Tear-Jerking Songs Recommended for Women in Their 80s: A Collection of Heart-Stirring Masterpieces
If you’re a woman in your 80s, you probably have many unforgettable classic songs from the Showa era.
In this article, we’ll spotlight especially moving songs from among those classics and introduce our top recommendations.
From songs about heartbreak to ones that portray the straightforward love women carry, we think you’ll find tracks that draw you in and bring you to tears.
Be sure to read the lyrics and listen while feeling the stories and emotions woven into each song.
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Tearjerker songs recommended for women in their 80s: A collection of moving masterpieces (11–20)
A seagull is a seagull.Naoko Ken
A masterpiece that captures the wavering feelings between love and freedom, expressed through Naoko Ken’s soaring vocals.
Through the image of a seagull, it skillfully portrays the mindset of a woman choosing an unbound way of life.
The complex emotions—seeking freedom yet feeling loneliness—resonate deeply.
Released as a single in March 1978 and also included on the album “Like a Seagull.” Highly recommended for those burdened with deep worries or standing at a crossroads in life.
As you listen to Naoko Ken’s voice, why not take a moment to reflect on your own life?
If I Could Play the PianoToshiyuki Nishida
I want to entrust the feelings hidden in my heart to a song.
.
.
This masterpiece gently soaks into the soul with that earnest longing.
The tender tones of the piano and Toshiyuki Nishida’s warm vocals beautifully express emotions that words can’t capture.
Released in April 1981, the song also drew wide attention as the theme for the drama “Ikenaka Genta 80 Kilo.” It’s a perfect track for those struggling to convey their love or holding deep feelings for someone dear.
Surrender yourself to the relaxed tempo and listen closely to the honest feelings within your heart.
Sometimes like a child without a motherCarmen Maki
A classic song that powerfully conveys the loneliness of losing a mother’s love.
Released in 1969, it drew a huge response, including an appearance on that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Carmen Maki’s strong vocals vividly express the pain of the heart.
The evocative sound of the sea calls to mind quiet moments spent in nature.
It’s a song to listen to when you’re weary of life or thinking of someone dear.
It will surely resonate with older listeners as well, along with memories of their youth.
Please give it a listen with a calm heart.
atonementTeresa Teng
Teresa Teng’s “Tsunai” is a classic that portrays the end of a bittersweet romance.
As the woman looks back on memories in her room, her feelings as she endures the pain of parting with the one she loves are deeply moving.
Toyohisa Araki’s emotionally rich lyrics and Takashi Miki’s beautiful melody are a perfect match, resonating deep within the listener’s heart.
Upon its release in January 1984, it became a million-seller and won the Japan Cable Radio Awards that same year.
It’s the perfect song for a quiet night, listening at ease while reflecting on life.
Hold it gently to your heart, along with your precious memories.
Life won't give (it) to me / Unyielding lifeEiko Segawa
Eiko Segawa’s “Inochi Kurenai” is a masterpiece that sings of the deep bond between husband and wife.
The image of the couple overcoming hardships together and supporting each other is deeply moving.
Released in 1986, it became a huge hit with one million copies sold by January 1988.
It also marked her first appearance at the 38th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, making it one of Segawa’s signature songs.
It’s a track I recommend to anyone who wishes to walk hand in hand with a cherished life partner or wants to be inspired by the love between spouses.
Sad SakeHibari Misora
Hibari Misora’s “Kanashii Sake” is a classic that entrusts the pain of heartbreak and parting to sake.
Carried by her deeply emotive voice, it portrays the ironic feeling that the more one drinks, the more vividly the image of the lover one wants to forget rises to the surface.
Released in June 1966, it became a massive hit, selling 1.
45 million copies.
It is said that Misora herself sang the song through tears, giving voice to the lonely nights of a woman who keeps the memories of a painful love hidden in her heart.
Conjuring the image of a woman, heartbroken, drinking alone in a bar, it truly stands as a masterpiece of the Showa era.
Tearjerker songs recommended for women in their 80s: A collection of moving classics (21–30)
Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Teng
A gem of a love song whose melody, filled with kindness and warmth, gently permeates the heart.
With gratitude for meeting a beloved person and a love so deep that one could give everything for them, Teresa Teng’s clear, transparent voice expresses these emotions with rich nuance.
Released in February 1986, the song won the Grand Prize at the 19th Japan Cable Awards, marking an unprecedented third consecutive win, and it resonated widely across Asia.
Its major-key, soaring melody gently touches the hearts of older listeners, offering a soothing moment wrapped in nostalgia.
As a song that creates a warm atmosphere where people can look back on the past and share their feelings for those they cherish, it also serves as a bridge for communication.