Lovely birthday

Songs to give for an 88th-birthday celebration (Beiju). Heartwarming classics and popular tunes.

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

There are various terms corresponding to different ages for longevity celebrations, such as kanreki and koki, but do you know how old “beiju” refers to?

Beiju is 88 years old in traditional Japanese age counting.

It is said to come from the fact that the character for “rice” (米) can be broken down into the components for eighty-eight (八十八).

In this article, we’ve compiled classic Japanese songs that you’ll want to sing or gift for a beiju celebration.

Our lineup centers on timeless enka and kayōkyoku, while also including recent J-pop.

We hope you’ll find songs that the whole family—especially the grandchildren—can sing together to celebrate your grandpa’s or grandma’s beiju!

Heart-Stirring Songs to Give for an 88th Birthday Celebration (41–50)

You were young back then.Za Supaidāsu

The Spiders / You Were Young Then (1968)

You were young back then.Za Supaidāsu

It’s a song by The Spiders released on March 5, 1968.

The composer is Hiroshi Kamayatsu, and it features a duet by Masakazu Sakai and Jun Inoue.

It’s a sweet-and-sour yet positive GS-era Showa kayō perfect for reminiscing about one’s youth.

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SubaruTanimura Shinji

[Shinji Tanimura “Subaru”] Recital 2023 “THE SINGER” to be held on Friday, April 14, at Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater, Large Hall!

SubaruTanimura Shinji

This is a single by Shinji Tanimura released on April 1, 1980.

It sold 600,000 copies, yet it’s a timeless masterpiece known by everyone in Japan.

It’s a powerful number, perfect for celebrating the 88th birthday of a venerable elder who has walked a straight path through life.

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In conclusion

These days, living to 88 isn’t all that rare, but when you think about all the experiences they’ve accumulated over such a long life and how that led to us, their grandchildren, it’s really amazing, isn’t it? Even if you don’t know the song I introduced this time, if you sing it with heart, your grandpa and grandma will surely be delighted!