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

Here are some great Japanese songs I’d recommend for people in their 60s!

Of course, what makes a song “good” can feel different for everyone.There are songs with great lyrics, songs with beautiful melodies, songs with an awesome groove, songs that are just fun to move to, and so on.

In this article, I’ve gathered lots of good songs from a variety of perspectives.

Most of the picks are tracks from the 1970s through the 1980s—the era when many people in their 60s spent their youth—so please give them a listen while reminiscing about those nostalgic memories from your younger days!

Playlist

Good songs recommended for people in their 60s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	March of 365 StepsSuizenji Kiyoko		A cheering song about the importance of moving forward
2	Adolescence (with an autumnal/reflective nuance)Iwasaki Hiromi		Hiromi Iwasaki’s classic youth song expresses the poignancy of autumn
3	While listening to a distant train whistleArisu		A classic song by Alice. An attitude of moving forward after overcoming heartbreak.
4	foreignerKUBOTA Saki		A heartbreak song brimming with exotic flair. A message of hope.
5	Dancing All Nightmonta & burazāzu		A nostalgic classic that portrays love and youth
6	In the Great Sky and on the Vast EarthMatsuyama Chiharu		A song by Chiharu Matsuyama about the courage to move forward after setbacks
7	MelodyTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s heartwarming ballad
8	In a new cityImai Miki		A signature ballad by Miki Imai that gently portrays a turning point in life
9	dancerMurashita Kōzō		Kozo Murashita’s love lyric
10	Magic Yellow Shoeschūrippu		Tulip’s debut song live masterpiece
11	Ruby RingTerao Akira		Akira Terao’s classic “Ruby,” which depicts the loss of love
12	Journey of the Heartchūrippu		A classic coming-of-age song portraying the conflict between dreams and love
13	Goodbye once moreOzaki Kiyohiko		A masterpiece ballad that portrays parting in a positive light
14	Sky Restauranthaifaisetto		A love song depicting a reunion and a farewell with a lover
15	Yokosuka StoryYamaguchi Momoe		A signature song by Momoe Yamaguchi, a breakup song set in Yokosuka.
16	Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi		Hiromi Ohta’s signature work, a poignant classic about a long-distance romance
17	threadNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s gem of a masterpiece that weaves fate with warp and weft
18	I’m sorryTakahashi Mariko		Mari Takahashi’s classic song depicting parting and regret
19	Slow motionNakamori Akina		A debut song depicting an encounter on the beach
20	stationTakeuchi Mariya		A heartrending love story about former lovers who reunite at a train station
21	Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki		A heartrending love story that begins in a phone booth at midnight
22	Run, Kotaro!Sorutī Shugā		Salty Sugar tops the Oricon chart
23	Rainy MidosujiŌyō Fifi		Ouyang Feifei’s blockbuster heartbreak song
24	A Midsummer IncidentHirayama Miki		Miki Hirayama’s Aburatsubo local song
25	Tears of the SunAnzai Maria		Maria Anzai wins the Japan Record Awards Newcomer of the Year
26	No reply needed.Arai Yumi		High-priced edition of Yumi Arai’s debut single
27	Morning of PartingPedoro & Kapurishasu		Pedro & Capricious 1971 debut single
28	Farewell, my loverSakai Masaaki		Masakazu Sakai’s solo debut song expresses a story of parting.
29	My Blue BirdSakurada Junko		A single by Junko Sakurada won an award.
30	8 ManKatsumi Shigeru		A cyborg manga was adapted into an anime in 1963.
31	Sinbad on the Shorepinku redii		Pink Lady’s “Natsukoi Uta” reaches one million
32	Red BalloonAsada Miyoko		Miyoko Asada’s debut song wins the Newcomer Award
33	What would you do?ishida ayumi		Ayumi Ishida’s 1970 hit song
34	Goodbye DayKisugi Takao		Takao Kisugi’s “Goodbye Day” is an easy song to sing.
35	scarecrowsadamasashi		Masashi Sada’s classic song “Kakashi” is easy to sing.
36	Message of RougeMatsutōya Yumi		A classic by Yumi Arai—bright and easy to sing
37	Yoko of the Port, Yokohama, YokosukaDaun Taun Bugiugi Bando		A smash hit song depicting the scenery of a port town
38	17 years oldMinami Saori		Saori Minami’s debut single reached No. 2 on the Oricon chart
39	Lullaby of the SaintessesIwasaki Hiromi		An iconic song from the ’80s, a signature work by Hiromi Iwasaki
40	hopeKishi Yoko		A signature song released by Yoko Kishi in 1970
41	I hate demons.Hirata Takao to Serusutāzu		Hirata Takao and the Celstars' smash hit song
42	Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji		A signature song by Kenji Sawada depicting the complex emotions of a heartbroken man
43	YOUNG MANSaijō Hideki		Hideto Saijo’s signature song, an anthem of the disco era
44	The world of twoAoi Teruhiko		Aoi Teruhiko’s drama theme song ranks third on the weekly chart
45	The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko		A heartwarming ballad loved across generations
46	Samba of the White ButterflyMoriyama Kayoko		Moriyama Kayoko's representative song of 1970
47	Falling in LoveKobayashi Akiko		Akiko Kobayashi’s debut single became a big hit.
48	Love Is OverŌyō Nira Nira		Representative song of a Taiwanese female singer, Love Is Over
49	A Dangerous Pairsawada kenji		The appeal of Kenji Sawada’s 1973 smash hit
50	The season the sun gave usaoi sankakujougi		Aoi Sankaku Jōgi’s classic youth hit song becomes a big hit
51	A Good Day to Set Out on a JourneyYamaguchi Momoe		Easy to sing among Momoe Yamaguchi’s famous songs
52	age; the age range typical for adolescence or a particular stage in lifeYamaguchi Momoe		Yamaguchi Momoe debut single released in 1973
53	First loveMurashita Kōzō		Kozo Murashita’s “Hatsukoi” is easy to sing within a narrow vocal range.
54	Another SaturdayHamada Shogo		Another Saturday is an easy-to-sing song for low-voiced men.
55	Before anything else, from atop the roadIsseifubi Sepia		A message of courage and hope that asks about the meaning of life
56	Please go ahead as you are.Maruyama Keiko		Keiko Maruyama’s bossa nova masterpieces
57	That’s important.Daiji MAN Burazāzu Bando		A smash-hit cheer song about not giving up
58	Let’s become a familyFukuyama Masaharu		A heartwarming classic by Masaharu Fukuyama that depicts love and the bonds of family
59	To Marie on Fifth AvenuePedoro & Kapurishasu		A classic by Pedro & Capricious. For women. Requires sustained high notes.
60	Dream GuideYamaguchi Momoe		Singable classic hits by Momoe Yamaguchi from the Showa-era kayōkyoku
61	I want to become the wind.THE BOOM		A gem of a work that expresses the desire to be free with the one you love
62	Stars on EarthNakajima Miyuki		A powerful song that likens unnoticed people to stars
63	You’re not alone.tenchi mari		A classic Showa-era hit song themed around love and bonds
64	Please, God!Za Tenputāzu		The Tempters’ famous song, Koigokoro and Inori
65	What you wantZa Hapuningusu Fo		An experimental masterpiece single of Group Sounds
66	A world without youZa Bībāzu		The Beavers’ heartbreak rock song
67	Blind BirdZa Moppusu		The Mops’ pioneering psychedelic debut
68	Ha-ha-haZa Rindo & Rindāzu		A bright pop tune by The Lind & Lindaers
69	With the setting sunZa Wairudowanzu		Refreshing Blue Sky Group Sounds Classic
70	blue eyesJakkī Yoshikawa to Burū Komettsu		A classic masterpiece from the dawn of the Group Sounds era depicting a bittersweet love in the northern country
71	The lights of Sakhalin do not go outZa Jenoba		The debut song of The Genova, a Russian-folk-style ballad
72	No-No BoyZa Supaidāsu		Hiroshi Kamayatsu’s British beat-infused rock masterpiece
73	In the Sun and the DustCHAGE and ASKA		A gemlike melody portraying the strength to overcome dreams and setbacks
74	ff (fortissimo)HOUND DOG		HOUND DOG’s signature work: powerful rock of love and dreams
75	GIFTMr.Children		An inspiring Olympic-themed piano piece
76	Tokyoyashiki takajin		Yashiki Takajin’s famous song on the theme of moving to Tokyo
77	ChampionArisu		Alice’s classic song: the glory and downfall of a veteran boxer
78	Banzai ~ So glad I loved you ~Urufuruzu		A rock song by Ulfuls that sings about love
79	Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi		A masterpiece that sings of loneliness and passion for the future
80	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		A representative song by Southern All Stars with a heartbreak theme
81	A Tearful RequestChekkāzu		The Checkers’ heartbreak song sets a record with a massive hit
82	Strawberry Statement, Once Againbanban		A classic song from the 70s depicting student-era love and youth
83	PIECE OF MY WISHImai Miki		Miki Imai’s motivational song of hope and encouragement
84	SOMEDAYSano Motoharu		Motoharu Sano’s signature work depicting the brilliance and end of youth
85	I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka		Introduction to Yutaka Ozaki’s love ballads
86	TOMORROWMayo Okamoto		Mayo Okamoto’s message song of courage and hope
87	Don’t give up on your dreamsOkamura Takako		Atsuko Okamura’s warm song that supports passion for dreams
88	In the Middle of a DreamKisugi Takao		A poignant love song masterpiece about parting and reunion
89	Come, spring.Matsutōya Yumi		Yumi Matsutoya’s classic spring song, the NHK morning drama theme
90	Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko		A depiction of faint first love with red sweet peas
91	wintering swallowMori Masako		Introduction to Masako Mori's Exquisite Ballad Works
92	Street Corner of BetrayalKai Band		Kai Band's 'Uragiri no Machikado' has a narrow vocal range and is easy to sing.
93	Song of LifeTakeuchi Mariya		A ballad by Mariya Takeuchi. It depicts the miracle of life and encounters.
94	contrailArai Yumi		A gem of a song imbued with feelings for a deceased classmate
95	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		A cheering song celebrating Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s departure
96	I’ll wait.amin		Amin’s smash hit song about a heartrending romance
97	Good-bye, My LoveAn Ruisu		Ann Lewis's first hit song
98	Body and soulDaun Taun Bugiugi Bando		A deep, rich low-register singing that captivates both body and soul
99	Ladybug Sambacherisshu		The Ladybug Samba is a classic song from the Showa era.
100	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng’s classic song released in 1986
101	Love Dial 6700Fingā 5		Finger Five's classic love songs
102	Your eyes are 10,000 voltsHoriuchi Takao		A song that expresses the sparkle in the eyes of someone in love
103	Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko		Kiyohiko Ozaki, a Shōwa-era farewell masterpiece
104	RomanceIwasaki Hiromi		Hiromi Iwasaki’s classic love song, released in 1975
105	Life is full of ups and downs.Shimakura Chiyoko		Chiyoko Shimakura’s classic song resonates with the heart
106	Heartbreak RestaurantShimizu Kentarō		A smash-hit song set in a restaurant that heals heartbreak
107	Love Longing at the Far EndsNAGISA YŪKO		Yuko Nagisa’s award-winning single of 1971
108	Gardenia blossomWatanabe Tetsuya		A signature song by Tetsuya Watari, a masterpiece about lost love
109	Nice to meet you, melancholy.Gō Hiromi		Hiromi Go’s wistful love song “Yoroshiku Aishuu”
110	poppy flowerAgunesu Chan		Agnes Chan's debut single became a big hit
111	Storm of PassionSaijō Hideki		Hideki Saijo makes his first Top Ten entry
112	atonementTeresa Ten		Teresa Teng's signature song Tsugunai
113	Blue Light Yokohamaishida ayumi		Ishida Ayumi’s Yokohama Love Story hit song
114	Sunflower Pathcherisshu		Cherish's biggest hit, released in May 1972
115	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		Beloved by many as a heart-touching classic
116	Waltz of StarlightSen Masao		The Waltz of Starlight continues to be loved for its universal charm
117	Look up at the stars in the nightSakamoto Kyu		Kyu Sakamoto’s classic song continues to be loved across generations
118	Four Requestschiaki naomi		Chiaki Naomi won the 1970 Single Award
119	This is goodbye today.Sugawara Yoichi		Yoichi Sugawara's re-recorded version becomes a hit
120	As time goes bysawada kenji		Kenji Sawada's signature song, a nostalgic classic
121	A Ballad Dedicated to My MotherKaientai		A single by Kaientai that sings a message to a mother
122	Hakata MirenNoguchi Goro		Goro Noguchi's debut single
123	Lingering Snowiruka		A 1975 classic that depicts a farewell in the snow