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

A Cruel Angel’s ThesisTakahashi Yoko36rank/position

“Cruel Angel’s Thesis” MUSIC VIDEO (HD ver.) / Zankoku na Tenshi no Te-ze “The Cruel Angel’s Thesis”

It’s a song widely loved as the opening theme of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, resounding with Yoko Takahashi’s vocals.

It portrays youth’s growth and potential with words that are both beautiful and powerful.

Released in October 1995, it has remained timeless for over 25 years, continuing to leave a deep impression on many people.

It even won first place overall in JOYSOUND’s ranking of songs sung during the Heisei era, boasting popularity across generations.

It’s a track that can lift your spirits when you listen during little moments—while doing housework or on a drive.

Why not hum along? It’s sure to set your heart dancing.

The Maiden with Flaxen HairShimatani Hitomi37rank/position

Hitomi Shimatani / "A Maiden with Flaxen Hair" [OFFICIAL MV FULL SIZE]

Released by Hitomi Shimatani in May 2002, this song is a celebrated piece that portrays a refreshing romance.

It expresses a young girl’s feelings of love through dreamlike imagery, beautifully harmonizing with scenes of landscape and nature.

The lyrics, imbued with youth and purity, are complemented by her clear, translucent vocals, capturing the brilliance of innocent love in full.

Featured in a commercial for Kao Essential Damage Care Shampoo, it became a major hit, peaking at No.

4 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.

With its broad, expansive melody and an elegant tone that sways like hair in the wind, it carries a familiar charm that invites everyone to hum along.

Ruby RingTerao Akira38rank/position

Ruby No Yubiwa

Mr.

Akira Terao, who has left behind numerous masterpieces as a renowned actor.

For those in their 60s, his image as a singer may be even stronger than his image as an actor.

Many were likely surprised that he wasn’t just a one-hit wonder, but kept releasing hits with an unwavering, cool musical style.

Ruby no Yubiwa is his biggest hit.

While the lowest note drops to a very low low G, there are solid moments of lift within its cool, understated mood—such as a key change toward the end.

Despite the modulation, the piece has a narrow vocal range, so you might even try raising the key on purpose and experimenting with a more powerful delivery different from the original.

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Ryo

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Wandering Love SongNagabuchi Tsuyoshi39rank/position

Wandering Love Song

Released after his 1978 re-debut and still known today as a live staple, Jyunrenka is his second single overall.

The blues harp’s wistful tone and the sentimental lyrics evoke the charm of classic folk songs.

With an overall relaxed tempo—including a driving chorus—and a relatively narrow vocal range, it’s easy to sing even for those who aren’t confident singers.

If possible, mimicking Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s current vibe will likely hype up the karaoke, too.

It’s an immortal masterpiece.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi40rank/position

Blue Light Yokohama

A signature song by Ayumi Ishida that became a major hit in December 1968.

Its elegant, sophisticated melody and lyrics themed around the blue lights that color Yokohama’s nightscape blend beautifully.

The city’s stunning harbor night view overlaps with a fleeting love reflected within it, creating a unique atmosphere.

Written by lyricist Jun Hashimoto, who was influenced by Cannes in France and Picasso’s paintings, the piece brought a fresh breeze to Japanese popular music at the time.

It set an astonishing record by surpassing one million copies in ten days and won the Composition Award at the Japan Record Awards.

Beloved in South Korea as well, it has long been a karaoke staple.

With its relaxed tempo and singable style, it’s a song you’ll want to perform from the heart while picturing the enchanting night views of the port city.

Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuri41rank/position

Crossing Amagi Pass

A single that tells the story of a woman’s heartrending love as she makes her way to Amagi Pass on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture.

As she passes through dark tunnels and winds along switchback roads, her shifting emotions—upon noticing signs of infidelity—are depicted with the force of a waterfall, at times fierce, at times delicate.

Released in July 1986 as Sayuri Ishikawa’s 45th single, the song later became one of her signature numbers, performed many times on the NHK New Year’s song contest Kouhaku Uta Gassen.

In 2008, it also drew attention when Major League Baseball player Ichiro adopted it as his walk-up music.

Possessing a power that seems to give a gentle push when one stands at a crossroads in life, this work endures as a standard that almost everyone has heard at least once, continuing to resonate closely with many people even today.

Parting at 22kaze42rank/position

Kaze – Farewell at 22 (Official Audio)

With a folk-like, simple chord progression and a conversational melody, this is a song you can sing without straining your voice.

Emotion matters more than technique, and even if you’re not confident at singing, a calm tone unique to men in their 60s can convey plenty of charm, making it a safe choice to try at karaoke.

Also, since few people sing folk songs, performing it in a relaxed, listening-focused way will gently touch listeners’ hearts.

When you sing, don’t belt—deliver it as if you’re speaking to match the song’s mood.

Because a spoken style uses more breath, practicing with humming and lip rolls beforehand will make it easier to produce your voice.

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Kubota Mami

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