Lovely autumn song

[2025] A roundup of autumn songs for people in their 50s. Showa-era classics that bring back those days

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!
Keyboard playerSAKI
I play Electone, piano, and piano with vocals, and I upload performance videos to social media like YouTube! I’ve loved Disney music since I was little and have played many pieces on the Electone. I’ve been a fan of GLAY since junior high, and from there I started listening to all kinds of music, both Japanese and international. In Western music, I like Avril Lavigne♫

Autumn brings a touch of melancholy after a fun, lively summer.

Many of us may find ourselves recalling bittersweet romances from our youth or surrendering to a shapeless sense of loneliness.

In such a sentimental season, why not soothe your heart with music? In this article, we’re introducing recommended autumn songs for people currently in their 50s.

The selection focuses on tracks from the 1980s to the early 1990s—the era when today’s fifty-somethings spent their youth.

You might even come across songs you used to listen to all the time back then.

Enjoy them while feeling the refreshing autumn breeze, or as you gaze at the beautiful moon shining in the clear air.

[2025] A collection of autumn songs we want people in their 50s to hear: Showa-era classics that bring back those days (21–30)

Autumn’s Pensive GazeMaiko Ito

Maiko Ito - Autumn Cheek-in-Hand

Autumn Daydreaming by Maiko Ito

Celebrated as a classic that captures the bittersweet emotions of autumn love, this song has long continued to resonate with listeners.

Maiko Ito’s gentle vocals and the mellow arrangement vividly evoke autumn scenes, leaving a strong impression.

Released in September 1983, the track reached No.

41 on the Oricon charts and sold approximately 33,000 copies.

The jacket photo, shot by Kishin Shinoyama, drew visual attention as well.

Loved by many as a song to enjoy on long autumn nights, it’s especially recommended when you feel the end of a romance yet want to bask in nostalgic memories.

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If you board the autumn-clothes boatMarina Watanabe

If you board the autumn-clothes boat

If you board the autumn-clothes boat, it's Marina Watanabe.

A lyrical masterpiece that delicately paints an autumn scene.

Released in September 1987, this song was included on Marina Watanabe’s second album, “EVERGREEN,” which reached No.

5 on the Oricon chart.

Keiko Aso’s poetic lyrics and Etsuko Yamakawa’s beautiful melody blend perfectly, gently expressing the feelings of lovers in an autumn park.

Centered on piano and strings, the nostalgic sound exquisitely evokes the calm atmosphere of fall.

Highly recommended as a deeply moving piece for anyone experiencing the anxieties and hopes of love.

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[2025] A Collection of Autumn Songs for People in Their 50s: Showa-Era Classics That Bring Back Those Days (31–40)

In September,Tsukasa Ito

In September,

In September, Tsukasa Itō

An autumn classic by Tsukasa Ito, whose pure, translucent voice and melodic style resonate deeply with the heart.

Included on the album “Crescendo,” released in May 1984, this work remains beloved as a representative song of 1980s city pop.

Produced by Akira Inoue and featuring contributions from renowned musicians such as Tetsuji Hayashi and Tsugutoshi Goto, it is also well known for its stellar lineup.

The lyrics evoke tender memories of youth and the changing seasons, making it a perfect listen for long autumn nights.

Highly recommended for those who want to indulge in a nostalgic mood.

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AutumnOtokogumi

Autumn — Otokogumi — 1988

Akiotoko Toko-gumi

This autumn ballad, which combines both poignancy and power, is a song that encapsulates the appeal of Otokogumi, a male idol group emblematic of the 1980s.

Its lyrics, depicting parting and new beginnings, overlap with autumn imagery like lightning and rain, resonating deeply with listeners.

Released in 1989, it drew significant attention, including reaching No.

1 on the Oricon weekly singles chart.

In June 2023, they appeared on NHK’s “SONGS,” offering a valuable opportunity to look back on their activities since before their debut.

It’s the perfect track for a long autumn night, listening while gazing out the window—one that lets you fully experience the allure of Otokogumi.

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Mermaid of OctoberYukiko Okada

Mermaid of October

Mermaid in October Yukiko Okada

A fantastical and romantic worldview that resonates in the autumn dusk.

Yukiko Okada’s “October Mermaid” is a track included on the album of the same name, released in September 1985.

Marked by Masataka Matsutoya’s meticulous arrangement and ethereal melodies, it’s a refined song with a City Pop sensibility.

It paints the image of a silver-haired mermaid swaying on the waves beneath a blue moonlit sea, with the mermaid’s lovesick longing expressed through a clear, translucent vocal.

This work symbolizes Okada’s musical growth and purity.

It’s a piece you’ll want to enjoy on a long autumn night, in an unhurried mood.

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In conclusion

We introduced some recommended autumn songs for people in their 50s—what did you think? There were so many bittersweet, heart-touching tracks.

Try listening to them while reminiscing about the faint memories of your youth.

They’re also great as references for karaoke or for your driving playlist.

These classic youth-era songs that soothe the heart will surely gently embrace the bittersweet feelings you carry.