Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Recommended Summer Songs for August [2026]

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Worked as a certified care worker for 17 years.Nanaka
I’ve been working as a certified care worker for 17 years. I’m Nanaka, a caregiving web writer. I decided to pursue this profession because I wanted a job that would help people. Having worked in day care for many years, I’ve experienced a wide variety of recreational activities. Exercise set to music, in particular, always created a cheerful atmosphere and was very well received. I’d be delighted to continue delivering writing that resonates with readers through caregiving-related articles. Thank you for your support.

August is the height of summer.

Because the heat is intense, more older adults tend to spend time indoors.

Many people may be wondering how to help seniors enjoy themselves while staying inside.

In such cases, song-based recreation themed around August is recommended.

Not only can you feel the events of August, but you can also reminisce about nostalgic summer memories.

Here, we introduce children’s songs and popular songs recommended for seniors in August.

Please use this as a reference for song-based activities in senior care facilities.

[For Seniors] Recommended Summer Songs in August [2026] (51–60)

Hawaiian Airlines flightUtsumi Kiyoshi

Hawaiian Airlines Flight, Kiyoshi Utsumi

Hawaiian Airlines flightUtsumi Kiyoshi

The songs of Kiyoshi Utzumi, which captivated many fans in the late 1940s through the 1950s, are gem-like works that express nostalgia for and longing toward a beautiful southern paradise.

Their gentle melodies and wistful vocals vividly depict the scenery and atmosphere of Hawaii.

Released in 1950, this piece became a beloved classic that tenderly embraced the dreams and hopes of the Japanese people at the time.

Included on the album “Japanese Popular Song Stars (19): Kiyoshi Utzumi,” it continues to be cherished across generations.

Brimming with warm nostalgia, this song is perfect for music activities that foster enjoyable interaction with seniors, creating shared moments of calm and comfort.

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Plover on the Beachdōyō

Hama Chidori | With Lyrics | 100 Selected Japanese Songs | On the blue moonlit beach

Plover on the Beachdōyō

A cool, refreshing song woven around the motif of birds by the seaside.

The lyrics were written by poet Meishū Kashima, who is said to have composed them while walking along the beach at night.

In the lyrics, the scene depicts a small bird crying by the shore on a night when the moon is beautiful.

The words are strung together with great simplicity, making it easy to picture the scene as you listen.

It’s a perfect song for a summer night, as if you can hear the waves rolling in and receding and the chirping of little birds.

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festivalKitajima Saburō

Festival Saburo Kitajima

festivalKitajima Saburō

When it comes to festivals, this is the song! I bet many older folks feel that way.

“Matsuri,” released by Saburō Kitajima in 1984, is perfect for summer festivals and fireworks displays.

It’s been performed many times on the New Year’s Eve music show Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and just hearing the intro instantly puts you in a festive mood! The lyrics portray festivals praying for bountiful harvests and plentiful catches of seafood, and that larger-than-life dynamism is the song’s biggest appeal.

Play it as BGM at a summer festival and the fun will double—you’ll feel energized, too.

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It’s Tough Being a ManAtsumi Kiyoshi

Otoko wa Tsurai yo Theme Song (with lyrics)

It's Tough Being a ManAtsumi Kiyoshi

“Otoko wa Tsurai yo” became a massive hit as both a TV drama and a film series.

The drama first aired in 1968, and its theme song was this track of the same title.

The singer is Kiyoshi Atsumi, who also starred in the drama as Tora-san, the lovable vagabond.

Many older people likely got hooked on the drama and films in their younger days.

Since the drama began in summer, some listeners may associate the song with that season.

The lyrics introduce Tora-san and convey his own ideas about what it means to be a man.

In the sweltering summer, let’s watch Tora-san, sing along, and keep our spirits up.

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[For Seniors] Recommended Summer Songs in August [2026] (61–70)

Foreign HillsMisora Hibari

Hibari Misora ♪ Foreign Hill

Foreign HillsMisora Hibari

Hibari Misora’s “Ikoku no Oka” (Foreign Hills) is a song that expresses the homesickness of soldiers interned in Siberia.

It begins with the opening line, “On these foreign hills, another day draws to a close,” and conveys a poignant longing for home.

Misora’s powerful vocals further heighten those emotions.

The song is included on an album commemorating the 30th anniversary of her entertainment career.

For many older listeners, it is a track that evokes fond memories while also reflecting the strength that carried them through hardships of the time.

The hopeful words in the lyrics, “The day to return will come, spring will come,” continue to encourage those of us living today.

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secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE

ZONE “secret base ~What You Gave Me~” MUSIC VIDEO

secret base ~What You Gave Me~ZONE

ZONE’s “secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~” is a summer youth song released on August 8, 2001.

Its lyrics, themed around friendship and parting, resonate with many people.

The protagonist looks back on memories with a friend and makes promises for the future—an especially striking depiction.

The song was used as a TV drama theme and also adopted as an anime ending theme.

It has been covered by numerous artists and is loved across generations.

It’s recommended for older listeners who want to reminisce about nostalgic summer memories.

The scenes of friendship and farewell portrayed in the lyrics are sure to evoke cherished memories.

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Summer Days of 1993class

Summer Days of 1993

Summer Days of 1993class

A song that brings back memories of a bittersweet summer romance: “Natsu no Hi no 1993” by class.

Released in 1993, it was used as the opening theme for the drama “Kimi to Itsumademo.” A different version came out in 2007, and in 2008 an answer song titled “Fuyu no Hi no 2009” was also released.

The lyrics tell the story of going to the beach with a woman he thought was just a friend, only to fall in love because she was so beautiful.

Listen to the sweet lyrics and refreshing melody, and let yourself recall your wonderful summer memories.

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