Popularity Ranking of Songs by Generation: 60s [2026]

era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki8rank/position

Era - Live 2010–11 (from Tokyo International Forum Hall A)

March brings the feeling that spring has arrived.

Among Miyuki Nakajima’s songs, there is one that fits this season perfectly.

This piece sings of life’s joys and sorrows, of meetings and partings.

Released in 1975, it won the Grand Prix at the Popular Song Contest.

Its gentle melody and profound lyrics speak to the listener’s heart.

It has been featured at graduation ceremonies and in music textbooks, and is loved across generations.

It is also a familiar song for older adults.

Why not hum it together with your family and friends, along with nostalgic memories? It will surely warm your heart.

setting sunyoshida takurou9rank/position

setting sun

Takuro Yoshida is a pioneering figure among Japanese singer-songwriters.

As an artist who brought folk music into the mainstream, I believe he has many fans even among men in their 60s.

Among his songs, the one I particularly recommend for aiming at a high score is Rakuyō (Sunset).

Although the song spans a fairly wide vocal range for a male vocalist—mid1 B to hi G—its tempo is an unusually relaxed BPM 87, making it, overall, a song that’s relatively easy to score highly on.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo10rank/position

EXILE ATSUSHI – Sake, Tears, Men and Women (EXILE ATSUSHI SPECIAL SOLO LIVE in HAWAII)

This is a socially conscious masterpiece that portrays the subtle miscommunications between men and women and the nuances of emotional expression with deep insight.

It warmly observes how men open up through drinking and women through tears, each revealing their inner feelings.

Born from impressions Eigo Kawashima had at age 18 during a family memorial gathering, the song was included on the November 1975 album “Jinrui” (Humanity) and released as a single in June 1976.

Also known as the jingle for the sake brand Kizakura, it became a major hit, reaching No.

9 on the Oricon weekly chart.

It is a gem I recommend to anyone who wants to face their heart honestly when confronted with life’s sorrow and poignancy.

Fall in LoveKobayashi Akiko11rank/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.

A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe12rank/position

Momoe Yamaguchi - Good Day to Set Out on a Journey

For people in their 60s, the most popular idol is probably Momoe Yamaguchi.

She left behind many classic songs, and “Ii Hi Tabidachi” is especially recommended as a catchy piece that anyone can sing.

While it’s not an upbeat track, the vocal range sits at mid1F to hiC, which is comfortable for female vocals, so most people can sing it in the original key.

The melody doesn’t have extreme pitch changes either, so try singing it together with your karaoke friends.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

Into the DreamInoue Yosui13rank/position

Yosui Inoue - Into the Dream

The song that makes you want to drop all the little hassles of everyday life and just go have a blast is Yosui Inoue’s “Yume no Naka e.” Released in 1973, it has been covered by many artists, including Yuki Saito and Keisuke Kuwata, and has been featured across eras in various commercials and TV programs.

Because of that, people of many generations have heard it, making it an easy pick not only among people in their 60s—the song’s original generation—but also for karaoke with younger colleagues.

Why not sing this bright, catchy tune and use it to build a closer rapport with your team?

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

SAKI

Report a problem

Cactus Flowerchūrippu14rank/position

Cactus Flower

A poignant love song themed around parting and renewal with a loved one.

Sparked by a small incident one day, the girlfriend storms out of the room; from there, the lyrics delicately depict the scene of the room left behind and the man’s inner feelings.

Gentle lines evoke everyday images—the snowy view from the window, a half-knitted glove, laundry—rising vividly to the mind.

Released in February 1975, this work is cherished by many fans as one of Tulip’s signature songs.

It drew renewed attention as the theme song for the 1993 TV drama “Under One Roof,” making it widely known among younger generations as well.

Its beautiful melody, conveying both the pain of heartbreak and a sense of hope, carries a universal message that resonates with the heart.

It’s the perfect song for looking back on a bygone romance or deepening your feelings for someone special.