Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
The Showa era gave birth to a wide range of timeless hits.
With the global city pop boom and more, classic songs from the Showa era continue to attract attention today.
This time, we’ve handpicked especially cool tracks from among those Showa classics!
From the intense coolness of rock to the smooth coolness of city pop, we’ve selected standout songs from a variety of angles.
We’ve highlighted both male and female artists, so feel free to use this as a go-to list for karaoke as well!
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Cool songs from the Showa era: classic Showa masterpieces that shine with allure, passion, and rugged charm (11–20)
Dancing HeroOginome Yōko
A magical track that invites you into the world of disco! Released in November 1985, it became her first entry into the top 10 on the Oricon weekly chart.
You can almost picture the Cinderella boy racing across the dance floor in shimmering outfits and silver shoes.
The lyrics, depicting a dreamlike night, perfectly capture the free and liberating vibe of disco.
Paired with Yoko Oginome’s powerful vocals, it captivates every listener.
A massive hit with total sales of 700,000 copies, it remains beloved by many to this day.
Perfect for a weekend karaoke night with friends!
Lonely ChaplinSuzuki Kiyomi with Rats & Star
Here’s a cool Showa-era duet that keeps getting sung stylishly at sophisticated clubs and popular snack bars: the famous “Lonely Chaplin.” It’s also a hit on impression shows—seems like every impressionist loves to perform it.
Seimi Suzuki’s distinctive, Tina Turner–like look was a hot topic back then, too.
The powerful, female-perspective lyrics—basically “My ex is definitely coming back to me”—are awesome as well.
Might be fun to find a partner and perform it at a year-end or New Year’s party.
Silhouette RomanceOhashi Junko
Junko Ohashi is a singer known for her moody songs brimming with a sophisticated, adult atmosphere.
One of her signature tracks, “Silhouette Romance,” was released in 1981 and has been covered by numerous artists.
Its warm yet heartrending jazzy sound is truly moving.
Her comforting vocals, which embrace every emotion, are soothing as well.
Take in the alluring, female-perspective lyrics.
You can savor the beautiful melodies that colored the Showa era.
Body and soulDaun Taun Bugiugi Bando
The Downtown Boogie-Woogie Band’s classic “Mi mo Kokoro mo” (“Body and Soul”) has a cool, crying guitar intro.
The Downtown Boogie-Woogie Band, with their sunglasses and slicked-back pompadours, is a rock band overflowing with manly spirit.
“Mi mo Kokoro mo” is the title track of an album released in 1977, and it was the band’s first work recorded overseas.
It’s a rock ballad with vocals by Ryudo Uzaki that really moves the heart, and its plaintive minor-key sound resonates deeply.
Fill it in blackYazawa Eikichi
When it comes to Japan’s quintessential rock ’n’ roller, you can’t leave out Eikichi Yazawa.
The single he released in 1977, “Kuroku Nuritsubuse” (“Paint It Black”), is a high-velocity rock ’n’ roll track that was also included on his album “Doa o Agero,” which reached No.
2 on the Oricon charts.
Listening to Yazawa’s powerful vocals makes your self-doubt vanish and makes you feel like you can do anything.
In 1998, he self-covered the song on the album “SUBWAY EXPRESS,” remaking it with a modern sound that incorporates synthesizers and more.
Close your eyes and come here.BARBEE BOYS
A blockbuster hit by BARBEE BOYS, a rock band known for the striking twin vocals of KONTA and Kyoko.
Comedians RG and Onishi Tsubaki often sing it on TV, so I think it’s well known even among younger people.
The title “Close Your Eyes and Come Here,” which sounds ordinary now, was unusual at the time.
The lyrics—something like “Forget your ex-boyfriend, close your eyes, and come to me”—were truly at the cutting edge of urban rock.
KONTA’s thin-toned soprano sax, which appears in several songs, is insanely cool, and Kyoko sensually swaying to that sound is just mesmerizing.
I bet many people feel their youth is packed into this one track.
Cool songs from the Showa era: Classic hits from Showa where sensuality, passion, and rugged charm shine (21–30)
SHADOW CITYTerao Akira
Atsushi Terao continues to captivate us with performances brimming with intensity.
Whether in films, TV dramas, or even in brief supporting roles, he leaves an overwhelming presence that elevates every work.
Speaking of Terao’s music career, we remember countless Showa-era legends still talked about today, such as his record-setting consecutive No.
1s on The Best Ten with “Ruby no Yubiwa,” and having three songs simultaneously ranked in the top ten.
“SHADOW CITY,” Terao’s third single, is exceptional for a hit song in that the entire first verse has no lyrics and is sung in scat.
Its cool, composed melody evokes the sophistication of Showa-era adults—and it’s incredibly stylish.
It’s a Showa masterpiece that today’s young people should absolutely hear!