Unrequited love songs from the Showa era. Those nostalgic classics.
In this article, we introduce unrequited love songs from the Showa era.
If you spent your youth around the time these were released, you’ll likely find many nostalgic tracks.
You might even rediscover a song you listened to when you were in love and feel those forgotten emotions return.
Some are love songs that portray impossible romances and heartbreak, but if you’re looking for Showa-era unrequited love songs, be sure to give these a listen.
No matter your generation, if you’ve experienced love, you’re sure to find at least one song you can relate to.
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Unrequited Love Songs from the Showa Era: Those Nostalgic Classics (11–20)
Summer Days of 1993class
This is a gem of a ballad, colored by a refreshing acoustic sound and a melody that lingers in the heart.
It delicately portrays the subtle emotional shifts from friendship to romance, resulting in a song that gently embraces a love that suddenly blossoms.
class released this as their debut single in April 1993, and it was used as the opening theme for “Kimi to Itsumademo” and as a commercial song for Saison Card.
It was also included on the albums “Mellow Prism” and “CLASSIX,” and became a massive hit, selling over 1.7 million copies.
Fifteen years later, in 2008, an answer song—effectively a continuation of the story—was released.
It’s a recommended track for those who want to look back on memories with someone dear, or who resonate with the secret feelings of love held for a long-time friend.
A piece of youKahara Tomomi
This is a moving ballad released in October 2001 as Tomomi Kahara’s 20th single.
As her first ballad after returning from a hiatus, her expressiveness has gained even greater depth.
The lyrics portray a prayer-like resolve: holding on to the memory of a lost loved one while trying to face forward through the heartache.
Kahara’s clear, translucent voice further enhances those delicate emotions.
The song was used as the ending theme for the NHK Friday period drama “Goben no Tsubaki” and was also included on the album “Love Again.” It’s a gem of a track—gentle and embracing—perfect for nights when you want to quietly reflect on precious memories.
Bus StopTaira Koji
This song, which portrays the feelings of a woman who calls her romance a mistake and resolves to step back precisely because she loves her partner, uses the familiar setting of a bus stop as its stage.
By doing so, it creates the effect of letting us vividly experience her state of mind as she cuts her past self off and moves toward the future.
clownNakajima Miyuki
This is a masterpiece by Miyuki Nakajima, whose melancholy waltz melody seeps deep into the heart.
Released in September 1979 as part of the single “Revival,” the song portrays a protagonist bound by unforgettable memories of love, trying to dull the pain with alcohol.
The way they hide their true sorrow and carry themselves with composure makes them seem like a lonely clown.
The piece is also known as a song provided to actor Jinhachi Nezu and has been covered by artists such as Naoko Ken.
It’s a track that quietly stays by the side of a solitary heart on nights when one cannot take a step forward from memories of the past.
Smiling Backkyandīzu
This is a supreme song by Candies that delicately sings of a woman’s bittersweet feelings before parting with someone dear, carried on a melody as fresh as a spring breeze.
Released in February 1978, it reached number one on the Oricon charts and sold over one million copies in total.
Depicting a couple’s breakup through a moving-day scene, it shows the protagonist looking back on their memories, her smile concealing complex emotions beneath.
It’s a song we especially recommend to those who have experienced parting with someone important in the springtime.
Strings of TearsTonosama Kingusu
Known as one of Tonomama Kings’ signature songs, this piece was released in 1973 and had a major impact on the Japanese music scene.
Its lyrics, which portray a woman’s poignant feelings toward straightforward love and a lost romance, resonated deeply with many people.
With an impactful melody right from the opening and the unmistakable flavor of classic Japanese music, it is a superb masterpiece that has been covered by a variety of singers, including Mina Aoe, Yoshi Tendo, and Kiyoshi Hikawa.
It’s a song we highly recommend to those standing at a crossroads in life or carrying unspoken feelings in their hearts.
Unrequited Love Songs of the Showa Era: Those Nostalgic Classics (21–30)
That wonderful love once moreKatō Kazuhiko, Kitayama Osamu
A gem of a folk song, filled with longing and nostalgia in search of a lost love.
It gently embraces shifting emotional distances and reflections on youth gone by.
The warm sonic world woven by the soothing resonance of the acoustic guitar and a refined arrangement beautifully captures the farewells and hoped-for reunions we all encounter in life.
Since its release in May 1971, it has been beloved as a staple for school events and graduation season, and has been widely used as incidental music in dramas and variety shows.
When you want to linger in memories with someone dear, why not immerse yourself in its soul-stirring vocals and poetic world?