RAG MusicKARAOKE
Lovely karaoke song

Popular Japanese songs among women in their 50s: recommended classics and staple tracks

If you’re currently in your 50s, songs from the ’80s and ’90s are probably packed with memories of your youth, aren’t they?

And there are likely many tracks from the 2000s that feel familiar and nostalgic as well.

In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of recommended songs for women in their 50s, focusing on music from the ’80s through the 2000s.

We’ve carefully chosen only tracks that were popular at the time, so you’re sure to reunite with some old favorites.

We hope you’ll enjoy listening closely—and that this list will also come in handy when choosing songs for karaoke.

Popular Japanese songs among women in their 50s: Recommended classics and standard tracks (21–30)

SWEET MEMORIESMatsuda Seiko

SWEET MEMORIES ~Sweet Memories~ Music Video (YouTube Edit)
SWEET MEMORIESMatsuda Seiko

Seiko Matsuda’s “SWEET MEMORIES,” with its bittersweet yet warm melody that sinks into the heart, is a timeless classic beloved across generations.

The song offers both nostalgia and freshness, endearing it to listeners of many ages.

Its dramatic lyrical world draws you in, while the gentle tune softly envelops your ears.

Even after many years, its unfading beauty is a key reason it resonates with a wide audience, including those in their 50s.

Let yourself sway to the relaxed rhythm and enjoy a memorable moment.

This is a song I especially recommend to anyone who hasn’t taken the time to truly savor music lately.

Tears aren’t just for show.Nakamori Akina

[Official] Akina Nakamori / “Tears Aren’t Just for Show” (Live in ’87: A HUNDRED days at Tokyo Kosei Nenkin Kaikan, 1987-10-17) AKINA NAKAMORI
Tears aren’t just for show.Nakamori Akina

In the fall of 1984, the landmark song that became a turning point for Akina Nakamori, “Kazarijanai no yo Namida wa,” was released.

Written and composed by Yosui Inoue, this track broadened Nakamori’s range as a singer.

While projecting the image of a strong woman, the lyrics also convey the vulnerability revealed when true love arrives, as well as the anticipation for a lover yet to be found.

This balance resonated deeply, capturing the hearts of many fans.

The collaboration between Inoue and Nakamori became a work etched in the history of Japanese pop, and even today, it likely remains a source of moving, tearful inspiration and courage for many women in their 50s.

foreignerKUBOTA Saki

Saki Kubota "Ihōjin" Animated Music Video
foreignerKUBOTA Saki

Saki Kubota’s biggest hit song, “Ihoujin.” Chances are, everyone has sung this piece at least once.

Because the vocal range is fairly wide, many people may feel it’s difficult, but the truth is the vocal line is quite simple.

If the height makes it hard to sing, adjust the key so you can use chest voice—not mixed voice—for the high phrases in the A section and the chorus.

Doing so will also make it much easier to keep your pitch in check.

The hottest summer in the worldPRINCESS PRINCESS

Princess Princess 'The Hottest Summer in the World'
The hottest summer in the worldPRINCESS PRINCESS

PRINCESS PRINCESS opened the door for girls’ bands.

Many women in their 50s probably admired them.

Among their songs, the one I especially recommend is “The Hottest Summer in the World.” This track is notable for its extremely catchy vocal line.

While the range is relatively high at mid2A to hiD, it’s quite narrow.

Since there aren’t any difficult phrases in any section, if you can keep your pitch steady, it’s definitely possible to aim for a score in the 90s at karaoke.

North WingNakamori Akina

[Official] Akina Nakamori / Kita Wing (~Yume~ ’91 Akina Nakamori Special Live at Makuhari Messe, 1991.7.28 & 29) Kita Wing
North WingNakamori Akina

Akina Nakamori’s song, which portrays the resolve and inner conflict of a woman in love, was released in January 1984 and reached No.

2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

On The Best Ten, it soared to No.

1 on January 19 and went on to hold the top spot for five consecutive weeks, becoming a major hit.

With a clear, transparent voice, it conveys the delicate emotions of a woman departing from Narita Airport for a foreign land.

Though there is anxiety in her decision to leave everything behind and fly off to follow her lover, her determination to move forward while holding onto hope for the future is striking.

The distinctive vocal style later known as the “Akina Vibrato” is also part of its appeal.

It’s the perfect song to sing at karaoke with friends while reminiscing about old times.

Aino Katachi feat. HIDE (GReeeeN)MISIA

Aino Katachi feat. HIDE GReeeeN (from Heisei Budokan LIFE IS GOING ON AND ON Live Ver.)
Aino Katachi feat. HIDE (GReeeeN)MISIA

The 2018 collaboration between GReeeeN’s HIDE and MISIA, “Ai no Katachi feat.

HIDE (GReeeeN).” As a song that rivals “Aitakute Ima” and “Everything” in popularity, many women in their 50s are likely familiar with it.

This piece is arranged within a slightly narrower vocal range of mid1 A to mid2 F, making it easier to sing even for those who struggle with high notes.

However, the average pitch is mid1 G#, which is low for a women’s song, and the final big chorus features high phrases close to mixed voice.

Keep these two points in mind when singing.

Let’s Count Your Kisses ~You were mine~Koyanagi Yuki

[Official] Yuki Koyanagi “Let’s Count Your Kisses ~You were mine~” (Music Video) / Anatano Kiss wo Kazoemashou (1st Single)
Let's Count Your Kisses ~You were mine~Koyanagi Yuki

This is the song Yuki Koyanagi debuted with in 1999, and I think it’s a ballad everyone admires.

Some of you might have listened to this track on repeat, right? Even if you think you’re tone-deaf, songs you’ve listened to a lot tend to stick in your memory, so when you actually sing them, you’ll often find you can surprisingly stay on pitch! So don’t be afraid to give it a try.

The A and B sections sit in a relatively calm range, but the pitch jumps up quickly from the chorus into the C section, so it feels great if you adjust the key to one that’s comfortable for you and sing the English parts too.

The accompaniment is solid, so you should still be able to sing it coolly even if you lower the key.

Overall, there’s no need to belt—sing with a light touch, keeping a head-voice feel in mind, and give it a try.