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[Recommended for people in their 70s] Classic nostalgic hits: A collection of youth songs

[Recommended for people in their 70s] Classic nostalgic hits: A collection of youth songs
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If you’re in your 70s, there’s a good chance you have a deep attachment to songs from the 1960s and 70s.

The music you listened to in your youth stays in your heart, and once you hear it, you can’t help but hum along.

In this article, we’ll introduce a wide selection of youth songs we’d love people in their 70s to hear.

We’ve chosen a variety of tracks, mainly from the 60s and 70s, so take your time listening as you look back on memories from those days.

Recommended for those in their 70s: A collection of nostalgic classics. Youth songs (1–10)

Into the DreamInoue Yosui

Into the Dream — Yosui Inoue
Into the DreamInoue Yosui

A timeless song with a gentle voice that resonates in the heart, this single by Yosui Inoue was released in 1973 as the theme song for the film After School.

The piece is memorable for its subtle portrayal of scenes of searching in everyday life.

Its warm musicality tenderly embraces the act of seeking something in life, which is part of its appeal.

Known as the first of his songs to enter the Oricon charts’ top 20 as a theatrical release theme song, it also gained recognition as a JR East commercial song, comforting many listeners over the years.

It’s a recommended track for when you want to enjoy music at a relaxed pace, along with a sense of nostalgia.

Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari

Like the Flow of the River Live | Hibari Misora
Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari

This is a memorable piece featuring a voice that gently reflects on life amid the passing seasons.

Like surrendering to the flow of a river, it conveys the importance of embracing both the joys and sorrows of life.

Released by Nippon Columbia in January 1989, the song was written by Yasushi Akimoto and composed by Masao Hirao.

It resonated with many people, earning the Gold Prize at the Japan Record Awards.

It’s a song that stays close to you when you want to calm your heart and gather your thoughts, or when you sense a turning point in life.

Blending nostalgic memories with a sense of hope for the future, it’s a heartwarming piece.

A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe

The melody spun by Momoe Yamaguchi as a song for a journey filled with nostalgic memories remains a timeless classic that still touches the heart.

Her gentle yet faintly wistful voice carries the courage and resolve to take a new step in life.

With lyrics overflowing with farewells to one’s hometown and family, and with hope and expectation for the future, it’s a song anyone can relate to.

Released in November 1978, this work was created as a campaign song for the then Japanese National Railways and became a massive hit, selling over one million copies.

It is often sung at life’s milestones, such as graduation and weddings, and continues to be loved across generations.

It’s a perfect song to sing together as we look back on our memories in the warm spring air.

era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki

Era - Live 2010–11 (from Tokyo International Forum Hall A)
era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki

A signature work by Miyuki Nakajima that sings of life’s joys and sorrows with rich emotion.

Its warm, empathetic words and delicate, beautiful melody weave together into a classic that touches listeners deeply.

Released in 1975, it won the Grand Prix at both the 10th Popular Song Contest and the 6th World Popular Song Festival.

From 1993 to 2000, it was also used in the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications’ New Year’s postcard commercials, further extending its reach across generations.

With lyrics that resonate deeply and an approachable melody, it’s perfect for quiet moments of reflection or when you want to bask in nostalgia.

That wonderful love once moreKatō Kazuhiko, Kitayama Osamu

That Wonderful Love Once Again ~ 2024 Ver. [Official Promotion Video]
That wonderful love once moreKatō Kazuhiko, Kitayama Osamu

A gem of a folk song, filled with longing and nostalgia in search of a lost love.

It gently embraces shifting emotional distances and reflections on youth gone by.

The warm sonic world woven by the soothing resonance of the acoustic guitar and a refined arrangement beautifully captures the farewells and hoped-for reunions we all encounter in life.

Since its release in May 1971, it has been beloved as a staple for school events and graduation season, and has been widely used as incidental music in dramas and variety shows.

When you want to linger in memories with someone dear, why not immerse yourself in its soul-stirring vocals and poetic world?

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

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

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.

Anemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)NEW!kawanaka miyuki

Have you heard of the delicate white flowers that bloom in clusters after enduring a harsh winter? This masterpiece, one of Miyuki Kawanaka’s signature songs, overlays their image with the bond of a married couple.

Released as a single in 1998, it later became a massive hit, selling over one million copies.

The story of a monument to the song being erected in a park in Itabashi Ward, Tokyo, also speaks to how deeply loved it is by so many people.

The warm lyrics addressing “you” evoke the very scene of a couple who have spent many years together.

Just humming it brings a gentle feeling, and it’s best enjoyed while listening slowly in the spring sunshine.

How about spending a peaceful moment recalling the days you spent with someone dear?