Karaoke songs you’ll want to sing for men in their 70s: Enka and nostalgic Showa-era pop

Forget-me-not to youSugawara Yoichi

②_ Yoichi Sugawara Forget-me-not to You (with lyrics)

This is a masterpiece that has long been cherished as a romantic lyrical song.

It gives voice to the bittersweet feelings for someone you’re parting from and the wish to meet again someday, carried on a blue flower with a cherished meaning.

Released in November 1971 and performed at that year’s Red and White Song Battle, it was presented again at the 1984 edition, thirteen years later.

It’s a song you’ll want to hum as you recall precious memories and think of someone dear.

How about spending a quiet evening thinking of someone you love?

Private railway line areaNoguchi Goro

Shitetsu Ensen

Beginning with the scene of waiting at a ticket gate for a lover, this classic song traces shifting emotions along with the changing seasons, rendered with gentle yet powerful vocals by Goro Noguchi.

Weaving the protagonist’s deeply etched memories together with a beautiful melody, the piece vividly captures the bittersweetness of love that anyone living in the city may have experienced.

Released as a single in January 1975, it reached No.

1 on the Oricon chart and garnered numerous honors, including the Grand Prix at the 8th Japan Cable Radio Awards.

It’s a song to listen to slowly and quietly, as you reflect on precious moments with someone you love.

Waltz of StarlightSen Masao

Waltz of Starlight - Masao Sen

Known as a masterpiece that gently sings a heartrending love story, Masao Sen’s work was released in March 1966 and gradually drew significant attention.

The delicate lyrics by Sonoe Shiratori and the beautiful melody crafted by Minoru Endo harmonize wonderfully, making it a gem that resonates with the heart.

Set to a waltz rhythm, it tenderly depicts the protagonist’s complex feelings as they resolve to part with their beloved.

Spreading by word of mouth through cable broadcasting, it achieved an astonishing 2.5 million sales.

Its gentle, nostalgic melody invites humming along and remains a beloved classic that many people still enjoy singing together today.

The Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo Oka

Longing for the Hawaii Route — Popular Song — Nostalgic Tune

As a classic that lit a bright light in postwar Japan, one of Haruo Oka’s signature works is beloved by many.

With its lively melody and yearning for an unseen paradise, the song was released by King Records in 1948.

Its lyrics beautifully express a longing for unknown lands and the exhilaration of setting sail, resonating deeply with people of the time.

Owing to its popularity, it was adapted into a film by Shintoho in 1950, starring Haruo Oka himself, with Hibari Misora as co-star.

It’s a tune that lets you hum along with friends and bask in wonderful memories.

Perfect for music recreation at day-service centers, it’s a classic that everyone can enjoy together.

Ozasiki SongMatsuo Kazuko Mahina Sutāzu

Ozasiki Song

A gem of a classic in which a nostalgic, quintessentially Japanese melody blends beautifully with the sprightly Dodonpa rhythm.

Released in 1964 by Kazuko Matsuo with Hiroshi Wada and the Mahina Stars, it became a massive hit, selling over 1.5 million copies that same year.

Set in Kyoto’s Pontocho district, this highly narrative song portrays a fleeting romance between a geisha and a married man, expressing pure love and poignant resignation with exquisite sensitivity.

It was adapted into a film by Shochiku in February 1965 and won support across generations.

It’s a tune everyone can enjoy together—humming along, clapping in time with the rhythm.

Its catchy melody sticks in your head, making you want to sing along.

A solitary journey to MichinokuYamamoto Jōji

Joji Yamamoto “Michinoku Solo Journey” Music Video (full ver.)

Joji Yamamoto is a singer whose emotionally rich enka has been loved across generations.

In particular, “Michinoku Hitori Tabi” resonates deeply with many listeners and has inspired profound empathy since its 1980 release.

Yamamoto’s powerful voice vividly conveys the resolve to uphold a strong love even while being buffeted by fate, capturing the hearts of many fans.

Those of his generation in particular will likely feel both nostalgia and freshness at once.

The song’s beauty and Yamamoto’s vocal prowess truly shine, and it’s especially rewarding to sing at karaoke.

As long as the sun is in the skynishikino akira

Akira Nishikino - As Long as There Is a Sun in the Sky

A great song recommendation for a man in his 70s is Akira Nishikino’s signature hit “Sora ni Taiyo ga Aru Kagiri” (“As Long as the Sun Is in the Sky”).

It’s the ultimate love song, expressing deep affection for a beloved person and the certainty that this love will last forever.

The lyrics, which sing of eternal love—“As long as the sun is in the sky, we’ll be together”—are incredibly romantic.

Released in February 1971, the song reached No.

3 on the Oricon chart and sold 308,000 copies, becoming a major hit.

It’s an enduring classic loved across generations, making it a perfect choice to sing at karaoke when people of various ages are gathered.