Recommended love songs for women in their 70s: A collection of nostalgic love songs

Valentine KissKunikyo Sayuri

Valentine Kiss

When it comes to events in February, many people probably think of Valentine’s Day.

A classic song for the occasion that continues to be loved is Sayuri Kokusho’s solo debut track.

Released in February 1986, this piece is memorable for its bright, bouncy melody and lyrics that adorably express the feelings of being in love.

It was also well-known as the ending theme for Fuji TV’s “Monday Drama Land.” The catchy chorus has a light, snappy phrase that makes you want to hum along after just one listen.

Even after many years since its release, it’s still played on TV and in stores every February, making it something of a seasonal tradition.

If you sing it together during recreation time, it might spark lively conversations about Valentine’s memories.

The person I fell in love withMiyako Harumi

The person I fell in love with

Even while singing of parting, this enka masterpiece somehow gives you the strength to look ahead.

Released as a single by Harumi Miyako in September 1968, its repeated opening words strikingly capture a heart in turmoil.

Rather than blaming the other person, the song resonates for the way it sends them off while bearing one’s own pain.

Although it peaked at No.

24 on the Oricon chart, it stayed ranked for 38 weeks, becoming a long‑loved bestseller.

It was used as an insert song in the 1991 animated film “Only Yesterday” (Omohide Poro Poro) and chosen as the ending theme for the 1999 film “Big Show! Utaeba Hawai.” A legendary moment often recalled is its performance as the first-ever encore in the 1984 NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

On a winter’s day, why not hum it softly as you look back on your memories?

A Night’s DreamMinami Kōsetsu

A Night's Dream

The gem of a masterpiece “Yume Ichiyo” was born after Kousetsu Minami heard his wife playing Beethoven’s “Tempest” on the piano.

A fleeting yet beautiful scene of a brief love affair is vividly portrayed through Yohko Aki’s lyrically rich lyrics and Kousetsu Minami’s gentle, deeply expressive melody.

While realistically conveying the delicate nuances of a woman’s complex emotions, the song is suffused with a warmth that quietly seeps into the listener’s heart.

Upon its release in 1978, it was featured in a Shiseido campaign and took the era by storm.

It’s a song we especially recommend to those who seek solace in Kousetsu Minami’s voice or wish to revisit the bittersweet moments of life.

Melancholy CasablancaGō Hiromi

Hiromi Go : 1982 : Casablanca of Melancholy

Hiromi Go’s classic “Casablanca of Melancholy” is a gem of a ballad that poignantly sings of heartbreak.

Set to a beautiful melody, the lyrics delicately portray sweet memories of a youthful romance and a powerful desire to win her back.

Released in 1982, the song climbed high on the Oricon charts and became a massive hit, even being featured in a Suntory commercial.

It was also included on an album released the same year, showcasing Go’s talents as a master of ballads.

Try listening to it quietly at dusk—you may find the image of a cherished person rising before your eyes.

My boyfriend is left-handed.Asaoka Megumi

My boyfriend is left-handed.

Megumi Asaoka’s 1973 hit “My Boyfriend Is Left-Handed” is a song that blends nostalgia with freshness.

Her distinctive vocal tone gently conveys tender feelings for a lover.

The way the protagonist carefully notices each action of her left-handed partner clearly expresses how deeply she loves him.

It’s a classic that will make you want to listen while thinking of someone dear—a song I especially recommend to those in their 70s.

Tangled HairMisora Hibari

#Hibari Misora '#Disheveled Hair' #Shioyasaki Lighthouse Shioyamisaki

As her comeback release, Hibari Misora brought out this celebrated song of profound love and sorrow in December 1987.

Set against the backdrop of the Shioyasaki Lighthouse, it sings of unwavering feelings and prayers for someone who has gone away.

Carried by an elegant melody, it masterfully conveys the complex emotions of a woman heartbroken in love.

Recorded in a single take with a full orchestra, the session showcased Hibari Misora’s unparalleled vocal prowess.

It remains a treasured piece, long beloved by many as a song to be heard alongside cherished memories and landscapes.

Tears That Vanished into the SandItō Yukari

Tears That Vanished into the Sand

It leaves you with a somewhat wistful melody that feels like a breeze from Italy, doesn’t it? It’s as if the pain of lost love were gently hidden in the sand, waiting for the waves to carry it away…

Yukari Ito’s delicate voice paints just such a scene.

As you listen, memories of those summer days may suddenly come back to you.

This piece is lovingly included on Yukari Ito’s classic 1965 album “Yukari of San Remo.” Her experience competing in the Sanremo Music Festival in 1965 and winning a prize with “Koizuru Hitomi” led to the creation of this masterpiece.

It’s a wonderful song that lets you savor canzone in Japanese.

On a summer evening, when you feel like reflecting a little, why not listen to this song? Its nostalgic resonance will surely wrap gently around your heart.