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: Featuring classic songs recently used in ads (41–50)
A café in a student districtGARO
GARO’s “Gakuseigai no Kissaten” (Coffee Shop in the Student District) is a highly popular song included on their 1972 album GARO2, and it was also released as a single.
Although it was initially placed on the B-side at the time of the single’s release, it caught on thanks to radio promotion and went on to become regarded as GARO’s biggest hit.
The song evokes a scene set in a coffee shop in a student neighborhood, and its sound and melody—tinged with a certain darkness—are especially memorable.
When the track is used in commercials, the focus often falls on the “student” aspect, drawing on the lyrics to convey a strong sense of nostalgia.
Kanda Riverkaguya hime
Kaguya-hime’s “Kandagawa,” released in 1973, became a hit thanks to lyrics that resonate like looking back on memories with a lover.
A key point is that the words are partly based on true experiences, and real place names appear, which gives the lyrics a sense of realism.
The sound features a gentle timbre that’s quintessential folk, conveying both the wistfulness and warmth of reminiscing.
As for commercial use, it was featured in an ad for Takara Shochu’s Jun Legend with Kosetsu Minami appearing; paired with smiling visuals, the overall impression emphasizes warmth more than sadness.
At HomeNakajima Miyuki
Miyuki Nakajima’s “Home nite (At the Platform)” is a song included on the B-side of the single “Wakare Uta,” released in 1977.
Despite being a B-side, it gained popularity thanks to numerous tie-ins, including being used as insert music for the drama “From the North Country” (Kita no Kuni Kara).
Set to a quiet, acoustic guitar–centered sound, it depicts the scene of a train platform bound for one’s hometown, imbued with both loneliness and warmth.
It was also used in a JR East commercial as a CM song; as a track themed around train stations, it conveys a warm atmosphere that evokes thoughts of one’s hometown.
To say goodbyebiriibanban
Billy BanBan’s “Sayonara o Suru Tame ni” (“To Say Goodbye”) is a song released in 1972 as the theme for the TV drama “3-Chome 4-Banchi.” Thanks to this song, they made their first appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and it was even included in music textbooks, making it one of Billy BanBan’s signature tracks that garnered attention in many ways.
Its gentle, characteristically Billy BanBan sound and poignant lyrics themed around farewell make it especially appealing.
As a commercial jingle, it was used in ads for Sanwa Shurui’s iichiko shochu, where the expansive sound underscores and promotes the depth of iichiko.
Sexual Violet No. 1Kuwana Masahiro
Masahiro Kuwana was a singer who flourished not only as a musician but also as an actor, TV personality, and entrepreneur across a wide range of fields.
His fourth single, “Sexual Violet No.
1,” created under the concept of making a ‘Hideki Saijo of the rock world,’ was featured in a Kanebo campaign commercial and became a massive hit.
The commercial’s imagery—conveying that women are beautiful no matter the setting—paired with Kuwana’s sensual vocals likely captivated the eyes and ears of many viewers.
It stands as a classic of the Showa era, representing the popular music scene at the height of rock kayō’s golden age.
youthMorita Kōichi to Toppugyaran
Koichi Morita and Top Gallant’s “Seishun Jidai” (Youthful Days) was released in 1976 and gained popularity for its skillful portrayal of the feelings of youth.
The group also performed the song on the NHK New Year’s Eve music show Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and it continues to be remembered as one of their signature tracks.
The sound has the light touch of group sounds, and the overlap between this buoyant feel and the youthful lyrics vividly evokes a fulfilling youth.
The song was also used in a Sumitomo Trust commercial, which gives the impression of aligning with the idea of building toward the future.
The season the sun gave usaoi sankakujougi
Aoi Sankakujōgi’s “Taiyō ga Kureta Kisetsu” was released in 1972 and drew attention for being used as the theme song for the drama “Tobidase! Seishun.” With this song, they won the Newcomer Award at the Japan Record Awards and even appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, making it one of Aoi Sankakujōgi’s signature tracks.
The lyrics strongly evoke youth, expressing the struggles that come with being young, set to the gentle sound of folk music.
As for commercials, it has been used in spots like the Lake (consumer finance) ads featuring the comedy duo Chidori; its wistful melody is deliberately paired with comedic visuals to create a striking contrast.