Can't Stop the Sentimentality! Emo Songs Released in the Showa Era
“Emoi,” a youth slang term that describes a state of tender, bittersweet, or nostalgic feeling.
The word itself is modern, but songs that could be called emoi have surely existed in every era.
So this time, we’re introducing emoi songs released in the Showa period.
We’ve selected tracks from various angles—songs with emotional lyrics distinct from today’s style, and arrangements that reflect the era—so we hope you enjoy them.
Can't stop the sentimentality! Emo songs released in the Showa era (1–10)
STILL LOVE HER (A Lost Landscape)TM NETWORK
This TM NETWORK song is notable for its wistful melody and heartrending lyrics.
Included on the album “CAROL ~A DAY IN A GIRL’S LIFE 1991~,” it was also used as the ending theme for the anime City Hunter 2.
The lyrics, which depict scenes of London, evoke feelings of a lost love.
Released in December 1988, the track was created by Tetsuya Komuro and Naoto Kine, and features Kine’s distinctive harmonica solo.
Built on synthesizers with a ballad-like tone, it’s a quintessential TM NETWORK piece that fuses a digital pop sound with emotionally rich melodies.
It’s a recommended song for those troubled by love or when you want to remember someone special.
The Days of Rainbows and Sneakerschūrippu
Released as an approachable piece of Japanese pop during the transition from the Showa to the Heisei era, this Tulip song resonates with lyrics that capture youthful innocence and the fragility of relationships.
Through symbolic motifs like sneakers and rainbows, it beautifully conveys the transience of youth.
Released in July 1979 and selling over 500,000 copies in total, the work marked a major turning point for the band.
Filled with scenes that anyone can relate to, it evokes bittersweet memories of youth in those who listen.
SWEET MEMORIESMatsuda Seiko
Seiko Matsuda is known as a representative idol of the 1980s and is still an active and prolific singer-songwriter today.
Originally included as the B-side to her 14th single “Glass no Ringo” (Glass Apple), this song became widely popular after being featured in a Suntory CAN Beer commercial.
With lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto and music by Haruomi Hosono, it was released in August 1983.
The lyrics, which look back on a past romance and sing of its bittersweet pain and beauty, resonate deeply with listeners.
Expressing the feeling of overcoming the pain of heartbreak and accepting the past as a sweet memory, it stands as an emotional ballad emblematic of the Showa era.
BAN BAN BANKuwata Keisuke
This is the debut single by KUWATA BAND, known for its upbeat sound and bittersweet lyrics.
Used in a Shiseido commercial, the song was released in April 1986 and spent 13 consecutive weeks in the Oricon Top 20.
Showcasing Keisuke Kuwata’s outstanding songwriting and composition, it expresses the pain of heartbreak and lingering feelings for past love through a blend of English and Japanese.
Its lyrics, portraying a fleeting summer romance, resonate deeply with listeners.
In 2022, it was also featured in a UNIQLO commercial, continuing to be cherished across generations.
It’s a recommended track for moments when you want to feel the ache of a breakup or reminisce about summer memories.
Stardust StageChekkāzu
The Checkers’ fourth single, released in 1984, was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Uchi no Ko ni Kagitte…”.
The lyrics delicately portray the feelings of a protagonist who continues to chase their dreams to keep a promise to a lost loved one, and are sure to resonate with many listeners.
The song earned high acclaim, topping the Oricon chart and ranking eighth on the year-end chart for 1984.
This emotional number is recommended for those who want to empathize with the ache of unrequited love and the feelings that follow a parting.
A street corner where even lovers get wetNakamura Masatoshi
This is a song that portrays a mature romance set against the backdrop of Yokohama.
Masatoshi Nakamura’s deep, rugged vocals are a perfect match for the erotic lyrics crafted by Keisuke Kuwata of Southern All Stars.
Released in September 1982, the track vividly reflects the atmosphere of Yokohama at the time, with iconic scenery woven into the lyrics as part of its charm.
The lyrics delicately capture the bittersweet emotions of lovers on a rainy street corner, resonating deeply with listeners.
It’s a recommended track for those who want to feel the complex emotions unique to adult relationships and the passion sparked by a fleeting, one-night encounter.
Embraced by the wintry windKoizumi Kyoko
The 20th single by Kyoko Koizumi, who is active across a wide range of fields from idol to actress.
Chosen as the theme song for the film “Don’t Mess With My Woman,” the track was written and composed by Toshihiko Takamizawa of THE ALFEE.
The lyrics, themed around the bittersweet unrequited love felt with the arrival of the cold season, delve deeply into the inner world of a heart in love and portray the pain of feelings that cannot reach their destination.
There are various versions of this work, including an arrangement close to the demo tape that used bagpipes, which is included on the album “Hippies.” It’s an emotional number with a nostalgic Showa-era flavor, perfect for listening alone on a long winter’s night.