In this article, we’ll introduce a roundup of uplifting songs recommended for men in their 90s.
Focusing on Showa-era enka and popular songs that defined the time, we’ve selected many great recommendations.
Some songs have lyrics that will bring back memories of student days and youth, while others rekindle dreams and passions from younger years.
As you listen, you’ll likely feel energy welling up in your heart once again.
If you’re reading this article, please be sure to recommend the songs introduced here to the men in their 90s in your life.
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Uplifting songs for men in their 90s. Recommended positive tunes (1–10)
Journey of the HeartNEW!chūrippu
This is the song that you can’t help but hum during the season of departures.
It’s a signature work by Tulip, a band formed in Fukuoka Prefecture, and a classic released in April 1973 as their third single.
Its melody, which evokes the poignant feelings for a lover far away and the scene of setting off by train, truly resonates.
In fact, just before release, the lead vocal was changed from Kazuo Zaitsū to Tatsuya Himeno, and the structure was altered to start with the chorus—changes that led to a major hit, reaching No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
Beloved as a TV drama theme and in commercials, this piece has been cherished across generations.
As you reminisce about youthful journeys together, raise your voices and sing “Kokoro no Tabi.”
king (shogi piece)Murata Hideo
Hideo Murata’s “Osho” is a masterpiece whose lyrics, filled with courage and resolve, strike a chord in the heart.
It powerfully sings of a life that is anything but simple—the tenderness of thinking of his wife, the earnest determination to stake everything on a showdown in Tokyo.
Released in November 1961, it became a million-seller and won numerous awards.
It was also used as a movie theme song and remains an enduring classic that is still sung today.
To everyone standing at a crossroads in life, listen to this song and hold your head high as you face forward and walk on.
festivalKitajima Saburō
Saburo Kitajima’s “Matsuri” is a masterpiece that brilliantly captures the atmosphere of traditional Japanese festivals through music.
You can almost picture scenes of festivals that give thanks for nature’s blessings, such as harvest festivals and great-catch celebrations.
The melody is infused with the rhythms of festival music, and the masculine, powerful vocals fit the character of the song perfectly.
Along with the dynamism of festivals, the piece conveys the Japanese reverence for nature and ancestral worship that has long been cherished.
Since its release in November 1984, it has been sung time and again, leaving a significant mark on Japan’s music scene.
Combined with Kitajima’s own passionate stage presence, it’s a song that lets you savor the festive spirit.
How about playing it when family gathers for New Year’s or Obon and enjoying a lively time together?
The Apple SongNamiki Michiko
“The Apple Song” is a masterpiece among masterpieces that brightly illuminated postwar Japan.
Released in 1945, right after the end of the war, it lit a beacon of hope in people’s hearts.
Through apples as symbols of love and peace, its lyrics celebrate everyday, modest happiness and human bonds—messages that continue to move many to this day.
Accompanied by Michiko Namiki’s refreshing vocals, this classic created by Hachiro Sato and Tadashi Manjome encouraged those standing amid the ruins of the postwar era and became a spectacular hit.
In 2007, it was selected for the “100 Best Japanese Songs,” cementing its status as a piece cherished across generations.
When your heart is tired or you feel discouraged, listen to this song; it’s sure to give you strength for tomorrow.
The Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo Oka
Haruo Oka’s “Yearning for Hawaii Route” is a classic that represents Japan’s Showa-era popular music, singing of hope and longing after the war.
The melody conveys the scene of a ship departing the harbor and a yearning for Hawaii.
Its beautiful lyrics vividly depict the moment of setting sail, filling listeners’ hearts with dreams and hope.
In 1950, it was also used as the theme song for a film of the same title.
I think it’s a perfect song for older adults who have passed the midpoint of life and dream of a new departure.
Precisely because they are the generation that survived the turmoil after the war, the message hidden in this song is sure to resonate deeply.