[For Seniors] February Songs You’ll Want to Hum: Enjoy Winter with Nostalgic Classics
February is a season when, even in the harsh cold, you can sense the approach of spring.
If you’re enjoying music with seniors, why not choose songs that are perfect for this time of year? We’ve gathered classics ideal for February, such as enka that evokes snowy landscapes, children’s songs depicting winter scenes, and love songs tied to Valentine’s Day.
Listening to familiar melodies may bring back nostalgic scenes.
Spending unhurried time together—chatting about old memories with those around you—will surely warm the heart.
These are all great songs for recreation, so please use them as a reference.
- [For Seniors] Winter songs you'll want to hum along to. A collection of classic tunes recommended for BGM and recreational activities
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- [For Seniors] Winter Classics to Sing in January: Heartwarming Moments with Nostalgic Children’s Songs and Kayōkyoku (Japanese Popular Songs)
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- [For Seniors] Beloved songs to sing in December: heartwarming moments with nostalgic kayōkyoku and children’s songs
- Timeless songs you’ll want to listen to in February: winter songs and Valentine’s songs.
- Ranking of popular songs for senior citizens
- For Seniors: Wall Decorations to Brighten Up February — Festive Ideas for Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, Plum Blossoms, and More
- [Sing for your health!] Popular songs among seniors. Also recommended for recreational activities.
- [1980s J-Pop] Popular winter songs: from chart-toppers to hidden gems!
[For Seniors] February Songs You'll Want to Hum: Enjoy Winter with Nostalgic Classics (21–30)
Has the plum blossomed?
This song is also included on Hibari Misora’s 1958 album “Hibari Misora Hauta Collection.” “Ume wa Saita ka” is an Edo hauta based on the popular Meiji-era street song “Shongaebushi.” It depicts geisha through comparisons to seasonal flowers and gatherings, and today it’s known as an ozashiki song.
The lyrics, which portray the amorous affairs of geisha likened to plum blossoms and cherry blossoms, may drift further from a cheerful spring image the more deeply you delve into them.
Since there are many different lyrical variations, it’s fun to compare different versions.
Kantarō the North Wind Kid
“Kitakaze Kozou no Kantarou” is a song with charming lyrics that make winter’s chill feel fun.
Masahiro Sakai’s bright vocals give you energy during the cold season.
Released in 1975, the song has become a winter classic.
It’s perfect for singing indoors on cold days.
If you sing it while recalling the lyrics together with older adults, you’ll likely have a delightful time.
Imagining “Kantarou,” the little north wind boy that appears in the lyrics, can make it even more enjoyable and stimulate the brain.
Incorporating it into winter recreation will let everyone sing together and warm both heart and body.
[For Seniors] February Songs That Make You Hum Along: Enjoy Winter with Nostalgic Classics (31–40)
Winter night
Many of you may remember singing it in your classrooms as children.
In keeping with convention, the Ministry of Education song “Fuyu no Yoru” (A Winter Night) does not disclose the names of its lyricist or composer.
Although it was first published in the 1912 collection Elementary School Songs, more than a century later its melody and lyrics are still highly esteemed for their beauty.
Because it contains the word ‘ikusa’ (war), some postwar textbooks and other materials once altered the lyrics; however, since such changes disrupted the flow and overall meaning of the song, it is now most often sung in its original form.
What a nice bath.dorifutāzu
How about enjoying the Drifters’ famous hot spring song that everyone knows? Released in 1968, this track was used as the ending theme for the popular TBS program “It’s 8 o’clock! Everyone, Gather Round!” It’s a fun song that makes you want to head to a hot spring, and many listeners will feel energized by it.
Let this tune help you get through the cold winter with a smile!
Ballad of the Rainbow and SnowTo wa e mo wa
The folk duo Toi et Moi’s “Ballad of Rainbows and Snow” was created as the theme song for the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics.
Some older people may still vividly remember the Sapporo Olympics.
According to NHK staff, they asked Bunichiro Kawamura, a professor at Sapporo Medical University who wrote the lyrics, to craft “a song that would continue to be sung after the Olympics, that anyone could easily hum, and that would convey the spirit of Sapporo’s citizens,” and this is the piece that resulted.
It’s a song that evokes Sapporo’s beautiful winter scenery and the resilience of people living through the harsh cold.
Winter RivieraMori Shinichi
Shinichi Mori’s “Fuyu no Riviera” is a song known for its touching lyrics and beautiful melody.
The lyrics express the sadness of parting in a forward-looking way, which resonates with many listeners.
Released in 1982, this song has continued to be loved by a wide audience.
In particular, it may deeply move older listeners, who often have more chances to reflect on the past.
Mori’s voice, cool yet warm, seems to make you forget the chill of winter.
The melody is easy to remember, so humming along can be a lovely way to enjoy it together.
It might also spark conversations filled with fond memories.
Egg Seller in MinnesotaAkatsuki Teruko
Big impact right from the opening! “The Egg Seller of Minnesota” is a song released in 1951 by Teruko Akatsuki, who was active as an actress and singer.
It’s also known as the tune that rakugo performer Kikuo Hayashiya sings when responding on a quiz show.
Some older people may not remember the lyrics, but clearly remember the distinctive repeated phrase.
However, it seems that in reality there is no tradition of egg sellers in the U.S.
state of Minnesota.
One can’t help but wonder what kind of idea led to lyrics like these.