[Recommended for people in their 70s] Songs that get everyone excited. Songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke.

Marilyn Monroe No ReturnNozaka Akiyuki

Marilyn Monroe No Return

With a voice tinged with heartbreak and resignation that evokes the end of the world, this classic has been deeply etched into many listeners’ hearts.

Its weighty, socially reflective poetry blends beautifully with a chanson-like, elegant melody line, crafting a singular soundscape.

Interweaving Buddhist imagery and the changing seasons, Nosaka Akiyuki’s vocal performance is breathtaking as it quietly speaks of life’s impermanence and the cycle of rebirth.

Released by Nippon Columbia in 1971 and included on the album “Nosaka Uta Taizen I: Singing Sakurai Jun,” the song was also featured in the 1973 film “Contemporary Gangsters: The Three Blood-Cherry Brothers.” It’s a recommended piece for those seeking to touch a deeper truth of life, or to quietly reflect on their hearts on a still night.

Open! TulipAkiyama Kanpei

Open, Tulip# Kanpei Hazama: 'Speaking of Showa-era pastimes, it's got to be pachinko!' (Japanese song)

A signature satirical comedy song symbolizing pachinko culture, this is Kanpei Hazama’s hallmark work released in August 1975.

Vividly depicting Showa-era entertainment—like the Warship March playing in pachinko parlors of the time, hand-cranked machines, and the smoky, permissive atmosphere inside—the song reached a peak of No.

25 on the Oricon charts and became a massive hit with over one million copies sold.

In December of the same year, it was also chosen as the theme song for the Nikkatsu film “Wet Lust: Open, Tulip,” enriching the world of director Tatsumi Kumashiro’s work.

Its bright, sprightly melody and Hazama’s distinctive vocals create a humor that’s sure to liven up parties and family gatherings alike.

Examinee BluesTakaishi Tomoya

Examinee Blues (Single Version)

A masterful folk song that portrays the agony and inner conflict of exam-takers with humor and irony.

Goro Nakagawa, then a third-year high school student, wrote the lyrics during a remedial class, and Tomoya Takaishi completed the piece by setting them to a lively, country-style melody.

Vividly depicting a day in the life of a student preparing for entrance exams, the song sharply expresses the emptiness of a life consumed by studying.

Released in February 1968, it became a hit with total sales of 900,000 copies.

It still resonates today and is often sung at parties and gatherings with friends.

It can be considered a valuable work that allows people across generations to look back on the exam wars that symbolized Japan’s rapid economic growth era in the Showa period.

Smiling Backkyandīzu

Smile Back: Candies Memories

This is a song with a nostalgic, dramatic atmosphere that warmly wraps around your heart.

Released in February 1978, the final single by Candies sparked a huge response, reaching No.

1 on the Oricon chart.

With its bright, upbeat melody and lyrics that resonate deeply, the song is perfect for humming along to and for sharing fond memories.

We hope it helps everyone spend a delightful time together, accompanied by feelings of nostalgia.

The Song of KemekoZa Dātsu

The Darts / Kemeko’s Song (1968)

This work transforms a poem about feelings for a ninth-grade classmate into a charming yet bittersweet pop song.

Sung from the perspective of someone enamored with a girl who excels at chemistry, the song’s unique appeal lies in its twist: the love confession initially succeeds, only to take an unexpected turn.

The intro, which boldly quotes the scat from a Neil Sedaka classic, is also striking.

The Darts’ version, released by Nippon Columbia in February 1968, reached No.

2 on the Oricon chart and sparked a major craze, being featured on Fuji TV’s “Owarai Tag Match” and even adapted into a film.

It’s a perfect pick for those who want to bask in sweet-and-sour memories or liven up a party.

What’s your name, Antiene?Toni Tani

Tony Tani, what's your name?

A comic song that delivers laughter and warmth in a unique style blending English and Japanese.

From Martians on the far side of the moon to cages at the zoo, its nonstop, unpredictable twists are sure to make you smile.

It’s a lively, humorous piece that briskly portrays encounters with a parade of colorful characters.

Used in 1962 on “Avec Song Battle,” it was performed by host Tony Tani to the beat of hyoshigi clappers.

Re-released in July 2005, this work is sure to make warm moments with family and friends even more enjoyable.

Best enjoyed in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with people you know well.

A Letter from CanadaHirao Masayuki Hatanaka Yoko

A Letter from Canada

Known as one of the signature hit songs of the Showa era, this piece is a love song themed around a letter sent from Canada to a sweetheart.

The duet by Masao Hirao and Yoko Hatanaka is memorable, and after its release in January 1978, it became a major hit, reaching number one on the Oricon charts.

The gentle melody conveys the aching feelings for a lover far away, resonating deeply in the heart.

The lyrics, which evoke the beautiful scenery of Canada, are also captivating and leave a lasting impression on listeners.

For older adults, it’s a song to enjoy along with memories of their youth.

Why not hum it softly while thinking of someone dear to you?