[Ages 60s] Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Rankings [By Generation]

Lingering Snowiruka1rank/position

Dolphin [Iruka] / Nagori-yuki [Lingering Snow] (Single Version) Official Audio with translation

“Nagori Yuki” is easy to sing in the original key even for men.

It’s a gentle, tender song, so instead of belting the high notes, try using falsetto to convey a sense of poignancy.

Since it doesn’t require intricate techniques, it’s also a good choice for people who aren’t confident singers to try in a natural, relaxed style.

When you sing, keep your throat generally open and let the voice come out comfortably.

Before singing, lift your facial muscles and eyebrows, then send your voice gently forward.

Doing this lets not only your voice but also your breath flow out together, helping you produce a very pleasing singing tone.

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Kubota Mami

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Journey of the Heartchūrippu2rank/position

TULIP “Kokoro no Tabi” (Lyric Video)

When it comes to Tulip’s signature songs, this is probably the one many people think of.

Released in 1973 as their third single, it became their first major hit.

Its innovative structure—starting with the chorus—and Tatsuya Himeno’s sweet vocals are especially captivating.

The lyrics, depicting a parting from a loved one and the start of a new journey, beautifully express the bittersweetness and hope of youth.

Just five months after its release, it topped the Oricon charts and sold about 870,000 copies.

Covered by many artists and featured in commercials and dramas, it has become a timeless classic.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to on your last night with someone special.

If I Could Play the PianoNishida Toshiyuki3rank/position

If I Could Play the Piano

Toshiyuki Nishida, who has left a strong mark in many works as a renowned actor.

He’s a versatile performer, and for a time he was active as a musical artist as well.

When it comes to songs that represent him, isn’t it, after all, “Moshimo Piano ga Hiketa Nara” (“If Only I Could Play the Piano”)? It’s characterized by a very calm vocal delivery, with a relatively even melodic contour and a narrow range.

It’s ideal for karaoke when you’re getting tired and want to sing something that can be performed softly.

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Ryo

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Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi4rank/position

Cotton Handkerchief (with lyrics) - Song by Hiromi Ohta

Let me introduce a heartwarming song that brings back nostalgic memories.

It tells a poignant story of a long-distance romance between a man setting off from the countryside to the big city and a woman who stays in their hometown.

The lyrics alternate between the man’s and the woman’s perspectives—a groundbreaking technique for its time.

Released in 1975, it became a signature song for Hiromi Ohta, who made her first appearance at the 26th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen that same year.

The woman’s longing for an unchanging heart rather than material gifts is especially memorable.

How about humming along with older listeners and sharing stories of youthful days? You’re sure to have a wonderful time.

Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko5rank/position

Mata Au Himade

Released in March 1971, this song is known as Kiyohiko Ozaki’s signature work.

Its lyrics, depicting a scene of a couple resolved to part ways, resonated with many people.

Chosen as the entrance march for the 44th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament in 1972, it has continued to be cherished across generations.

The piece offers comfortable pitch and tempo, making it easy to sing even for men in their 60s.

When performing it at karaoke, why not convey the depth of Ozaki’s sentiments while expressing mature judgment and a mutual understanding of hearts?

era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki6rank/position

era; age; time; period

This is Miyuki Nakajima’s second single, released in December 1975.

Within its calm, narrative delivery, layers of life’s many scenes—parting, loss, and new encounters—overlap, giving it a warmth like a vessel into which listeners can easily pour their own memories and emotions.

Winning the Grand Prix at the 6th World Popular Song Festival held the same year, the song quickly boosted her recognition, and it has continued to be loved across media—for example, it was chosen as the theme song for the film “Memories: You Will Not Be Forgotten,” released in January 2020.

On days when your spirits sink for no particular reason, why not surrender yourself to its gentle melody that feels like a soft push on your back? It’s a song that will stay close when your heart is tired—like a protective charm.

Fall in LoveKobayashi Akiko7rank/position

“Falling in Love ~Fall in love~” Akiko Kobayashi (VINYL)

Akiko Kobayashi’s signature song continues to resonate with many people even after more than 30 years.

With its crystal-clear, beautiful vocals and lyrics that portray the bittersweet feelings of someone in love, it leaves a lasting impression.

As the theme song for the TBS drama “Kinyōbi no Tsuma-tachi e III: Koi ni Ochite” (Friday Wives III: Falling in Love), it became a major hit, ranking high on the Oricon charts after its release in August 1985.

It also topped The Best Ten for three consecutive weeks, maintaining widespread popularity over an extended period.

This work is characterized by a warm, gentle melody that seems to tenderly embrace the delicate emotions of a woman in love.

The yearning for a distant lover and the frustration of unspoken feelings leave a deep imprint on the listener’s heart.