When you have a chance to do karaoke with someone much older, it can be hard to know what songs to sing, right?
In this article, I’ll introduce lively songs that are especially likely to please men in their 80s.
I hope this will be helpful for staff planning karaoke as a recreation activity at care facilities, as well as for those who want to enjoy karaoke with grandparents at family gatherings.
I’ve selected a wide range of songs—from hits around the 1950s to enka from the 1980s—so you’re sure to find something they’ll enjoy.
Use this article as a guide, and have fun doing karaoke together!
- [Karaoke] Recommended Songs for Men in Their 80s: A Collection of Showa-Era Classics You’ll Want to Belt Out
- Great songs recommended for people in their 80s: a collection of tracks with lyrics that touch the heart
- Songs I want men in their 70s to sing: a roundup of tracks I'd like to hear at karaoke
- Easy-to-sing songs recommended for men in their 90s: A roundup of tracks to sing at karaoke
- [For Seniors] Let’s Have Fun Together! Introducing Uplifting, Energizing Songs
- [For Seniors] Songs Everyone Can Sing Together! A Roundup of Recommended Crowd-Pleasers
- Songs that get women in their 80s excited: A roundup of tracks also great for karaoke
- Songs that get men in their 90s excited: A roundup of classic karaoke recommendations
- Easy-to-sing songs recommended for men in their 80s: Showa-era classics to perform at karaoke
- Recommended winter songs for people in their 90s: A collection of Showa-era winter tracks
- Tear-jerking songs for men in their 80s: a collection of timeless masterpieces that touch the heartstrings
- Easy-to-sing songs recommended for men in their 70s: A collection of classic hits you’ll want to sing at karaoke
- Songs to Enjoy with Women in Their 90s: A Collection of Karaoke Crowd-Pleasers
Japanese songs that excite men in their 80s: Recommended karaoke tracks (1–10)
The Longed-For Route to HawaiiHaruo Oka
“A Longing for the Hawaii Route” is one of Haruo Oka’s signature songs and a classic that sings of the dreams and hopes of the Japanese people after the war.
Its lyrics vividly evoke the beautiful scenery of Hawaii.
Released in 1948, it has remained beloved ever since.
If you sing it at a relaxed tempo, you may feel as if you’re suddenly traveling to Hawaii.
It’s sure to be enjoyed by people in their 80s! How about everyone singing it together and savoring a Hawaiian mood?
Scorpio womanMikawa Ken’ichi
Kenichi Mikawa’s “Woman of Scorpio” is a masterpiece themed around profound human emotions—love, hurt, and a thirst for revenge.
Released on December 20, 1972, it portrays the inner world of a woman heartbroken in love, layered with traits associated with the Scorpio sign.
The song has had a significant impact on the music scene, having been performed seven times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
It’s a song I’d love to see sung by those who have known the joys and hardships of life.
I’m heading to Tokyo.Yoshi Ikuzo
This is a much-talked-about comic song released by Ikuzo Yoshi in 1984, blending his folk roots with rap.
It humorously portrays a young man who, living in poverty without even a TV or gas, dreams of heading to Tokyo.
Although people in Aomori Prefecture strongly protested when it first came out, that backlash ironically helped boost the song’s popularity.
Singing about the universal themes of a young person’s struggles and hopes born from poverty, and the gap between city and countryside, the song continues to be loved by many even after all these years.
It’s a tune that people in their 80s can hum along to with nostalgia for their youth.
Why not sing it together and reminisce about those days?
Hello from countries around the worldMinami Haruo
Haruo Minami’s “Sekai no Kuni Kara Konnichiwa” (“Hello from the Countries of the World”) was created as the theme song for the 1970 Osaka Expo.
Its world view—woven from lyrics that evoke a sense of connection among nations and a catchy melody—has captivated people’s hearts across generations.
The song sold 1.4 million copies, was featured widely in various media, and is also known as one of Haruo Minami’s signature numbers.
When everyone raises their voices together to sing it, you can feel as if you’re holding hands with people all around the world.
It’s a prayer for peace set to music—one we especially hope those in their 80s will listen to.
I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu
“Ue o Muite Arukou” is Kyu Sakamoto’s signature song, released in 1961, and has been cherished worldwide as a masterpiece in the history of Japanese pop music.
Imagining the protagonist who keeps walking forward even while spending lonely nights naturally gives you strength, doesn’t it? Although it was released in 1961, it’s still loved by people of all generations today, so why not try singing it together with everyone?
The Highland Train GoesOkamoto Atsurō
Atsuro Okamoto’s “The Highland Train Is Coming” is a lively, memorable song released in 1954.
The lyrics by Tomio Oka, which evoke beautiful scenery like the Goshikinuma seen from a train window, pair perfectly with Yuji Koseki’s composition inspired by Swiss alpine railways.
A beloved classic for many years, it has been featured on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen and adopted as the departure melody at JR East’s Fukushima Station.
It’s a nostalgic piece that brings back memories of that era.
Otomi-sanKasuga Hachirō
“Otomi-san” is one of Hachiro Kasuga’s signature songs and a classic from the Showa era, released in 1954.
Its lyrics, inspired by the Kabuki play “Yowa Nasake Ukina no Yokogushi,” tell a poignant story of former lovers meeting again after years apart.
Kasuga’s deeply expressive vocals resonate with listeners.
The song has been covered by many artists and remains a timeless masterpiece cherished across generations.
Its nostalgic, homesick-tinged melody makes it a karaoke favorite among older adults.
Why not sing it together and immerse yourselves in the world of the Showa era?