[2026 Edition] Songs Loved by People in Their 60s: Classic Hits from Their Youth

As time goes bysawada kenji

Kenji Sawada - As Time Goes By

Kenji Sawada, who helped lead the Group Sounds era that reached its peak in the late 1960s.

After his time with The Tigers and PYG, he transitioned to a solo career and continued to release hits such as “Kiken na Futari” and “Katte ni Shiyagare.” “Toki no Sugiyuku Mama ni” is his 14th single, released on August 21, 1975.

It became a classic hit as an insert song for the TBS drama “Akuma no Yōna Aitsu,” in which he starred.

With its overwhelming vocal prowess, androgynous aura, and quintessential Showa kayō (Japanese pop) vibe, it’s a number that lets you fully savor that era.

I’d love for younger generations to give it a listen!

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cold rainhaifaisetto

cold rain

“Tsumetai Ame” (Cold Rain) is a renowned breakup song that brought Hi-Fi Set to widespread recognition.

Written and composed by Yumi Arai, it delicately portrays the sorrow and confusion at the moment of parting.

The falsetto lines that soar in the chorus seize the listener’s heart and heighten the sense of poignancy.

For those in their 60s who feel nostalgic for music from around the 1970s, it will resonate as a deeply memorable track.

Younger generations, too, are sure to be moved by the beauty of its melody and lyrics.

Embracing the universal theme of heartbreak, this piece will continue to be loved by many across the ages.

Season of LovePinkī to Kirāzu

Season of Love

A debut single by Pinky and the Killers, a bossa nova band led by Yoko Kon, and a signature song of the Showa-era kayōkyoku.

It fuses a Latin-style rhythm characteristic of bossa nova with the mood of Showa-era pop, with Yoko Kon’s powerful vocals, her androgynous style, and the backing chorus all matching perfectly to create a moody atmosphere you can really savor.

Personally, I remember it playing in the film Showa Kayo Daizenshu starring Ryuhei Matsuda, and it got stuck in my head.

It’s a timeless classic even today, so definitely give it a listen!

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RomanceIwasaki Hiromi

Romance

The song “Romance,” which colored the music scene of the 1970s, is an immortal classic whose melody and lyrics convey deep affection and have left a lasting mark on many hearts.

Hiromi Iwasaki’s clear, powerful voice vividly expresses the bittersweet emotions of love, and the song won numerous awards when it was released.

It continues to be beloved by karaoke fans today, captivating listeners across generations and securing its status as a defining hit of the ’70s.

For many, it brings back memories of youthful, aching love and days of adolescence.

For those who lived through that era and for newer generations alike, it is a nostalgic piece that resonates deeply and comes highly recommended.

I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu

Walk looking up Sakamoto Kyu — with lyrics

It is a timeless masterpiece in the history of Japanese popular music, released by Kyu Sakamoto in 1961.

The song was written and composed by Rokusūke Ei and Hachidai Nakamura, who also created pieces like “Tooku e Ikitai” and “Tasogare no Begin,” and it became a huge hit in the United States under the title “SUKIYAKI.” Kyu Sakamoto’s distinctive, buoyant vocal style is striking.

When this song was being sung, Japan was heading into the postwar period of rapid economic growth, and many people likely projected their own feelings onto the song as they each walked their own path.

metropoliskurisutaru kingu

metropolis

Crystal King’s ‘Daitokai’ is a masterpiece that lodges in your ears from the moment it’s aired, leaving a lasting impression.

Born at the end of the ’70s and becoming a hit in the early ’80s, it epitomizes its era.

Its catchy chorus and striking twin vocals naturally draw listeners in.

It has long been a karaoke staple and continues to fascinate many fans today.

Its appeal undoubtedly resonates with younger generations as well, carried on both as a symbol of youth and as a fresh page of new memories.

The Maiden with Flaxen HairVirejji Shingāzu

The flaxen-haired maiden Village Singers

This is a February 1968 work by the Village Singers that portrays the radiant purity of youth and the sweet, bittersweet stirrings of first love, carried by a gentle melody.

Its calm, melodious, group-sounds-style progression blends beautifully with Koichi Sugiyama’s sophisticated composition and Atsushi Hashimoto’s lyrically rich words.

The song was also used as the theme for TBS’s morning program “Young 720” and became a major hit, reaching No.

7 on the Oricon chart.

With a breezy, springlike lightness and a clear voice that sings of aching love, it imparts an uplifting, heart-stirring exhilaration.

It’s a track perfect for the season when spring is in the air, or for moments when your heart dances with love.