[For Seniors] Classic Autumn Songs to Sing in November: From Children’s Songs to Popular Enka and Kayōkyoku

Before winter comeskami fuusen

Paper Balloon — Before Winter Comes

After the breakup of the folk group Akai Tori (Red Bird), two of its members—who later became a married duo—began performing as Kamifūsen.

“Before Winter Comes” is one of their signature songs.

Released in 1977, it became a major hit.

The song portrays a romance from summer into autumn, singing of someone you’ve broken up with but still can’t forget; its heartbroken lyrics deliver a poignant ache.

As autumn arrives and the wind turns colder, everyone starts to feel a little lonely, don’t they?

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utatane

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Ringo OiwakeMisora Hibari

Ringo Oiwake (Recorded in 1982)

Many older people are fans of Hibari Misora, aren’t they? This song, “Ringo Oiwake,” was used as an insert song for the radio drama “The Apple Orchard Girl” and also served as the theme song for a film starring Hibari Misora.

It’s known as one of the biggest postwar hits, and many people likely remember hearing it back then.

Since apples are in season in autumn, why not enjoy this song in the fall? The lyrics include a poignant depiction of remembering a deceased mother, which is sorrowful, but it suits the lonely feeling of the autumn season.

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sasashina

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Dango Three Brothersokaasan to issho

With Mother / Dango Three Brothers

There’s an autumn event called the Harvest Moon (Jugoya), right? In connection with that, I’d like to introduce the song Dango 3 Brothers, which is about dango, a food essential for Jugoya.

It was aired on the children’s program Okaasan to Issho, and features charming characters that look like dango.

As the title suggests, the song depicts a trio of dango siblings.

It’s amusing for how it packs in comical, dango-specific details—like how they get hard if left out.

It’s a great pick if you’re looking for a song that will make you laugh.

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yamamoto

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Eat some sushi!Shibugakitai

Shibugakitai - Eat Some Sushi!

Shibugakitai’s “Sushi Kuine!” is the kind of song that makes you crave sushi as soon as you hear it.

Released in 1986, it was broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” and about two months after its release, an English version titled “OH! SUSHI” also came out.

Even though winter is on the way, November—with its brilliant autumn foliage—still feels very much like peak fall.

And autumn means hearty appetites! Listening to a song that mentions so many different kinds of sushi is sure to make even older adults feel hungry, don’t you think? Let’s boost our energy for the coming cold winter with a fun song and some delicious sushi!

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SAKI

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I found a little sign of autumn.Sakushi: Satou Hachirou／Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao

I found a little sign of autumn.

Beloved by children and adults alike, both now and in the past, the nursery song “Chiisai Aki Mitsuketa” (“I Found a Little Autumn”) was written by Hachirō Satō with music by Yoshinao Nakata.

It was created for a special NHK program broadcast in 1955.

It’s often sung as a choral piece as well.

For many older people, it’s a song everyone can sing or hum, isn’t it? Naturally, since the lyrics are about autumn, it’s perfect for November, and the melody, too, evokes the deepening season and a wistful autumn mood.

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utatane

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