Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 60s: classic and popular Japanese hits

Robinsonsupittsu

Spitz / Robinson

A song marked by evocative imagery that feels like a snapshot from youth.

Its clear, transparent melody and gentle vocals tenderly embrace hidden feelings, loneliness, and a yearning for release.

Released in April 1995, the track became a massive hit, selling over 1.62 million copies, and became one of Spitz’s signature songs.

It was also included on the album “Honey” (Hachimitsu) and won an Excellence Award at the 37th Japan Record Awards.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you feel like looking back on a youth filled with memories of someone dear, or when you’re experiencing the mix of anticipation and anxiety that comes with the start of a new season.

I want to be kinder.Saitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – I Want to Be Kind [Music Video]

It’s a song whose vocals, seeking both kindness and strength, resonate in the heart as it faces a beloved person with a pure heart.

The way feelings for someone precious nurture gentleness is particularly striking.

Released in November 2011, this work drew attention as the theme song for the drama “Kaseifu no Mita” starring Nanako Matsushima.

Although it was a single released around the same time as Kazuyoshi Saito’s album “45 STONES,” its encounter with the blockbuster drama—whose ratings exceeded 40%—moved the hearts of many.

It’s a song that quietly stays by your side when you stand at a crossroads in life and want to reconsider your feelings for someone important.

White LoversKuwata Keisuke

Keisuke Kuwata – Shiroi Koibitotachi (Full ver.)

A gem-like ballad woven from winter’s chill and gentle warmth.

Rather than viewing past love as a failure, it tenderly celebrates those moments of affection, wrapped in the distinctive warmth of Keisuke Kuwata’s vocals.

With imagery like snow quietly piling up and a calm atmosphere shaped by strings and winds, this single was released in October 2001.

Familiar from Coca-Cola commercials and, more recently, UNIQLO’s HEATTECH ads, the song also won the Gold Prize at that year’s Japan Record Awards.

It’s a heartfelt recommendation for anyone who has gone through a farewell with someone dear and wants to cherish the memories.

Far, far awayMakihara Noriyuki

Toku Toku (2012 Remaster)

It is a beloved classic, filled with warmth, that gently resonates with those living away from their hometowns.

The lyrics, which carefully portray the bonds with dear friends, cherished memories, and unchanging feelings amid ever-changing days, strike straight to the heart.

Noriyuki Makihara’s tender, soft vocals beautifully express the emotional ties that keep us connected even when we are apart.

Included on the June 1992 album “Kimi wa Boku no Takaramono,” the song was also used in a 2006 NTT East commercial, and it continues to be loved across generations.

It’s a piece that deeply comforts not only those who live far from home, but also anyone who has experienced parting from someone important.

A heartwarming ballad you’ll want to listen to alone on a quiet night.

I Love you,SAYONARAChekkāzu

The Checkers “I Love you, SAYONARA” (LIVE)

A gemlike ballad where wistfulness and warmth melt together.

Because they love each other, a man and woman choose to part for the other’s happiness—their deep affection seeps into the heart alongside an unforgettable saxophone melody.

Released by The Checkers in March 1987, the song quickly became famous as a SEIKO commercial tune.

It reached No.

2 on the Oricon Weekly chart and captured the No.

1 spot on The Best Ten.

This piece offers comfort to anyone who has experienced parting from someone dear.

The image of a man who deliberately says “I hate you” to initiate the breakup reveals a tender compassion at the heart of this gentle song.

Banzai ~ So glad I loved you ~Urufuruzu

Ulfuls – Banzai ~I'm Glad I Fell in Love~

This rock tune celebrating the joy of pure love is a fan favorite that showcases Ulfuls’ musicality to the fullest.

Its lyrics, which candidly express gratitude to a loved one, resonate deeply, and together with its bright, catchy melody, the song lifts listeners’ spirits.

Released in February 1996, it was included on the album “Banzai” and also drew attention as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Goddess of Victory.” Moreover, it won the Excellence Award at the 38th Japan Record Awards.

It’s a perfect track for getting pumped up at karaoke with friends or for reminiscing about special memories with someone important.

Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi

Like the Moon Tonight / Elephant Kashimashi

It’s a deeply moving masterpiece that powerfully sings of passion for the future while gazing into everyday feelings of emptiness and loneliness.

Set against the backdrop of a city at dusk, it portrays the solitude and struggles of people living in an urban landscape, yet conveys a strong will to keep looking forward and moving on.

The soulful vocals unique to Elephant Kashimashi and the melody that resonates with the heart are beautifully in harmony.

Released in July 1997, the song was used as the theme for the Fuji TV drama “Because the Moon Shines at Night,” and was also included on the album “Run Toward Tomorrow – Moonlit Songs.” In 2017, it was performed in the band’s first appearance on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, winning over even more listeners.

It’s a track that will evoke deep empathy when you feel lost in life or spend a night thinking of someone dear.