[Karaoke] Recommended Songs for Men in Their 80s: A Collection of Showa-Era Classics You’ll Want to Belt Out

Some of you may have chances to enjoy karaoke with people in their 80s—whether at family or relatives’ gatherings, or as recreation at a care facility.

In those situations, many might wonder, “What songs should I sing?” In this article, we’ll introduce songs popular among men in their 80s to help anyone who’s unsure about song selection.

We hope this will be useful not only for finding songs that people in their 80s will enjoy singing, but also as a reference for younger generations who will be singing together.

Now, let’s take a look at the recommended songs!

Playlist

[Karaoke] Recommended Songs for Men in Their 80s: A Collection of Showa-Era Classics You’ll Want to Belt Out
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Sōemonchō Bluesheiwa katsuji to daakuhosu		Showa-era farewell song, Soemoncho Blues
2	I’m appearing under my former name.Kobayashi Akira		Representative songs of Akira Kobayashi, classic songs of the Showa era
3	Northern fishing groundsKitajima Saburō		A famous song by Saburo Kitajima depicting the life of a fisherman
4	a red handkerchiefIshihara Yūjirō		Singing Yujiro Ishihara’s famous song, a tale of parting
5	Parting Cedar (Farewell Cedar)Kasuga Hachirō		A classic Showa-era song capturing the poignant feelings of a man leaving his hometown
6	12th graderFunaki Kazuo		Kazuo Funaki’s debut song becomes a big hit.
7	Nagaragawa ElegyItsuki Hiroshi		Nagaragawa Enka is a famous Showa-era song.
8	Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo		A classic song that sings of the joys and sorrows of life through alcohol
9	Brother ShipsToba Ichirō		The Debut Song of Ichiro Toba: The Bond of Fisherman Brothers
10	Melancholy TrainMitsubishi Michiya		A classic song from the Showa era; its poignant lyrics and melody about parting deeply touch the heart.
11	Woman’s PathMiya Shirō to Pinkara Torio		Onna no Michi Showa-era classic song
12	Yagiri no Watashi (Yagiri Ferry)Hosokawa Takashi		Takashi Hosokawa’s Yagiri no Watashi, a classic elopement song
13	A Love Story in GinzaYūjirō Ishihara · Junko Makimura		A Love Story in Ginza, a signature song of Yūjirō Ishihara
14	You are my very lifeMizuhara Hiroshi		Hiroshi Mizuhara’s poignant love classic
15	Youth CyclingKosaka Kazuya		Youth popular songs of the late 1950s to early 1960s (Showa 30s), memories of bicycles
16	Lonely-for-Company TavernMiyama Hiroshi		Miyama Hiroshi’s debut enka song
17	The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku		Sazanka no Yado is a representative love song of the Showa era.
18	The Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo Oka		Longing for the Showa-era classic, 'Hawai Kōro' (Hawaiian Voyage)
19	draft (cold air seeping through gaps)Sugi Ryōtarō		Ryotaro Sugi's classic Showa-era songs, touching the heart
20	Dream-Chasing SakeAtsumi Jirō		Jiro Atsumi's heartbreak enka becomes a big hit
21	A life full of scarsTsuruta Koji		Koji Tsuruta’s signature song “A Life Full of Scars”
22	Traveler,Kayama Yūzō		An encouraging song for travelers who long for their hometown, a classic overflowing with kindness.
23	Tokyo RhapsodyFujiyama Ichirō		A classic song from the Showa era: Ichiro Fujiyama’s “Tokyo.”
24	It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Uchiyamada Hiroshi to Cool Five		Kiyoshi Maekawa’s classic song paints the emotion of heartbreak and the scenery of Kyushu.
25	festivalKitajima Saburō		A representative song by Saburō Kitajima that sings about festival culture
26	That girl and IHashi Yukio		Yukio Hashi’s summer classic, The Brilliance of Youth
27	Words of FarewellKaientai		A heartwarming classic that portrays departure and farewell
28	Beach of MemoriesZa Wairudowanzu		A representative song of the GS boom, a refreshing youth anthem by the seaside
29	There’s always tomorrowSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s uplifting classic song “Ue o Muite Arukou”
30	loveMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s Heartfelt Ballad Masterpieces
31	Dream PlayUmezawa Fumio		Fumio Umezawa’s soul-stirring classic, delivered with an emotionally rich singing voice
32	Becoming a Thousand WindsAkiyama Masashi		Akikawa Masafumi’s ballad, a moving masterpiece that resonates with the heart
33	Winter LightningArisu		Alice’s classic song, singing of winter scenery
34	summer vacationyoshida takurou		Summer memories, a famous song by Takuro Yoshida
35	Parting at 22kaguya hime		A classic song that depicts a breakup with a lover and a fresh new start
36	My Giftofukōsu		A famous song by Kazumasa Oda that makes you feel the arrival of spring
37	wheat fieldOyonēzu		A gentle country song, a Tohoku-dialect classic
38	What a nice bath.Za Dorifutāzu		A nostalgic Showa-era melody with the Onsen Ondo
39	You, my beloved.Itō Hisao		Hisa'o Itō's sweet Showa-era kayōkyoku (pop songs)
40	SaraiKayama Yūzō		A heartwarming classic that captures feelings for one’s hometown
41	Forever with youKayama Yūzō		Yuzo Kayama’s love song, a masterpiece that resonates in the hearts of youth
42	Waltz of StarlightSen Masao		Masao Sen's classic 'Hoshikage no Waltz,' a song that sings of the melancholy of parting
43	A Letter Waiting for Springyoshida takurou		Heartfelt exchanges through letters and songs of memories
44	Let’s get married.yoshida takurou		Takuro Yoshida’s heartwarming spring classic
45	If you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsSakamoto Kyu		A heartwarming classic imbued with peace and friendship
46	I wanted to see you.Haruo Oka		Haruo Oka’s sailor-themed kayō songs colored the postwar era.
47	You are more beautiful than a rose.Fuse Akira		A classic song that sings of nostalgic memories of love
48	Otomi-sanKasuga Hachirō		Classic songs that colored the Showa era: bittersweet love songs of men and women
49	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		Spring in the northern country, a song of quiet happiness
50	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo		Eigo Kawashima’s classic song that depicts the pathos of life
51	spring’s dry windIzumiya Shigeru		A moving song that portrays social pressure and loneliness
52	North TavernHosokawa Takashi		A classic enka song depicting an encounter at a tavern in the northern country
53	Blue MountainsFujiyama Ichirō		A classic youth song that portrays postwar hope
54	Tokyo CachitoFuranku Nagai		Timeless hits that color Akasaka’s night: songs of mature love
55	IzakayaItsuki Hiroshi		A masterpiece that portrays the loneliness of an izakaya, resonating deep in the heart
56	Ah, Ueno StationIzawa Hachirō		A classic song that sings of Ueno Station and longing for one’s hometown
57	And, KobeUchiyamada Hiroshi to Cool Five		A classic song that portrays heartbreak and new love set in Kobe
58	Be my bride.Kayama Yūzō		Music of hope delivered with a gentle singing voice
59	Northern SpringSen Masao		Masao Sen’s signature song “Hokuguni no Haru” (Spring in the North Country)
60	Snow CountryYoshi Ikuzo		The scenery of the northern country and the heart-stirring singing voice of Yoshikazu Ikuzō
61	GraduationMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s spring melody, the singing voice of youth
62	Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō		A melancholic masterpiece that sings of love in the northern land
63	Okuhida BojoRyū Tetsuya		Introducing Tatsuya Ryū’s classic song, Okuhida Bojō
64	Life is like a Naniwa-bushi (a melodramatic ballad).Hosokawa Takashi		A masterpiece with a rōkyoku motif, expressing the subtleties of life
65	Yanagase BluesMikawa Ken’ichi		Yanagase Blues is a classic song from the Showa era.
66	Mail boat to the small islandAoki Koichi		Lighthouse Cape, a song of memories carried by the mail boat
67	Otaru no hito yoTsuruoka Masayoshi to Tokyo Romanchika		A classic Showa-era pop song that sings of parting with Otaru’s winter
68	I love youOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki’s heartrending youth love song