Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese hits

Aoba Castle Love Songsatou muneyuki

Aoba Castle Love Song by Muneyuki Sato

It was released in 1978 as Muneyuki Sato’s debut single.

It’s a highly popular song known as a local anthem representing not only Sendai City and Miyagi Prefecture, but the Tohoku region as a whole.

Although the lyrics are about heartbreak, it has become a classic that brings tears to listeners’ eyes, with a gentle, heartfelt vocal that evokes the scenery of Sendai, the “City of Trees.”

Breath of DawnChekkāzu

The Checkers “Breath of Dawn” MV

It was released in 1990 as The Checkers’ 22nd single.

While it’s a straightforward love song, it was created for all the people who reached out to support them.

It was used as the campaign song for the film “Tasmania Story.” With this song, they made their seventh consecutive appearance—seventh overall—at the 41st NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

A song I made for youMatsuyama Chiharu

A Song I Wrote for You Chiharu Matsuyama

It’s the title track from Chiharu Matsuyama’s 1977 album.

Known for his “glass-like” voice, his gentle and clear vocals beautifully bring the down-to-earth lyrics to life.

The folk guitar tone is gorgeous, and it’s a song that would look very cool performed as a solo with guitar, whether you’re picking it up again after a while or showcasing seasoned skills.

It’s a piece that will revive the youth of that era.

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Murakami Shinpei

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fireflySazan Ōrusutāzu

Southern All Stars – Firefly [Live at Miyagi Stadium, 2013]

Southern All Stars is a five-member rock band that has continued to captivate fans since their debut, standing as a quintessential group representing summer in the J-pop scene.

“Hotaru,” included on their 54th single Peace and Highlight, was selected as the theme song for the film The Eternal Zero.

Its lyrics, which evoke farewells with loved ones and prayers for peace, are ones many listeners may find themselves identifying with.

With a gentle yet heartrending message and melody that stir the heart, it’s a ballad that feels sentimental while still conveying a sense of positivity.

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Hoshino Takashi

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River of Ten Thousand MilesCHAGE and ASKA

River of Ten Thousand Miles

It was released in 1980 as Chage & Aska’s third single.

It became their first hit to enter the top 10 on the Oricon weekly chart, and the title is said to be taken from the Great Wall of China.

Inspired by China’s Yangtze River, the song is a story-like piece depicting a woman who continues to think of her lover who has gone far beyond the river.

While listening to a distant train whistleArisu

Alice, listening to a distant train whistle

This is a song released by Alice in 1976, with lyrics by Shinji Tanimura and music composed by Takao Horiuchi.

At the 47th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen in 1996, Horiuchi performed it as a solo act, and at the 56th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen in 2005, it was featured as part of a medley by Alice.

It is considered one of Alice’s classic songs.

From Yamato with lovesawada kenji

With Love from Yamato / Kenji Sawada

This was Kenji Sawada’s 24th single, released on August 1, 1978.

It served as the theme song for the hugely popular anime of the time, Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato: Warriors of Love.

As of 2022, when this article is being written, I imagine many people in their 50s were captivated by this anime.

It featured an unforgettable ending in which the Yamato, battered and barely holding together after enemy attacks, makes a kamikaze run at the enemy’s super-dreadnought to save Earth.

I think I saw this film in theaters when I was in the fourth grade, and that scene still remains vividly in my memory.

Because this song plays as the Yamato self-destructs, it has become a deeply nostalgic piece for me.

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Kei Takahata

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