Singer-Songwriter/Artist Rankings of the 1980s [2026]
The 1980s were an era when artists like Eiichi Ohtaki, Miyuki Nakajima, and Shinji Tanimura—names even younger people may have heard—were active.
Here, we’re introducing songs by singer-songwriters from the 1980s, including those artists.
What kind of music did singer-songwriters from the bubble era create?
- Top Male Singer-Songwriter Hits of the 1980s: Ranking [2026]
- Top 1980s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- Masterpieces and hit songs of 80s Japanese pop (kayōkyoku)
- 1990s Male Singer-Songwriters: Popular Song Rankings [2026]
- Classic and hit Japanese pop songs from the nostalgic 80s
- A special feature on classic and hit songs by bands that were active in the 1980s
- Ranking of Popular Songs by Female Singer-Songwriters of the 1990s [2026]
- 1970s Female Singer-Songwriters: Popular Songs Ranking [2026]
- [Nostalgic Classics] Hit Japanese Love Songs from the 1980s
- Popular Nostalgic Hits and Classics Ranking [1980s Japanese Music Ranking]
- A heartbreak song that was a hit in the 1980s. A classic and popular track in Japanese music.
- Evokes the charm of the good old days. Showa-era inspirational songs that are still loved today.
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese pop idols of the 80s
Singer-Songwriter Artist Rankings of the 1980s [2026] (21–30)
You can do it!Nakajima Miyuki29rank/position
This is a song you’ll want to listen to when taking that first step into a new chapter, like starting school.
The powerful message woven by Miyuki Nakajima gives you the courage to face adversity.
Featured on her 1983 album “Premonition,” the track was later used in a 1994 Sumitomo Life commercial.
More recently, it appeared in TV commercials for Calorie Mate, becoming a beloved anthem of encouragement across generations.
It’s especially recommended for those facing difficulties or feeling anxious about a new environment.
Miyuki Nakajima’s warm voice is sure to give you a gentle push forward.
Women Who Fall in Love in SummerOhnuki Taeko30rank/position
Taeko Onuki’s “Women in Love in Summer” evokes the feeling of a summer night in the city.
Released in 1983 as her 10th single, it was used as the theme song for the TBS drama of the same name.
It’s also a signature track from her acclaimed album SIGNIFIE.
Arranged by Ryuichi Sakamoto, the song features a romantic, synth-driven sound.
The lyrics, which conjure images of love between adult men and women living in the city, are also particularly striking.
1980s Singer-Songwriter/Artist Rankings [2026] (31–40)
In the Middle of a DreamKisugi Takao31rank/position
A masterpiece that portrays a bittersweet love story of a man and a woman living in the city, themed around parting and reunion.
Released by Takao Kisugi in 1981, the song delicately captures the emotions that intersect amid the hustle and bustle of urban life.
With poetic lyrics by his sister, Etsuko Kisugi, and a nostalgic, urbane melody, the piece achieves a beautiful harmony that resonates deeply with the heart.
The work was released as a single in November 1981 and included on the album “Yume no Tochū,” which came out in December of the same year.
Later, Hiroko Yakushimaru sang it as the theme song for the film “Sailor Suit and Machine Gun,” leading it to become a major hit.
The album “Yume no Tochū” ranked high on the Oricon charts and achieved the impressive result of 11th in annual sales for 1982.
It is a song that gently accompanies those who have experienced a breakup with a lover or who struggle with love amid the clamor of the city.
Morning of the PegasusIgarashi Hiroaki32rank/position
Hiroaki Igarashi, who skillfully commands high tones and falsetto to move listeners’ hearts.
This work is his third single, released by CBS/Sony in November 1980.
It was also featured as the commercial song for Meiji Seika’s “Meiji Chocolate,” reaching No.
3 on the Oricon charts the following year.
Celebrated as a New Music classic, it continues to be loved by many.
The lyrics delicately portray the brilliance and bittersweetness of youth, praising the beauty of platonic relationships and friendship, and evoking the profound depth of human connections beyond romance.
This song, which sings of the joy of welcoming a new morning, is the perfect number for moments when you want to look ahead and move forward, or when you want to feel the bond with someone dear.
My loverGorin Mayumi33rank/position
It’s a heartbreaking farewell song that trembles the heart, reflecting on a beloved person you can no longer meet.
It’s a piece by Mayumi Itsuwa, a singer-songwriter who enjoys great popularity overseas, released in 1980 as her 18th single.
The lyrics are deeply moving, as if she carefully sent out each word that rose from within her heart.
It shows just how much she was thinking about that person.
The model for this “lover” was Takasuke Kida, a musician who was active as a member of the band Jacks and sadly passed away in 1980.
Let’s get married.yoshida takurou34rank/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.
ANGELHimuro Kyosuke35rank/position
This is Kyosuke Himuro’s solo debut song, released in July 1988.
While rooted in rock, it’s characterized by its distinctive melodic lines and emotionally rich lyrics.
Set against the backdrop of a city nightscape, it portrays a romantic yet melancholic scene, with themes of lost love and longing for the past.
Also included on the album “FLOWERS for ALGERNON,” the song has become a staple in many of Himuro’s live performances.
It symbolizes the wavering emotions between dreams and reality, resonating with many listeners.
It’s especially recommended for night drives or after experiencing a farewell with someone important.