For seniors in their 80s: Stay healthy while having fun. Introducing dance songs that make you want to move!
Even in your 80s, you might want to stay active and keep your body moving! Perhaps some of you feel that way.
As we get older, our bodies don’t always move the way we want them to, but that doesn’t mean we want to give up.
In this article, we’ll introduce dance songs recommended for people in their 80s.
We’ve selected songs—like popular enka and folk tunes, as well as disco tracks—that people in their 80s will likely know and that will naturally get you moving.
Pick your favorites and give your body a gentle workout.
Start by loosening up slowly, and dance at your own pace while having fun!
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For Seniors in Their 80s: Stay Healthy and Have Fun. Introducing Dance Songs That Will Make You Want to Move (31–40)
disco dance steps
It might just be me, but the word “disco” somehow sounds a bit retro—very Showa era.
These days we’d say “club,” but for many older folks, “club” calls to mind a genteel “kurabu” or social club.
It could be fun to put on some nostalgic Western hits and try a few disco steps.
There are easy dances that even beginners can copy, like the cross step and the bus stop.
Even people who’ve never had any connection to disco will surely have a good time.
For music, I recommend the Bee Gees’ Saturday Night Fever.
Apple SongNamiki Michiko
Even a casual listener who’s like, “Music? Hmm, I guess it’s okay,” will definitely know this song.
And of course, there can’t be a single senior who hasn’t heard it.
Ringo no Uta, the very first postwar hit in Japan, is a curious song: though the melody carries a hint of sadness, listening to it somehow fills you with strength.
Hachiro Sato’s lyrics are wonderful, too.
Its slightly relaxed tempo makes it easy for dance beginners to move along.
Whether you dance standing or seated, it’s a perfect recommendation for all seniors!
Hibari Misora MedleyMisora Hibari
Hibari Misora, the original diva who kept singing throughout the tumultuous Showa era.
What’s your favorite Hibari song? There’s no way to pick just one—from “Kanashiki Kuchibue” and “Tokyo Kid,” which supported the hearts of Japanese people after the war, to “Ringo Oiwake” and “Omatsuri Mambo,” which captivated the early days of television, her peak-era hits like “Yawara” and “Kanashii Sake,” and her late masterpiece “Kawa no Nagare no Yō ni.” So how about moving your body to a Hibari medley instead? Video sites even have clips that teach simple choreography.
I hope you can spend a delightful time along with your memories!
Zundoko-bushi
If you’re looking to get your body moving just the right amount, I recommend the Zundoko-bushi dance.
You’ll do squats, shake your hips, and stretch your body.
Since you dance with a towel, you’ll get a decent workout, too.
Zundoko-bushi naturally makes you want to add call-and-response shouts, and there are plenty of movement variations, so you can have a lot of fun with just one song!
Hip hop
When you hear “hip-hop,” do you think it’s just for young people? Not at all.
Let’s hop on the rhythm and dance for fun.
Getting everyone together to shout “Yeah!” and dance with high energy can be a great way to shake off your shyness and have a great time.
It’s a dance that gets more and more fun as you go.
Highly recommended if you want to feel as hyped as the younger crowd!