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)
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.
Catchy Showa-era commercial jingles: introducing classic hits recently featured in ads (51–60)
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.
Original song
This commercial promotes the appeal of House Foods’ Kukure Curry set to a light, lively tune.
The phrase “Osechi is great, but curry is, too” drew particular attention, highlighting the deliciousness and convenience you can enjoy even during the New Year holiday.
The comical shot of a jubako box filled with Kukure Curry conveys a sense of approachable, smile-inducing flavor.
The original song used in the ad is bright and catchy to match the commercial’s mood, and many people probably still find it stuck in their heads today.
Original song
This commercial introduces Marudai Foods’ signature product, their hamburger steak, and conveys a sense of hearty satisfaction and nutrition.
It features a unique, fairy-tale-like world where a giant and children connect through hamburger steaks, with a cheerful song playing in the background that drew a lot of attention.
The giant’s phrase wishing for the children’s growth, “Grow big,” carries both strength and warmth.
The scat singing “Hiri-hiri-fure, Hiri-ho” is especially memorable—many people probably find themselves humming along without thinking.
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.
As long as the sun is in the skynishikino akira
Akira Nishikino’s “Sora ni Taiyō ga Aru Kagiri” was released in 1971 and has long been sung as one of his signature songs.
It’s a popular track—he even performed it on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen—and it’s often featured in nostalgic music specials, so it’s known across generations.
With a calm yet powerful sound that embodies classic kayōkyoku, the gentle lead vocal layered with chorus conveys a warm, uplifting positivity.
The recurring phrase “as long as there is [X]” stands out, and the song has sometimes been adapted into parody lyrics for commercials.
That familiarity, along with its approachable feel, seems to be a key part of its enduring appeal.
Sexual Violet No. 1Kuwana Masahiro
Masahiro Kuwana’s “Sexual Violet No.
1” was released in 1979 and is one of his signature songs.
The lyrics have a sexy vibe, seemingly singing about a man–woman relationship, and combined with the guitar-driven, powerful sound, they convey a unique, forceful image.
One reason the song became a hit was its use in a Kanebo commercial, which is said to have boosted Kuwana’s popularity.
The structure, with the title repeated in the chorus, leaves the song name firmly imprinted in your mind.