A heart-wrenching story that tightens the chest! A Showa-era unrequited love song
No matter the era, songs about unrequited love always resonate with many listeners.
Perhaps you have a song that feels like it’s speaking for your feelings or one that you relate to as if it were your own story.
In this feature, we’re introducing classic unrequited love songs that colored the Showa era.
From the frustration of not being able to confess your feelings to songs that bring you to tears because you still love someone even after parting, we’ve gathered a wide range.
We hope listeners from that generation—and those who aren’t—will enjoy them.
A heart-wrenching story that tightens your chest! Showa-era unrequited love songs (1–10)
Stranger – Theme of the Silk RoadKume Sayuri
This beloved song sinks into the heart with its mysterious, exotic melody and lyrics that liken love to the loneliness and yearning of a distant land.
Released in October 1979, it quickly drew widespread attention and became a major hit after being featured in a Sanyo Electric TV commercial.
Originally a simple tune, it was reborn as a piece of New Music with a unique atmosphere through Middle Eastern–style arrangements.
It’s a heartwarming number that gently accompanies those on the verge of a journey or a new encounter.
Love Dial 6700Fingā 5
A signature song by Finger 5, featuring a catchy melody that begins with a telephone ring and a bright, poppy ensemble.
Released in December 1973, it became a massive hit, topping the Oricon charts for four consecutive weeks.
It was also used as insert music in Ultraman Taro and Dokonjo Gaeru, and remains beloved by many.
The lyrics, expressing a boy’s pure feelings as he tries to confess his love before graduation, beautifully capture the excitement and bittersweetness of young romance.
It’s a recommended track not only for those who’ve experienced unrequited love, but also for anyone who wants to remember the innocence of first love.
Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko
A song set on a southern island that captures both the exhilaration and the fragility of love.
Its dreamy, synth-driven sound and familiar, catchy melody are distinctive.
Released in July 1980, it became a major hit as Seiko Matsuda’s second single.
It was also used in a commercial for Glico’s “Yorell” ice cream, making it widely beloved.
With a fresh atmosphere that evokes the beauty of blue coral reefs and lyrics that weave together bittersweet feelings of love, it’s perfect for reminiscing about summer memories or thinking of a lover far away.
If I can see you in my dreamsOhtaki Eiichi
A classic by Eiichi Ohtaki, distinguished by its wistful melody and heart-wrenching lyrics.
The bittersweet feelings of longing for someone far away are conveyed through a gentle, intimate vocal delivery.
First released in 1976, the song has since been covered by many artists and continues to be loved across generations as a masterpiece in the history of Japanese pop.
It’s a recommended track for healing the pain of heartbreak or for reaffirming your feelings for someone special.
I’ll wait.amin
A song by the female duo Aming, known for their refreshingly clear harmonies and heartwarming melodies.
Their debut single, released in July 1982, topped the annual Oricon sales chart that year and became a massive hit, selling over 1.2 million copies in total.
The lyrics delicately portray a steadfast love that fails to reach the beloved, along with the resulting pain and loneliness—resonating with many listeners.
The song has been featured in numerous commercials, including Toyota’s “Duet” and SoftBank Mobile’s “ULTRA Wi-Fi.” A quintessential Showa-era classic recommended for those who relate to the bittersweetness of unrequited love and the unwavering intensity of feelings that won’t fade.
Embraced by the wintry windKoizumi Kyoko
Songs that portray a heart-wrenching, tightening-in-the-chest kind of love resonate with many listeners.
Kyoko Koizumi’s 20th single is truly a masterpiece that captures just such bittersweet feelings.
Written and composed by Toshihiko Takamizawa of THE ALFEE, it was released in November 1986.
The song was also used as the theme for the film “Don’t Lay a Hand on My Woman,” starring Koizumi.
Its lyrics, which evoke the chill of winter, and its melody, which expresses aching love, blend exquisitely, making it a track that offers comfort to those troubled by love.
It’s a song you’ll want to hear if you’re experiencing the pangs of unrequited love or holding onto feelings that won’t reach the one you care for.
High School LullabyImokin Torio
As a classic song about unrequited love from the Showa era, this track by Imo Kin Trio remains memorable for many people.
The lyrics, which depict the bittersweetness and poignancy of youth, vividly capture a moment from high school life.
From one-sided crushes to scenes on a crowded bus after school, it’s packed with the feelings of young people from that time.
Released on August 5, 1981, the song was a massive hit, spending seven consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Oricon weekly charts.
It’s known for its fast tempo and distinctive programmed sounds influenced by YMO.
This work is recommended for those who feel nostalgic about their youth or want to revisit memories of their first love.