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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)
Flowers will bloom.NEW!Sakushi: Iwai Shunji/Sakkyoku: Kanno Yoko
This work was created with the aim of supporting recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
The lyrics, said to be written from the perspective of those who passed away, carry a gentle yet powerful message.
Shunji Iwai wrote the lyrics, Yoko Kanno composed the music, and it was performed by members of the “Flowers Will Bloom” project.
Released as a single in May 2012, it has long been cherished as NHK’s recovery support song.
There are various arrangements, including a version featuring figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, and it is loved across generations.
It’s the perfect song for moments spent thinking of someone dear while watching flowers bloom with the arrival of spring.
Please hum along to this beautiful melody that rests close to everyone’s heart.
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.
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!
hometownSakushi: Takano Tatsuyuki / Sakkyoku: Okano Teiichi
There are many songs titled “Furusato,” but the “Furusato” discussed here is the Ministry of Education school song published in 1914 during the Taisho era.
If you hear the opening lines, many of you will likely think, “I learned this at school.” Composed by Teiichi Okano, who created children’s songs that have gone down in Japanese music history—such as “Haru ga Kita” and “Haru no Ogawa,” which everyone has heard at least once—the piece features beautiful Japanese lyrics by Tatsuyuki Takano, who wrote the words for most of Okano’s signature works.
When you actually sing it, it’s amazing how vividly the “hometown” of old Japan comes to mind.
Because it’s a gently paced song, it’s also perfect for recreational activities like simple exercises or light dancing!
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.
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?
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?