A collection of iconic, cool Showa-era kayōkyoku classics sung by male vocalists
Even now, well past the 2020s, classic Showa-era hits continue to draw attention not only in Japan but also from music fans and artists abroad.
As famous singers cover 80s city pop and quote it in their own songs, many younger music fans are finding themselves wanting to learn more about Showa-era pop.
In this article, we’ve compiled songs under the theme of “cool Showa-era tunes sung by men” from among the countless masterpieces of Showa kayo.
From sleek, urban tracks and rock numbers to mellow ballads, enjoy a wide range of “cool” Showa-era songs!
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
- Showa-era kayōkyoku: hit songs by male singers, classic masterpieces of Japanese popular music.
- [Songs from the Showa Era] Introducing classic tracks that are easy to sing at karaoke.
- Heart-touching, tear-jerking masterpieces from the Showa era
- Showa-era nostalgic songs: Popular ranking
- Songs Women Want Men to Sing: Popular Karaoke Picks Chosen by Girls
- Popular Showa-era pop. Timeless hit songs.
- Karaoke songs you’ll want to sing for men in their 70s: Enka and nostalgic Showa-era pop
- [Karaoke] Recommended Songs for Men in Their 80s: A Collection of Showa-Era Classics You’ll Want to Belt Out
- [Classic Showa Kayō Hits] The captivating Showa-era pop songs beloved even by younger generations
- Must-see for men: Songs that look cool if you can sing them at karaoke—numbers that women can’t help but be captivated by.
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Masterpieces for Karaoke — Male Singers Edition
- Timeless classics only! Showa-era hit songs perfect for acoustic sing-alongs
Compilation of cool classic Showa-era kayōkyoku masterpieces sung by male vocalists (1–10)
SPARKLEYamashita Tatsuro
Singer-songwriter Tatsuro Yamashita has enjoyed enduring popularity thanks to his distinctive voice and refined musical sensibility.
He is known worldwide and is famous as a leading figure of city pop.
His song “SPARKLE” is a work that lets you fully savor his brand of city pop.
While it’s unmistakably city pop, the vocals strongly reflect elements of Black music, which makes it fairly challenging to sing.
However, if you can deliver it well, I believe you can achieve the kind of glamour associated with overseas artists.
A long nightMatsuyama Chiharu
This song can be considered a quintessential example of cool Showa-era kayōkyoku sung by a male vocalist.
Known as a leading figure in folk music, Chiharu Matsuyama boldly transformed his style into a rock-oriented sound with this ambitious work, released in 1981.
Featuring passionate lyrics and a powerful arrangement, it vividly captures the emotions of a heart swayed by love.
It became Matsuyama’s biggest hit, selling a total of 866,000 copies.
While described as an “unconventional rock song,” it won over many fans.
Nail the soaring melody in the chorus, and it’s guaranteed to fire up any karaoke crowd!
one piece of musicMurata Kazuhito
Kazuhito Murata was a singer-songwriter active from the late 1970s through the 1980s.
He was known for his bright, solid vocal timbre—reminiscent of Akira Fuse and Kiyohiko Ozaki—and boasted outstanding singing ability.
One of his signature works is “Ippon no Ongaku” (“One Piece of Music”).
While not exactly city pop, it’s quite close in style, with a smooth vibe throughout.
If you’re good at Tatsuro Yamashita’s “RIDE ON TIME,” you’ll likely find this song easy to sing—so give it a try.
La Vie en RoseYoshikawa Koji
Kouji Kikkawa is an artist who is also active as an actor.
His legendary duo with Tomoyasu Hotei, COMPLEX, still enjoys steadfast popularity among many fans today.
One track that’s packed with Kikkawa’s charm is La Vie en Rose.
Although he has a strong rock image, if you listen closely, you’ll notice his vocals are soft and sweet.
When you sing it yourself, try to avoid belting or singing roughly; aim for smooth vocals like his.
You are in full color.Ohtaki Eiichi
Known as a masterpiece by Eiichi Ohtaki, this work shines brilliantly in the history of Japanese pop music.
Released as a single in March 1981, it was also included on the album “A LONG VACATION.” Takashi Matsumoto’s carefully crafted lyrics blend beautifully with Ohtaki’s sophisticated melodies, delicately portraying lingering attachments to a lost love and the beauty of its memories.
It’s also fascinating that, although the chorus was originally planned to be raised by a whole step, the creators ended up lowering only the chorus’s key due to the awkward feel when paired with the lyrics—an unusual production choice.
With its urbane, stylish atmosphere, this song is recommended for those who want to savor the bittersweetness and nostalgia of romance.