[50s] Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Rankings [By Generation]

Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko57rank/position

Blue Coral Reef

It’s a classic that has etched itself into many hearts as a refreshing summer love song set against the southern seas.

Released in July 1980, this track was Seiko Matsuda’s second single and became one of her signature songs.

It was also used in a commercial for Glico’s ice cream “Yolel,” and became a massive hit.

It dominated the charts at the time, taking the top spot on TBS’s “The Best Ten” for three consecutive weeks.

More recently, NewJeans’ Hanni covered it, bringing it renewed attention among younger generations.

With lyrics depicting the feelings of young people falling in love on a tropical shoreline and a breezy melody that pairs perfectly, it’s a song that makes you want to listen while reminiscing about summer memories.

Blue airmailArai Yumi58rank/position

Blue Airmail Envelope / Aoi Airmail (2022 Ｍix)

A classic by Yumi Arai that captures the aching feelings for a lover far away.

Its gentle melody and deeply emotional lyrics sink into the heart and resonate with listeners.

Featured on the 1979 album “OLIVE,” the song has remained beloved for many years, even inspiring a TV drama adaptation on NHK in 2007.

The lyrics skillfully portray the changing seasons and the passage of time, expressing the bittersweetness and anxiety of a long-distance relationship, as well as unwavering love.

Perfect for moments of nostalgic reflection or when you’re seeking a song that truly pierces the heart.

It’s also a karaoke favorite, with an appealing, easy-to-sing vocal range.

Love will winKAN59rank/position

Aiwa Katsu

When it comes to anthems that defined the early 1990s music scene, many people will think of this classic created by KAN.

Released in September 1990 as his eighth single, the song was featured as an insert track on Fuji TV’s “Hono-chan no Yamadakatsutenai Television” and became a massive hit, selling over 2.01 million copies.

Singing of a conviction that never yields to any hardship, this work can now be called a Japanese standard loved across generations.

Its irresistibly bright piano melody and straightforward lyrics gently comfort a discouraged heart and give you the strength to face tomorrow.

Listen to it when you hit a wall in life and let it lift your spirits.

A Tearful RequestChekkāzu60rank/position

A Tearful Request

The Checkers’ classic “Namida no Request.” It’s a rock-style song infused with the essence of kayōkyoku, yet it also has a refreshing quality reminiscent of surf music.

It’s popular with both women and men, and in fact, it’s exceptionally easy to sing.

The biggest reason is the relatively flat vocal line.

There are no phrases that require dramatic rises and falls in pitch.

On top of that, the range—mid1 F# to hi D#—is a generally accessible one, making it, overall, a very easy song to sing.

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Ryo

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Even when I become an old ladyMoritaka Chisato61rank/position

Chisato Moritaka “Even If I Become an Old Lady” (Live)

Released in June 1992, this is Chisato Moritaka’s 16th single.

When she debuted, she arrived with the catchphrase “Declaration of Non-Talent!” Fittingly for one of her songs, you don’t need any great vocal prowess to sing this one (lol).

Keep it light, breezy, and cute, and you’ll be just fine.

This track was also used as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “Matta Nashi!” The melody is very simple and easy to sing, and the lyrics are memorable and easy to learn.

It might be fun to compete on scores with friends by doing a one-take on this song!

Galaxy Express 999Godaigo62rank/position

Galaxy Express 999

For people in their 50s, the anime they loved as kids were likely Leiji Matsumoto works such as Space Battleship Yamato and Galaxy Express 999.

Among them, the movie version of Galaxy Express 999 released in 1979 featured a theme song of the same name sung by Godiego, which stood out as stylish among anime theme songs of the time—and it was cool because it even included English lyrics.

Just hearing the intro is enough to make many people excited.

It’s a song I definitely want folks of the same generation to sing together and get hyped about.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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threadNakajima Miyuki63rank/position

thread

“Ito” is a song sung by every generation.

It was released in 1992, but it’s often used at weddings and in TV dramas, making it a ballad loved across generations.

The vocal range isn’t very wide—F3 to A#4—centered in the midrange, with the low notes being key.

If you sing it in a speaking voice, you’ll end up straining your throat, so aim to sing with a proper singing voice.

The tempo is very slow, so stay calm and take a breath at the end of each phrase.

Instead of “pushing out your voice,” focus on “using your breath” to project forward.

In fact, every consonant in the Japanese ha-row (ha, hi, fu, he, ho) uses breath in its articulation.

If you try singing everything with the “ha” sound for clarity, you might grasp the feeling of “Oh, so this is what it means to use breath!” Give it a try as a reference.

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Kubota Mami

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