Red Sweet PeaSeiko Matsuda1rank/position

Seiko Matsuda “Red Sweet Pea” (from Seikoland: Budokan Live ’83)

This masterpiece, which poignantly and beautifully portrays the spring season when cherry blossoms bloom, was released in January 1982 as a single by Seiko Matsuda.

With Takashi Matsumoto’s delicate word choices and an unforgettable melody penned by Yumi Matsutoya under her pseudonym Kureta Keiko, the song superbly captures the changing seasons and the freshness of young love.

The vibrant voice of a 19-year-old delivers subtle psychological nuances and the fleeting scenes of romance with exquisite finesse, resonating deeply with listeners.

In 2009, it was also used as the CM song for Fujifilm’s skincare brand “ASTALIFT,” drawing attention when its memorable melody played in commercials featuring Miyuki Nakajima.

Its sweet-and-sour melody, evoking nostalgic memories and the arrival of spring, is a track you’ll want to hear when cherry blossoms are in the air.

Blue Coral ReefSeiko Matsuda2rank/position

Seiko Matsuda - Blue Coral Reef

It’s a classic with a striking intro that seems to carry the sparkle of the sun and the scent of the sea breeze.

You can picture a summer day by the ocean with someone you love—the racing heartbeat and the little burst of boldness that comes with it.

It evokes scenes of a sweet and dazzling romance.

This song, which propelled Seiko Matsuda to the status of “eternal idol,” was released in July 1980 as her second single and is also included on her debut album, SQUALL.

As the theme for Glico’s ice cream commercial, it brightened living rooms across the nation and topped The Best Ten for three consecutive weeks.

It’s a refreshing track that instantly paints listeners’ hearts in summer hues.

SWEET MEMORIESSeiko Matsuda3rank/position

Seiko Matsuda / SWEET MEMORIES

Seiko Matsuda’s hit number, “SWEET MEMORIES.” Haven’t most people sung it at karaoke at least once? This song has a relaxed tempo, making it easy to follow the pitch.

On the other hand, there’s a slightly high long note near the end of the chorus, so proper key adjustment is necessary.

If you set the key based on this long-note section, you won’t run into vocal range issues in any part of the song, so keep that in mind.

I Want to See You ~Missing You~Seiko Matsuda4rank/position

Seiko Matsuda – I Want to See You ~Missing You~ (from Seiko Matsuda Concert Tour 2019 “Seiko’s Singles Collection”)

A gemlike love ballad that sings of the pain of heartbreak everyone experiences at least once and the longing for a reunion.

The tender, heartrending lyrics penned by Seiko Matsuda herself are etched deeply in the heart along with nostalgic memories.

Each time her sweet, soft voice rings out over the gentle melody, memories of a past lover come flooding back.

Released in April 1996, this song drew major attention as the ending theme for “Beat Takeshi’s TV Tackle” and as a Canon commercial song.

It’s the kind of nostalgic love song you’ll find yourself softly humming on nights when you recall the warmth of someone you once loved, immersing yourself in the feelings of those days.

The Wind RisesSeiko Matsuda5rank/position

The Wind Rises

Seiko Matsuda has many famous songs.

While “Kaze Tachinu” is a somewhat lesser-known track, it’s perfect for aiming for a high score at karaoke.

Its relaxed tempo and a vocal line without intricate pitch fluctuations are appealing; although the melody is relatively high, anyone can sing it easily with the right key adjustment.

If there’s one point to watch out for, it’s the pre-chorus (the B section).

Because it features a high phrase with a relatively wide upward pitch movement, you’ll need to consciously track the pitch carefully.

I Want to See You ~Missing You~Seiko Matsuda6rank/position

Matsuda Seiko – I Want to See You ~Missing You~

For those who didn’t grow up knowing Seiko Matsuda at the height of her idol career in the 1980s, many likely first discovered her through “Anata ni Aitakute ~Missing You~.” This signature ballad of her 1990s era is also one of the best-selling songs of her entire career.

With lyrics written by Matsuda herself and composition co-written with Ryo Ogura, the song also showcases her abilities as a songwriter.

Hugely popular at karaoke when it was released, it remains a beloved song that people still sing even in the Reiwa era.

While expressing the emotions of a ballad can be challenging, the melody line is very straightforward and the pitch is easy to follow, so why not focus on singing it with heartfelt feeling?

The Door to SummerSeiko Matsuda7rank/position

The Door to Summer

A number by Seiko Matsuda that overflows with the heroine’s fresh resolve and fluttering excitement as she cuts her hair and steps into a new romance.

Released in April 1981, this track was also included on the classic album “Silhouette,” and truly stands as a song that symbolizes summer.

The brisk brass and buoyant piano create a sound that heightens anticipation for the coming season to a peak.

Used as a commercial jingle with only the voice, it became a catalyst for bringing her vocals into living rooms across the country.

It’s a song full of positive charm—perfect for enjoying karaoke with a sense of freedom, or for giving you a bright push when you want to take a new step forward.