[Spring Songs Born in the Showa Era] A Curated Selection of Kayōkyoku That Colored the Times and Timeless Classics Still Sung Today
When the first reports of cherry blossoms start to arrive, is there a melody you find yourself humming without thinking?Spring is a season of meetings and partings, and also the time when many masterpieces were born.In the Shōwa era, songs that colored spring were delivered without cease—from the lyrical prewar pieces, to the energetic kayōkyoku of the high-growth years, and on to dazzling pops.Nostalgic spring songs from Shōwa continue to resonate in many hearts across generations even today.In this article, we introduce a wide range of springtime songs born in the Shōwa period, from kayōkyoku that capture the spirit of their times to timeless gems still sung today.Please enjoy them as you picture the scenes from back then!
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[Spring Songs Born in the Showa Era] Carefully Selected Kayokyoku That Colored the Times & Timeless Classics Still Sung Today (41–50)
Spring La! La! La!Ishino Mako
It was Mako Ishino’s eighth single, released in 1980.
The arrangement is quintessentially that of a classic Showa-era idol song, and Ishino’s equally Showa-idol-style vocals are very striking.
Listening to it again now, in 2022, it actually sounds refreshingly new! Both the melody and the lyrics give you a full sense of a bright and joyful spring.
Please enjoy this Showa-era classic themed around spring!
Hee, hee, hee, hee,EPO
“Ooh, hoo, hoo, hoo”—just the title alone makes you smile, doesn’t it? This irresistibly upbeat song radiates excitement.
It’s singer-songwriter EPO’s fifth single.
After gaining attention as a Shiseido cosmetics campaign jingle, it went on to be used in seven other companies’ commercials, and nearly 40 years after its release, it was even featured in a 2022 McDonald’s ad! The song’s enduring popularity as a commercial tune is astounding.
Are you managing to spend your days joyfully, laughing lightly like in this song?
A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe
This is a classic from the Showa era whose wistful vocals and melancholy melody touch the heart.
It was produced as a campaign song to promote travel by the then Japanese National Railways, and sold 536,000 copies—second only to Momoe Yamaguchi’s biggest hit, “Yokosuka Story.” The song portrays a poignant tale of leaving one’s current place, setting out for somewhere new while holding on to childhood memories.
There’s also an anecdote that Shinji Tanimura, who wrote the lyrics and composed the music, remarked that it was “not the kind of song to be sung at celebratory occasions,” in response to it often being performed at celebrations.
You are more beautiful than a rose.Fuse Akira
Akira Fuse’s signature song, which over the years has become a classic everyone can hum.
It vividly portrays a man’s emotions as he’s astonished by how a woman he hasn’t seen in a long time has changed, yet is captivated by her beauty.
The sophisticated sound crafted by Godiego’s Mickey Yoshino blends perfectly with Fuse’s powerful yet delicate vocals to create a superb track.
Released in January 1979, it was used in a Kanebo Cosmetics commercial.
It reached No.
8 on the Oricon weekly chart at the time and led to four appearances on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
This gem of a love song is recommended for those who want to feel the joy of a heart-stirring reunion with the arrival of spring, or who wish to bask in memories with someone special.
Northern SpringSen Masao
Masao Sen’s smash hit Hokuguni no Haru (Spring in the Northern Country), released in 1977, is memorable for its lyrics that evoke a deep longing for home.
With watercolor-like vividness, it paints spring scenes—blue skies, southern breezes, cherry blossoms—conveying the bittersweet feelings of a protagonist who dreams of returning to a distant hometown.
Stepping away from the bustle of the city, it captures those moments when one suddenly yearns for the warmth of home.
This piece carries a rich resonance perfectly suited to the start of spring.
A song that truly touches the heart, it’s a masterpiece best savored in a room bathed in spring light.
Words of FarewellKaientai
When it comes to spring graduation songs, I imagine many people of a certain age think of this track.
Released in 1979, it was used as the theme song for the TV drama “Mr.
Kinpachi in Class 3B” starring Tetsuya Takeda, so it has a strong association with graduation songs.
In reality, though, it’s a song about being dumped by a woman.
It’s said to have been influenced by the James Dean film East of Eden, and if you listen and compare, the shared atmosphere really comes through—it’s quite interesting.
See you.o nyanko kurabu
When it comes to graduation songs, it’s common for them to be solemn or moving.
Onyanko Club’s “Jaane” broke that convention as a bright, lighthearted farewell song that won support not only from fans but from many people at large.
It became their first number one on the Oricon chart and the best-selling single in the group’s history.
“Why do we end up mourning graduation as if it were a farewell forever?” “We’ll still be friends from here on out…” Its upbeat sound and positive lyrics make you realize something so simple and true.