[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.
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[For Seniors] Recommended Songs for Care Activities and Events! Crowd-Pleasers That Bring Joy (21–30)
signpostFukuyama Masaharu
The song I’d like you to sing while reflecting on the life your father has walked is Masaharu Fukuyama’s “Michi Shirube” (Signpost).
Released in 2009 as the B-side to the single “Keshin,” this song was written by Fukuyama with his grandmother in mind.
Just like Fukuyama’s grandmother, perhaps your elderly father also worked hard for his family and showed you the path you should take.
Think of your father’s hardships, hold the feelings he gave you close to your heart, and try singing it on Father’s Day.
Because the moon is so very blueSugawara Totoko
Totoko Sugawara, known for her distinctive, wistful vibrato, was called the Queen of Elegy and is also famous as the very first singer to perform on NHK’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen, which everyone knows.
She moved to Tokyo at the age of nine for an audition, where her talent blossomed, and together with her father, the composer Akira Mutsu, she released numerous masterpieces.
Her signature song, “Tsuki ga Tottemo Aoi Kara” (Because the Moon Is So Very Blue), became a million-selling hit in an era when the music market was much smaller than it is today, making her a household name across Japan.
For many seniors, it’s a song right at the heart of their youthful days, so it could be a great choice for recreational activities or background music in senior care facilities.
The Highland Train GoesOkamoto Atsurō
“The Plateau Train Goes” is a song that has long been loved, especially as sung by Atsuro Okamoto.
Its lively melody and lyrics capture the charm of travel, warmly embracing the listener’s heart.
Released in 1954, it’s a memorable piece that was also performed at that year’s NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen.
For older listeners, it may bring back memories of travels from their youth.
It’s also used as the departure melody at Fukushima Station, so some people might have heard it on the platform.
It’s a great choice to sing together during recreation time, or to enjoy while doing light exercises.
Wrapped in nostalgia, it promises a wonderful time that refreshes both body and mind.
Mito Komon Exercise
This is an exercise routine that moves the whole body to the theme song of Mito Kōmon, a staple of period dramas.
Because it uses a song everyone knows, the music itself is enjoyable.
Despite its powerful feel, the song’s gentle tempo is another key point; moving your body while catching the rhythm helps you generate strength.
Once you get used to moving along with the music, doing it while singing is also recommended, as it is expected to help improve cognitive function.
Otomi-sanKasuga Hachirō
Hachiro Kasuga’s “Otomi-san” is a classic that evokes both nostalgia and freshness.
The kabuki-inspired lyrics are rich in storytelling and resonate deeply.
Released in 1954, the song has since been covered by various artists and continues to be loved across generations.
For older listeners, it may be a piece to enjoy along with memories of their youth.
It would be nice to sing or listen to it together during recreation time.
As you listen to Kasuga’s clear, beautiful voice, memories of familiar landscapes come to mind.
Why not spend a moment like that?
Tokyo Boogie-WoogieKasaogi Shizuko
Tokyo Boogie Woogie is probably a familiar song even for older adults.
The lyrics, which express the sense of liberation and joy after the war, really resonate, don’t they? The boogie-woogie rhythm makes your heart feel light and bouncy.
Kasagi Shizuko’s charming vocals are wonderful, too.
Since its release in 1947, the song has been continuously covered by many artists.
It’s also been used in movies and on television.
It’s a perfect tune for senior exercise as well.
You can enjoy it whether you’re standing or seated.
Clapping along and singing together could be fun, too.
It might even bring back fond memories.
Flowers will bloom.
This song was planned and produced as the theme song for NHK’s Great East Japan Earthquake Project, with lyrics by film director Shunji Iwai from Sendai.
For those who experienced the disaster, it may bring back difficult memories, and it also served as a source of support during the recovery.
There is also a video from the “Flowers Will Bloom Project,” featuring singers, entertainers, and athletes connected to Miyagi, Fukushima, and Iwate Prefectures.
With its easy-to-understand melody and singable chorus, it’s fun for everyone to sing together.
It’s also recommended as a choral piece for events.