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 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?
Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki
Singer-songwriter Hideaki Tokunaga, who continues to captivate listeners with his distinctive husky voice and overwhelming vocal prowess.
Released in January 1986 as his debut single, this song portrays a rainy night scene while giving voice to the pain of heartbreak.
Its lyrics poignantly express a wistful love, and the gradually swelling melody line is especially striking.
Following his lead role in the rock musical Harajuku Graffiti, this long-awaited release has remained one of Tokunaga’s signature songs.
It’s a heartfelt ballad that soaks into the soul—highly recommended for anyone seeking a song to listen to on a rainy day.
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.
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.