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

When it comes to songs familiar to people in their 80s, wouldn’t it be the kayōkyoku and enka hits from the Showa era? Many songs from that time have been loved across generations, and there are countless timeless classics that still shine today.

In this article, we’ll introduce a wide array of moving, heartfelt songs all at once—Showa masterpieces as well as school songs and children’s songs.

From songs about deep love to ones about family and hometown, these are sure to resonate with people in their 80s.

Please do recommend the songs we introduce to the 80-somethings around you.

Playlist

Great songs recommended for people in their 80s: a collection of tracks with lyrics that touch the heart
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Hymn to LoveKoshiji Fubuki		The classic hit by Koshiji Fubuki, “Hymn to Love”
2	Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio, Yoshinaga Sayuri		The classic hit by Yukio Hashi and Sayuri that portrays dreams and hope
3	Northern SpringSen Masao		A famous song that sings of longing for one’s hometown, ‘Spring in the North Country.’
4	Song of the Four SeasonsSeri Yoko		A masterpiece that portrays the scenery of the four seasons and the deep bonds between people.
5	Love RadiantMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora “Living for Love” — a classic song
6	City LightsSakai Masaaki		Masaaki Sakai’s classic song— a gentle melody that resonates with the heart
7	Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi		'Nada Sōsō' is a moving masterpiece that resonates with the heart.
8	Yearning for the ShadowFujiyama Ichirō		“In Adoration of Shadows,” a masterpiece by Masao Koga
9	Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu		Entrusting hopes and dreams to the stars in the night sky
10	Shiretoko Ryojo (Shiretoko Travel Sentiment)Katō Tokiko		A classic song that portrays the scenery of Hokkaido and a bittersweet love
11	March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko		Singing with courage and hope, facing life positively
12	I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto's 'Ue o Muite Arukou', a worldwide hit song
13	grandchildŌizumi Itsurō		A heartwarming classic that sings of love for a grandchild and their growth
14	applausechiaki naomi		The emotional expressiveness of Naomi Chiaki, a Showa-era masterpiece
15	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		A masterpiece that colors farewells with love, a song that resonates in the heart
16	A Hazy Moonlit Night		A song that sings of the beautiful scenery of a spring night
17	threadNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki’s timeless songs that weave the threads of life’s connections
18	Cape ErimoMori Shinichi		A moving classic that sings of youth at Cape Erimo
19	Please give me wingsakai tori		A classic by Akai Tori: a song of freedom and hope
20	The Apple SongNamiki Michiko		The postwar song of hope, “Ringo no Uta,” soothes the heart.
21	From the northern innMiyako Harumi		Longings woven in a northern inn, a bittersweet love song
22	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		A gentle melody that conveys love resonates in the heart.
23	Light of Fireflies		A moving song that sings of love for the country
24	Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi		A celebrated song of spring, a masterpiece by Yumi Matsutoya
25	Journey of the Heartchūrippu		A classic song that captures the bittersweet emotions of departure.
26	Aoba Castle Love Songsatou muneyuki		A masterpiece by Muneyuki Sato, a famous song that colors Sendai
27	SubaruTanimura Shinji		Shinji Tanimura’s moving masterpiece, with a grand sense of the cosmos
28	The world is for the two of us.Sara Naomi		Naomi Sagara’s classic that sings of love and happiness
29	school daysPegī Hayama		A timeless song that sings of youthful memories, resonating in the heart.
30	Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi		A bittersweet song about long-distance love, nostalgic memories
31	a red handkerchiefIshihara Yūjirō		Spring in the northern country, a wistful song resounding through the acacia trees
32	Waltz of StarlightSen Masao		Masao Sen’s poignant classic, a love song that resonates with the heart
33	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		An anthem from Momoe to brighten life’s milestones
34	Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō		A melancholic masterpiece that sings of love in the northern land
35	Brother ShipsToba Ichirō		A masterpiece by Ichirō Toba that movingly sings of the brotherly love of fishermen.
36	I’m falling in love with you againSakamoto Fuyumi		Fuyumi Sakamoto’s love song depicts the bond between husband and wife.
37	The arrival of springKoyanagi Rumiko		Rumiko Koyanagi's spring classic, nostalgic memories
38	Parting at 22kaze		The Wind’s debut song, cherished as a timeless anthem of youth
39	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima: a heartwarming classic that resonates in spring
40	Like a flower that blooms in the fieldDa Kāpo		A classic springtime song that conveys the importance of living naturally
41	Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuri		A classic song that depicts a forbidden love and scenery on an Izu mountain pass
42	I wanted to see you.Haruo Oka		Haruo Oka’s sailor-themed kayō songs colored the postwar era.
43	The Izu DancerMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora, the famous song from the film based on a work by Yasunari Kawabata
44	Because the moon is so very blueSugawara Totoko		The queen of elegy, Miyako Sugawara’s famous song
45	12th graderFunaki Kazuo		A song of youth, Kazuo Funaki’s famous piece, singing of memories
46	Flowers will bloom.		A moving song that portrays the sorrow and hope of the earthquake disaster
47	festivalKitajima Saburō		Tradition and gratitude, a powerful festival scene
48	Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko		An inspiring work that sings of life's joy and hope
49	Words of FarewellKaientai		“Okuru Kotoba” is a song of springtime farewells and bonds.
50	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		A masterpiece that sings of Hibari Misora’s life
51	The Hill Where Mandarin Orange Blossoms Bloom		A Song of Orange Blossoms and Family Memories
52	Tsugaru Strait Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri		A famous song by Sayuri Ishikawa that portrays parting and feelings in the northern country.
53	If you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsSakamoto Kyu		A heartwarming classic imbued with peace and friendship
54	Blue MountainsFujiyama Ichirō		A classic youth song that portrays postwar hope
55	Album of MemoriesSakushi: Masuko Toshi / Sakkyoku: Honda Tetsuma		A heartwarming song about memories from kindergarten
56	On the Day of DepartureSakushi: Kojima Noboru / Sakkyoku: Sakamoto Hiromi		Graduation songs evoke the arrival of spring.
57	SaraiKayama Yūzō		A heartwarming classic that captures feelings for one’s hometown
58	hometown		Nostalgic hometown songs, timeless classics that span generations
59	YosakuKitajima Saburō		A moving song that sings of rural landscapes and the warmth of its people
60	Mail boat to the small islandAoki Koichi		Lighthouse Cape, a song of memories carried by the mail boat
61	Sleep on my chestkaguya hime		A timeless masterpiece brimming with romance, a heartwarming melody
62	When I turn around, the Sea of JapanItsuki Hiroshi		Singing of the loneliness of the Sea of Japan and the shape of life
63	Lingering Snowiruka		Spring farewell song, a masterpiece by Iruka
64	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		A cheering song celebrating Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s departure
65	Song of the Four SeasonsSakushi sakkyoku: Araki Toyohisa		Showa-era classic: the beauty of the four seasons and love
66	cherry blossomMoriyama Naotaro		A song of cherry blossoms portrays the transience of life.
67	Evening Glow (Yuyake Koyake)		Nostalgic nursery rhymes resonate across generations.
68	GraduationMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s spring melody, the singing voice of youth