[Classic Showa Kayō Hits] The captivating Showa-era pop songs beloved even by younger generations
Nowadays, thanks to the internet, vinyl records, and other avenues, Showa-era pop songs have become popular with younger generations.
Here are some classic Showa hits that are especially loved by today’s youth!
We’re highlighting timeless songs that have been sung for decades, tracks that saw revival hits, and—city pop included—songs that are gaining fresh momentum by going viral on TikTok.
Many of these tracks are danceable, but part of the charm of Showa pop is how beautifully it lets you relax and sink into the music.
Let’s focus on that unique appeal of Showa-era pop.
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[Masterpieces of Showa-Era Kayōkyoku] Captivating Showa pop songs loved by younger generations (51–60)
blue eyesJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu
A masterpiece where a wistful melody merges with a stirring band sound.
First released during the dawn of the Group Sounds era—its English version in March 1966 and Japanese version in July—the song portrays a bittersweet romance with a woman encountered at the end of a journey through northern landscapes.
Following the English version’s sales of over 100,000 copies, the Japanese version became a massive hit, surpassing 500,000.
It earned Jackie Yoshikawa and the Blue Comets a spot in the 17th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and helped ignite the GS boom.
With its polished performance and harmonies, this sonic world is a perfect pick for anyone wishing to bask in memories of first love and youth.
FRIDAY TO SUNDAYKadamatsu Toshiki
One of the quintessential figures of city pop, Toshiki Kadomatsu’s “FRIDAY TO SUNDAY” is another unforgettable track.
The urbane Japanese pop influenced by Western music—by artists like Eiichi Ohtaki, Tatsuro Yamashita, and Happy End, commonly labeled as city pop—grew into a major movement.
Some argue the boom was really about how listeners perceived the music, and many artists never explicitly identified themselves as city pop.
As for “FRIDAY TO SUNDAY,” its 40-second intro is compelling, and the arrangement, which evokes classic soul, is particularly noteworthy.
If you haven’t heard it yet, it’s worth making time to listen.
Ruby RingTerao Akira
This song, which can be called Akira Terao’s signature piece, is a masterpiece that poignantly sings of a lost love.
The lingering feelings for a departed lover are conveyed through Terao’s captivating low voice.
Released in February 1981, the track was not a strong seller at first, but it gradually caught on and became a massive hit, topping the Oricon charts for ten consecutive weeks.
It’s an enduring classic, perfect for times when you want to heal the pain of heartbreak or reminisce about a bygone romance.
4:00A.M.Ohnuki Taeko
Released in September 1978, this work is beloved by many fans as one of Taeko Onuki’s signature pieces.
Its lyrics portray the stillness and introspection before dawn, along with a wish for a fresh start, beautifully balanced by music highlighted by synthesizers.
Notably, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s delicate arrangement further enhances Onuki’s clear, translucent vocals.
Included on the album “MIGNONNE,” the song carries a sophisticated, urban atmosphere that can be seen as a forerunner of city pop, and it continues to resonate with listeners today.
It’s a perfect track for late-night drives or quiet moments of solitary reflection.
[Masterpieces of Showa-Era Kayōkyoku] Captivating Showa pop songs loved by younger generations (61–70)
Beyond the GoodbyeYamaguchi Momoe
A gemlike ballad by Momoe Yamaguchi that portrays parting and gratitude on a grand scale.
Though it runs over six minutes, its expansive arrangement and deeply expressive vocals blend beautifully, stirring the listener’s heart.
Released in August 1980, this work came out just before Yamaguchi’s retirement, and at her final concert at the Nippon Budokan that October, many remember her singing it through tears.
While it conveys the impermanence that nothing lasts forever, it also suggests hope for new beginnings.
It is a song that deeply resonates with those who have experienced a farewell with someone dear or who find themselves at a turning point in life.
TouchIwasaki Yoshimi
Many people cherish “Touch” as an iconic anime song of the Showa era.
It was written specifically as the opening theme for the baseball anime of the same name.
Released in 1985, it became an unprecedented hit.
Set to a folk-style melody, the lyrics portray the bittersweet romance of youth.
Incidentally, the song drew renewed attention in 2021 when a parody version was featured in a McDonald’s commercial.
Be sure to compare the versions.
contrailMatsutōya Yumi
A classic song by Yumi Matsutoya that was widely reappraised after being prominently featured in Studio Ghibli’s The Wind Rises.
When it was released in 1973, she performed under the name Yumi Arai.
As she herself has stated, the song was strongly influenced by the British psychedelic band Procol Harum’s masterpiece “A Whiter Shade of Pale.” And of course, the originating idea traces back to Bach’s “Air on the G String.” In 2012, Matsutoya and Procol Harum finally performed together.
It’s a melancholic yet refreshing masterpiece that bridges Kayōkyoku and J-pop.
