Breakup songs recommended for people in their 90s: a collection of timeless tracks that comfort the heart

In this article, I’ll introduce recommended breakup songs from around the 1950s to 1960s—music that should feel familiar to people in their 90s.

Even among the songs of that era, there are many that depict bittersweet feelings of love, resonating with the hearts of young people at the time.

If you’re reading this, please consider recommending the songs below to a 90-something loved one.

I’d be delighted if they spark memories of the past and encourage stories from their youthful days.

Now, let’s dive right into the recommended tracks!

Playlist

Breakup songs recommended for people in their 90s: a collection of timeless tracks that comfort the heart
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Parting Cedar (Farewell Cedar)Kasuga Hachirō		Kasuga Hachirō’s signature song, “Wakare no Ipponsugi” (“The Lone Cedar of Parting”), is ...
2	farewell payphoneMatsuyama Keiko		The renowned work by Keiko Matsuyama that portrays a heartrending scene of parting...
3	Tokyo ElegySanjo Machiko		Ms. Machiko Sanjo’s “Tokyo Elegy” is…
4	Cry not, little dove.Haruo Oka		With Haruo Oka’s captivating singing voice, a farewell…
5	In the corner of a caféMatsushima Utako		Utako Matsushima’s “In a Corner of the Café” is, in 19…
6	The Night of the Dance PartyHayashi Isao		Isao Hayashi’s “Night of the Dance Party” is…
7	Black petalsMizuhara Hiroshi		Hiroshi Mizuhara’s “Black Petals” has a sweet, low voice…
8	Goodbye to teenage loveKōbe Ichirō		Ichiro Kobe’s “Goodbye to Teenage Love” is…
9	I liked it.Tsuruta Koji		Koji Tsuruta’s “Sukidatta” conveys the pain of a broken heart…
10	Melancholy TrainMitsubishi Michiya		The heartbreak of having to part with the one you love...
11	A hill with a view of the harborHirano Aiko		Aiko Hirano’s “The Hill from Which You Can See the Harbor” is, in the postwar...
12	It’s a love I picked up anyway.Koromubia Rōzu		Columbia Rose’s “Douse Hirotta…”
13	Chako Vanished into the Night FogFuranku Nagai		Frank Nagai’s “Chaco Vanished into the Night Fog”…
14	Goodbye Comes After the DanceBaishō Chieko		Chieko Baisho's 'Goodbye After the Dance...'
15	Lill Returning from ShanghaiTsumura Ken		Ken Tsumura’s “Rill Returning from Shanghai” is, in the postwar...
16	Showa-era womanNagayama Yōko		A classic masterpiece depicting a Showa-era woman's farewell and resolve
17	It was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Uchiyamada Hiroshi to Cool Five		Kiyoshi Maekawa’s classic song paints the emotion of heartbreak and the scenery of Kyushu.
18	At the Rainy Taverndikku mine		A Showa-era classic that sings of the melancholy of heartbreak.
19	You, my beloved.Itō Hisao		Hisa'o Itō's sweet Showa-era kayōkyoku (pop songs)
20	Waltz of StarlightSen Masao		Masao Sen's classic 'Hoshikage no Waltz,' a song that sings of the melancholy of parting
21	Journey of the Heartchūrippu		A classic song that captures the bittersweet emotions of departure.
22	Parting at 22kaguya hime		A classic song that depicts a breakup with a lover and a fresh new start
23	The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku		Eisaku Ōkawa’s heartrending love song, thoughts on the sasanqua flowers
24	a red handkerchiefIshihara Yūjirō		Spring in the northern country, a masterpiece that resonates in Yujiro Ishihara’s heart
25	Lingering Snowiruka		Spring farewell song, a masterpiece by Iruka
26	I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		A ballad depicting the pain of heartbreak and the glimmer of hope