[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)
Premonition of Spring – I’ve been mellowMinami Saori
With the arrival of spring comes a buoyant feeling, captured in “Haruno Yokan – I’ve been mellow” by Saori Minami.
Released in 1978, this song evokes the gentle warmth of spring.
Written and composed by Ami Ozaki, it expresses that slightly giddy air unique to the season, and Minami’s crystalline vocals further heighten the mood.
It’s a classic that perfectly suits a spring when your heart feels light and dances.
If you lend your ear to Minami’s pure voice wrapped in a tender melody, you’ll find a moment that sinks deeply into your heart.
Azusa No. 2karyūdō
This is a classic song from 1977 that portrays love and parting in the city, heralding the arrival of spring.
It vividly conveys the protagonist’s state of mind as they, exhausted by urban life, decide to set off on a journey.
The Hunters’ striking harmonies blend beautifully with the powerful yet wistful melody composed by Shunichi Tokura and the delicate lyrics by Machiko Ryu.
After its release in March 1977, it reached No.
4 on the Oricon weekly chart and No.
15 on the year-end chart.
It also won the New Artist Award at the Japan Record Awards that same year, and has continued to be cherished as one of The Hunters’ signature songs.
It resonates deeply with those taking a new step forward or parting from someone dear.
Why not listen to it on a morning train, accompanied by the gentle scenery of spring?
Color · White BlendNagayama Miho
When it was released in 1986, Miho Nakayama was still just 15.
It’s a song that makes your heart skip a beat with her innocent, youthful vocals.
Chosen as the campaign song for a Shiseido commercial she appeared in, it became her first single to sell over 200,000 copies.
Mariya Takeuchi, who wrote the song, is said to have personally coached her on the English pronunciation and singing style in the lyrics.
The thrill of meeting your destined person and mustering the courage to reach out—hearing it may bring back memories of pure young love and leave some listeners feeling pleasantly ticklish with nostalgia.
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.