Nostalgic yet new! Hit songs from the Showa era you’ll want to use as BGM
In recent years, Japanese city pop has been rediscovered worldwide, and revival hits have been emerging on social media like TikTok.
Classic songs that colored the Showa era are resonating with younger generations.
For those who lived through that era, songs that feel nostalgic might, conversely, feel fresh to listeners today.
This time, we’re introducing recommended tracks from the Showa period that are perfect as background music!
We’ve curated a list that people of all ages can enjoy, so be sure to check it out!
Nostalgic yet new! Hit songs born in the Showa era that we want you to use as BGM (1–10)
I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu
As a quintessential song of the Showa era, this piece has continued to be loved across generations.
Its lyrics, imbued with a strong resolve to keep walking forward even while holding back tears, carry a message that resonates with many.
Released in 1961, it made a major impact both in Japan and abroad.
In the United States in particular, it became known under the title “SUKIYAKI” and achieved the remarkable feat of reaching No.
1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
With Kyu Sakamoto’s warm vocals perfectly matched to its melodious tune, this work is an ideal pick-me-up when you’re feeling down or need a boost.
It’s a masterpiece Japan can proudly share with the world, and one that listeners of any generation should hear.
High School LullabyImokin Torio
This was the debut single by Imo Kin Trio, who took Japan by storm in 1981.
With lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto and composition/arrangement by Haruomi Hosono, the track features distinctive programmed sounds influenced by YMO’s musical style.
It captured the hearts of young people at the time, topping The Best Ten for eight consecutive weeks as a quintessential youth anthem.
The lyrics, depicting snapshots of high school life—like unrequited love and after-school moments—offer a charm that blends nostalgia with freshness.
As background music, it would be a perfect number to open a school or cultural festival.
metropoliskurisutaru kingu
Released in 1979, this song is known as Crystal King’s signature work.
It features powerful, soaring twin vocals and passionately conveys a strong will and hope in the pursuit of boundless dreams.
It became a million seller and sparked a huge reaction, dominating the charts at No.
1 for six consecutive weeks.
The piece delicately portrays the harshness of urban life and the emotions of those who chase their dreams, and its universal themes resonate with many.
Frequently used in commercials and covered by numerous artists, it has continued to be loved across generations; notably, since March 2018 it has been featured in Kirin Beer’s “Nodogoshi ZERO” commercial.
I’ll wait.amin
The duo Aming, who brought a fresh breeze to the Showa-era folk-pop scene, still capture the hearts of many listeners today.
Their debut single, released in July 1982, was a massive hit—topping the Oricon weekly chart for six consecutive weeks and becoming the best-selling single of the year.
Known for its bittersweet lyrics about unrequited love and refreshingly clear harmonies, it’s a song almost everyone in Japan has heard at least once.
The track has also been featured in numerous commercials, including those for Toyota and NTT Docomo.
This timeless classic beloved across generations is also a great choice to sing at karaoke.
Stranger – Theme of the Silk RoadKUBOTA Saki
A song known for its exotic resonance and mysterious atmosphere.
Released in October 1979 as Saki Kubota’s debut single, it gradually gained popularity.
It was also used in a Sanyo Electric commercial, and in December of the same year it reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
The record became a massive hit, surpassing one million copies sold.
Centered on the theme of heartbreak, the song expresses the feeling of being in a foreign land and the loneliness that comes from having a sensibility different from those around you.
It also carries a hopeful message that time will heal emotional wounds.
The sound of the hammered dulcimer, a traditional folk instrument, is particularly striking, making this a recommended track for those who want to savor a richly exotic mood.
Paradise GalaxyHikaru GENJI
A song that celebrates dreams and imagination is known as one of Hikaru Genji’s signature works.
Its fantastical lyrics and dynamic melody weave a world that seems to free listeners from reality.
Released in March 1988, it enjoyed a 25-week run on the Oricon charts and won the 30th Japan Record Award.
Riding the roller-skate boom of the time, the song captured the hearts of a wide audience, from children to adults.
Balancing nostalgia with freshness, it’s a perfect track for anyone looking to soothe a weary heart or rekindle pure dreams.
Lullaby of the Holy MothersIwasaki Hiromi
A signature song by Hiromi Iwasaki, notable for its refined melody and wistful atmosphere.
Chosen as the first ending theme for the TV drama series “Tuesday Suspense Theater,” this 28th single was released in May 1982 and became a massive hit, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
The lyrics liken the city to a battlefield and sing of profound maternal love for the men who fight there, conveying the nobility of unconditional love.
It’s a famous song that almost everyone has heard at least once, making it a classic Showa-era tune that can get any generation excited at karaoke.