Recommended heartbreak songs for men in their 70s: A collection of poignant, nostalgic classics

Tokyo CachitoFuranku Nagai

Tokyo Cachito — Frank Nagai

It’s a classic of mood kayō that has continued to be loved as a Showa-era masterpiece.

Set against the backdrop of nights in Akasaka, the song portrays the bittersweetness of adult love with an urban sensibility.

Frank Nagai’s alluring low voice richly conveys the feelings of a man troubled by love.

Released in October 1960, the single featured “Arcade Blues” on the B-side.

As a leading presence in the mood kayō boom of the time, it was cherished by many.

It’s a song I’d recommend as a fun karaoke pick to sing with friends, along with fond memories.

Snow CountryYoshi Ikuzo

Snow Country by Ikuzo Yoshi

A masterpiece that sings of hope shining through the bitter cold, its bittersweet sense of life’s melancholy resonates deeply.

Yoshikazu Ikuzō’s vocals, tinged with sorrow yet brimming with strength, seep into the depths of the heart.

Released in 1986, it won the Gold Prize at the Japan Record Awards.

That same year, it appeared on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen and topped the Oricon charts—a work cherished by many.

Masterfully intertwining northern landscapes with the stirrings of love, this song was also used in regional tourism promotions and winter campaigns.

For many, it remains a treasured song of memories.

Why not spend a quiet moment listening to its heartwarming voice?

A Dangerous Pairsawada kenji

Kenji Sawada - Dangerous Two

Kenji Sawada’s “Kiken na Futari” (Dangerous Two) is his sixth single, released in April 1973.

The song depicts a breakup with an older woman.

What’s striking is how she calmly says goodbye even as he still harbors lingering feelings.

Comparing the time they spent together to a journey, the lyrics invite many listeners to empathize with the protagonist’s sense of regret.

Take your time listening as you look back on memories of past love.

brandy glassIshihara Yūjirō

brandy glass

Ishihara Yujiro’s heartbreak song “Brandy Glass.” The lyrics, which portray the course of a romance with a woman who has experienced heartbreak, leave a strong impression.

The process of falling in love and the subsequent shifts in emotion are symbolically expressed through the brandy glass.

Even while tormented by a sense that a breakup is coming, the song conveys a complex desire to cherish each fleeting moment.

With Ishihara Yujiro’s uniquely rich expressiveness, it’s a masterpiece that resonates in the listener’s heart.

It’s a song you’ll want to hear when you wish to savor both the sweetness of love and its transience.

Song of Seeing Spring OffNoguchi Goro

Farewell to Spring Song Goro Noguchi Nikko Yayoi Festival 2025

This is a famed song by Goro Noguchi that gently expresses delicate emotions in a springtime love story.

With an elegant voice, it tenderly embraces the bittersweet feelings of young people parting as the warm spring weather arrives.

Its beautiful melody and lyrical words resonate deeply in our hearts.

Released in December 1978, the song carefully portrays a poignant love story.

It’s a piece you can sing together with older adults, sharing memories while reflecting on farewells and new encounters with those dear to you.

a red handkerchiefIshihara Yūjirō

Red Handkerchief: Yujiro Ishihara

Set against the backdrop of a northern spring, this song tells the story of a bittersweet farewell in love.

Carried by a gentle, lyrical melody, Yujiro Ishihara’s rich vocals vividly portray the lingering feelings of heartbreak.

Released by Teichiku Records in October 1962, the track is also included on the album “Yujiro Ishihara Original 6.” In January 1964, it was used as the theme song for a film of the same name starring Ishihara, captivating the hearts of many alongside the movie.

Even today, it remains a beloved classic that everyone can hum along to and is very popular at karaoke.

With its heartfelt lyrics and approachable melody, it’s the perfect song for singing together and having fun.

Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō

Northern Traveler - Yujiro Ishihara

He sings a melancholic song about lost love set in the northern country with Yujiro Ishihara’s distinctive low voice.

As it follows a man searching for his beloved while traveling through Hokkaido cities like Kushiro, Hakodate, and Otaru, it conveys his heartbreaking emotions.

It was also used as an insert song in the drama “Seibu Keisatsu” and was released in August 1987.

For Yujiro Ishihara, it became his first and only single to reach No.

1 on the Oricon charts, topping the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart as well.

As you recall days gone by, try singing it gently and with feeling.