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

Bus StopTaira Koji

Koji Taira “Bus Stop”

Released in September 1972 and ranking high on the Oricon charts, this song has remained beloved over the years, even being re-recorded in 1982 as a jingle for a Meiji Seika commercial.

It portrays the complex emotions of a woman who must accept parting from the one she loves—gracefully stepping back while secretly wishing not to let go—a sentiment that has moved many listeners.

It’s a profoundly expressive piece that can only be conveyed through the rich life experience of those in their seventies.

Be sure to take your time and sing it with feeling at karaoke.

Tokyo lights, foreverShinkawa Jirō

Tokyo lights, forever

Because enka requires applying kobushi (melismatic bends), it tends to be harder to sing than typical J-pop.

Even so, I imagine many men in their 70s still want to sing enka.

In that case, I recommend Tokyo no Hi yo Itsu Made mo.

Compared to standard enka, this song has a somewhat plain vocal line.

As a result, the instances of kobushi are relatively few for enka, and the ones that do appear are on the easier side.

Although the piece sits a bit higher in range, it doesn’t demand many long sustained notes, so anyone who can produce moderately high tones should be able to sing it without issue.

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Otomi-sanKasuga Hachirō

Otomi-san, nostalgic songs, Kabuki, popular songs

A quintessential enka classic of the Showa era, this song poignantly depicts the bittersweet fate of a man and a woman.

Based on a Kabuki play, the story artfully portrays vivid Edo-period scenery and the complex emotions of the two lovers.

Incorporating elements of Okinawan music and kachāshī, its lively rhythm paired with Hachiro Kasuga’s clear, soaring vocals creates a pleasing resonance.

Released in August 1954, it sold 400,000 copies in just four months and was later covered by many artists, including Mina Aoe and Harumi Miyako.

Evoking warm nostalgia, it’s a perfect piece for recreation—easy to sing together with cheerful handclaps.

Tokyo RhapsodyFujiyama Ichirō

Tokyo Rhapsody, nostalgic song, Tokyo

A classic song representing 1936 (Showa 11) was born in a work set in Ginza, Kanda, Asakusa, and Shinjuku, portrayed in a pure and light foxtrot style.

Ichiro Fujiyama’s beautiful voice elegantly sings of urban scenes and a love story.

This piece, which vividly brings to mind the bustling districts of Tokyo at the time, became a massive hit, selling 350,000 copies.

It was Fujiyama’s first release after moving to Teichiku, and a film of the same title was later produced, cementing its status as a beloved song that symbolizes the Showa era.

It’s a perfect track for a calm moment or when reminiscing about the past.

Enjoy a heartwarming time discussing what Tokyo was like back then together with older listeners.

Blue MountainsFujiyama Ichirō

[With Large Lyrics] Blue Mountain Range [Recreation]

The celebrated song, which beautifully depicts postwar hope and the breath of a new era, was performed by Ichirō Fujiyama and Mitsue Nara as the theme for a film of the same name released in 1949.

Along with the splendor of nature, it warmly portrays young people forging a bright future, like flowers that bloom after enduring a harsh winter.

For those who lived in the years immediately following the war, it is surely a piece filled with memories.

Beloved across generations, it was chosen as No.

1 in NHK’s 1989 program “Songs of the Showa Era: 200 Unforgettable Songs.” Its beautiful melody, infused with elements of classical music, and its heartwarming lyrics are sure to evoke fond recollections of days gone by.