[Winter Songs] Classic Showa-era masterpieces. Popular songs you’ll want to listen to in winter.
In the Showa era, countless classic and hit songs were born and cherished by many listeners.
Winter, in particular, was a season packed with events like Christmas and New Year’s, and filled with dramatic themes such as snowy landscapes.
In this special feature, we introduce some of the finest winter songs from the Showa period.
We hope that those who experienced the era in real time will feel nostalgic, while those who did not will find it fresh and enjoyable.
Please enjoy!
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[Winter Songs] Showa-era masterpieces. Popular songs you want to listen to in winter (31–40)
LOVE (I want to hold you)sawada kenji
This is Kenji Sawada, also known as Julie’s, 25th single.
At the 1978 NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, it achieved the rare feat for the time of closing the show with a pop song.
The lyrics were written by Yu Aku, renowned as one of the great lyricists of Japanese popular music.
Even among Kenji Sawada’s fans, it’s widely praised as a masterpiece, with many saying, “The lyrics are just so good.” That said, the song portrays an adulterous love.
Many listeners at the time were likely shocked by the sensual vocals that repeatedly deliver frank expressions of affection.
Winter AlbumMatsuda Seiko
Seiko Matsuda, known as a quintessential idol singer of the 1980s and a singer-songwriter whose popularity rose to the level of a social phenomenon.
The song “Fuyu no Album” included on her second album, North Wind, features a stylish ensemble and a gently sung melody that evokes winter scenery.
Its lyrics, which conjure up the image of sharing a space with someone you love, warm the heart precisely because it’s the cold season.
For those of that generation, it’s an unfading winter classic that likely brings back memories of their youth.
Winter TaleFō Kurōbāsu
This 1972 classic captivates with imagery that layers a snowy landscape over a chill of the heart.
Performed by The Four Clovers, it was used as the theme song for a Nippon TV drama broadcast the same year.
With lyrics by Yū Aku and composition/arrangement by Kōichi Sakata, the melodious ballad beautifully conveys the wintry atmosphere and the loneliness of parting.
The lyrics, depicting a farewell at a train station and a woman wandering in search of love, resonate deeply with many listeners.
It’s the perfect song for winter nights spent alone or for moments of reminiscing about someone special.
A masterpiece of Showa-era winter songs that gently pierces the heart with a sense of nostalgia.
Lovers in MidwinterMatsuda Seiko
Seiko Matsuda is an idol singer who represents the Showa-era kayōkyoku.
Included on her 1982 album “Candy” is “Mafuyu no Koibitotachi” (“Midwinter Lovers”).
It depicts a love story unfolding at an ice skating rink, expressing a heart-fluttering romance.
The beautiful sound centered on piano and strings evokes a crystal-clear winter landscape.
It’s a soothing song featuring her cute vocals as she sings about a girl falling in love.
Be sure to listen closely to the love story of the two who adore each other.
On the night when the rain turned to snowAsaka Yui
A classic song that depicts winter scenery and a wistful love is included on the album “HERSTORY,” released in December 1988.
With lyrics by Keiko Aso and music by Naoto Kine of TM NETWORK, it delicately captures the stillness of a winter night and the tremors of the heart.
The gentle melody line and the subtle arrangement by Akira Inoue create a dreamlike atmosphere that conveys both the chill and warmth of winter at the same time.
Released around Yui Asaka’s early twenties, the piece can be seen as a song symbolizing her transition from idol to mature woman.
Its evocative, retrospective theme leaves a strong impression, making it a track you’ll want to savor quietly on a winter night.