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