Great songs recommended for people in their 80s: a collection of tracks with lyrics that touch the heart

Tsugaru Strait Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri

Tsugaru Strait – Winter Scene

There is a classic song that beautifully and poignantly portrays a northern winter landscape and a bittersweet love.

Powerfully sung by Sayuri Ishikawa, the piece recounts the feelings of a woman traveling from Ueno on a night train to Aomori, where she bids a final farewell aboard the Seikan ferry.

Since its 1977 release, it has garnered numerous honors, including the Japan Record Award for Best Vocal Performance, and stands as a monumental work in the enka genre.

Set against the frigid Tsugaru Strait, the image of a woman quietly deciding to part ways amid snow and the roar of the sea is deeply moving.

Please enjoy a wonderful time together, singing along or clapping in rhythm as you savor nostalgic memories.

If you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsSakamoto Kyu

Kyu Sakamoto / If You’re Happy and You Know It (1964–65)

Its charm lies in the way you can enjoy it by expressing a heartwarming classic through full-body movement.

It’s a song that lets you share the joy of connecting with others along with a simple, familiar melody.

Released by Kyu Sakamoto in 1964, it became one of his signature songs alongside “Ue o Muite Arukou” (“Sukiyaki”).

Based on an American folk song, Toshito Kimura wrote the Japanese lyrics with wishes for peace and friendship.

A heartwarming experience in the Philippines inspired the creation of this song, and it is said to have spread through activities at the YMCA.

It has been widely used in films and commercials and has long been cherished in educational settings.

Why not enjoy clapping and body movements together with seniors and let the conversation blossom with fond memories?

Blue MountainsFujiyama Ichirō

[With Large Lyrics] Blue Mountain Range [Recreation]

Released in 1949 as a duet by Ichirō Fujiyama and Mitsue Nara, this celebrated song symbolizes Japan’s postwar recovery and hope.

The lyrics, written by Yaso Saijō, overlay the dreams and aspirations of young people onto images of beautiful mountains, while the music was composed by Ryōichi Hattori.

Accompanied by fresh, vibrant vocals, it conveys expectations for a new era, like flowers blooming after a harsh winter.

It was also used as the theme song for a film released the same year based on a work by Yōjirō Ishizaka, and in 1989 it was ranked No.

1 on NHK’s “200 Songs of the Shōwa Era that Remain in Our Hearts.” This piece is a song that, while evoking fond memories, allows older listeners to reminisce together about the topics of that time.

The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms Bloom

The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms Bloom

This work is one of the representative children’s songs of postwar Japan.

Its depiction of the view of the sea from a hill where orange blossoms bloom, along with the family memories tied to that scene, is deeply moving.

Since its release in 1946, it has been covered by numerous artists and has become a beloved national classic, featured in commercials and as a TV drama theme song.

For people in their eighties, it may be a song that serves as an emotional anchor, bringing back memories of their youth.

Album of MemoriesSakushi: Masuko Toshi / Sakkyoku: Honda Tetsuma

Memory Album / Opening lyrics: ♪ Before we knew it / With easy-to-read lyrics / [Children’s Song]

Evoking a hint of spring, this song gently recounts memories from kindergarten.

It paints scenes from the changing seasons, bringing a sense of nostalgia and warmth to listeners.

Since its release in 1961, it has continued to be loved by many.

It has been featured on TV Asahi’s children’s program “Tobidase! Panpororin” and NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” making it familiar across generations.

It’s also lovely for seniors to hum along with their grandchildren.

A wonderful piece that can be enjoyed across generations while reminiscing about the past.

On the Day of DepartureSakushi: Kojima Noboru / Sakkyoku: Sakamoto Hiromi

[Chorus Song] On the Day of Departure / With Lyrics / Singing Practice / Graduation Song #chorus #classchorus #graduationsong #choruscontest

There is a song that many older adults love, often associated with the arrival of spring and graduation season.

Originally created at a junior high school in Saitama Prefecture as a gift to graduating students, it has since become a standard performed at schools across Japan.

With hopeful lyrics and a bright melody, it conveys courage and determination for a new beginning.

It also gained attention when it was used in a commercial featuring SMAP.

It’s a wonderful song that lets you look back on nostalgic memories while feeling hopeful about the future.

Why not listen to it together with older adults as an opportunity to reflect on life’s milestones?

SaraiKayama Yūzō

Yuzo Kayama - Sarai (with lyrics)

This is a heartwarming classic that brings back nostalgic memories.

It delicately portrays the feelings of people who leave their hometowns to chase their dreams, and was created by Yuzo Kayama and Shinji Tanimura in November 1992 as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “24-Hour Television.” Its title derives from a Persian word meaning a desert oasis or a staging post, and the soothing melody—like a spiritual homeland—leaves a lasting impression.

The piece was composed based on messages of love sent in by viewers from across the country, and even after more than 30 years, it remains deeply etched in many hearts.

It’s a recommended song for times when you want to quietly bask in memories or connect heart-to-heart with someone special.