Showa-era masterpieces roundup: A must-listen collection of nostalgic oldies and hit songs
In the Showa era, countless masterpieces were created across genres, from pop kayokyoku to enka.
Many of them are still loved today, and we have plenty of chances to hear them.
In recent years, it’s not uncommon for Showa-era songs to experience a revival hit, and I think many younger listeners are also interested in these classics.
In this article, we’d like to reintroduce a generous selection of Showa masterpieces.
We’ve gathered many songs from various genres, so please take your time and give them a careful listen.
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Showa Masterpieces Compilation: A Must-Listen Collection of Nostalgic Tunes and Hit Songs (’71–’80)
The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko
Released in 1972 as Rumiko Koyanagi’s fourth single, this song blends a woman’s resolve and loneliness as she marries into life on a Seto Inland Sea island, and her gentle, conversational vocals resonated with many women.
The lyrics are also striking for the way they evoke the beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.
MasqueradeShonentai
This is the song that shot straight to No.
1 on the Oricon chart with Shonentai’s debut single.
It became their biggest hit from the very start.
It won numerous newcomer awards in various competitions, catapulting the name Shonentai into the spotlight.
Even now, it’s a song people can liven up a party with by imitating the dance.
SherryOzaki Yutaka
The man’s raw, unvarnished confession—suggesting he has lived with a piercing glare to protect his delicate heart—overflows with a vitality that seems to sweep away anxiety, fear, and cynicism alike.
Before I know it, I find myself rooting for him, and also discovering a version of myself that urges me not to remain a mere bystander.
Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko
Released in 1987, the song gained popularity among younger generations after Kuniko Yamada and Korokke performed impersonations of it, leading to even greater success.
It was performed three times at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, and even after Chiyoko Shimakura’s passing, it has continued to be beloved as the train arrival chime at Keikyu Aomonoyokocho Station.
road; way; path; street; route; Tao (in philosophy)Shiga Masaru
Though rough in language, this song weaves in the moral code of Japan’s good old days and portrays the masculine ethos that existed in the Showa era, when fathers commanded respect.
It’s a piece dedicated to today’s society—where we’ve lost the ability to distinguish the stern love of a beloved, stubborn father from the mere grumbling of a cranky old man.