Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese hits
Every listener has their own memories and personal connections to musical works.
This time, we’ve put together a selection of “tear-jerker” songs that are likely to be especially memorable for women in their 50s.
The focus is on hit songs from the 1980s to the 1990s and the popular ballads of the time.
As you read this article, we hope it helps you recall your own “good old days,” and that just hearing a melody or a line of lyrics will instantly bring back the atmosphere of that nostalgic era—letting you feel the power of music.
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Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 50s: Japanese classics and popular tracks (21–30)
Wandering Love SongNagabuchi Tsuyoshi
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s debut single, released in 1978.
Back then, he was still a slender, handsome folk singer.
It’s a love song about a helpless unrequited crush.
Something like a woman’s fervent passion brings tears to your eyes.
The distinctly Showa-era portrayal of the man seems to make the heartache even more poignant.
Sorrow like snowHamada Shogo
Released in 1981 and reissued as the theme song for the 1992 TV drama “Ai to Iu Na no Moto ni,” this dramatic track is one of Shogo Hamada’s signature masterpieces that became a major hit.
Its lyrics—saying that not only you, but everyone, sheds hidden tears—may bring comfort to you in your sorrow.
Tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 50s: Classic and popular Japanese tracks (31–40)
On her way back from shoppingElefanto Kashimashi
Their 41st double A-side single, released in 2010.
Although it’s a relatively new song, it lets you fully appreciate the maturity of Elephant Kashimashi.
With gentle warmth, it sings of a woman who, while cherishing memories from her youth, has gradually come to accept her true self—embracing both her fragility and her strength.
Perhaps this is what it really means to relax your shoulders and let go.
sparklingOda Kazumasa
It’s the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Koi no Chikara,” released in 2002.
True to its title, “Kira Kira,” it features a sparkling sound, and its uplifting lyrics cheer on those in love, encouraging hearts that feel like they might break—a true tearjerker.
Give me a slow boogieMinami Yoshitaka
The theme song of the film of the same name released in 1981.
It’s a love song packed with the aesthetics of Showa-era manliness.
When you listen to this gently sung piano rock ballad, many women might find themselves remembering the man they loved back then and shedding a quiet tear.
Azure RabbitNoriko Sakai
A hit song regarded as a signature piece by Tetsurō Oda, who is both a producer and composer.
The singing that incorporated sign language became a boom, and it was even adopted as teaching material in schools for events like cultural festivals and recitals.
And of course, when you think of this song, you think of the Nippon TV drama “Hoshi no Kinka” (Heaven’s Coins).
Even watching it now might make you cry! It’s also the best-selling single of Noriko Sakai, known as Nori-P.
With this song, Sakai won the Excellence Work Award at that year’s Japan Record Awards and appeared in the year-end Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Nori-P’s radiance was truly off the charts…
Love will winKAN
KAN’s biggest hit, released in 1990.
It was used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s “Hochan’s Yamada Katsutenai Television.” A straightforward, hard-hitting yet heart-tugging classic that captures the upbeat, high-energy vibe of the era and can even move you to tears.