[For Seniors] Popular Summer Songs: Selections That Liven Up Karaoke

BoyhoodInoue Yosui

Boyhood by Yosui Inoue

Inoue Yosui’s “Shonen Jidai” is a classic that sings of the bittersweet feelings at summer’s end.

Its distinctive wording—featuring Inoue’s own coined expressions—is part of its charm.

Released in 1990 and used as a film’s theme song, the track is beloved by many.

It’s perfect not only for singing during summer activities but also for quietly listening and sinking into memories.

Through the song, you can sense the journey from one’s boyhood to adulthood.

It could also be a great way to reminisce about youth together with older listeners.

Sinbad on the Shorepinku redii

[MV] Pink Lady - Nagisa no Sindbad (with lyrics)

This is a summer classic by Pink Lady that you can enjoy while picturing the blue sea and shining sun.

Released in June 1977, the song blends disco-style rhythmic sounds with powerful vocals, and it shot to No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart right after its release.

It even topped the year-end chart.

With total sales of 1.45 million copies, the track has been loved across generations, serving as the theme song for the TV program “Otona no Natsuyasumi” and appearing in a Fujifilm commercial.

It’s a refreshing song that invites you to sing along with family and friends, bringing back fond memories.

Kiyoshi’s Soran BushiHikawa Kiyoshi

Kiyoshi Hikawa / Kiyoshi’s Soran Bushi [Official]

A masterpiece that resounds with a superb arrangement of a traditional Hokkaido folk song.

Set to the powerful rhythms once passed down by fishermen, it weaves in the joys and hopes of life.

Kiyoshi Hikawa’s robust vocals blend perfectly with the modern arrangement.

Released as a single in May 2007, it reached No.

3 on the Oricon charts and won the Gold Award at the 49th Japan Record Awards.

It was performed as the “YOSAKOI Soran Kouhaku Special” at the 58th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, captivating audiences with a dazzling stage.

Ideal for group singing, this song is highly recommended for recreation at day-service centers.

With lively call-and-response, everyone can enjoy a fun time together.

Soran Bushimin’yō

Soran Bushi (Hokkaido folk song) singing method

The work songs that Hokkaido fishermen used to sing between tasks are now loved by many as some of Japan’s representative folk songs.

Their powerful calls and lively rhythms are brimming with energy that makes your heart leap, and they have a lasting charm that stays with you.

Over the years, new allure has been added by numerous singers, including Fuyumi Sakamoto, Yoshimi Tendo, and Takio Ito.

Sayuri Ishikawa also presented her own arrangement on her 2019 album “Tami.” These songs are perfect for moments when you can sing along together—chatting with family and friends, or at community events where people gather and connect.

They’re sure to offer a heartwarming time, wrapped in a sense of nostalgia.

black kite

Black Kite (children's song/school song)

This song, themed around a black kite soaring leisurely across the blue sky, gently portrays the precious feelings passed down from parent to child.

Kobukuro’s harmonies and the warm tones of acoustic guitar create a work that truly touches the heart.

Released in January 2013, the song was produced as the theme for an NHK General TV drama, adding color to a moving story about the bond between father and son.

It’s a piece you’ll especially want to listen to now, as you look back on family memories with the wisdom of age.

Perfect for a relaxing music recreation session where you can enjoy a calm mood with a sense of nostalgia.

It also seems like a lovely opportunity for older adults to spark conversations and share cherished family stories with one another.

Mount Fuji (Fujinoyama)

Mount Fuji (Fuji no Yama) 🗻 (♪ With its head above the clouds~) by Himawari 🌻×3 with lyrics | Ministry of Education Song [100 Selected Japanese Songs] | Fuji Mountain

This is a song of praise for a beautiful mountain beloved as a symbol of Japan, released in July 1910 as a Ministry of Education school song.

With its concise lyrics and distinctive melody, it has continued to be cherished across generations.

It is often sung on July 1, the opening day of the mountain-climbing season, and is a memorable piece that evokes the feeling of summer.

Treasured in school music education and community cultural activities, this work embodies respect for Japanese tradition and nature, and is surely a familiar, nostalgic song for older adults as well.

It’s perfect for a relaxed recreational moment to enjoy singing while reminiscing about the past through a nostalgic school song.

A quiet lakeside

Quiet Lakeside [Children’s Song] Vocals, Chorus, and Performance by akiurara [Pop-style Arrangement] With Lyrics | With Romaji | Shizukana kohan (cover) DTM/DAW

This is a charming piece with a simple, natural atmosphere—a round that everyone can sing together at a relaxed pace.

Born at a campground by Lake Nojiri, its melody musically evokes the calls of cuckoos and owls, conjuring a soothing moment in the forest.

Composed in 1936, it was later included on the Dark Ducks’ 1958 album “Picnic Song,” and has been loved by many ever since.

Featured in commercials for Kikkoman and S&B Foods, this familiar work invites you to enjoy it while picturing cool summer scenery.

It’s also perfect for sing-along activities with seniors, offering a heartwarming time that brings back fond memories.