[For Seniors] A Collection of Recommended Spring Songs for People in Their 80s
For those in their 80s looking for songs perfect for spring.
In this article, we’ll introduce recommended songs that are just right for the season.
From the postwar era, we’ve gathered mainly cheerful tunes that lift your spirits.
Some of you may remember hearing them on the radio.
When singing in a group at a senior facility, adding handclaps helps create a sense of unity.
Also, the shoka (school songs) composed in the Meiji and Taisho periods feature beautifully expressive lyrics that vividly evoke springtime scenes.
By all means, try singing them while recalling the landscapes of your hometown.
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[For Seniors] Recommended Spring Songs for People in Their 80s (81–90)
Flower
The song “Hana,” composed by Rentaro Taki, is a masterpiece that beautifully sets the spring scenery of the Sumida River to melody.
It’s striking how the lyrics vividly portray the changing views from morning to night.
In particular, the depictions of cherry blossoms and willows convey the seasonal natural beauty of Japan.
Although the piece was written in the Meiji era, it still retains an undiminished charm today.
It’s a perfect song to remember during spring cherry-blossom viewing and hanami gatherings.
With its melody that older generations can easily hum, singing it together can create a strong sense of unity.
How are you doing, my cheerful friend?Michiya Mihashi
Michiya Mihashi’s “Gokigen-san yo Tassha ka ne,” which conjures up nostalgic scenes of one’s hometown, is a heartwarming song.
It’s one of Mihashi’s signature numbers and can truly be called one of the most beloved pieces in the Showa-era kayōkyoku repertoire.
The lyrics depict a letter from a mother, expressing an unchanging affection for home despite the distance.
Tetsu Funamura’s arrangement perfectly matches the song’s wistful, nostalgic mood.
It’s also a great one to sing together with your family.
Northern SpringMasao Sen
Masao Sen’s “Hokoku no Haru” (Spring in the North Country) is a classic that sings of the arrival of spring and longing for one’s hometown.
Since its 1977 release, it has sold over three million copies and has been performed many times on NHK’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen, making it a beloved national song.
The natural imagery—white birch trees and the southern breeze—vividly evokes scenes of home.
The moment when a small package arrives from his mother conveys the strength of family bonds.
The song has been covered in Chinese and Thai and is loved across Asia.
How about singing it on a leisurely holiday with your family and relatives?
If you're happy and you know it, clap your handsKyu Sakamoto
Kyu Sakamoto’s “If You’re Happy and You Know It” is a great song for sharing a sense of happiness in spring.
Its melody and lyrics are characterized by their simplicity.
Although it has roots in an American folk song, Japanese lyrics were added in 1964 and it became a hit.
It expresses happiness through physical movements like clapping hands, stomping feet, and patting shoulders.
Singing it in a group creates a sense of unity and spreads joy.
Let’s welcome the new season by singing this beloved song that continues to be cherished today!
Otomi-sanKasuga Hachirō
Hachiro Kasuga’s “Otomi-san” is truly a masterpiece among masterpieces, released in 1954 (Showa 29).
Centered on a tragic love story, its poignant lyrics depict a man and woman’s reunion and parting.
Yet afterward, the two resolve to keep living, buffeted by fate.
Coupled with the beauty of its melody, it stands as a monumental work of popular song that leaves a deep afterglow.
It has since been covered by various artists and remains a timeless classic loved across generations.
Clapping along as you sing creates a wonderful sense of unity and fun.
Why not spend a spring moment immersing yourself in the world of Otomi-san’s tale?
Over the hillIchiro Fujiyama
Over the Hills is a classic song that celebrates hopeful youth, born from the rich vocal power of Ichirō Fujiyama and the talent of Masao Koga.
Carried by the beautiful melody of the mandolin, it portrays moving toward distant hopes while feeling the joy of a cloudless sky and a spring welling up in the heart.
Since its release in 1931, it has been loved by many and covered by a variety of artists.
For those in their eighties, it may offer a chance to feel the message embedded in the song while enjoying calm, warm days.
It is a piece that encourages you to look back on precious memories and keep facing forward with courage.
[For Seniors] A Collection of Recommended Spring Songs for People in Their 80s (91–100)
Happiness is here.Yoshiko Otsu
Yoshiko Otsu’s “Koko ni Sachi Ari” is a song whose dynamic alto voice and gentle melody really touch the heart.
The lyrics convey the strength of a woman who finds happiness even in the midst of a storm.
Since its release in 1956, it has been widely beloved at weddings and on programs like the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
It’s so popular that it’s cherished within Japanese communities in places like Hawaii and Brazil.
Ms.
Otsu herself overcame a subarachnoid hemorrhage and reached her 60th anniversary.
Listening to this song may bring back memories of many moments in life.
It’s a piece I’d especially recommend to those in their 80s.