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)
Morning of PartingPedoro & Kapurishasu
Pedro & Capricious’s “Wakare no Asa” (Morning of Parting) was released in 1971 and is known as one of the group’s signature songs.
The original is “Was Ich Dir Sagen Will” by Austrian singer Udo Jürgens, to which Rei Nakanishi added Japanese lyrics for this version.
The sound leans strongly toward kayōkyoku, giving it a different vibe from the original, and over this powerful arrangement the sorrow of parting is sung.
Because the song conveys a kind of strength that tries to shake off loneliness, when it’s used in commercials it tends to create an impression of emphasizing the power to move forward.
Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB
This song captures the spirit of adventure in love and dreams, carried by a light, upbeat rhythm, and expresses the feeling of taking off into the unknown with a free spirit.
Crafted by Kome Kome Club, who blend a funky sound with a positive message, it was released in April 1990 and is known as one of the group’s signature works.
It also drew attention as the tie-in song for JAL’s “Okinawa Travel” campaign and topped the Oricon weekly chart.
With its highly entertaining, stage-ready flair, the track delivers a sense of exhilaration and refreshment, as if you’re soaring through the sky.
Even today, it remains a beloved song across generations.
Lonely Tropical FishWink
Panasonic’s commercial opens with a striking image: someone holding a stereo as the earphones trailing from it glide smoothly through the air.
It symbolically portrays the ever-evolving ways we enjoy music.
The earphones seem to move with intent, dancing to the rhythm in space, expressing how sound stays close to us—free and weightless.
Coloring the spot is Wink’s classic hit “Lonely Tropical Fish.” The bittersweet yet pop sensibility of this quintessential 1980s track harmonizes beautifully with the stylish movements and aesthetic of the visuals.
The direction and music, evoking both nostalgia and freshness, remind us of the comfort of feeling connected to sound.
Sinbad on the Shorepinku redii
Pink Lady’s “Nagisa no Sindbad” was released in 1977 and is known as one of their signature songs.
It topped Oricon’s year-end chart for 1977, and its frequent single reissues and tie-ins also attest to its popularity.
With a summer-themed feel, the song sets the life of a confident woman to a lively sound.
As a commercial jingle, it’s often paired with bright, cheerful visuals, and the song’s energy helps the overall impression feel positive.
Ngoma PartyWatanabe Sadao
This is a commercial where a construction worker, who happens to spot Sadao Watanabe riding a Yamaha Towny, can’t help but feel envious.
The way he observes every little detail with envy, and the confident way Watanabe responds, clearly conveys that this is a bike everyone admires.
The music used is Sadao Watanabe’s “Ngoma Party.” Its light, wind-instrument-infused sound is striking, and it perfectly evokes a refreshing, summery atmosphere.
With its structure that lets various instruments take turns in solo spots, the track exudes a joyful vibe.
Dance, fish.Yamashita Tatsuro
This commercial conveys the excitement of traveling and spending time in Okinawa through images of Yuriko Ishida enjoying the Okinawan sea.
With sunny skies, crystal-clear water, and her radiant smile layered over it all, it vividly and refreshingly portrays the fun of leisure and sports.
The song that further highlights the gentle exhilaration expressed in these visuals is Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Odoroyo, Fish” (“Let’s Dance, Fish”).
Its light rhythm paired with a soft, memorable melody, and the buoyant layering of sounds, all effectively communicate a sense of joy.
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.