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] (71–80)
MissingKubota Toshinobu71rank/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.
Please give me wingsakai tori72rank/position
A signature song by Akaitori that colored the music scene of the Showa era.
Released in February 1971, it features beautiful harmonies and evokes a deep sense of Japanese tradition.
The lyrics express a yearning for freedom through the image of “white wings,” reflecting the social climate of the time while conveying a universal message.
It was used at the opening ceremonies of the 1998 Nagano Olympics and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, and continues to be loved across generations.
Its touching lyrics and gentle melody are recommended for times when you’re troubled or want to look ahead.
A heartwarming number that offers comfort to anyone seeking healing.
The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko73rank/position
A song that captures the feelings of a young bride against the backdrop of the Seto Inland Sea.
Released by Rumiko Koyanagi in April 1972, it is known as a masterpiece in Japanese music history.
The lyrics, which express both the hopes and anxieties of starting a new life with a loved one and the tears of parting from one’s hometown, resonate with many.
The song has been cherished across generations, ranking seventh on NHK’s “200 Showa Songs That Remain in Our Hearts.” It’s best enjoyed while picturing the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.
A perfect track to listen to at life’s milestones, such as weddings and anniversaries.
Please tell me.Iju Kayoko74rank/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.
youthMorita Kōichi to Toppugyaran75rank/position
The way we remember our school days as adults is different from how we felt while actually attending school, isn’t it? This is one of the signature works by the band Koichi Morita & Top Gallant, released in 1976.
It’s striking for its uptempo yet wistful melody.
The lyrics—suggesting that our feelings about youth change between then and now—are irresistibly relatable.
If you’re a student right now, cherish the “now” you’re living to the fullest.
After you graduate, you’ll surely feel the way this song does.
Summer MissSakakibara Ikue76rank/position
This is a number loved by many as a refreshing pop tune that represents summer.
The lyrics depicting youthful days at the beach and the light, lively melody resonate so pleasantly.
Released in July 1978 as Ikue Sakakibara’s seventh single, it became a hit, peaking at No.
5 on TBS’s “The Best Ten.” It’s a song that makes you feel the fresh summer breeze and brings back the thrills of the season of love.
Great for karaoke and perfect as background music for a drive.
Why not make it your summer companion and give it a listen?
UFOpinku redii77rank/position
This is a smash hit by Pink Lady, distinguished by its innovative sense of rhythm and catchy melody.
Released as a single in December 1977, it held the No.
1 spot on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart for 10 consecutive weeks and achieved an astonishing sales total of over 1.95 million copies.
It was also used in a Nissin Foods commercial and covered in the anime Crayon Shin-chan, making it beloved across generations.
Their performances in glittering silver costumes, combined with distinctive choreography, became a social phenomenon mimicked by children and adults alike.
If everyone joins in to sing its well-known phrases, it’s guaranteed to get the crowd fired up in an instant.