Recommended breakup songs for women in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese tracks

Listening to OliviaAnri

Anri / Listening to Olivia [Official Video]

Since we’re recommending breakup songs for people in their 40s, many of the selections are tracks that were popular in their youth.

But this song—Anri’s “Listening to Olivia (Olivia wo Kikinagara)”—was released in 1978.

For many, it’s a song from around the time they were born.

Even so, it has been loved and passed down for many years, and chances are you’ve heard it or even sung it yourself.

As proof of its enduring appeal, numerous artists have covered this number.

Anri’s gentle, heartfelt voice is one that loosens listeners’ tear ducts—a song that can easily move you to tears.

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Poem of SunlightLe Couple

Hidamari no Uta / Le Couple (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

“Hidamari no Uta” by Le Couple is a love song about a cherished person who has left the singer’s side.

It was a major hit when it was released and has been a popular choice for karaoke ever since.

It’s a very gentle-sounding ballad and tends to suit voices with a relatively higher range.

DEAR…againHirose Kōmi

Kohmi Hirose / DEAR…again

When you think of Kohmi Hirose, she’s the queen of winter songs who has sung countless love songs.

Her “DEAR…again” is a very poignant heartbreak song.

Its melody is catchy and has a charm that sticks in your head after just one listen.

That’s sad, isn’t it?Watanabe Misato

Misato Watanabe - Kanashii ne

Misato Watanabe is a female musician known as the Queen of Summer Songs, who was especially active from the 1980s to the 1990s.

This song, “Kanashii ne” (“It’s Sad”), is filled with Misato Watanabe’s mature charm.

It’s a song that feels great to sing.

I can’t say it.Gō Hiromi

Hiromi Go - I Can't Say It

Speaking of Hiromi Go’s bittersweet love songs, the famous one is “Ienai yo.” Although it’s a male ballad, Hiromi Go’s voice is so high—almost like a woman’s—that it’s relatively well-suited for women to sing at karaoke.

Mary AnnTHE ALFEE

Mary Ann THE ALFEE

One of the hit songs from the prime of the “rock band” The Alfee, it’s actually a heartbreak song with a chorus melody that really sticks in your head.

Their exquisite three-part harmony remains unchanged even now, and their youthful playing and vocals—despite being over 60—are something few can emulate.

I look forward to their continued success.

High School LullabyImokin Torio

Imo-Kin Trio – High School Lullaby

A super idol born from Kin-chan’s TV show.

It’s a smash hit created by the ultimate duo of Takashi Matsumoto and Haruomi Hosono of YMO.

The song is so poppy—perhaps because the character’s image is so strong—that you almost forget it’s actually a heartbreak song.

It’s irresistibly cute and catchy.