[For Seniors] Recommended Songs for Care Activities and Events! Crowd-Pleasers That Bring Joy

Tokyo Boogie-WoogieKasaogi Shizuko

1949 BBC Tokyo Boogie-Woogie / Shizuko Kasagi

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.

Ozasiki Song

Ozashiki kouta, popular song, Kyoto, geiko

It was sung in 1964 by Hiroshi Wada and the Mahina Stars along with Kazuko Matsuo.

While the Tokyo Olympics likely helped, the economy at the time was far from strong, yet the song became a massive hit with total sales of 2.5 million copies, setting a new record for record sales back then.

Thanks to its musical style, it also became wildly popular at drinking parties across the country: people would sing just the first verse, then others around them would join in with humorous parody verses and enjoy themselves.

It’s said that it can be even more enjoyable at senior care facilities’ recreational events if, in addition to singing the original lyrics, participants share parody versions they know.

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The Bride SambaGō Hiromi

[Nostalgic Songs Exercise] Hiromi Go “Oyome Samba” [Request]

Let’s dance to some nostalgic tunes and relive those days! Today’s pick is “Oyome Samba.” Many of you probably feel your spirits lift when you hear Hiromi Go’s sweet, unmistakable voice.

This time, let’s shake it out to “Oyome Samba” and blow off some steam.

Moving your body boosts blood flow to the brain and releases neurotransmitters, which can help relieve stress.

It’ll lift your mood and leave you feeling refreshed! Give it a try and work it into your routine.

Mount Fuji (Fujinoyama)

Mount Fuji (Fuji no Yama) 🗻 (♪ With its head above the clouds~) by Himawari 🌻×3 with lyrics | Ministry of Education Song [100 Selected Japanese Songs] | Fuji Mountain

This is a song of praise for a beautiful mountain beloved as a symbol of Japan, released in July 1910 as a Ministry of Education school song.

With its concise lyrics and distinctive melody, it has continued to be cherished across generations.

It is often sung on July 1, the opening day of the mountain-climbing season, and is a memorable piece that evokes the feeling of summer.

Treasured in school music education and community cultural activities, this work embodies respect for Japanese tradition and nature, and is surely a familiar, nostalgic song for older adults as well.

It’s perfect for a relaxed recreational moment to enjoy singing while reminiscing about the past through a nostalgic school song.

Summer MemoriesSakushi: Ema Akiko / Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao

Summer Memories | With Lyrics | One Hundred Selected Japanese Songs | Radio Kayō | When summer comes, I remember

This is a beloved song that weaves nostalgic memories set in Oze.

Written by Shoko Ema with music by Yoshinao Nakada, it is a beautiful Japanese art song that delicately portrays scenes of nature and brings us the dreams and hopes lost after the war.

Since its first broadcast on NHK Radio in June 1949, its gentle melody and heartwarming lyrics have left a deep impression on many listeners.

It was sung by Ichiro Fujiyama in 1954 and featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1962, making it cherished across generations.

Rooted in Japan’s musical culture for many years, it was selected in 2006 for the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “100 Best Japanese Songs.” Humming its melody, imbued with love for abundant nature, brings nostalgic landscapes to mind.

Shall we bask together in the pleasant memories of summer?

Flamenco of the StarsSaigō Teruhiko

Stellar Flamenco, Teruhiko Saigō

This song, set to a passionate flamenco rhythm, expresses the tender feelings of young love.

Released in 1966, it gained wide support alongside Teruhiko Saigō’s powerful vocals.

It attracted attention as an innovative attempt to incorporate flamenco elements into Japanese kayōkyoku.

As one of his signature songs, it has been included in numerous music albums.

In recent years, it has also become familiar as an insert song on the variety show “Can I Charge My Battery? Tetsurō Degawa’s Journey.” Well known among seniors, this piece is one that can be enjoyed with a sense of nostalgia.

With its warm vocals and captivating melody, it will keep you smiling even on hot summer days.

Kawachi Ondo

Kawachi Ondo (Osaka Prefecture folk song)

Kawachi Ondo, one of the folk songs best known from Bon Odori, is said to have formed through a blend and arrangement of indigenous ondo and folk tunes that were sung in the area corresponding to the southeastern part of present-day Osaka Prefecture.

Because it came to be sung primarily as a Bon dance song, it has deep ties to Buddhism and also carries the character of a requiem.

Although Kawachi Ondo was born in a single locality, the 1961 record Teppō-bushi Kawachi Ondo became a million-seller, spreading its name not only throughout Japan but overseas as well.

For older listeners, just hearing the sound might be enough to set their hands moving involuntarily.

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