Great songs recommended for people in their 80s: a collection of tracks with lyrics that touch the heart
When it comes to songs familiar to people in their 80s, wouldn’t it be the kayōkyoku and enka hits from the Showa era? Many songs from that time have been loved across generations, and there are countless timeless classics that still shine today.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide array of moving, heartfelt songs all at once—Showa masterpieces as well as school songs and children’s songs.
From songs about deep love to ones about family and hometown, these are sure to resonate with people in their 80s.
Please do recommend the songs we introduce to the 80-somethings around you.
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- Recommended youth songs for people in their 80s: A collection of nostalgic classics
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- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Songs that really move you. Beloved classic Japanese hits of the past.
- Easy-to-sing songs recommended for men in their 80s: Showa-era classics to perform at karaoke
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- Recommended Autumn Songs for People in Their 80s: A Collection of Seasonal Kayōkyoku and Children's Songs
- Tear-jerking songs for men in their 80s: a collection of timeless masterpieces that touch the heartstrings
- Recommended love songs for people in their 80s: A collection of classic love songs that colored the Showa era
- Recommended love songs for people in their 90s: A collection of classic Shōwa-era romance songs
- A collection of moving, tear-jerking songs recommended for women in their 90s—heartfelt tunes that resonate with the soul.
Good songs recommended for people in their 80s: A collection of tracks with moving, heartfelt lyrics (11–20)
A Hazy Moonlit Night
“Oborozukiyo,” a quintessential Japanese school song with lyrics by Tatsuyuki Takano and music by Teiichi Okano.
Released in 1914, this beloved piece warmly depicts the beauty of a spring night.
You can almost see the rapeseed fields at sunset, the misty mountains, and a landscape woven from a gentle breeze and moonlight.
The lights and temple bells drifting from the village and the croaking of frogs evoke the arrival of spring.
Its calm, tender melody even sounds like a lullaby.
The song was included in school music textbooks for many years and won 4th place in the 1989 poll “Songs of Japan and Hometown Songs You Choose.” For those in their 80s, it’s a tune to enjoy with fond memories, one that stirs thoughts of home.
threadMiyuki Nakajima
A signature song by Miyuki Nakajima that beautifully expresses the ties of life.
Although it was included on the 1992 album “EAST ASIA,” it gained widespread attention after BANK BAND’s 2004 cover.
The lyrics, which liken encounters between people to threads weaving a fabric, are striking, celebrating the miracle of human connections.
It has been used as a theme song for dramas and films and is a staple at weddings.
It might be nice for older adults to listen to it together with their families and reminisce.
It’s sure to spark reflection on the important encounters in one’s life.
Cape ErimoShinichi Mori
Set against Cape Erimo in Hokkaido, this song weaves together the feelings of young people with vocals that resonate deep in the heart.
Shinichi Mori’s husky voice vividly conveys the bittersweet emotions of a young man.
Released in January 1974, it won both the 16th Japan Record Award and the 5th Japan Music Award that same year.
At the 25th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, it closed the show for the White Team, and it has continued to be performed on Kohaku ever since.
The empty local scenery and the longing for the big city—this work conveys the inner conflict of youth torn between opposing feelings.
It’s a song recommended for times when you want to look back on life at a gentle, unhurried pace.
Please give me wingsRed bird
Akaitori captivated many with their deeply moving, beautiful harmonies.
Released in 1971, this work is a gem that sings of a longing for freedom.
The dream of freely flying through the sky on white wings expresses a universal wish shared by all.
Since 1976, it has been included in music textbooks and continues to be loved across generations.
Its English version was played at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, earning high international acclaim.
Why not hum it together with your family and loved ones as you reminisce? It will surely warm your heart.
The Apple SongMichiko Namiki
Noriko Namiki’s beloved song “Ringo no Uta” (The Apple Song) is an immortal masterpiece that brought hope and brightness to postwar Japan.
The sight of her singing, with a clear voice, of a young girl’s delicate feelings entrusted to an apple is deeply moving.
When it was released in 1945, this song breathed the joy of living once again into the hearts of people who were utterly exhausted.
Its gentle, embracing melody has not faded and continues to shine even today.
It is a piece I would especially love those in their 80s—who have overcome life’s hardships—to sing close to their hearts.
Savoring the slow passage of time while letting your thoughts drift back to those days is a lovely thing, too.
March of 365 StepsKiyoko Suizenji
Beloved as a classic from the Showa era, this song is a rousing anthem that celebrates facing life with brightness and positivity.
Kiyoko Suizenji’s powerful vocals and the lively tempo are sure to lift your spirits.
Released in November 1968, it quickly became a massive hit.
The following year, it was widely embraced, being selected for the Kohaku Uta Gassen and as the entrance march for the National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament.
The lyrics convey a life lesson: that the accumulation of small, daily steps leads to great achievements.
It might be nice to hum along with older listeners and reminisce about youthful days.
Singing together will surely create a wonderful time filled with smiles.
Good Songs Recommended for People in Their 80s: A Collection of Tracks with Touching, Heartfelt Lyrics (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.