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[For Seniors] Recommended Songs for Care Activities and Events! Crowd-Pleasers That Bring Joy
Many nursing homes and day service centers incorporate music appreciation, don’t they?
Listening to music is a form of entertainment anyone can enjoy.
Older adults likely have songs that have stayed with them throughout their lives.
So this time, we’ll introduce songs that seniors will love.
We’ve gathered many songs that can make seniors feel nostalgic or uplifted.
They’re perfect for playing at recreational activities and events, too.
Even seniors who find it difficult to go out may feel refreshed by listening to seasonal songs.
Nostalgic tunes can also stimulate the brain by prompting the recall of memories.
We hope you’ll make the most of this article.
For seniors: Recommended songs for caregiving activities and events! Crowd-pleasing favorites (1–10)
The Apple SongNamiki Michiko
Apple Song is a classic that was introduced as the theme and insert song for the first postwar film, Soyokaze, released in 1945.
It came out on a 78 rpm record in January 1946 and is recorded as the first hit song of the postwar era.
While the rendition by Michiko Namiki—an actress and singer active from before the war into the postwar period—is famous, the original record is actually a duet with Noboru Kirishima, another popular singer spanning the same era.
The lyrics were written by Sato Hachiro, known to all for songs like Happy Hinamatsuri.
The melody, which seemed to brighten Japan in the gloomy days immediately after the war, was composed by Masaru Manjome, a prolific creator of film music and popular songs.
Some of you may have grown up with this song in your childhood, and like Namiki—who, despite being a survivor of tragic wartime experiences, sang it with a cheerful spirit—please try singing it out loud, full of energy.
Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari
Hibari Misora’s “Kawa no Nagare no Yō ni,” a song many older adults are familiar with, has a gentle melody that brings peace of mind.
The song depicts the calm flow of life and the precious relationships with loved ones met along the way, and each listen stirs deep emotions.
It’s also excellent for music therapy and helps refresh both mind and body.
The lyrics are easy to remember and the rhythm is soothing, so it’s nice to move your body gently while singing.
Why not spend some tranquil time with this song?
Kiyoshi’s Zundoko SongHikawa Kiyoshi
Among enka singers who debuted in the 2000s or later, the most widely known is surely Kiyoshi Hikawa.
Although Hikawa sadly went on hiatus as of December 31, 2022, with his handsome looks and outstanding vocal ability he has been active not only in enka but across a wide range of genres, including rock and pop.
It’s no exaggeration to call him a superstar loved by people of all ages.
This time, let’s spotlight one of his early signature songs, Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi.
Released as a single in 2002, it became a hit, peaking at No.
5 on the Oricon charts.
To this day, it remains a beloved classic and a staple for Bon Odori.
Given Hikawa’s exceptional recognition and popularity among seniors as well, be sure to play this song at facility events or summer festivals to get everyone energized!
I’m falling in love with you againSakamoto Fuyumi
It’s a charming song with a gentle singing voice and heartwarming lyrics.
The words portray a love that doesn’t change over time, carrying a message that resonates with older adults.
Released in January 2009, this piece has been loved by many and has won various awards.
It was even broadcast on NHK Radio 1’s “Rajio Shinyabin.” With Fuyumi Sakamoto’s warm vocals, it could become a cherished song for seniors.
This work is perfect for events or music appreciation time at care facilities.
How about spending a pleasant time singing or listening together with older adults?
I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu
The immortal classic Ue o Muite Arukō—also known by its English title “SUKIYAKI”—is a world-famous song that Japan is proud to share with the world.
Sung by Kyu Sakamoto, it was not only a massive hit in Japan but also achieved the historic feat of reaching No.
1 on the U.S.
Billboard chart—the first time for a Japanese singer, a fact that scarcely needs explanation now.
Influenced by everything from traditional Japanese music to Western genres like rockabilly and rock ’n’ roll, Sakamoto’s uniquely original vocal style was, at the time, so new that it reportedly didn’t sit well with more conservative listeners.
Yet today, it’s clear that this innovative approach was precisely what made the song a hit.
When Bruno Mars—one of the biggest superstars of our time—sang Ue o Muite Arukō in Japanese during his 2022 shows in Japan, it further proved that even in the 2020s, the song continues to be respected by artists around the world.
No matter the occasion, performing this song is sure to delight your audience; and if you’re good at whistling, be sure to recreate the whistled interlude as well.
Northern SpringSen Masao
A beautiful, nostalgic song that is cherished by many older adults.
This work, which sings of the changing seasons and feelings for one’s hometown, is perfect for looking back on fond memories while sensing the arrival of spring.
Released in April 1977, it became a huge hit with cumulative sales exceeding three million copies.
Incorporating it into spring exercise or music appreciation time can help older adults participate with enjoyment.
Conjuring spring scenes from the lyrics provides beneficial stimulation for the brain.
How about reminiscing about spring in your hometown together with older adults, wrapped in Masao Sen’s warm singing voice?
The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko
Ruriko Koyanagi, who trained at the Takarazuka Music School and, despite a brief stint with the Takarazuka Revue, has continued to thrive as both a singer and an actress from the Showa era through Heisei and now Reiwa, wields exceptional singing and acting ability as her strengths.
With such a long career, each generation has its own image and impression of her.
For those who remember Koyanagi at the height of her popularity in the early 1970s as a talented idol singer, the song “Seto no Hanayome” featured here may well bring tears of nostalgia.
Her fourth single overall, “Seto no Hanayome,” released in 1972, followed her debut song “Watashi no Jokamachi” to become another major hit.
It won the Grand Prize at the 3rd Japan Kayō Awards and the Vocal Performance Award at the 14th Japan Record Awards, making it one of the quintessential songs of the 1970s.
Aligned with the “Discover Japan” campaign run by the then–Japanese National Railways, it is, as the title suggests, themed around the Seto Inland Sea—a so‑called local song—so users from Shikoku might find it especially delightful!