[Minna no Uta] Beloved Across Generations: Nostalgic Classics and Popular Songs
We’re introducing some nostalgic songs from Minna no Uta, a program that has continued to produce countless classics.
I’m sure each of you has that one song that makes you think, “When it comes to Minna no Uta, it has to be this one!”
The pieces that stick in your memory may vary by generation, but in this article we’ve focused on songs that everyone knows.
They’re all tunes that feel nostalgic to anyone—just seeing the title will have you humming along before you know it.
If you’re thinking, “I want to listen to the classics from Minna no Uta,” be sure to check these out.
Let’s listen to these timeless favorites, loved across generations, with family and friends, and keep passing them down through song.
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[Minna no Uta] Beloved Classics and Popular Songs That Transcend Time (11–20)
Let’s Dance in a Circle ~Ire Aie~
A heart-thumping track packed with rhythmic music and positive messages.
Released in May 1997, it premiered the same year on NHK’s “Minna no Uta.” True to its lyrics, “Let’s all dance and have fun,” it became a beloved song across generations.
It was chosen as the theme song for the official Nagano 1998 Winter Olympics characters, the “Snowlets,” and was performed live at the closing ceremony.
It’s a perfect pick when you want to dance and get excited with family and friends.
Once you hear it, you’ll find yourself moving to the beat.
Grandfather’s Clock
“Grandfather’s Clock,” which is occasionally covered by well-known artists and is beloved as a choral piece, has a special place in many hearts.
In particular, Ken Hirai’s moving rendition captivated listeners across generations.
While its distinctive rhythm creates a cheerful atmosphere, the lyrics tell a story in which the grandfather departs for heaven and the clock stops as well.
This juxtaposition of somber words with the sound of the clock expresses the feelings for the grandfather and the bittersweet emotions held within.
There’s no such thing as ghosts.Sakushi: Maki Minori / Sakkyoku: Mine Akira
This work features memorable lyrics that teach us the courage to laugh off our fears and the joy of embracing the unknown.
Its light, poppy melody is easy for anyone—from children to adults—to hum along to.
Beloved for more than half a century since its broadcast in July 1966, it was even selected as a practical skills test piece for nursery teachers in 2016, underscoring its high educational value.
When everyone sings it together, it might just transform how children picture the mysterious “ghosts” they’re afraid of!
Wings nowSakushi: Toyama Utao / Sakkyoku: Morimoto Shoroku
Broadcast from February to March 2009, this work carries a bright, forward-looking message celebrating new beginnings.
With lyrics by Kao Tooyama and music by Shoroku Morimoto, the song features a gentle and moving melody centered on piano and strings.
It was aired on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” through which it became widely beloved.
Today, it is often sung at graduation ceremonies and cherished as a classic symbol of setting off on a new journey.
As a song of encouragement for those graduating or embarking on a new chapter in life, it resonates deeply with many people.
somewhere youanzenchitai
Broadcast as a new song from June to July 2022, this track drew an overwhelming response thanks to Koji Tamaki’s warm vocals.
It was provided as the centennial commemorative song for Asahikawa City in Hokkaido, the hometown of the members of Anzen Chitai.
With messages like “I’m always watching over you” and “I’m by your side, so don’t feel lonely,” the song gently unravels the loneliness that many people—children and adults alike—tend to carry in today’s world, where the pursuit of convenience has thinned human-to-human communication.
It’s a work overflowing with warmth.
The Bento Box Song ~A Letter to You~Hanzaki Yoshiko
Despite its upbeat melody, this is a song that brings you to tears, filled with a mother’s love.
Written by singer-songwriter Yoshiko Hanzaki, it was broadcast on “Minna no Uta” in 2017.
If you ate your mom’s homemade bento every day as a student, you probably won’t be able to listen without crying.
Bentos sometimes include things you don’t like or leftovers, but just like the lyrics say, mothers make them with love, thinking of their children’s health.
The message from the child at the end of the song is also deeply moving.
[Minna no Uta] Beloved Through the Ages: Nostalgic Classics and Popular Songs (21–30)
Computer Grandma
At first glance, “computers and Grandma” might seem like a mismatch, but in fact this grandmother was incredible! She wasn’t a grandma who used computers—she was a grandma who knew as much as a computer about everything! Born in the Meiji era, she was erudite, knowledgeable about all sorts of things, and academically talented…
It also includes a warm message from her grandchild that conveys deep love for such a remarkable grandmother.
