![[Classic Showa Kayō Hits] The captivating Showa-era pop songs beloved even by younger generations](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/0bAhwEwpScA/maxresdefault.webp)
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 songs loved by younger generations (1–10)
Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko
It’s a classic song that sings of a girl’s yearning for love on a tropical beach.
Seiko Matsuda’s clear, soaring vocals evoke the blue sea and sky, creating a refreshing feel that soothes the listener.
Released in July 1980 as her second single, it was also used in a commercial for Glico’s Yorel ice cream.
The song became a huge hit, topping TBS’s “The Best Ten” for three consecutive weeks.
It’s perfect as background music for summer drives or seaside dates and is a karaoke favorite.
More recently, in January 2024, Hanni from the Korean idol group NewJeans covered it at their Nippon Budokan concert, drawing attention and leading to a “rediscovery” among younger generations in both Japan and Korea.
DESIRE -Passion-Nakamori Akina
Akina Nakamori is a legendary and wildly popular Showa-era idol and songstress.
This track was released in 1986 as her 14th single and went on to win numerous awards, including the Japan Record Award.
The striking chorus phrase is used right from the intro, making an immediate impact.
The bobbed wig that caused a sensation at the time, the deconstructed kimono-style costume, and choreography said to be inspired by a baseball pitcher’s motion all still feel fresh and cool today.
It’s a number that moves you with her overwhelming vocal power and her willingness to keep pushing boundaries in the mainstream.
Dress DownAkimoto Kaoru
A song by Kaoru Akiyama that skillfully portrays the feelings of a sophisticated woman.
Set to lyrics about a woman changing her appearance to win someone’s heart, it fully evokes the atmosphere of the 1980s.
Included on the album “Cologne,” released in March 1986, it captured the hearts of the bubble-era generation.
Cherished to this day as a city pop classic, it endures thanks to its timeless, universal appeal.
It’s a recommended track not only for those troubled by love, but also for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the vibe of the ’80s.
First loveMurashita Kōzō
Kozo Murashita was a singer-songwriter who released numerous hit songs but passed away suddenly at the young age of 46.
His fifth single, “Hatsukoi” (“First Love”), which has been covered by many artists, captures listeners from the very first melancholic notes of its intro.
As the title suggests, the lyrics depict a first love, and their story conveys the timeless bittersweetness of romance.
With its emotional vocals that stir the heart, the song has long been a karaoke staple.
Plastic LoveTakeuchi Mariya
A true masterpiece among masterpieces, it exploded in popularity after being remixed in 2016 by Korean DJ and producer Night Tempo.
A YouTube upload by an overseas fan surpassed 2 million views just four months after it went up, and the song spread around the world at a phenomenal pace.
In Japan, the boom essentially came back as an import, and an official music video was finally uploaded to YouTube in 2021.
Fans even traveled to Japan from around the world to get their hands on the record containing the original version, turning it into an unexpected global classic.
Tears aren’t just for show.Nakamori Akina
This song, which still radiates an unfading charm as a classic from the Showa era, is known as one of Akina Nakamori’s signature tracks.
Released in November 1984 as her 10th single, it’s a gem written and composed by Yosui Inoue.
It reached No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and achieved an impressive No.
6 on the year-end singles chart.
The lyrics express the loneliness and poignancy felt amid changing human relationships, as well as the strength to be honest with one’s own emotions.
Combined with Nakamori’s clear, crystalline vocals, it deeply resonates with listeners.
It’s the perfect song for times of heartbreak or parting, or when you want to face your true feelings.
Midnight Door ~ Stay With MeMatsubara Miki
Released in 1979 and still listened to around the world—evidenced by its 18 consecutive days at No.
1 on Spotify’s Global Viral Chart at the end of 2020—the track offers a convincingly sophisticated sound.
Miki Matsubara’s vocals, backed by the solid technique she honed singing in jazz clubs from a young age, are beautiful, and the danceable groove that makes your body move the moment the intro starts is another major draw.
The English phrase that’s repeated in the chorus resonates with a poignant ache, which may be why it captures the hearts of fans both in Japan and abroad.