Showa Era Popular Artist Rankings [2026]

Sailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hiroko92rank/position

Hiroko Yakushimaru Sailor Suit and Machine Gun

This work, which marked Hiroko Yakushimaru’s debut single, was released in November 1981 as a movie theme song and became a major hit.

With its pure image and clear vocals, it offered a fresh impression amid the idol boom of the time.

The lyrics, themed around a girl’s growth and a new departure, were also embraced as an anthem that draws out the hidden strength of youth.

Thanks in part to the movie tie-in, it became a blockbuster on the Oricon charts, selling about 1.2 million copies.

It is a landmark 1980s idol song—one to be listened to alongside memories of one’s youth.

240 Million Eyes -Exotic Japan-Gō Hiromi93rank/position

Hiromi Go – 240 Million Eyes -Exotic Japan- / THE FIRST TAKE

This is one of Hiromi Go’s signature songs, blending lyrics that celebrate the beauty and culture of Japan with an energetic disco-style rhythm.

Released in November 1984, the track coincided with a time when Japan was beginning to attract international attention, and it became a major topic of conversation.

Through this work, Hiromi Go expressed a strong desire to share the uniqueness and allure of Japanese culture with the world.

In live performances, flashy staging further enhances the song’s atmosphere, continuing to captivate audiences.

It’s a recommended track for anyone who wants to rediscover what makes Japan special or needs a boost of energy.

ChampionArisu94rank/position

Champion (Live ver.) / Alice [Official Movie]

A signature song by Alice that dominated Japan’s music scene in the late 1970s.

With its distinctive fusion of folk and rock, it became their only single to reach No.

1 on the Oricon charts.

The lyrics, said to mirror the figure of boxer Cassius Naito, portray a veteran champion in decline and deftly capture the emotions of someone facing a turning point in life.

The song also drew major attention on television, spending four consecutive weeks at No.

1 on TBS’s “The Best Ten.” Featuring Shinji Tanimura’s powerful vocals and the exquisite harmonies of Takao Horiuchi and Toru Yazawa, this is a track we recommend to anyone standing at a crossroads in life.

I am the wind.Karumen Maki & OZ95rank/position

Carmen Maki & OZ - I Am the Wind

It’s a track that sends chills down your spine with Maki Carmen’s voice—like a witch’s monologue, or a cry from the soul.

The structure unfolds from a quiet narration into a storm-like roar, powerfully shaking the listener’s emotions.

This dark, fantastical atmosphere seems perfect for setting the mood on a mysterious Halloween night.

The piece is included on the classic album “Carmen Maki & OZ,” released in January 1975.

If you use it as BGM for a night when you want to forget the everyday and set yourself free, it might awaken the true self sleeping deep within your heart.

A café in a student districtGaro96rank/position

GARO – Gakuseigai no Kissaten (Official Audio)

A classic song that portrays youthful days spent in a beloved coffee shop.

Its gentle melody and delicate lyrics resonate deeply with many listeners.

Released in June 1972, it became a major hit, topping the Oricon Singles Chart for seven consecutive weeks the following year.

Known as one of Garo’s signature songs, it has since been covered by various artists.

Set against the backdrop of Bob Dylan’s music, this piece evokes memories of the casual conversations shared with friends and lovers.

It’s a recommended track for when you want to rekindle nostalgic memories or reflect on time spent with someone special.

Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki97rank/position

Hideaki Tokunaga – Rainy Blue ~1997 Track~

This is the major debut single by singer-songwriter Hideaki Tokunaga, who has earned enduring popularity with his distinctive high-tone voice and lyrical singing.

Given how many prominent musicians have covered it, chances are everyone has heard it at least once.

The lingering feelings for an unforgettable, precious person intertwine with the rainy scenery, and Tokunaga’s androgynous, translucent vocals double the sense of poignancy.

Its fragile, beautiful melody soothes a wounded man’s heart, making it a quintessential unrequited-love song.

SHOW MEMorikawa Yukari98rank/position

Yukari Morikawa - SHOW ME

Released in 1987 and a big hit as the theme song for the TV drama “Danjo 7-nin Aki Monogatari,” this is one of Yukari Morikawa’s signature tracks.

It’s a cover of a song by the Western artist The Cover Girls.

With a sound that exudes a glamorous vibe and evokes the end of the Showa era and the bubble economy, it may be a song that even shifted the dynamics of relationships between men and women.

Reading the lyrics, you can sense a dependable strength, as if she’s the one leading the man.

At the same time, there’s a gentleness in lines like “I’ll stay by your side when times are tough,” making it perhaps a revolutionary love song for its time.

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