Popular wedding songs by generation

Will you marry me?Niinuma Kenji

Kenji Niinuma - Won't You Be My Bride (cover)

This is a song released by Kenji Niinuma in 1976, with lyrics by Yū Aku and music by Makoto Kawaguchi.

Depicting the marriage views of a simple country youth, the song won the New Artist Award at the 18th Japan Record Awards and the Newcomer Music Award on the broadcast of the 7th Japan Kayō Awards.

It is one of Kenji Niinuma’s signature songs, with which he made his first appearance at the 27th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1976.

younger boykyandīzu

Candy Maker from SUPER☆GiRLS / Younger Boy

It was released in 1975 as Candies’ fifth single.

It became their first hit and the first of their songs to make the top 10 on the Oricon charts.

Thanks to this success, they made their debut appearance at the 26th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen at the end of 1975.

The song is also often performed at weddings with parody lyrics.

Be my bride.Kayama Yūzō

Yuzo Kayama – Come Be My Bride

This is a song released by Yuzo Kayama in 1966, and on November 20 of the same year, a kayō film based on the song was released.

It’s a tune almost everyone has heard at least once and has been covered by many artists.

It evokes images of the vast ocean and an affectionate couple.

It is a beloved classic and one of Yuzo Kayama’s signature songs.

Let’s get married.yoshida takurou

Takuro Yoshida – Let’s Get Married

This is a song released by Takuro Yoshida in 1972, regarded as a work that propelled folk music into the mainstream and has even been called the “origin of J-pop.” Its lyrics—featuring a proposal from the man’s perspective and colorful wording—were groundbreaking for the time.

In June of that year, Yoshida held his wedding in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, just as described in the lyrics.

cosmos (flower)Yamaguchi Momoe

Cosmos - Momoe Yamaguchi - Cosmos

Released in 1977 as Momoe Yamaguchi’s 19th single.

The lyrics and music were written by Masashi Sada, and the song marked a new direction for Yamaguchi—who had previously recorded many tough, rebellious-style tracks—by highlighting a more feminine side.

It’s a song about a daughter about to marry, reflecting on her mother.

It won the Vocal Performance Award at the 19th Japan Record Awards and remains a classic frequently covered by many artists today.

Anemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)kawanaka miyuki

Nirinso / Miyuki Kawanaka with Lyrics

This is a song released by Miyuki Kawanaka in 1998, which won both the Excellent Work Award and the Arrangement Award at the 40th Japan Record Awards.

Starting with her appearance at the 49th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen that same year, she has performed this song four times on the program.

Widely regarded as one of Kawanaka’s signature songs, it likens a married couple living life together to the blooming “twinflower” (Nirin-sou).

I want to protect youMatsutōya Yumi

I Want to Protect You – Yumi Matsutoya (Full)

It was released in 1989 as Yumi Matsutoya’s 17th single.

The song was written specifically as the theme for the film “Nerawareta Gakuen,” reached No.

2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, and won the Grand Prize at TBS’s 1st Japan Composer Awards.

It has been covered by many artists and is considered one of Yumi Matsutoya’s signature songs.