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Lovely senior life

[Karaoke] Songs That Get Men in Their 70s Fired Up! A Collection of Nostalgic Japanese Hits [2026]

There are many people in their 70s who are still active, spending their days working, enjoying hobbies, and staying on the go.

That said, health is important too, and karaoke is a great hobby to recommend.

It can help relieve stress and stimulate physical functions.

Those who are currently in their 70s spent their youth from the 1960s to the 1970s, so this article gathers nostalgic Japanese hit songs from that era—GS (Group Sounds), kayōkyoku, enka, folk, and more—for those who grew up listening to a wide variety of hits in their younger days.

These are all songs that will get the crowd going when sung by men in their 70s, so be sure to check them out!

[Karaoke] Songs That Get Men in Their 70s Fired Up! A Collection of Nostalgic Japanese Hits [2026] (41–50)

The Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo Oka

Longing for the Hawaii Route — Popular Song — Nostalgic Tune
The Longed-For Hawaii Route Haruo Oka

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.

Otomi-sanKasuga Hachirō

Otomi-san, nostalgic songs, Kabuki, popular songs
Otomi-sanKasuga Hachirō

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.

Blue MountainsFujiyama Ichirō

[With Large Lyrics] Blue Mountain Range [Recreation]
Blue MountainsFujiyama Ichirō

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.

Thank you, night fog, again tonight.Ishihara Yūjirō

Thank you, night fog, again tonight — Yujiro Ishihara
Thank you, night fog, again tonight.Ishihara Yūjirō

Yujiro Ishihara left a brilliant legacy not only as an actor but also as a singer.

In particular, his 1967 release “Yogiri yo Konya mo Arigatou” remains a beloved classic to this day.

This song is a moving ballad that portrays deep feelings for a former lover and a sense of gratitude toward the night fog.

Ishihara’s rich, expressive baritone further intensifies the song’s wistful tone.

It was also used as the theme song for a film of the same name starring Ishihara, in which his character’s wish for the happiness of the woman he once proposed to left a powerful impression.

This piece holds a particularly important place in Ishihara’s musical career, and its many cover versions testify to its universal appeal.

Just as the night fog conceals a secret love, the song stirs a range of emotions in each listener’s heart.

12th graderFunaki Kazuo

Kazuo Funaki / High School Senior
12th graderFunaki Kazuo

Kazuo Funaki is a veteran singer who continued to captivate fans in the 1960s as one of the “Gosanke” (the Big Three).

His signature song, “High School Senior,” was released in June 1963 and is recognized as a landmark of youth pop that reflects his own high school days.

The song vividly portrays the complex emotions of boys and girls on the verge of graduation, capturing a moment where hope and anxiety about the future intersect.

He also appeared in a film of the same title, and his performance—singing while acting—won the hearts of many young people at the time.

I’d love for those now in their seventies, who were themselves high school students back then, to sing it while reminiscing about their youthful days.

With a melody sprinkled with rumba rhythms and march-like elements, it sets listeners’ hearts dancing and reminds us of the importance of bonds forged through shared experiences.