Showa Era Popular Artist Rankings [2026]

MUGO… so sexyKudō Shizuka50rank/position

Shizuka Kudo / MUGO… n… Irresistibly Sexy [Official Video]

This song, with lyrics by Miyuki Nakajima, portrays the feelings of a woman who carries emotions she cannot put into words.

It skillfully expresses a deeply held, passionate sentiment and conveys the importance of nonverbal communication.

Released in August 1988 as Shizuka Kudo’s fifth single, it was also used as the promotional image song for Kanebo’s ’88 autumn campaign.

A significant milestone in Kudo’s career, the track is also praised for showcasing the diversity of her musical style.

It’s an emotional number that I highly recommend to anyone who resonates with the desire for connection and understanding beyond words.

younger boykyandīzu51rank/position

Candies 05 Younger Boy 1975

This song portrays the bittersweet feelings of love and the gentle gaze of someone watching over a slightly stubborn and self-willed younger man.

The perspective—a woman observing a man’s awkwardness—is striking, and it deftly captures a relationship with a subtle age gap where the feelings of love can’t be accepted straightforwardly.

Released in February 1975 as Candies’ fifth single, the track broke into the top 10 on the Oricon charts and served as a springboard for their first appearance on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

It was also featured in the 2007 film “Little DJ: A Small Love Story,” reaffirming its charm.

The song has been covered by various artists and idols and remains beloved across generations.

It’s recommended for those who want to feel the nuances of an age-gap romance, the purity of being in love, or to bask in nostalgic memories of youthful days.

Light Blue RainYagami Junko52rank/position

pale blue rain

Junko Yagami is known for her strikingly clear, translucent singing voice.

Her fifth single, released in September 1978, became a major hit, selling 600,000 copies.

Covered by numerous artists—including Tatsuya Ishii, Aya Matsuura, and actress Mone Kamishiraishi—it has become a timeless classic that continues to be loved across generations.

The song portrays a lover who gently accepted her without reproach, even when she made mistakes.

After that cherished person leaves, the regret that wells up for the first time is sung over a wistful, melancholic melody.

This work is especially recommended for those who want to heal the pain of heartbreak or reflect on a past love.

Love Song of LumMatsutani Yūko53rank/position

Love Song of Lum (Urusei Yatsura)

This is a pop tune that sings of the thrill and heartache of first love.

Released as a debut single in October 1981, it was performed by Yuko Matsutani as the opening theme for the anime Urusei Yatsura.

The heroine’s single-minded passion for love and her complex feelings over her partner’s fickleness are conveyed through a breezy melody and striking syncopation.

Although it served as an image song for the anime, it adopted an innovative approach during production by omitting character names from the lyrics, capturing the hearts of many as a universal love song.

Its catchy rhythm and sweet, wistful vocals sound as if they’ve turned a lovestruck woman’s emotions directly into music.

It’s a track that still resonates with today’s youth.

Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo54rank/position

EXILE ATSUSHI – Sake, Tears, Men and Women (EXILE ATSUSHI SPECIAL SOLO LIVE in HAWAII)

This is a socially conscious masterpiece that portrays the subtle miscommunications between men and women and the nuances of emotional expression with deep insight.

It warmly observes how men open up through drinking and women through tears, each revealing their inner feelings.

Born from impressions Eigo Kawashima had at age 18 during a family memorial gathering, the song was included on the November 1975 album “Jinrui” (Humanity) and released as a single in June 1976.

Also known as the jingle for the sake brand Kizakura, it became a major hit, reaching No.

9 on the Oricon weekly chart.

It is a gem I recommend to anyone who wants to face their heart honestly when confronted with life’s sorrow and poignancy.

The Last Holy NightSugiyama Kiyotaka55rank/position

Kiyotaka Sugiyama – Saigono Holy Night［OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO］

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.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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loveMatsuyama Chiharu56rank/position

Love

Known as one of Chiharu Matsuyama’s signature songs, this piece portrays the pain of heartbreak and the emotions of a woman.

It delicately expresses the complex feelings of a woman who continues to love despite being weary from romance.

Released in 1980 as his eighth single, it has since been included on various albums.

It appears on albums such as “Kishōtenketsu II” and “Tabidachi,” holding an important place throughout Matsuyama’s musical career.

Resonating with those who have experienced heartbreak or struggle with love, it’s a perfect choice for karaoke or acoustic guitar performances.