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.
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A heart-wrenching story that tightens your chest! Showa-era unrequited love songs (1–10)
Equator Sweetheart, Thump!Yamashita Kumiko
A signature song by Kumiko Yamashita, who burst onto the 1980s pop music scene like a comet.
Chosen as a campaign image song for Kanebo Cosmetics, this track features a catchy, summery melody and evocative imagery of romance set near the equator.
With playful lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto perfectly matched to Haruomi Hosono’s pop sound, it became a major hit, reaching No.
2 on the weekly Oricon chart and No.
22 on the 1982 year-end chart.
It’s the perfect song for those dreaming of a summer romance or reminiscing about their youth.
MUGO… so sexyKudō Shizuka
This is a striking song featuring lyrics that depict the emotions of a woman carrying feelings she can’t put into words.
Released in August 1988, it was also used as the promotional image song for Kanebo’s ’88 autumn campaign.
It conveys the importance of nonverbal communication and skillfully portrays the passionate emotions held within.
Shizuka Kudo’s vocals and Miyuki Nakajima’s lyrics blend beautifully, resulting in a track filled with deep emotion.
It’s a moving masterpiece that I’d recommend to anyone harboring unspoken feelings or struggling with love.
ambushIshikawa Hitomi
A signature work by Hitomi Ishikawa that seems to epitomize unrequited love in the Showa era.
Its lyrics, which portray a bittersweet yearning, and its memorable melody line linger in the heart.
Released on April 21, 1981 as her 11th single, it peaked at No.
6 on the Oricon charts.
That same New Year’s Eve, she made her first appearance on the Red and White Song Battle, making this song a turning point in her singing career.
Perfect for those who can relate to the ache of unrequited love and the single-minded devotion of a woman in love.
A nostalgic yet fresh track that brings back memories of love from those days.
A heart-wrenching story that tightens the chest! Showa-era unrequited love songs (11–20)
First loveMurashita Kōzō
A quintessential unrequited-love song of the Showa era, Kozo Murashita’s masterpiece.
Released in February 1983 as his fifth single, it became a major hit, peaking at No.
3 on the Oricon singles chart.
With its lively melody and delicate lyrics portraying the tender feelings of youthful love, this song remains a classic in the hearts of many.
A monument featuring the song has even been erected in Minamata City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Murashita’s hometown, and it continues to be loved today.
It’s a perfect track for those moments when you want to feel the bittersweetness and transience of first love, or to reminisce about your youth.
Fall in LoveKobayashi Akiko
Featuring a clear, translucent singing voice and a melody that resonates with the heart, this work is a ballad that portrays the bittersweet feelings of a woman in love.
Infusing her feelings into a white rose, it depicts her longing for a distant lover, gripping the listener’s heart.
Released in August 1985, the song was used as the theme for a TBS drama and became a major hit, capturing many listeners by topping The Best Ten rankings for three consecutive weeks.
It’s a song recommended not only for those troubled by love but also for anyone who wants to feel pure affection.
Wrapped in Akiko Kobayashi’s voice, why not fall in love yourself?
The Day the Seagulls FlewWatanabe Machiko
A poignant love story spun by Machiko Watanabe, one of the defining singer-songwriters of the Showa era.
Set against a seaside backdrop, this song gives voice to the complex feelings toward a lover who is leaving.
Released in April 1978, it became a hit, selling 460,000 copies.
Akira Ito’s lyrics and Watanabe’s own composition blend beautifully, and her moving vocals leave a deep impression.
The lyrics delicately portray the emotions of a woman seeing her lover off, conveying not only the sorrow of parting but also affection and respect for the other person.
It’s a song that stays close to the heart—one you’ll want to listen to when healing from heartbreak or when savoring your feelings for someone special.
Morning of the PegasusIgarashi Hiroaki
Hiroaki Igarashi, who skillfully commands high tones and falsetto to move listeners’ hearts.
This work is his third single, released by CBS/Sony in November 1980.
It was also featured as the commercial song for Meiji Seika’s “Meiji Chocolate,” reaching No.
3 on the Oricon charts the following year.
Celebrated as a New Music classic, it continues to be loved by many.
The lyrics delicately portray the brilliance and bittersweetness of youth, praising the beauty of platonic relationships and friendship, and evoking the profound depth of human connections beyond romance.
This song, which sings of the joy of welcoming a new morning, is the perfect number for moments when you want to look ahead and move forward, or when you want to feel the bond with someone dear.