Recommended love songs for people in their 80s: A collection of classic love songs that colored the Showa era

For people in their 80s, there are surely many love songs from the Showa era that hold deep meaning.

Among enka and popular songs, there are pieces that express a wide range of emotions, and many listeners likely projected their own feelings onto them.

In this article, we’ll introduce timeless love-song classics that we’d love for people in their 80s to revisit now.

If you’re reading this, please consider recommending the songs we introduce to the 80-somethings in your life.

Playlist

Recommended love songs for people in their 80s: A collection of classic love songs that colored the Showa era
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	love letterSaori Yuki		One of the iconic songs of the Showa era, with heartbreaking feelings for a lover...
2	hopeYoko Kishi		As a classic song that represents the Showa era, it still continues to be loved by many...
3	Good Night BabyThe King Tones		The King Tones' “Good Night …”
4	I loved you, loved you, I ended up falling so in love.Miyoko Tashiro & Hiroshi Wada and The Mahina Stars		Hiroshi Wada and the Mahina Stars and Miyoko Tashiro’s...
5	Elegy of the Hot Spring TownToshiro Omi		Loved by many as an iconic song representing the Showa era…
6	The young coupleKenji Kitahara		One of the iconic songs representing the Showa era is Ken Kitahara's...
7	Flower of PassionThe Peanuts		“Passionate Flower” by The Peanuts is from 1960…
8	Francesca’s BellAkiko Futaba		A classic that has etched its name in the history of postwar Japanese music, gently resounding…
9	Hymn to LoveKoshiji Fubuki		A classic that colored the Showa era. Deep affection and devotion...
10	Forever with youYuzo Kayama		Yuzo Kayama’s “Kimi to Itsumademo” is a 19…
11	You’re not alone.Mari Amachi		Mari Amachi’s “Hitorijanai no” is, 1…
12	Sad WhistleHibari Misora		Hibari Misora’s signature songs that colored the Showa era...
13	Love, since the age of the godsMidori Hatakeyama		Love is a universal theme that has remained unchanged since the age of myths...
14	A Flower Blooming in the RainHiroshi Inoue		Within the small moments of everyday life, deep affection is imbued…
15	Only youTeruhiko Saigō		Teruhiko Saigō’s debut song “Kimi Dake o” (Only You) is…
16	Yearning for youFrank Nagai		“Kimi Koishi” is the captivating work of Mr. Frank Nagai…
17	Three Hundred and Sixty-Five NightsNoboru Kirishima		Even today, as a quintessential song of the Showa era, it continues to resonate with many people...
18	Crimson SunHibari Misora		Hibari Misora’s “Bright Red Sun” is, in the Showa era, ...
19	Forbidden LoveRyoko Moriyama		Ryoko Moriyama’s “Forbidden Love” is about a love that…
20	homesicknessShinichi Mori		Shinichi Mori’s “Bokyō” is about a distant, faraway hometown and…
21	Season of LovePinky and the Killers		A classic bossa nova standard for summer
22	Journey of the HeartTulip		A classic song that captures the bittersweet emotions of departure.
23	Premonition of Spring ~I’ve been mellow~Saori Minami		Summary (20 characters): Featuring Saori Minami’s gentle vocals, it portrays mature romance and is a song loved across generations.
24	I’m falling in love with you againFuyumi Sakamoto		A moving song that portrays deepening love and bonds
25	The world is for the two of us.Naomi Sara		Singing about the happy times spent with a loved one, Sara…
26	I love youYutaka Ozaki		A poignant love song by Yutaka Ozaki. It’s a piano ballad about a forbidden love, and many artists have covered it.
27	Blue Light YokohamaAyumi Ishida		A classic song that captures the beautiful scenery of the port town of Yokohama...
28	Because the moon is so very blueTsutoko Sugawara		A poignant walk along the tree-lined path while looking up at the blue, gleaming moon...
29	Crossing Amagi PassSayuri Ishikawa		A forbidden love set at Amagi Pass on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture...
30	You, my beloved.Hisao Ito		As one of the iconic songs representing Showa-era kayōkyoku, Hisao Itō’s...
31	Mail boat to the small islandKoichi Aoki		Evocative scenes that stir nostalgia, like the lighthouse cape or the shade of orange trees…
32	The two are young.Dick Mine & Reiko Hoshi		With a powerful yet warm singing voice, they convey the music of the Showa era...
33	Let’s get married.Takuro Yoshida		Takuro Yoshida’s heartwarming spring classic
34	My Pure LadyAmi Ozaki		A 1977 song by Ami Ozaki. A classic rendered in a springlike bossa nova style, gently portraying the tender feelings of first love.
35	Anemone flaccida (nirinsō; literally “two-flowered anemone”)Miyuki Kawanaka		A heartwarming classic that sings of the love and bond between a married couple.
36	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.
37	A Love Game Between a Man and a WomanMika Hino · Shiro Aoi		A classic about the art of romantic mind games, beloved for its sweet melody.
38	My heart is stop-motionTomoko Kuwae		A classic song that portrays springtime encounters and the thrill of love
39	tricolor violetJunko Sakurada		Summary (20 characters): Junko Sakurada’s 1974 release. Gracefully depicts spring scenes and first love, reaching No. 10 on the Oricon chart.
40	a bright red sunHibari Misora		A classic hit by Hibari Misora depicting a summer romance
41	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Teng		Teresa Teng’s soul-stirring masterpiece
42	Waltz of StarlightMasao Sen		Masao Sen’s soul-stirring farewell song
43	The City of Love, SapporoYujiro Ishihara		A famous song by Yujiro Ishihara that portrays the scenery of Sapporo and first love. Its lyrics, where memories and love intersect, have continued to be cherished by many people.
44	a red handkerchiefYujiro Ishihara		Spring in the northern country, a masterpiece that resonates in Yujiro Ishihara’s heart
45	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.
46	IzakayaHiroshi Itsuki		A masterpiece that portrays the loneliness of an izakaya, resonating deep in the heart
47	Snow CountryIkuzo Yoshi		The scenery of the northern country and the heart-stirring singing voice of Yoshikazu Ikuzō
48	Traveler of the NorthYujiro Ishihara		A melancholic masterpiece that sings of love in the northern land
49	The Apple SongMichiko Namiki		A gentle tone, as if singing up to the blue sky…
50	Love VacationThe Peanuts		Summer seaside romance, memories of youth
51	wheat fieldOyonez		A beloved hit with 900,000 copies sold that portrays rural romance through friendly Tohoku-dialect lyrics.
52	Melancholy TrainMichiya Mihashi		A scene brimming with the travel sentiment of the northern country and a wistful, aching love...
53	poppy flowerAgnes Chan		Using a single flower blooming on the hill, I will do a love fortune-telling...
54	Beautiful SpringYuzo Kayama		Summary (20 chars): A 1968 song by Yuzo Kayama. A heartwarming youth classic about spring and first love.
55	A hill with a view of the harborAiko Hirano		A timeless classic steeped in the melancholy of a port town, gently singing of a tender heart in love.
56	Parting at 22wind		The Wind’s debut song, cherished as a timeless anthem of youth
57	Lingering Snowdolphin		Spring farewell song, a masterpiece by Iruka
58	spring hazeHiromi Iwasaki		Summary (20 characters): A 1979 classic depicting cherry blossoms and a bittersweet love, sung with Hiromi Iwasaki’s translucent voice.
59	Come, spring.Yumi Matsutoya		A celebrated song of spring, a masterpiece by Yumi Matsutoya
60	Red Sweet PeaSeiko Matsuda		A beautiful melody filled with the fragrance of spring and a fresh...
61	Mischief of the spring breezeMomoe Yamaguchi		Summary (20 characters): Theme song of Momoe Yamaguchi’s 1974 classic “The Izu Dancer.” A gentle piece expressing the stirrings of spring love.
62	Scat at DawnSaori Yuki		Saori Yuki’s “Dawn Scat” is...
63	Love is vulnerable.Hide and Rosanna		The iconic Showa-era classic 'Love Is Fragile' is...
64	Love without meetingHiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool Five		Hiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool Five's “Ai... Without Meeting”
65	A Love Story in GinzaYujiro Ishihara · Junko Makimura		Yujiro Ishihara and Junko Makimura’s “Love in Ginza…”
66	Blue Light YokohamaAyumi Ishida		Ayumi Ishida’s signature song “Blue Light …”