Easy-to-sing songs recommended for men in their 80s: Showa-era classics to perform at karaoke

There are many men in their 80s who love karaoke, aren’t there?

I’m sure you enjoy singing your favorite songs, but there are times when choosing what to sing can be tricky.

So in this article, I’ll introduce some recommended songs to help you pick your karaoke set.

This time, I’ve selected easy-to-sing tracks especially recommended for men in their 80s.

There are plenty of hits from the Showa era, so I hope you’ll find songs you want to try and give them a go!

Playlist

Easy-to-sing songs recommended for men in their 80s: Showa-era classics to perform at karaoke
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Outside, it’s a night of white snow.Takuro Yoshida		Summary (20 characters): A breakup song by Takuro Yoshida and Takashi Matsumoto. A poignant story of a man and woman quietly deciding to part ways in the snow.
2	Melancholy TrainMichiya Mihashi		Summary (20 characters): Michiya Mihashi’s 1956 smash hit. A quintessential Showa-era enka classic, cherished by many.
3	a red handkerchiefYujiro Ishihara		A classic released in 1962. Set against the backdrop of spring in the northern countryside, it evocatively portrays lost love and lingering regrets.
4	12th graderKazuo Funaki		Summary (20 characters): Kazuo Funaki’s “High School Senior” was his 1963 debut song and remains beloved as a classic of youth.
5	Forever with youYuzo Kayama		A summary of Yuzo Kayama’s classic released in 1965. A singable song themed around a lover’s eternal love.
6	Such is a woman’s soliloquyMasuiyama Daishiro		A summary of Daishiro Masuiyama’s 1977 debut single. With melancholic lyrics and powerful vocals, it became a major hit.
7	Until we meet againKiyohiko Ozaki		A classic by Kiyohiko Ozaki. It portrays love and parting, an easy-to-sing song that resonates with the heart.
8	Gardenia blossomTetsuya Watari		A classic song from the Showa era that layers the bittersweet pain of heartbreak over the scent of gardenias.
9	Sōemonchō BluesKatsuji Heiwa and the Dark Horse		A Showa-era classic by Katsuji Heiwa and Dark Horse. It portrays a parting and reunion in Osaka and became a huge hit, selling 2 million copies.
10	Yokohama TwilightHiroshi Itsuki		“Yokohama Twilight” is one of Hiroshi Itsuki’s signature songs, a masterpiece that expresses the poignancy of parting and the solitude it brings.
11	Parting Cedar (Farewell Cedar)Kasuga Hachirō		A classic Showa-era song that sings of the bittersweet feelings of leaving one’s hometown. Hachiro Kasuga’s clear, beautiful voice resonates deeply in the heart.
12	draft (cold air seeping through gaps)Ryotaro Sugi		Summary (20 characters): Ryotaro Sugi’s “Sukimakaze” is a classic song that emphasizes the importance of overcoming hardships to find happiness.
13	Woman’s PathShirō Miyako and the Pinkara Trio		A classic by Miyashiro and the Pinkara Trio. It portrays the feelings of heartbreak and became a massive hit after its 1972 release, selling over 4 million copies.
14	Yanagase BluesKenichi Mikawa		Summary (20 characters): A 1966 hit by Kenichi Mikawa; noted for its gentle vocals and wistful melody.
15	freezing rainAkio Kayama		A 20-character summary: Akio Kayama’s 1977 debut. A Showa classic that became a nationwide hit in 1983 via cable broadcasting.
16	Waltz of StarlightMasao Sen		Summary of 'Star-Shadow Waltz': A classic released in 1966. It features the sorrow of parting in love and a waltz rhythm. It was Masao Sen’s debut song and sold over 2.5 million copies.
17	youthKoichi Morita and Top Gallant		Morita Koichi and Top Gallant’s “Seishun Jidai” is a Showa-era classic, featuring poignant lyrics and a portrayal of youthful emotions.
18	Sūdara-bushiHitoshi Ueki		Summary: Hitoshi Ueki and the Crazy Cats’ “Sudara-bushi” is a classic Showa-era song that humorously pokes fun at everyday mishaps and remains beloved by many people today.
19	Yearning for youFrank Nagai		A 1961 release by Nagai Frank. It expresses a wistful love with a deep singing voice. Winner of the Japan Record Award.
20	The Camellia Sasanqua InnEisaku Okawa		Eisaku Okawa’s signature song. It expresses the sorrow of unrequited love with a fleeting melody like the sasanqua. A major hit that reached No. 2 on the Oricon chart in 1982.
21	I’m appearing under my former name.Akira Kobayashi		20-character summary: Akira Kobayashi’s “I’m Using My Old Name” is a classic, bittersweet love song set against Japan’s snack-bar culture.
22	The Young Boss of HawaiiYuzo Kayama		Summary (20 characters): Theme song of a film starring Yuzo Kayama. A classic filled with bright, hopeful tropical vibes set in Hawaii.
23	Winter LightningAlice		A signature 1977 release by Alice. A classic that fuses folk and rock, it reached No. 2 on the Oricon chart.
24	loveChiharu Matsuyama		A 20-character summary: A ballad by Chiharu Matsuyama. With acoustic guitar and a clear, transparent voice, it’s a classic that expresses yearning and love.
25	Tokyo CachitoFrank Nagai		Summary (20 characters): A Showa-era classic by Nagai Frank. Set against the nights of Akasaka, it portrays the bittersweetness of adult love with an urban touch.
26	Look up at the stars in the nightKyu Sakamoto		Summary (20 characters): A song about the night sky. Sung by Kyu Sakamoto, it’s a classic that encourages people facing hardships.
27	TSUNAMISouthern All Stars		Keisuke Kuwata’s heartbreaking breakup ballad, a moving masterpiece
28	Beach of MemoriesThe Wild Ones		Summary (20 characters): A GS signature song depicting the refreshing tone of a 12-string guitar and memories by the seaside.
29	You are more beautiful than a rose.Akira Fuse		Summary (20 characters): Akira Fuse’s 1979 single. A classic that gently sings of the emotions of a nostalgic encounter.
30	Traveler of the NorthYujiro Ishihara		A melancholic masterpiece that sings of love in the northern land
31	The two are young.Dick Mine		A classic 1935 hit depicting romance in early Showa Japan. A heartwarming duet between a man and a woman that captures the innocence of young lovers.
32	Be my bride.Yuzo Kayama		Music of hope delivered with a gentle singing voice
33	Let’s get married.Takuro Yoshida		Takuro Yoshida’s heartwarming spring classic
34	Parting at 22Princess Kaguya		A classic song that depicts a breakup with a lover and a fresh new start
35	Oh, sake!Ikuzo Yoshi		Ikuzo Yoshi’s masterpiece: an enka song that profoundly portrays life
36	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenEigo Kawashima		Eigo Kawashima’s classic song that depicts the pathos of life
37	Brother ShipsIchiro Toba		Summary (20 characters): A classic enka depicting the bond of fisherman brothers. Toba Ichiro’s deep, rugged vocals are compelling.
38	IzakayaHiroshi Itsuki		A masterpiece that portrays the loneliness of an izakaya, resonating deep in the heart
39	festivalSaburō Kitajima		A masterpiece that powerfully sings of Japanese festival culture
40	Traveler,Yuzo Kayama		An anthem cheering on travelers who look ahead while remembering their hometown. A masterpiece in which Yuzo Kayama’s clear, transparent voice deeply resonates with the heart.
41	The Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo Oka		Okada Haruo's classic that uplifted postwar Japan
42	Otomi-sanKasuga Hachirō		Classic songs that colored the Showa era: bittersweet love songs of men and women
43	A Letter Waiting for SpringTakuro Yoshida		Heartfelt exchanges through letters and songs of memories
44	Tokyo RhapsodyIchiro Fujiyama		A classic song from the Showa era: Ichiro Fujiyama’s “Tokyo.”
45	What a nice bath.The Drifters		A nostalgic Showa-era melody with the Onsen Ondo
46	Song of the Four SeasonsLyrics and music by: Toyohisa Araki		Showa-era classic: the beauty of the four seasons and love
47	If you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsKyu Sakamoto		A heartwarming classic imbued with peace and friendship
48	Blue MountainsIchiro Fujiyama		A masterpiece that beautifully sings of postwar hope and a new era
49	YosakuSaburō Kitajima		Summary (20 characters): A 1978 release by Saburo Kitajima. A folk-style classic portraying the daily life and bond of a couple working in the mountains.
50	I look up as I walkKyu Sakamoto		Kyu Sakamoto’s “Ue o Muite Arukō” is a classic that gives hope and courage, and singing it at karaoke is invigorating.
51	Words of FarewellKaientai		A famous song by Kaientai that became a major hit in 1983 as the theme song for the drama Kinpachi-sensei and is cherished as a graduation song.
52	It’s Tough Being a ManKiyoshi Atsumi		A signature song of Kiyoshi Atsumi. It portrays the hardships and courage of a man's life, a timeless classic with universal themes that has been loved for over half a century.
53	North TavernTakashi Hosokawa		A summary of Takashi Hosokawa’s 1982 classic. A heartwarming song that portrays the beginning of a romance unfolding in a northern tavern, set to a lively melody with lyrics characteristic of enka.