Popular Nostalgic Hits and Classics Ranking [1980s Japanese Music Ranking]
We’re excited to present the latest Top 100 ranking of classic Japanese pop songs, all in one go, ordered by most views!
We’ve picked out nostalgic hits from the 1980s!
Listening back, you’ll notice many of these tracks are still enjoying a revival today.
Be sure to check them out.
The playlist is updated weekly.
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Popular Oldies and Classic Songs Ranking [1980s Japanese Music Ranking] (51–60)
Cheer up!Takeuchi Mariya51rank/position
Released in 1984.
It’s well-known as a song provided to Hiroko Yakushimaru, and Mariya Takeuchi’s own self-cover is also popular.
The overall melody is simple and centered in the mid-range, making it a relatively accessible key for most people to sing.
Since the song starts on the “na” sound, it can be hard to come in casually, so preparing your voice is very important! Hum along from the intro as if you’re already singing, and then, the moment the melody begins, project your voice with a quick burst of energy.
If the opening note comes out cleanly, you can keep singing with that momentum.
In general, singing with stronger accents might suit the mood of the song well.
Second LoveNakamori Akina52rank/position
As a masterpiece of 80s idols, today we’re introducing a certain classic song.
Sung by Akina Nakamori, this work expresses the bittersweet feelings of love through delicate lyrics and melody, making it truly a timeless anthem of youth.
Released in November 1982, the song became Nakamori’s first number one on the Oricon charts and was a huge hit, selling approximately 770,000 copies.
Written and composed by the Kisugi siblings, it brings out Nakamori’s charm to the fullest and remains one of her signature songs, loved by many to this day.
The lyrics, which brilliantly portray the feelings of a woman troubled by love, will deeply resonate with listeners.
It’s recommended for times when you want to heal the pain of heartbreak or when you find yourself touched by a wistful longing for love.
I’M GETTIN’ BLUEZIGGY53rank/position
ZIGGY is a rock band that has continued to captivate fans for many years with a glam rock-inspired look and a musical style that changes color with each album.
Their debut single, “I’M GETTIN’ BLUE,” which was used as the ending theme for the talk-variety show ‘Dō-suru!? TV Tackle,’ is known as one of ZIGGY’s signature songs alongside their simultaneously released second single, “GLORIA.” Its straightforward rock ensemble and catchy melodies offer an unfading charm that could be called the epitome of classic Japanese rock.
For those of that generation, it’s a cool rock tune you’ve probably sung many times at karaoke.
MarionetteBOØWY54rank/position
This track is packed with an overwhelming rock sound and razor-sharp messages.
Released in July 1987 as a single by BOØWY, it was an ambitious work that topped the Oricon charts.
As the lead single from the album “PSYCHOPATH,” it stirred up the music scene at the time alongside a music video animated by Gainax.
Although BOØWY scarcely appeared in the media, the song is also known as the entrance theme for “Dynamite Shikoku,” a character played by Shozo Endo on Nippon TV’s Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!.
This masterpiece fuses the beat-driven feel of the ’80s with a melodious sound, incorporating danceable elements to distill the essence of rock music into a single track.
It’s a song that evokes nostalgia for those who lived through the era and sounds fresh to younger listeners—please enjoy.
ONLY YOUBOØWY55rank/position
A gem of a love song from BOØWY, released in April 1987 as their fifth single.
Taken from the album “BEAT EMOTION,” it became the band’s first track to break into the top five of the Oricon charts and is cherished by many fans as one of their signature songs.
It conveys a pure, heartrending confession of love and a powerful desire to protect the one you love, highlighted by the strong male vocals and sharp guitar sound.
It’s a love song that resonates with anyone who wants to spend precious time with someone they cherish—why not take a moment to listen closely once again?
Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko56rank/position
It’s a classic with a striking intro that seems to carry the sparkle of the sun and the scent of the sea breeze.
You can picture a summer day by the ocean with someone you love—the racing heartbeat and the little burst of boldness that comes with it.
It evokes scenes of a sweet and dazzling romance.
This song, which propelled Seiko Matsuda to the status of “eternal idol,” was released in July 1980 as her second single and is also included on her debut album, SQUALL.
As the theme for Glico’s ice cream commercial, it brightened living rooms across the nation and topped The Best Ten for three consecutive weeks.
It’s a refreshing track that instantly paints listeners’ hearts in summer hues.
SOMEDAYSano Motoharu57rank/position
A classic by Motoharu Sano that sings of the radiance of youth and hope for the future.
Its poetic lyrics capture the struggles of being young and a nostalgic longing for days gone by.
Released as a single in June 1981 and included on an album of the same name the following year, it gained renewed attention in 1989 when it was featured in a JR Tokai commercial.
Characterized by a Phil Spector–style Wall of Sound, it has been covered by many artists.
A recommended track for those stepping into a new environment or looking back on their past selves.
Summer HornsInagaki Junichi58rank/position
Released in 1983, this work brims with an urban, stylish allure.
The lyrics, which look back nostalgically on lost summer memories and the end of a romance, resonate deeply with listeners.
Junichi Inagaki’s rich vocals blend beautifully with the pop melody to create a superb track.
It was also used in a commercial for Fujifilm’s car-stereo-only audio cassette tape “GT-I,” making it popular across generations.
It’s said that the chorus was completed after more than 100 takes.
Give it a listen when you want to revisit bittersweet summer memories, as a companion on a drive, or when you’re trying to move past a farewell with someone precious.
Mary AnnTHE ALFEE59rank/position
A classic youth anthem that beautifully fuses bittersweet romance with an energetic rock sound.
Released in June 1983, this track became THE ALFEE’s first major hit, reaching No.
7 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and No.
30 on the year-end ranking.
It later climbed to No.
3 on The Best Ten.
Riding this success, the band made their first appearance at the 34th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen at the end of 1983.
Also included on the album ALFEE’S LAW, the song has remained a beloved staple of THE ALFEE’s live performances.
With romantic lyrics woven together in perfect balance with hard rock, this piece is a must-listen for anyone cherishing a secret love.
CHA-CHA-CHAIshii Akemi60rank/position
The debut single, released in 1986, is characterized by Latin-style rhythms and a catchy melody.
It is also known as the theme song for the TV drama “Danjo Shichinin Natsu Monogatari” (Seven Men and Women: A Summer Story).
The lyrics, depicting the free and liberated lifestyle of a young woman, matched the atmosphere of the bubble era and sparked a social phenomenon.
It topped the Oricon Singles Chart for nine consecutive weeks and became a massive hit, selling over 580,000 copies.
Akemi Ishii won the Best New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards with this song.
If you check out the dance choreography for this track as well, you can enjoy even more of the Showa-era vibe—highly recommended.