![Top Male Singer-Songwriter Hits of the 1980s: Ranking [2026]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/ZYeVfKtIH4c/maxresdefault.webp)
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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Top Male Singer-Songwriters of the 80s: Popular Song Rankings [2026] (1–10)
Ruby RingTerao Akira1rank/position
Released in February 1981, this is Akira Terao’s signature song.
Its lyrics portray the bittersweet emotions of adult love, and Terao’s distinctive low vocals make it especially compelling.
Although it initially struggled, its popularity grew over time, spending 10 consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Oricon chart.
It also held the top spot on “The Best Ten” for 12 straight weeks, becoming a nationwide phenomenon.
The song was featured in a Yokohama Tires commercial and even selected as the entrance march for Japan’s high school baseball tournament, earning affection across a wide audience.
It’s a perfect choice when you want to heal the pain of heartbreak or savor the feeling of a mature romance.
MissingKubota Toshinobu2rank/position
This is a gem of a ballad by Toshinobu Kubota, known for his uniquely groovy style, perfect for an autumn night.
It poignantly conveys, with a soulful voice, the helpless love between a man and a woman who care deeply for each other yet can never be together.
The struggle of wanting to forget but being unable to, and the regret of wishing they had met earlier, really hits home.
The song was included on his debut album, “SHAKE IT PARADISE,” released in September 1986, and was used as an ending theme for shows like World Pro Wrestling.
Though it wasn’t released as a single, it remains one of his most beloved signature songs.
It feels like a gentle companion to the quiet loneliness that follows the bustle of summer.
First loveMurashita Kōzō3rank/position
A quintessential unrequited-love song of the Showa era, Kozo Murashita’s masterpiece.
Released in February 1983 as his fifth single, it became a major hit, peaking at No.
3 on the Oricon singles chart.
With its lively melody and delicate lyrics portraying the tender feelings of youthful love, this song remains a classic in the hearts of many.
A monument featuring the song has even been erected in Minamata City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Murashita’s hometown, and it continues to be loved today.
It’s a perfect track for those moments when you want to feel the bittersweetness and transience of first love, or to reminisce about your youth.
The Last Holy NightSugiyama Kiyotaka4rank/position
The year after Kiyotaka Sugiyama disbanded Kiyotaka Sugiyama & Omega Tribe, he released this song as a solo single in 1986, and it was used as a JAL campaign song.
This popular track was later featured in a Minolta commercial the following year and a Tsuburaya Productions commercial the year after that, so many of you have probably heard it.
The intro evokes Wham!’s 1984 smash hit “Last Christmas,” but once the song begins, you’re drawn straight into Sugiyama’s world.
Christmas EveYamashita Tatsuro5rank/position
Christmas Eve by Tatsuro Yamashita is a classic Christmas song.
Released in 1983, it also drew attention as the theme song for JR Tokai’s Christmas Express commercials, which featured many famous actresses.
Despite its sparkling, unmistakably Christmas-like melody, the lyrics are deeply poignant, portraying the loneliness of spending Christmas alone, unable to meet the one you love.
Even if you’re spending Christmas by yourself, Yamashita’s gentle voice might just ease the loneliness.
Sentimental ChristmasHamada Shogo6rank/position
A winter masterpiece by Shogo Hamada that delicately portrays lovers braving the cold wind and the scenes of Christmas night.
Included on “Before the Generation of Love” in November 1981, this song continues to be cherished by many as one of the quintessential Christmas songs of the 1980s.
Hamada’s warm vocals and Kimio Mizutani’s delicate arrangement create a track that conveys warmth even amid the winter chill.
Its distinctive sensibility and emotionally rich melodic lines resonate deeply with listeners.
It’s a song you’ll want to play on a cold winter night while thinking of someone special—perfect as background music for Christmas spent with a loved one.
Ruby RingTerao Akira7rank/position
Known as one of Akira Terao’s signature songs, this piece is a poignant track that depicts a mature romance.
Its lyrics, which look back fondly on a lost love, together with Terao’s characteristically husky vocals, resonate deeply with listeners.
Released in February 1981, it became a massive hit, staying at No.
1 on the Oricon charts for ten consecutive weeks.
It was also featured in a Yokohama Tires commercial, earning broad popularity across generations.
It’s a recommended listen for those who have experienced parting with someone dear, or for anyone who wants to soak in the atmosphere of the Showa era.