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

The two are young.dikku mine

The two are young.

This work gently depicts the radiant romance of the early Showa era.

Through call-and-response exchanges between a man and a woman that echo like a mountain yodel, it conveys the fresh feelings of young lovers.

It subtly portrays the couple’s relationship and the delicate nuances of their emotions, conjuring a refreshing scene and making for a superb song.

Released in 1935, it features a captivating, well-synchronized duet by Dick Mine and Reiko Hoshi.

Sing it together at karaoke, and nostalgic memories will naturally come flooding back.

With its soft atmosphere that brings calm, this heartwarming melody evokes blue skies and a gentle breeze, making it a lovely tune that can put a smile on anyone’s face.

The City of Love, SapporoIshihara Yūjirō

Sapporo, City of Love: Yujiro Ishihara

This gem of a love song, which tells a romance beginning at Sapporo’s iconic Clock Tower, is cherished by many as one of Yujiro Ishihara’s signature numbers.

Released as a single in May 1972, it drew attention as a groundbreaking work told from a woman’s perspective and went on to sell a total of 650,000 copies.

Coinciding with the Sapporo Winter Olympics held that year, the song also helped convey Sapporo’s allure to listeners across Japan.

Wrapped in Ishihara’s deep, gentle vocals, the feelings of a woman who discovered love beneath a tender sky are tenderly sung, evoking vivid scenes in which memories of love deepen with the changing seasons.

A duet version with Miyuki Kawanaka was later produced, and this piece remains a beloved classic that beautifully weaves together Sapporo’s scenery and the memories of love—an unforgettable song that lingers in the heart.

Gardenia blossomWatanabe Tetsuya

Gardenia blossom

A masterpiece whose gentle vocals and deep emotion touch the heart.

Released in 1973, it became one of Tetsuya Watari’s signature songs, ranking 7th on the 1974 annual Oricon chart.

It enjoyed wide acclaim, including Watari’s first appearance at the 25th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1974 and its use in the 1976 Toei film “Yakuza no Hakaba: Kuchinashi no Hana,” starring Watari himself.

Singing of lost love and sorrow, the song employs the gardenia as a symbol, vividly portraying cherished memories of the past and the regrets of the present.

How about immersing yourself in nostalgia by singing this memorable tune?

spring’s dry windIzumiya Shigeru

Shigeru Izumiya / Spring Karakkaze from “Shin Self Covers: Monster” [Music Video]

A work that sharply portrays social pressure and loneliness was included on the 1973 album “Light and Shadow” and later released as a single.

Shigeru Izumiya wrote and composed the song, with production by Kazuhiko Kato.

Interweaving the north wind of spring with the hardships of daily life, it delicately expresses the conflict between the self and society.

The power and message of folk music resonated with many artists, leading to covers by numerous musicians, including Anarchy, Keisuke Kuwata, and Masaharu Fukuyama.

I hope you will cherish moments when we share the feelings in our hearts through music.

This work contains many deeply moving words, and those who have rich life experience—especially older listeners—will surely grasp its essence.

I’ve come a long way, when I think about it.Kaientai

Thinking about it, I've come a long way / Kaientai (with lyrics)

A masterwork by Kaientai that gently portrays life’s milestones—from an autumn scene where cosmos flowers sway, to memories by the Chikugo River, and on to life today.

Its nostalgic melody and heartwarming lyrics resonate deeply with those living away from their hometowns.

Released as a single in September 1978, the song was composed by Yasuyo Yamaki and delivered in Tetsuya Takeda’s gentle voice.

It was chosen as the theme song for a film released the same year and later used in a 1981 television drama starring Ikko Furuya.

This is a piece to be enjoyed while basking in memories, letting time flow unhurriedly.

A Love Story in GinzaYūjirō Ishihara · Junko Makimura

A Love Story in Ginza — Yujiro Ishihara & Junko Makimura [Female Part]

Released in 1961, this song portrays the glittering streets of Ginza alongside a poignant love story between a man and a woman.

The duet by Yujiro Ishihara and Junko Makimura beautifully captures the subtle differences in their emotions, with vocals that resonate deeply with listeners.

Featured as an insert song in the film “Kaze-o-Yobu Otoko: From Town to Town” and followed by a film of the same title the next year, it became a major hit.

As an emblem of Ginza, a monument to the song was erected in 1990.

Blending a man’s powerful feelings with a woman’s sultry sentiments, this emotionally rich piece is perfect for moments when you want to talk about love or look back on cherished memories.

Yokohama TwilightItsuki Hiroshi

Yokohama Twilight

A classic song representing the Showa era, known as one of Hiroshi Itsuki’s signature works.

Set against the backdrop of dusk in Yokohama, its touching lyrics compellingly sing of the sorrow of a broken heart.

Released in March 1971, it drew major acclaim, including winning the Singing Award at the 13th Japan Record Awards.

The evocative portrayal of a port town’s atmosphere and its wistful scenery deepens the pain of heartbreak.

Why not sing it during a moment of reminiscing about the past and sharing memories with someone dear?