An encouraging song we want people in their 80s to hear. A cheer song from the Showa era.
Music has the power to support the hearts of those who listen, doesn’t it?
I’m sure many people have gained energy and courage from listening to music, or found the motivation to keep going.
And that holds true across generations—there are surely many people in their 80s who have also been empowered by music.
In this article, we’ll introduce uplifting songs we’d love people in their 80s to listen to again.
If you’re reading this, please consider sharing the songs we introduce with the 80-somethings in your life.
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Cheering songs we want people in their 80s to listen to: Support songs from the Showa era (11–20)
Silver invites you.Tokyo Boys and Girls Choir
“Shirogane wa Maneku yo,” sung by the Tokyo Boys and Girls Chorus, is a classic that portrays young people filled with pure friendship and dreams.
The original is the theme song from a 1959 West German film, and Toshio Fujita’s Japanese lyrics capture the joy of snowy mountains.
It became beloved through NHK’s “Minna no Uta” and continues to be cherished by many to this day.
For those in their 80s, it may be a chance to recall the hope and importance of friendship they felt in their youth.
Try singing it together with family and friends while reminiscing about the old days—it will surely warm your heart.
Traveler,Yuzo Kayama
It’s a heartwarming classic woven with words that gently accompany each person’s life, a song that sinks deep into the heart.
While evoking memories of one’s hometown, it stands out as an anthem cheering on travelers who keep walking forward, its lyrics brimming with tenderness and strength.
Yuzo Kayama’s clear, translucent voice blends beautifully with the harmonies of The Launchers, creating superb balance.
The piece was released to the world as the B-side to the single “Gazing at the Night Sky” in October 1966, and was also used as an insert song in the film “Let’s Go! Wakadaisho.” In May 2010, a duet version with Ryoko Moriyama was included on the album “50 Years of Wakadaisho!” It’s highly recommended for those standing at a crossroads in life or wishing to reflect on cherished memories.
Life is full of ups and downs.Chiyoko Shimakura
A gem of a melody that gently sings of the joys and hardships of life.
Its lustrous vocals warmly embrace the strength to live, forged by overcoming struggles and difficulties.
Once you hear it, it resonates in your heart—a work brimming with hope.
Released by Chiyoko Shimakura in 1987, this song became a major springboard for her appearance in the 1988 NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen after achieving 30 consecutive appearances.
This memorable piece also features lyrics that beautifully align with the life experiences of older adults.
Humming it together at events like Respect-for-the-Aged Day gatherings can create a heartwarming moment to share.
Brother ShipsIchiro Toba
This is a masterpiece of enka that powerfully expresses the deep bond among fisherman brothers and their devotion to family.
Tetsurō Funamura’s grand melody blends with Tetsurō Hoshino’s moving lyrics, while Ichirō Toba’s rugged vocals bring out the work’s full appeal.
Because Ichirō Toba himself has real-life fishing experience, the pride and spirit of men of the sea come through vividly.
Released in August 1982, the song sold over 290,000 copies on the Oricon charts and won the Newcomer Award at the 16th All Japan Cable Broadcasting Awards.
It has also been performed seven times on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, earning strong support from enka fans.
With its relaxed tempo, it’s easy to sing and highly recommended for karaoke that stirs the heart.
SaraiYuzo Kayama
This is a heartwarming classic that brings back nostalgic memories.
It delicately portrays the feelings of people who leave their hometowns to chase their dreams, and was created by Yuzo Kayama and Shinji Tanimura in November 1992 as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “24-Hour Television.” Its title derives from a Persian word meaning a desert oasis or a staging post, and the soothing melody—like a spiritual homeland—leaves a lasting impression.
The piece was composed based on messages of love sent in by viewers from across the country, and even after more than 30 years, it remains deeply etched in many hearts.
It’s a recommended song for times when you want to quietly bask in memories or connect heart-to-heart with someone special.
Tokyo Boogie-WoogieShizuko Kasagi
This classic song by Shizuko Kasagi, a major influence on the Showa-era music scene, stands as a landmark of Japanese pop that brought brightness and vitality to postwar Japan.
Set to the buoyant rhythm of boogie-woogie, it paints a heart-thumping world filled with the joy and hope of youth.
Released by Nippon Columbia in January 1948, it became a record-breaking hit, selling 270,000 copies in its first year.
Its inclusion in the film Drunken Angel helped it win affection across a wide audience.
Etched in people’s hearts alongside memories of the Showa period, this work has the power to evoke nostalgic recollections.
It’s likely to be a treasured song to hum together with older listeners, sharing the happy memories of those days.
Cheer Songs We Want People in Their 80s to Hear: Encouragement Anthems from the Showa Era (21–30)
school daysPeggy Hayama
Some people may be wondering, “Is Peggy Hayama half-Japanese?” but she was fully Japanese.
Peggy Hayama is a stage name, inspired by a friend she met through a crossed telephone line who said, “Your voice feels like ‘Peggy.
’” It’s funny how inspiration can come from anywhere.
Her hit song “Gakusei Jidai” (“Student Days”) was originally titled “Daigaku Jidai” (“College Days”), but the title was reportedly changed after Peggy said, “I didn’t attend college.” It’s a song filled with nostalgia and many fond memories of youth.