[2026 Edition] Songs Loved by People in Their 60s: Classic Hits from Their Youth
For people now in their 60s, their youth was around the 1970s, right?
The music you listened to in your teens and twenties still resonates in your heart today, wrapped in memories.
In this article, we’ve compiled songs that colored the youth of those in their 60s—classics from the era when many Showa pop and folk masterpieces were born.
We hope it helps you reminisce alongside your memories of those days, and also serves as a guide for choosing karaoke songs to enjoy with your peers.
Of course, it’s also recommended for younger generations interested in Showa-era music!
- Good songs recommended for people in their 60s: classic and popular Japanese tracks
- Popularity Ranking of Songs by Generation: 60s [2026]
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Classic nostalgic hits: A collection of youth songs
- Recommended for women in their 60s! Easy-to-sing Japanese karaoke songs
- Coming-of-age songs for your 50s: heart-thumping × heartwarming classics and popular tracks [2026]
- Popular Japanese songs among men in their 60s: recommended masterpieces and classic tracks
- [60s] Karaoke Popularity Rankings by Generation [2026]
- Recommended for women in their 60s! Songs that get the crowd going at karaoke
- Love songs that resonate with women in their 60s: gem-like romance tunes that revive memories of youth.
- [For People in Their 60s] Ranking of Easy-to-Sing Karaoke Songs [2026]
- [Ages 60s] Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Rankings [By Generation]
- A love song that makes a man in his sixties relive his youth. Timeless classics that rekindle the romances of those days.
- Spring songs for people in their 60s: A collection of classic tracks about cherry blossoms and farewells
[2026 Edition] Songs Loved by People in Their 60s: Classic Hits from Their Youth (11–20)
Red high heelsŌta Hiromi
A poignant story woven from Takashi Matsumoto’s delicate lyrics, which portray a young girl’s heart wavering between pure dreams and urban reality, and Kyohei Tsutsumi’s melody.
Hiromi Ohta’s transparent voice beautifully expresses the loneliness and inner conflict of city life, symbolized by the motif of red shoes.
Released in June 1976, the song became a major hit, reaching No.
2 on the Oricon charts and winning the Excellence in Vocal Performance Award at that year’s Japan Record Awards.
It was also included on the album “Handmade Picture Book” and was frequently featured on music programs of the time.
For those who long for life in the big city or who live far from their hometown, this is a song that will resonate deeply.
If I Could Play the PianoNishida Toshiyuki
This is the theme song of the TV drama “Ikenaka Genta 80 Kilos,” starring Toshiyuki Nishida.
It was originally released as a B-side insert song, but due to an overwhelming response from viewers, it was later changed to the theme song.
With expressive power that stands up to the acting, it’s a gently enveloping piece.
Strawberry Statement Once Againbanban
Banban performs a song composed by Yumi Arai, known as Yuming.
The title “Strawberry Statement” refers to a campus film about the American student movement.
It was also a time when student activism was lively in Japan.
Although long hair was seen then as a sign of rebellion against adults and society, the scene in the song where the protagonist cuts his hair is striking.
This song, which evokes memories of student days spent chasing dreams, likely feels nostalgic to many listeners.
Cactus Flowerchūrippu
A song released in 1975.
It later became a revival hit when it was used as the theme song for the drama “Under One Roof,” and is considered a classic.
While folk bands were at their peak at the time, Tulip leaned more toward what we’d now call New Music—pop with a folk flavor.
“Kokoro no Tabi” is also a popular song, but many people must have felt their hearts ache at the bittersweet love story in this song, “Saboten no Hana.”
Lingering Snowiruka
A song that can’t be left out when reminiscing about youth: “Nagori Yuki.” The original was included on the folk group Kaguyahime’s 1974 album “Sankaidate no Uta.” The following year, in 1975, folk singer Iruka released a cover that became a huge hit.
It has continued to be loved across generations as a poignant classic that quietly seeps into the heart.
For those in their 60s, it may overlap with their own youthful days.
And to the younger generations—let’s keep passing this song down.
Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo
The hit song “Sake, Tears, Men and Women,” included on Eigo Kawashima & Homo Sapiens’ 1976 album Jinrui (Humanity) and released the following year under Eigo Kawashima’s solo name.
The song depicts a man trying to forget his troubles with alcohol—surely many men at the time could relate.
The harmonica solo in the interlude exudes melancholy and pathos—it really hits you.
These days, there are plenty of people still working even past sixty.
When you’re worn out from work, give it another listen.
[2026 Edition] Songs Loved by People in Their 60s: Classic Hits from Their Youth (21–30)
Love is overŌyō Fifi
One of the signature songs by Taiwanese singer Fifi Ouyang, “Love Is Over.” Originally the B-side to “The Rumored Disco Queen,” the track gained popularity through word of mouth and was re-released as the A-side in 1980.
It was released again in 1983 with different cover art and became a major hit around 1984.
Many people in their 60s likely remember listening to it often.
It’s a heartbreak song that expresses a woman’s strong feelings as she says goodbye for the sake of the man she loves.
For many listeners, it may bring back memories of an old flame.