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Natsukashii - a vintage Japanese Kayōkyoku playlist by Steeltown

May 16, 2024

Definitely our strangest playlist yet. Before Japanese Idols and J-Pop there was Kayōkyoku. A genre of music influenced heavily by western rock and roll and usually had easy to follow melodies, sentimental narratives and straight forward lyrics designed to be relatable to the everyday Japanese person. 

All of these characteristics made Kayōkyoku tunes incredibly catchy and the surge of new singers in the genre acted as gasoline on the fire of the karaoke boom that had begun spreading through Japan in the early 1970s.  Most of you will probably think this playlist is ridiculous upon first listen.

But next time UberEats brings ramen or sushi to your front door, put this playlist on and then try to tell us Kayōkyoku music isn't fun and addictive as hell.

Featuring Akiko Wada, The Peanuts, Ichiro Araki, Kiyohiko Ozaki, Kyu Sakamoto, Mie Nakao, Monta & Brothers, Chiemi Eri and more names you've never heard of and you will struggle to pronounce forever.

Natsukashii - a vintage 60s Japanese Kayōkyoku playlist by Steeltown

42 songs, 2 hr 2 minutes

Jeff Campagna

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