[YMO] Revisiting the classic songs of YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA!

Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

YMO, Yellow Magic Orchestra, laid the foundation for Japan’s techno and electro scene.

In this article, we introduce their classic tracks that helped establish technopop.

The three members were influential musicians leading the music scene even before forming YMO.

They loved trying new things, viewing live performances as a place to present finished works and studio recording as a place for new challenges, pouring the most love into recording.

Now, enjoy YMO’s songs that were ahead of their time and became a social phenomenon.

[YMO] Looking Back on YELLOW MAGIC ORCHESTRA's Masterpieces! (41–50)

stairsYellow Magic Orchestra

Stairs – YMO

stairsYellow Magic Orchestra

It’s included on the album “Technodelic.” The track is notable for its heavy, percussive piano and a bass that delivers a thrilling, undulating groove.

This tense atmosphere would suit serious scenes in films or dramas, or a final boss scene in a role-playing game.

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Tong PooYellow Magic Orchestra

Yellow Magic Orchestra – Tong Poo (1978)

Tong PooYellow Magic Orchestra

This piece, which Ryuichi Sakamoto is said to have written with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra in mind, has an exotic atmosphere that feels intriguingly mysterious.

Yukihiro Takahashi’s tight drumming and Haruomi Hosono’s undulating bass feel fantastic! It’s recommended even for YMO beginners.

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TechnopolisYellow Magic Orchestra

YMO – Technopolis Official Video

TechnopolisYellow Magic Orchestra

It’s a signature song by YMO, pioneers of Japanese technopop.

As it was structured after studying the body of work by Pink Lady, an idol group that was hugely popular at the time, it’s extremely pop.

At the same time, their masterful use of then-cutting-edge technology—such as prominent analog synthesizers and a vocoder—is nothing short of remarkable.

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Computer Game “Circus Theme”Yellow Magic Orchestra

Computer Game (Theme From The Circus) – YMO

Computer Game “Circus Theme”Yellow Magic Orchestra

Computer Game “Theme from The Circus,” which opens YMO’s landmark self-titled debut album released in 1978, is a celebrated track that some regard as a proto–chiptune.

Although it runs under two minutes and functions like an introduction leading into the subsequent classic Firecracker, its innovative recreation of sounds from the then-popular arcade game Circus using synthesizers has been highly praised, and it is even said to have effectively introduced the very concept of video game music to the world.

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multipriseYellow Magic Orchestra

Multiplies – YMO

multipriseYellow Magic Orchestra

This track makes the most of the ska sound that was becoming a movement at the time.

The opening phrase is striking.

Since it’s driven by live performance rather than programming, it’s an easy listen.

The low-key call-and-response is wonderfully humorous! Once you hear it, it’s addictive.

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