, and it reached number one on the Oricon chart.
It also received the Planning Award at the Japan Record Awards.
A woman born in OsakaBORO100rank/position
This song, which portrays the youth and love of a woman born in Osaka, was written during the period when BORO performed solo with just his guitar.
Told from the perspective of a woman who frequents discos, it weaves together her affection for her hometown and her resolve to embark on a new life.
Released in August 1979, it became a major hit, selling 179,000 copies according to Oricon.
Accompanied by the sound of an acoustic guitar, the lyrics vividly conjure scenes of Osaka at night and resonate deeply.
It’s a recommended track for anyone who has decided to leave their hometown or who feels nostalgic for their youth.