Recommended Western music for men in their 50s: world classics and popular songs

PrivateEyesDaryl Hall & John Oates

Daryl Hall & John Oates – Private Eyes (Official HD Video)

They were a male duo known for their blue-eyed soul who had been popular since the 1970s, and they really broke big in Japan once the ’80s began.

Especially from the late ’70s to the early ’80s, every song they released seemed to soar into the upper ranks of the charts, and their music videos were played on Best Hit USA almost every week.

Band on the RunWings

Band On The Run (2010 Remaster)

For generations who didn’t know the Beatles in real time, the band that let them hear the genuine Beatles sound was Paul McCartney & Wings.

There were also young fans who first listened to Wings and then traced their way back to the Beatles’ music.

Yesterday OncemoreCarpenters

Carpenters Yesterday Once More

The sibling duo The Carpenters, Karen and Richard, were beloved for their beautiful melodies and Karen’s vocals.

For junior high school students back then, this was the go-to Western song to listen to for studying English.

Released in 1973, it became a hit in Japan, selling over one million copies.

Upwhere we belongJoe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes

Up Where We Belong : Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes

An insert song from the film An Officer and a Gentleman starring a young Richard Gere.

In the climactic scene where this song plays, Richard Gere looks cool even from a man’s perspective.

The harmony between Joe Cocker’s husky voice and Jennifer Warnes’s soaring vocals is also outstanding.

Every breath you takeThe Police

The Police – Every Breath You Take (Official Music Video)

The Police, a quintessential presence in the New Wave that emerged in the UK, initially had a slightly edgy sound that appealed to a niche audience tired of mainstream rock.

But as the 1980s began, their exceptionally tasteful sound broke through in the American music scene as well, and with this song their popularity soared to its peak.

I can’t be honestCHICAGO

Chicago – Hard To Say I’m Sorry (Official Music Video)

“Hard to say I’m sorry.” When a couple has had a fight, that’s definitely a “so true!” kind of feeling, right? But you still miss them and want to be held, don’t you? Gentlemen of a certain age, this is recommended for when you’ve had a quarrel with your wife or partner.

Like a VirginMadonna

Madonna – Like A Virgin (Official Video)

Madonna, hailed as the second coming of Marilyn Monroe and bursting onto the music scene with provocative titles and album covers, wielded an influence that extended beyond music into fashion and culture, becoming a major social movement.