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

Scorpio womanMikawa Ken’ichi

Kenichi Mikawa “Woman of Scorpio (New Recording)” (Official Audio)

A signature song by Kenichi Mikawa that portrays the strength and poignancy of a passionate woman who lives for love.

Released in December 1972, this memorable enka number expresses straightforward affection and the sorrow of betrayal.

Mikawa’s powerful vocals blend beautifully with a distinctive worldview inspired by Scorpio, one of the twelve zodiac signs, and the song sold about 97,000 copies on the Oricon charts.

It was performed on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen for four consecutive years from 2006 to 2009, revealing new charms through various arrangements, including operatic and samba styles.

With its relaxed tempo and gentle melodic contours, it’s also easy to sing—another part of its appeal.

Why not sing it with a sense of nostalgia as a treasured song tied to precious memories?

Azusa No. 2karyūdō

Azusa Nigo (2015 Remaster)

Woven with care around the image of a train bound for one’s hometown, this song carries profound, relatable emotion alongside the warm, enduring vocals of Hunters.

Released in March 1977, it reached No.

4 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and led to winning the New Artist Award at the 19th Japan Record Awards.

Many artists, including Saya Asakura and Kaori Mizumori, have covered the song.

It’s a heartwarming piece perfectly suited for scenes of gazing at nostalgic landscapes from a gently rolling train window, lost in cherished memories.

BoyhoodInoue Yosui

Boys' Time / Yosui Inoue (with lyrics)

In Inoue Yosui’s classic song, a gentle yet resonant melody intertwines with nostalgic lyrics, suffused with reflections on youth.

Idyllic summer scenes and memories alive in the mind are spun into poetic expression, tenderly enveloping those treasured moments we keep safe in our hearts.

Since its release in September 1990, it has continued to be loved as a movie theme and a commercial song, and in 1991 it was also used in a Sony Handycam commercial.

Included on the album “Handsome Boy,” this is a tune you’ll want to hum when everyone gathers together.

Why not spend a heartwarming moment as you share stories and let memories blossom?

Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo

Eigo Kawashima – Sake, Tears, Men and Women

Released in 1975, Eigo Kawashima’s “Sake, Tears, Men and Women” is a deeply resonant song that portrays a man’s inner feelings.

The piece was inspired by the scene of relatives gathering to eat and drink at a Buddhist memorial service.

Kawashima’s expressive vocals and the lyrics that convey the emotions of men and women leave a lasting impression on listeners.

It became widely known nationwide after being featured in a 1975 TV commercial for the sake brand Kizakura, and it continues to be loved by many.

It’s a perfect choice for men in their seventies to sing nostalgically about their youth, and a highly recommended karaoke pick filled with memories!

Tokyoyashiki takajin

Tokyo

Released in March 1993, this mood-kayō song fuses tearful enka with sophisticated urban pop.

Through Kansai-dialect lyrics, it movingly portrays a romance and breakup with a man she met in Tokyo, along with her complex feelings toward the city.

Takajin Yashiki was an artist who was active mainly in the Kansai region, also serving as a host of the popular program “Sei! Young.” This piece became a hit as requests on cable radio surged, ultimately selling a total of 600,000 copies.

In live performances, he would sometimes change the place name in the chorus to match the concert location, valuing a sense of unity with the audience.

When singing it at karaoke, it’s recommended to sing at an easy, relaxed pace while thinking of your hometown and the special people you’ve met.

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.

Brother ShipsToba Ichirō

Ichiro Toba “Kyodai-bune (Brothers’ Boat)” (Official Audio)

Sung by Enka heavyweight Ichirō Toba, “Kyōdai-bune” (Brother Ship) was his 1982 debut single and continues to be loved by many.

Composed by Toru Funamura with lyrics by Tetsurō Hoshino, this classic powerfully depicts the bond between brothers who make their living at sea.

Selling 290,000 copies on the Oricon charts, it’s a song packed with memories of youth.

Sing it at karaoke, and the passionate scenes of that era will come rushing back—sure to fire up everyone listening!