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

The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku

[With Large Lyrics] Sazanka no Yado [Recreation]

Allow me to introduce a masterpiece of enka that portrays a bittersweet love kept secret in the heart.

EISAKU OKAWA’s single, released in August 1982, is a moving work that overlays his feelings onto the camellia blooming in winter.

The lyrics by Osamu Yoshioka and the melody by Shosuke Ichikawa blend beautifully, delicately expressing the emotions of a man swayed by an unattainable love.

Four months after its release, the song entered the Oricon Top 10 for the first time and became one of Okawa’s signature pieces.

It sold a total of 1.8 million copies and won the Long Seller Award at the 25th Japan Record Awards in 1983, also marking his first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Its evocative imagery that overlaps with Japan’s beautiful winter scenery, and a voice that holds both ache and warmth, make it a perfect choice for karaoke duets or for humming along while sharing fond memories.

Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo

Sake, Tears, Men and Women “Eigo Kawashima” with Lyrics

This is a classic song that portrays the bittersweetness of life that everyone has experienced.

It gently depicts the differences in emotional expression between men and women, resonating with listeners through Eigo Kawashima’s deep insight and warm voice.

Included on the album “Jinrui” (Humanity), the song was also released in 1976 as Kawashima’s solo debut and reached No.

9 on the Oricon weekly chart.

Known as the theme song for the sake brand “Kizakura,” it became a major talking point in step with the social mood of the time.

The melody is soft, and its simplicity seeps into the heart.

It’s the perfect song to enjoy at karaoke with someone special.

I hope you’ll savor it slowly, along with your fond memories.

Parting at 22kaguya hime

Parting at 22 / Kaze (with lyrics)

A delicately rendered farewell to a longtime lover, this is a classic song that almost everyone has hummed at least once.

Released by Kaguya-hime on their 1974 album “Sankaidate no Uta,” it is said to have been written in a single night.

In 1984, it was used as the theme song for the drama “Kinō, Kanabetsu de,” bringing it back into the spotlight.

Accompanied by a gentle melody, the lyrics look back on memories with a lover while gazing toward a new step in life—offering comfort to those who have overcome a turning point in their lives.

The Flower Girl of TokyoHaruo Oka

Tokyo Flower-Selling Girl, Nostalgic Song, Kayōkyoku (Japanese pop song)

This is a classic song that portrays the touching figure of a young woman selling flowers on a spring night, on a street corner in Tokyo just after the war.

The hint of melancholy that drifts within its cheerful vocals deeply resonates with listeners.

Released in June 1946, the single “Tokyo no Hanauri Musume” (The Flower-Selling Girl of Tokyo) has long been cherished as a signature piece by Haruo Oka.

Issued by King Records at the time, it became a song of hope for people during the postwar reconstruction era.

The friendly melody crafted by Gento Uehara is pleasant to the ear and remains timeless even today.

It’s perfect for March, when the first signs of spring can be felt—listen to it while reminiscing about your youthful days.

Humming along to its nostalgic rhythm naturally brings smiles and creates a heartwarming moment.

IzakayaItsuki Hiroshi

Izakaya — Kinomi Nana / Hiroshi Itsuki

Set in an izakaya, this song delicately portrays the subtle emotions of lonely men and women.

Yu Aku’s woven lyrics and Katsuo Ono’s soul-stirring melody blend beautifully, evoking a mature worldview steeped in the atmosphere of the Showa era.

The distinctive voices of Hiroshi Itsuki and Nana Kinomi gently envelop a scene where loneliness and warmth intertwine.

Released in October 1982, this work has continued to be loved as one of Hiroshi Itsuki’s signature songs.

A new duet version with Fuyumi Sakamoto was produced in October 2017.

With lyrics that touch on the nuances of life and a familiar, accessible melody, it’s a wonderful choice for everyone to enjoy singing at karaoke.

Tokyo CachitoFuranku Nagai

Tokyo Cachito — Frank Nagai

It’s a classic of mood kayō that has continued to be loved as a Showa-era masterpiece.

Set against the backdrop of nights in Akasaka, the song portrays the bittersweetness of adult love with an urban sensibility.

Frank Nagai’s alluring low voice richly conveys the feelings of a man troubled by love.

Released in October 1960, the single featured “Arcade Blues” on the B-side.

As a leading presence in the mood kayō boom of the time, it was cherished by many.

It’s a song I’d recommend as a fun karaoke pick to sing with friends, along with fond memories.

Traveler of the NorthIshihara Yūjirō

Northern Traveler - Yujiro Ishihara

He sings a melancholic song about lost love set in the northern country with Yujiro Ishihara’s distinctive low voice.

As it follows a man searching for his beloved while traveling through Hokkaido cities like Kushiro, Hakodate, and Otaru, it conveys his heartbreaking emotions.

It was also used as an insert song in the drama “Seibu Keisatsu” and was released in August 1987.

For Yujiro Ishihara, it became his first and only single to reach No.

1 on the Oricon charts, topping the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart as well.

As you recall days gone by, try singing it gently and with feeling.