Favorite Songs for Women in Their 50s: A Curated Selection of Sweet and Bittersweet Love Ballads!

Beyond the Night SkySMAP

A signature song by SMAP, marked by lyrics that evoke deep empathy and a gentle melody.

Released in 1998, it debuted at No.

1 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

By its third week it had become a million-seller, ultimately achieving a massive hit with total sales of 1.

624 million copies.

The song portrays a mindset that, while reflecting on the past, strives to find hope for the future, expressing the complex emotions felt at various stages of life and the importance of human connection.

Beginning in April 2002, it was also included in music textbooks for second- and third-year junior high school students, making it beloved across generations.

It’s the perfect track for when you want to bask in nostalgia or feel the bonds with someone important to you.

for you…Mariko Takahashi

for you…

A masterpiece resounding with a soul-stirring, heartfelt voice.

Carried by bittersweet lyrics, Mariko Takahashi’s richly emotive vocals seize the listener’s heart and never let go.

Released in May 2007, this song looks back on a lost love, expressing unwavering devotion and poignant feelings.

Singing of deep longing for a beloved and the preciousness of the time spent together, it’s perfect for moments when you want to remember a past romance or reaffirm your current feelings.

With unforgettable lyrics and melody, it will gently accompany your cherished memories.

Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE

DREAMS COME TRUE – Future Scenario II (from DWL2007 Live Ver.)

This is a gem of a ballad by DREAMS COME TRUE that brings back bittersweet memories of youth.

Included on their 1989 album “LOVE GOES ON.

.

.

,” it has continued to capture the hearts of many over the years.

Miwa Yoshida’s clear, pure vocals gently sing of two people’s unchanging love.

You can almost picture them opening an album of memories as they look ahead to walking together from here on.

In 2007, it was also used as a movie insert song and in commercials, becoming a timeless classic loved across generations.

A heartwarming track you’ll want to listen to with someone special.

MPrincess Princess

Princess Princess “M”

This Princess Princess song, which sings of the aching sorrow of heartbreak, delicately portrays the pain of love that everyone experiences.

The powerful band sound and Kaori Kishitani’s deeply expressive vocals resonate profoundly with listeners.

Released in April 1989 as the B-side to “Diamonds,” it later achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first million-selling single CD in history.

It’s the perfect track for when you want to heal the sting of a breakup or look back on a past romance—one that will surely stay close to your heart.

Embraced by the wintry windKyoko Koizumi

"Embraced by the Wintry Wind" Kyoko Koizumi (VINYL)

Released in November 1986 as Kyoko Koizumi’s 20th single, this song was also used as the theme for the film “Don’t Touch My Girl,” in which she starred.

It’s a luxurious collaboration written and composed by Toshihiko Takamizawa of THE ALFEE.

The lyrics portray the bittersweet ache of unrequited love—feelings that go unnoticed and words that can’t be spoken—and Koizumi’s clear, expansive vocals amplify the emotion, resonating deeply.

She performed it at the 38th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1987, capturing the hearts of many.

Expressing the chill of winter and the warmth of love in perfect balance, this piece is ideal when you want to reminisce about an old romance.

It might even bring a sting to your nose.

You’re My Only Shinin’ StarMiho Nakayama

You’re My Only Shinin’ Star

It’s a romantic ballad that beautifully portrays a moonlit scene.

The song weaves feelings of a miraculous encounter and a vow of eternal love together with a gentle melody.

Under the starry sky, it’s a graceful tale that will resonate in your heart, making you want to listen while thinking of the one you love.

Miho Nakayama’s clear, translucent voice tenderly embraces an emotionally rich world that spins a story of everlasting love.

Released in February 1988 and crafted by Toshiki Kadomatsu, the piece reached No.

1 on the Oricon charts.

It also left a strong impression as an insert song for the TBS drama “Mama wa Idol!” starring Nakayama, and won the Japan Record Awards Gold Prize.

It’s recommended for moments when you want to step away from the busyness of daily life and savor your gratitude for someone special.

Why not spend a calm moment immersing yourself in this heartwarming, gentle love story?

Romantic FlightKome Kome Club

Kome Kome Club “Roman Hikō” [SHARISHARISM ACE -THE 8TH OF ACE-]

Known as one of Kome Kome Club’s signature songs, this track was released in 1987 and is characterized by its fresh, upbeat melody.

Largely created single-handedly by Carl Smoky Ishii, it was also used in a JAL commercial, which further boosted its popularity.

The lyrics convey a passionate message about love and dreams, resonating with many and remaining beloved across generations.

Depicting a departure on a “Roman Hikō” journey—flying freely with just a single trunk—the song celebrates the pursuit of life’s romance.

Its melody, where bittersweet wistfulness and sweetness intertwine, evokes memories of youthful love and truly stands as a landmark love song.

Wrapped in a sense of liberation as if soaring through the open sky, this is a piece well worth revisiting.