Top Male Singer-Songwriter Hits of the 1980s: Ranking [2026]
In the 1980s, a decade that saw musical diversity in genres like folk songs and pop, singer-songwriters emerged across various styles and left behind numerous classic hits.
Here, we present a ranking of popular songs by male singer-songwriters from the 1980s.
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1980s Male Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026] (81–90)
Goodbye PatternItō Toshihiro85rank/position
This singer-songwriter has an unusual background: he wrote this song while working as a Japanese National Railways employee, and it became a massive hit after winning the Grand Prix at the Yamaha Popular Song Contest.
If you’re from the generation that experienced that era in real time, you’ve probably heard this song.
Its calm, gently subdued melody and lyrics written from a woman’s perspective leave a strong impression.
The lyrics, expressing the lingering feelings of a woman after a breakup, feel very real—something almost anyone can relate to on some level.
AngelinaSano Motoharu86rank/position
This song, the debut single by Motoharu Sano released in 1980, stunned first-time listeners with its sophisticated melody and innovative Japanese lyrics set to a then-new kind of beat.
The technique of rhythmically fitting two or more syllables of lyrics into a single note likely had a strong influence on subsequent Japanese music.
Dream FlowerEn Hiroshi87rank/position
This is Hiroshi En’s debut single, and he is still active as a TV personality today.
It was released in November 1978.
The song won the Grand Prix at both the Yamaha Popular Song Contest and the World Popular Song Festival, and was also used in a JAL commercial for its America campaign.
The chorus, which repeats the phrase “Tonde” (“Fly”), is particularly memorable.
Time travelHarada Shinji88rank/position
Shinji Harada made his debut after an audition held by the record label For Life.
With production by Takuro Yoshida, he scored a string of hits from the outset, and amid that momentum, in April 1978 his fourth single, “Time Travel,” was released.
It reached a peak of No.
4 on the Oricon chart, and at the end of the year he also appeared on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu89rank/position
Showa-era classics are hugely popular on Instagram! Kyu Sakamoto’s songs are known for lyrics that capture the resolve to keep moving forward while holding back tears.
Even with loneliness in the background, they convey an attitude that never loses sight of hope, resonating with many people.
Released in 1961, this song became a massive hit not only in Japan but around the world, earning the No.
1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and receiving high international acclaim.
It’s recommended for those who, even in sadness, have the strength to keep going without losing faith in happiness.
Use it as Instagram BGM to create a nostalgic vibe.
Katsushika RhapsodyDōjima Kōhei90rank/position
The third opening theme for the anime “Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo” was “Katsushika Rhapsody,” a song by singer-songwriter Kohei Dojima.
Released in 1997 as his seventh single, it was crafted as a local song for Katsushika Ward in Tokyo.
It’s a heartwarming track with a gently soothing tone.
In 2003, it was covered by the ska band Yum!Yum!ORANGE and used as the anime’s seventh opening theme.
Top Male Singer-Songwriters of the 1980s: Popular Song Rankings [2026] (91–100)
If I can see you in my dreamsOhtaki Eiichi91rank/position
A classic by Eiichi Ohtaki, distinguished by its wistful melody and heart-wrenching lyrics.
The bittersweet feelings of longing for someone far away are conveyed through a gentle, intimate vocal delivery.
First released in 1976, the song has since been covered by many artists and continues to be loved across generations as a masterpiece in the history of Japanese pop.
It’s a recommended track for healing the pain of heartbreak or for reaffirming your feelings for someone special.