Good songs recommended for people in their 60s: classic and popular Japanese tracks

dancerMurashita Kōzō

Kozo Murashita 'KAREN' ~Dancer~ First Love

This signature song by Kozo Murashita, with lyrics that gracefully capture youthful naivety and aching first love, strikes straight to the heart—a work that deftly weaves in delicate emotional nuances.

Released in August 1983, it sold around 100,000 copies and reached No.

24 on the Oricon weekly chart.

It’s recommended for those who want to resonate with the bittersweetness and fragility of love, or savor a deeply lyrical track that lingers in the soul.

Journey of the Heartchūrippu

TULIP “Kokoro no Tabi” (Lyric Video)

A memorable song that became the catalyst for moving to Tokyo.

Released in 1973, it reached No.

1 on the Oricon chart five months later and became a major hit, selling about 870,000 copies.

Its innovative structure, which starts directly with the chorus, feels fresh, and Tatsuya Himeno’s sweet vocals fit perfectly.

The song tells the story of a young man who parts with his lover to chase his dreams, and it has the power to evoke personal memories and emotions in each listener.

It beautifully expresses the bittersweetness, hope, and growth of youth.

It’s a staple at live shows, with audience call-and-response echoing throughout.

It has been widely covered and often used on TV programs and in commercials.

Give it a listen when you want to remember those nostalgic days.

Magic Yellow Shoeschūrippu

Magic Yellow Shoes - Tulip

This is Tulip’s major-label debut single, released in June 1972.

Although it didn’t sell particularly well, peaking at No.

98 on the Oricon chart, it’s well-known among fans as the song performed at the end of their live shows.

It was later used in a Dido commercial.

Yokosuka StoryYamaguchi Momoe

Yokosuka Story

Among Momoe Yamaguchi’s songs, this one is especially popular and is said to be a track she herself feels deeply attached to.

Released in June 1976, it became her biggest hit single on the Oricon charts, with total sales reaching 810,000 copies.

At the 27th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen at the end of that year, she performed this song as the opening act for the Red Team.

Set in the port town of Yokosuka, the lyrics portray deep feelings and inner conflict toward a partner while being conscious of an impending farewell, resonating with many listeners.

The song expresses the true-to-life image of 17-year-old Momoe Yamaguchi at the time—her longing for and struggles with love—and it leaves a powerful impression on those who hear it.

Give it a listen, and let it accompany your memories of youth.

Ruby RingTerao Akira

Ruby No Yubiwa

A masterpiece that beautifully portrays the loss of love and lingering feelings.

The protagonist’s bittersweet emotions are overlaid with the sparkle of a ruby, expressed through lyrics and melody that truly resonate.

Akira Terao’s deep, smoky voice brilliantly stages a mature love drama.

Released in February 1981, the song topped the Oricon charts for 10 consecutive weeks and achieved an astonishing 12 straight weeks at No.

1 on The Best Ten.

It was also featured in a Yokohama Tire commercial, earning love across a wide audience.

It’s a track you’ll want to relax with on a quiet night, wrapped in memories of youth.

Why not hum along while thinking of someone special?

Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi

Hiromi Ohta “Cotton Handkerchief” Music Video (Animation by Ai Nina)

Among Hiromi Ohta’s songs, this is one of the most popular and could be considered her signature work.

It has a unique charm that blends elements of folk and kayōkyoku (Japanese pop), and its duet-style, male–female dialogue lyrics were a bold innovation for the time.

Released in 1975, it became a massive hit, selling 867,000 copies.

The narrative lyrics, themed around a long-distance relationship, resonated with many listeners.

Particularly striking are the man’s emotions wavering between the city and his hometown, and the woman’s unwavering feelings.

It’s a recommended track for when you want to reminisce about the bittersweet romances of youth or feel the bond with someone special.

Let yourself be carried by Hiromi Ohta’s clear, transparent voice and listen at your leisure.

Goodbye once moreOzaki Kiyohiko

Sayonarawo Mouichido

A gem of a medium-tempo ballad that portrays parting lovers from a forward-looking perspective.

It’s a masterpiece that resonates with the bittersweet sorrow and resolve of two people who must choose separation in order to walk their own important paths.

Kiyohiko Ozaki’s emotionally rich vocals beautifully express both the loneliness of farewell and the hope of meeting again.

Released in July 1971, the song reached No.

2 on the Oricon Singles Chart and was also included on the album “Kiyohiko Ozaki Second Album.” In the 1999 film “Nodojiman,” Naoto Takenaka performs the song on screen, revealing a new facet of its appeal.

This is a track we highly recommend to anyone who has experienced parting from someone dear and wants to keep those memories as nourishment while moving forward.