Recommended breakup songs for women in their 50s: classic and popular Japanese tracks

For youMariko Takahashi

For You Mariko Takahashi

Ms.

Takahashi has been praised for her vocal ability since her group days.

Her singing voice has long been supported by many women, and of course, her popularity shows no signs of fading even now.

This song also became a big hit, especially on cable radio, and is a favorite in karaoke.

The straightforward lyrics of the chorus are truly moving.

We hope she continues to captivate us with wonderful songs and her beautiful voice.

short-sleevedMiki Imai

Short Sleeves – Miki Imai

Miki Imai’s “Hansode” (Short Sleeves), despite her many hit songs, centers on a woman involved in a forbidden love—the man is married and has children.

She secretly goes to peek at his home, and when she sees “him” and his “wife” laughing in the early-summer garden under the dazzling sunlight, her chest tightens so much she feels she might collapse.

Although it’s a quiet ballad, you can palpably feel the heat of the protagonist’s inner resolve—“Even so, I will go on loving him.” The song was included on the 1990 album Retour and was not released as a single.

Adolescence (with an autumnal/reflective nuance)Hiromi Iwasaki

adolescence

Hiromi Iwasaki was an idol singer renowned for her outstanding vocal ability.

“Shishūki” (Late Autumn), written by the hit-making duo of the time—lyricist Yū Aku and composer Takashi Miki—might have become a completely different work without her vocal and expressive power.

The song was released in 1977.

When singing it at karaoke, recalling your own girlhood can help you pour more emotion into the performance.

Cheer up!Mariya Takeuchi

Cheer Up – Mariya Takeuchi

“Genki o Dashite” was a song written by Mariya Takeuchi specifically for Hiroko Yakushimaru.

In 1988, Takeuchi recorded her own self-cover.

The song encourages and empowers a heartbroken friend who’s feeling down, giving them a push with a cheerful “Come on, let’s go out!” It has become one of Takeuchi’s most beloved tracks across generations.

Make me cryNaoko Ken

Make me cry

A song that pours the pain of heartbreak into a beautiful melody.

Naoko Ken’s rich, sultry voice fully conveys the bittersweet emotions.

It resonates with the importance of accepting sorrow as it is and freeing your feelings.

Released in November 1983, it was performed at the 34th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and captured the hearts of many.

It’s a track not only for those who’ve experienced heartbreak, but also for moments when you want to remember someone dear.

cold rainHi-Fi set

cold rain

Written and composed by Yuming, it contains cruel depictions—ones you wouldn’t want to encounter even in a breakup—so it might be something you’d rather not listen to when you’re truly heartbroken.

Still, I’m impressed by how accurately it portrays a woman’s psychology.

The person to resent is the ex-boyfriend; you don’t want to resent his new girlfriend, and you just want to forget… In the end, with heartbreak, all you can do is forget.

Serenade, if anythingYosui Inoue

“Issho Serenade” — Yosui Inoue Special, 4 minutes 10 seconds

It’s a song that feels like it’s speaking to you, asking yourself questions, surely while listening to a love song drifting from a late-night radio show, sensing a love that has ended.

Inoue Yosui, who created numerous hits like “Kasa ga Nai,” “Riverside Hotel,” “Yume no Naka e,” and “Shonen Jidai,” and has also written songs for many other artists, naturally gets invited to NHK’s annual New Year’s Eve program Kohaku Uta Gassen.

Although someone like Yuming, after many years, finally appeared in 2012, artists from the New Music scene typically declined.

Inoue, in particular, is said to have turned it down not for any musical reason, but simply because he finds Kohaku too flashy and embarrassing.