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

My Blue BirdSakurada Junko

Junko Sakurada - My Blue Bird

It was Junko Sakurada’s third single, released in August 1973.

It peaked at No.

18 on the Oricon chart and won the Japan Record Award for Best New Artist and the Nippon Kayō Daishō Broadcast Music New Artist Award.

It was later covered by Akiko Isozaki and Morning Musume.

8 ManKatsumi Shigeru

Shigeru Katsumi gives a passionate performance for the first time in 40 years!! Theme song of the anime “Eightman”

The manga 8 Man by Kazumasa Hirai and Jiro Kuwata was adapted into a TV anime under the title Eightman in 1963, and some people now in their 60s may remember watching it avidly.

The theme song was sung by Shigeru Katsumi.

Sinbad on the Shorepinku redii

Sinbad on the Shore

Set against a summer seaside backdrop, this is Pink Lady’s fourth single, portraying the feelings of a woman falling in love.

It features an up-tempo rhythm and a catchy melody, with alluring elements of disco music.

Released in June 1977, it became Pink Lady’s first million-selling hit.

Reissued as a CD single in 1993 and 1996, the song has been beloved for many years.

In 2005, it was also used as the theme song for a Nippon TV drama, making it popular across generations.

It’s perfect for active scenes like summer drives or beachside barbecues.

A heart-thumping track that lets you relive nostalgic memories of youth.

Red BalloonAsada Miyoko

Miyoko Asada – Red Balloon (1973)

This is the debut single released in April 1973 by Miyoko Asada, who is now active as a talent and actress.

It reached No.

1 on the Oricon weekly chart in its second week on the chart, and won the Newcomer Award at the Japan Record Awards.

What would you do?ishida ayumi

What would you do?

It’s a single released by Ayumi Ishida in March 1970, which reached No.

2 on the Oricon weekly chart.

Ishida performed the song at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

In 1990, it was used as a commercial song for Nestlé Japan.

Goodbye DayKisugi Takao

Goodbye Day

Takao Kisugi is a composer who gained popularity for his unique musicality, which blends modern elements into traditional kayōkyoku.

He is also active as a singer-songwriter and has created numerous classic songs.

Among his works, the one I especially recommend for aiming for a high score is Goodbye Day.

This piece is sung within a narrow range—from mid1 B to mid2 E—and has relatively few lyrics, making it very easy to sing.

However, because the lyrics are sparse, long tones appear frequently, so it’s important to choose a key in which your voice can sustain well.

For the most stability, select a key where you can hit the highest notes about one step below your mix voice.

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Ryo

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scarecrowsadamasashi

scarecrow

Among people in their 60s, those in the latter half of the decade likely experienced the heyday of folk music.

Many of you may have been particularly struck by Masashi Sada’s lyrics, overflowing with originality and narrative depth.

Of all his songs, the one I especially recommend is Kakashi.

Its range is an average mid1 A# to mid2 F#, and because the pitch movement is fairly steady, it’s easy for anyone to sing.

The melody has an ennui-like mood, so be sure to sing it together and get the vibe going.

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Ryo

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