Catchy Showa-era commercial jingles. Introducing famous songs recently featured in commercials, too!
From the Showa era to the present day, countless commercials have aired, and among them are many catchy jingle songs that you just can’t get out of your head.
In this article, we’ll introduce not only original CM songs that were frequently heard back then, but also classic Showa-era hits that have been featured in commercials over the years.
We’ve selected tracks not only from Showa-era commercials, but also songs that were newly used in ads during the Heisei and Reiwa periods.
For those who remember the time, it’s nostalgic; for younger listeners, it feels fresh.
We’ve put together a playlist you can enjoy, so please have a great time exploring it.
- Commercial songs from the 70s. Nostalgic TV commercial jingles.
- [Nostalgic Commercials] A compilation of commercials that aired in the Showa era
- A must-see for people in their 30s and 40s! A roundup of nostalgic 1990s commercial jingles
- 80s commercial songs. A roundup of Japanese songs from the 80s that have been used in commercials.
- Catchy commercial jingles. A roundup of those songs grabbing attention in ads!
- Heartwarming nostalgic commercial jingles: a special collection of timeless hits that take you back.
- [I want to hear it again!] Songs from Suntory commercials. Popular commercial jingles
- Western songs from the 90s featured in commercials. A roundup of CM songs.
- Nostalgic commercials from the 2000s: revisiting ads that left a lasting impression
- [Classic Hits of the 70s] A Compilation of Western Songs Used in Commercials
- [From timeless classics to the latest hits] A roundup of catchy commercial songs
- Funny commercial song. Popular funny commercial songs.
- Classic enka songs featured in commercials, along with original CM tracks, introduced together!
Catchy Showa-era commercial jingles. Introducing classic hits recently featured in ads, too! (11–20)
Mirage ThemeGodaigo
This song was produced as the commercial theme for Mitsubishi Motors’ Mirage and released in 1977.
In addition to the Mirage commercial, it was also chosen as the theme song for the Mirage Bowl, an American football tournament.
The lyrics are entirely in English, and at first listen you might mistake it for a track by a Western artist.
It’s crafted as a friendly, pop-leaning rock song that incorporates piano sounds.
It’s a track I’d recommend to fans of Western rock from the ’70s to ’80s.
I can surely say that.Arai Yumi
Rina Uchiyama appeared in Asahi Soft Drinks’ Umacha commercials, and one of the ads that aired in 2002 featured Yumi Arai’s song “Kitto Ieru.” Many people likely remember the spot where the song plays over refreshing footage of Uchiyama playing badminton.
The track was released as a single in 1973 and is also included on the album Hikoki-gumo (A Flying Cloud).
The lyrics portray a woman who is about to confess a love she’s kept in her heart, and many listeners may relate to her mustering the courage to take that first step.
Chelsea’s SongShimonzu
This is the commercial jingle for Meiji’s popular candy Chelsea, which went on sale in 1971 and was discontinued in March 2024.
From its debut, when you thought of Chelsea commercials, you thought of “Chelsea no Uta.” It has been passed down through the years by many artists—including the duo Simmons as well as Garo, Saori Minami, and Junko Yagami—and can truly be called a classic Showa-era jingle.
It could be fun to compare the various versions of the jingle sung by different artists over the years.
Good Time for LoveWatanabe Sadao
When it comes to UCC commercials from the Showa era, many people probably think of the one featuring Sadao Watanabe—better known as Nabe-Sada.
He looks so relaxed, dapper, and cool in it.
The background music for the commercial uses his track “Good Time for Love.” Released in 1986, the song moves at a medium tempo with a ska and reggae vibe.
It’s incredibly pleasant to listen to—a relaxing tune that makes you want to gently sway your body.
awakeningIju Kayo
When it comes to Nescafé Gold Blend commercials, this song—famous for its “dabada”—is the one that comes to mind.
Used for many years since the Showa era, the song is titled “Mezame” (“Awakening”) and is sung by Kayo Iju.
The repeated “dabada” in the song is a vocal technique called scat, and when you think of Japanese songs that use scat, “Mezame” is likely the first to pop into your head.
Its beautiful melody is striking, and it remains one of the Showa era’s classic tunes that many people still remember.
HERO (The time to become a hero is now)Kai Band
In a commercial for Hattori Tokeiten featuring members of the Kai Band, their song “HERO (When You Become a Hero, The Time Is Now)” was used as the VFM.
Hattori Tokeiten was the predecessor of today’s Seiko.
This song, which later became one of their signature tracks, became a massive hit thanks to this commercial.
In fact, there’s a story that the ad was broadcast simultaneously on multiple TV stations at exactly midnight on January 1, 1979.
It was an incredibly impactful promotion—something almost unimaginable today.
Catchy Showa-era commercial jingles. Also featuring classic songs recently used in ads! (21–30)
Astro BoyTakasai Tatsuo
This content celebrates actor Masahiro Motoki’s 60th birthday, who has appeared for many years in commercials for Suntory’s green tea, Iyemon Tokucha.
Starting with the 2013 debut commercial for Tokucha, you can enjoy Motoki’s appearances over the years.
The song used in the commercial is the anime theme for Osamu Tezuka’s masterpiece Astro Boy.
It’s known that Tatsuo Takai completed the piece in about 15 minutes; the song is about the protagonist, Atom.
Using this track seems to further highlight Motoki’s ever-youthful energy.
Mone Kamishiraishi’s emotion-filled narration is wonderful as well.
