![[Nostalgic Hits] Smash Hits with the Showa Generation! Classic and Popular Songs Sung by Female Vocalists](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/HaqiC3y-VAM/maxresdefault.webp)
Saying “Those were the good old days” might make you feel a bit old—but honestly, there are times when remembering the past really does make you happy, right?
The TV shows you watched when you were young, the streets you walked, and the music you listened to…
In this article, I’ve put together a list of nostalgic Showa-era hit songs sung by female artists.
Feel free to reminisce about the past, find fresh motivation—and of course, use it as a reference for your next karaoke selection!
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[Nostalgic Songs] Hits with the Showa Generation! Masterpieces and Popular Songs Sung by Female Singers (1–10)
Lullaby of the Holy MothersIwasaki Hiromi
This is one of Hiromi Iwasaki’s signature songs, noted for its tear-jerkingly beautiful melody and lyrics that resonate with the heart.
Released in May 1982, it was used as the first ending theme for Tuesday Suspense Theatre.
The theme centers on maternal love that gently envelops men fighting in the big city.
After its release, it topped the Oricon singles chart and became a major hit, selling over 800,000 copies.
It also won the 13th Japan Song Award.
A masterpiece where Iwasaki’s outstanding vocal prowess harmonizes perfectly with Keisuke Yamakawa’s heartwarming lyrics.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you wish to feel deep love for someone special.
applausechiaki naomi
Known as an iconic song representing the Showa era, this piece is also deeply engraved in fans’ hearts as one of Naomi Chiaki’s signature songs.
Released in September 1972, it created a major sensation, winning the Japan Record Award that same year.
The lyrics, which depict the dazzling figure of a singer on stage and the deep sorrow hidden behind the scenes, move many listeners.
The contrast between outward glamour and inner loneliness is brilliantly conveyed through Naomi Chiaki’s voice.
When you want to feel both the joys and sorrows of life at the same time, why not listen to this song? It will surely resonate with your heart.
youKozaka Akiko
A masterpiece that sings of wistful, pure love, its lyrics and melody seep deeply into the listener’s heart.
When it was released in 1973, it instantly became a social phenomenon.
Remarkably, she was only 16 years old when this massive hit came out.
It’s said that the song was written with thoughts for her future spouse.
The way it charmingly depicts a dream of a happy family life in a small home is truly endearing.
It’s a song that brings back memories of that bittersweet first love almost everyone has experienced.
It’s great for karaoke, and also highly recommended to listen to with someone special.
foreignerKUBOTA Saki
Kubota Saki’s debut single, released on October 1, 1979.
It was used in commercials for Sanyo Electric’s “Kukkiri Tate 7” color TV and for solar power.
Hailing from Kunitachi City, Kubota is said to have written the song in a spontaneous moment while riding the Chuo Line.
The scenery of children playing as seen from the train is woven into the lyrics.
Its exotic melody and wistful vocals move our hearts, don’t they? A timeless classic that never fades.
Lost roadWatanabe Machiko
Watanabe Machiko’s debut song, cherished to this day as a classic of the Showa era for its crystalline vocals and heartfelt lyrics.
Released in November 1977, the track drew major attention, even ranking on The Best Ten.
It portrays the delicate emotions of a woman who, while looking back on a past love, tries to face forward—resonating with many listeners.
Watanabe worked on the song while repeatedly traveling between Yokosuka and Tokyo, and it’s said she came up with a lyric phrase from a curve near Kanazawa-Bunko Station.
In 1996, it was featured in a Toyota commercial, making it popular across generations.
It’s the perfect song for times when you feel lost in life or want to reflect on the past.
Memory PillowKosaka Kyoko
This classic song of aching love is brought back to life by Kyoko Kosaka’s translucent voice.
Released in May 1975, it became a massive hit, selling over 1.3 million copies.
It delicately portrays a woman’s feelings as she recalls memories of her lover alongside the pain of heartbreak.
Scenes of her singing the song he loved or drinking alone convey emotions that anyone can relate to.
It’s a song that gently stays with you on nights when you feel like remembering someone dear.
Sinbad on the Shorepinku redii
This is the fourth single by Pink Lady, the idol duo that swept across Japan in the late 1970s.
Written by Yū Aku and composed by Shunichi Tokura, this lavishly crafted song became their first million-selling hit upon its release in June 1977.
Set against a summer seaside backdrop, it portrays the complex feelings of a woman who becomes captivated by a charming man.
Sweet moments under a beach umbrella, the thrill of surfing, and nighttime dates—all the heart-fluttering scenes of a summer romance unfold one after another.
It’s a perfect song for anyone who wants to relive summer memories while feeling the fresh sea breeze and the excitement of love.
From the northern innMiyako Harumi
This masterpiece, whose lyrics portray a woman’s loneliness and lingering attachment, resonates deeply thanks to Harumi Miyako’s powerful vocals.
Through the image of a woman knitting a sweater, it depicts her thoughts for the lover who has left.
Released in 1975, the song was a massive hit, selling over 1.4 million copies.
In 1976, it won the Japan Record Award and became one of Miyako’s signature songs.
The melody evokes the quiet beauty of the northern provinces, perfectly matched by Miyako’s deeply expressive voice.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you need to heal the pain of heartbreak or reflect on someone dear.
It’s also very popular at karaoke, so why not give it a try?
Sailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hiroko
This was Hiroko Yakushimaru’s debut single, portraying a girl taking her first steps into the adult world.
Released in November 1981, it became a major hit as the theme song for the film of the same name.
It sold around 1.2 million copies on the Oricon charts and ranked second on the 1982 year-end list.
Its distinguishing features are a pure, clear vocal tone and a simple arrangement.
The lyrics are memorable for framing parting not as something sad, but as a source of hope for the future.
Centered on the themes of a girl’s growth and transformation, the song feels like an anthem of encouragement, expressing the latent strength of youth and the will to set out on a new journey.
Highly recommended for anyone about to take a new step forward.
lover; mistress; extramarital partnerTeresa Ten
A heartrending love song that portrays the inner feelings of a woman who lives for love.
It’s a track by the popular Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng, released in 1985 as her 15th single.
As one of her signature works, it won the Japan Cable Radio Awards.
Even knowing it’s a forbidden love, she can’t stop thinking about it… Perhaps only she could sing so gracefully of such wavering emotions.
How about listening to it and reminiscing about a past romance?
