[For Seniors] Let’s Have Fun Together! Introducing Uplifting, Energizing Songs

The two are young.dikku mine

The two are young.

The famous call-and-response of “You.” “What is it?” from the song Futari wa Wakai was released in 1935 as the theme song for the film The Peeked-at Bride and became a major hit as a duet by Dick Mine, a former jazz singer, and Reiko Hoshi, a former Takarazuka Revue dancer.

Beyond being a vocalist, Dick Mine was known as a multitalented figure—guitarist, actor, lyric adapter, and arranger—who also looked after his juniors, including Frank Nagai and James Miki, and is said to have nurtured talents who later became prominent actors, such as Hitoshi Ueki and Makoto Fujita.

As a pioneer of contemporary Japanese entertainment, he can be said to have had a profound influence on later generations.

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Always keep your dreamsHashi Yukio / Yoshinaga Sayuri

Yukio Hashi & Sayuri Yoshinaga / Itsudemo Yume o (Always Dream)

Because it’s used as an insert song in NHK’s morning drama series “Amachan,” in SoftBank commercials, and in various other contexts, it hardly feels like an old tune.

Of course, for older listeners it’s famous as a duet by Yukio Hashi and Sayuri Yoshinaga.

It even won the Japan Record Award, was performed on the Red and White Song Battle, and inspired a film—what we’d now call a mega-viral hit! Just hearing the intro will bring back fond memories of days gone by.

It’s also a great choice for karaoke with someone special!

The Highland Train GoesOkamoto Atsurō

The Highland Train Goes

A song I’d love for you to listen to while you’re out and about or traveling is “The Highland Train Is Going.” It’s a piece themed around the railways of Fukushima Prefecture, and its refreshing melody is sure to lift your outing mood even more.

By the way, the lyrics were written by Yuji Koseki.

Koseki is the person who inspired the NHK morning drama series “Yell,” which is why this song was used in the show.

If you watched it, it might be nice to listen to the song while recalling that story.

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March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko

March of 365 Steps

Kiyoko Suizenji is an enka singer who epitomizes the Showa era.

When it comes to her signature songs, March of 365 Steps comes to mind.

It also drew attention because Suizenji, who had previously sung only enka, performed a pop song.

I’m sure many people have heard it, but this track is a pep song that likens life to a march.

Combined with its march-style melody, it really gives you energy.

It’s such a bright and cheerful tune that it’s perfect for recreation or as background music for various occasions.

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school daysPegī Hayama

Peggy Hayama - Student Days (with lyrics)

Some people may be wondering, “Is Peggy Hayama half-Japanese?” but she was fully Japanese.

Peggy Hayama is a stage name, inspired by a friend she met through a crossed telephone line who said, “Your voice feels like ‘Peggy.’” It’s funny how inspiration can come from anywhere.

Her hit song “Gakusei Jidai” (“Student Days”) was originally titled “Daigaku Jidai” (“College Days”), but the title was reportedly changed after Peggy said, “I didn’t attend college.” It’s a song filled with nostalgia and many fond memories of youth.

Tokyo Olympic OndoMinami Haruo

Haruo Minami “Tokyo Olympic Ondo” [from ~The Trajectory of Vocal Art: The Complete Works of Haruo Minami~]

As the name suggests, Tokyo Olympic Ondo was the theme song for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and in addition to Haruo Minami, it was performed by prominent singers such as Yukio Hashi, Michiya Mihashi, Kyu Sakamoto, and Saburo Kitajima.

It is said that the association with Haruo Minami became fixed because his version sold the most.

At the time, Minami said, “Japan worked hard and achieved such a remarkable recovery.

The Tokyo Olympics is an opportunity to show that to the world, and I poured my strong desire to make it a success into the song.” For seniors, it may be a track that brings back the feelings of that era.

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a bright red sunMisora Hibari

Crimson Sun

The song “Makka na Taiyō” (The Crimson Sun), released in 1967, was performed by Hibari Misora together with Jackie Yoshikawa and the Blue Comets.

It was originally created for an album commemorating the 20th anniversary of Hibari Misora’s career, but thanks to strong praise among the staff and the encouragement of Misora’s mother, Kimie Kato, it was released as a single and became a massive hit, selling 1.4 million copies.

The song, which sings of a blazing love lasting only a single summer, has since been covered by many musicians.

Its powerful rhythm is sure to lift the spirits of listeners.

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