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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Good Songs Recommended for People in Their 80s: A Collection of Tracks with Touching, Heartfelt Lyrics (21–30)
Journey of the HeartTulip
This is a classic song that richly captures the bittersweet feelings before setting off on a journey.
It beautifully expresses both the excitement and loneliness of the last night spent with a loved one before starting a new life.
Listening to it vividly brings back memories from those days.
Released by Tulip in April 1973, it reached No.
1 on the Oricon chart.
It was used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s “Ninjō Ippon Kokoro no Tabi,” as well as in commercials for the Toyota Carina and JR West.
Evoking the romance of nostalgic train travel, the song’s friendly, sing-along melody is part of its charm.
How about humming it together with seniors while clapping along?
Light of Fireflies
A moving classic school song that sings of a heart devoted to the country.
First included in the 1881 “Shogaku Shoka-shu Shohen” (First Collection of Elementary School Songs) as a song for ordinary elementary schools, it is a lyric by Chikara Inagaki that has been cherished across generations.
Set to the original tune of “Auld Lang Syne,” it adds Japanese lyrics celebrating dedication to learning and friendship.
For those in their eighties, it may be a nostalgic piece that recalls life’s milestones.
Why not raise your voices and sing it together with family and friends?
The world is for the two of us.Naomi Sara
Naomi Sagara’s debut song celebrates the happy times spent with a loved one.
Her gentle, warm vocals express the couple’s love, and the beautiful melody and simple lyrics make it an unforgettable classic.
Released in May 1967, the song was also used in a Meiji Seika commercial and became a massive hit, selling over 1.
2 million copies after its release.
In 1968, it was chosen as the entrance march for the 40th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament, winning the hearts of many.
Long cherished as a wedding standard, it’s a tune many still find themselves humming with fond memories.
Why not listen together to its heartwarming vocals and let joyful reminiscences blossom?
SubaruShinji Tanimura
This is a ballad that evokes the vast expanse of the cosmos, highlighted by Shinji Tanimura’s deeply resonant voice.
Its hopeful lyrics and melody strike a chord during life’s milestone moments.
Released in 1980, the piece has been featured on numerous music programs and at various events.
While rooted in folk, it also incorporates classical elements, making it a gem of a masterpiece.
Tanimura also excelled as an educator, becoming a full-time professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 2004, and he fostered deep connections with many people through music.
It’s a recommended song for music recreation with seniors as well, offering a calm listening experience at a relaxed tempo.
It would be a lovely time to hum along together while sharing fond memories.
Aoba Castle Love SongMuneyuki Sato
A lyric song that poetically celebrates the beautiful scenery of Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture.
Known as the City of Trees, Sendai’s natural beauty and tender feelings of love are artfully interwoven into the lyrics, and Muneyuki Sato’s clear, transparent voice resonates deeply.
Released as his debut in May 1978, the song reached No.
3 on the Oricon charts and ranked 31st on the year-end chart, making it a popular hit.
It has become a representative song of Sendai, even being used as the departure melody at JR Senseki Line’s Sendai Station.
With its gentle melody and evocative lyrics, this piece is perfect for leisurely enjoyment while reminiscing.
It’s a wonderful song that can evoke fond memories and invite older listeners to hum along.
I wanted to see you.Haruo Oka
Haruo Oka, whose nostalgic and warm singing voice has captivated many, is a beloved figure.
Released in July 1955, this work is known as a representative song of the “madrosu kayō” genre, which centers on port towns and sailors.
With its emotionally rich melody and lyrics that resonate deeply, it became a memorable piece that offered hope to postwar Japanese society.
Issued by Nippon Columbia as an SP record, it was extensively featured on radio programs and in films, becoming a trendsetter of its time.
It’s a perfect song for those who want to revel in fond memories or experience a heartwarming vocal performance.
The Izu DancerHibari Misora
This is the song Hibari Misora sang as the theme for the 1954 film based on a novel by Yasunari Kawabata.
In the movie, Misora herself plays the lead role, and the wistful melody blends beautifully with her emotionally rich vocals to create a gem of a track.
Upon the film’s release, the song quickly became a major talking point, and Misora’s powerful yet delicate singing captivated many hearts.
As a classic that represents the Showa era, it’s sure to stir nostalgic memories of youth.
Why not reminisce about those days with friends who lived through the same era, listening together to Misora’s voice? You’re sure to enjoy a delightful time.