Popular Japanese songs among women in their 50s: recommended classics and staple tracks
If you’re currently in your 50s, songs from the ’80s and ’90s are probably packed with memories of your youth, aren’t they?
And there are likely many tracks from the 2000s that feel familiar and nostalgic as well.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of recommended songs for women in their 50s, focusing on music from the ’80s through the 2000s.
We’ve carefully chosen only tracks that were popular at the time, so you’re sure to reunite with some old favorites.
We hope you’ll enjoy listening closely—and that this list will also come in handy when choosing songs for karaoke.
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Popular Japanese songs among women in their 50s: recommended masterpieces and classics (1–10)
dogwood (flowering dogwood)Yo Hitoto
Yo Hitoto’s “Hanamizuki” is a love ballad that resonates across time.
Its melody lingers in the ear, and its lyrics carry a moving message of love.
It has been featured as a theme song in films and TV dramas, adding color to many unforgettable scenes.
The gentle, delicate arrangement will help you forget the bustle of everyday life.
That is precisely why it has been cherished for so long.
It’s a classic that invites many listeners—especially women in their 50s—to relax and enjoy music at an unhurried pace.
Accessible and comforting, it’s a song that deserves a place on your playlist.
Time goes byEvery Little Thing
As one of Every Little Thing’s signature songs, the 1998 smash hit “Time goes by” is a classic ballad that has left its mark on the J-POP scene.
Its lyrics delicately portray bittersweet feelings of love and longing, resonating deeply with women in their 50s who occasionally find themselves reflecting on memories with someone special from the past.
While time surely flows and things change, this song depicts sentiments that remain unchanged and the ways love matures over time—earning widespread admiration.
The lyrics seem to offer courage to face who we once were and continue forward into the future.
It’s perfect for expressing hidden feelings at karaoke or as background music when enjoying time alone.
PRIDEMiki Imai
Expressive music is an essence that adds rich color to everyday life.
Especially for women in their 50s, music can be a key that unlocks memories of their youth.
Among the songs that make such women’s hearts skip a beat, Pride is certainly one of them.
Miki Imai’s song powerfully portrays a woman who remains kind while staying strong at heart, resonating with many listeners.
Its bittersweet yet beautiful melody and profound lyrics weave a harmony that continues to captivate.
It’s a recommended track for women in their 50s who are often busy and want a moment to relax.
Popular Japanese songs among women in their 50s. Recommended masterpieces and classics (11–20)
La La LaMaki Ohguro
With its heartwarming melody and relatable lyrics, La La La has captured the hearts of many fans and remains a perennial favorite at karaoke.
Maki Ohguro’s uniquely powerful yet nostalgic voice helps you forget the busyness of everyday life and lets you take a soothing breath.
As the bridge approaches, the song’s tone shifts and builds, letting you feel a surge of energy even while singing.
Its accessible melody is beloved by older generations and continues to attract new fans as well.
Even for those who don’t listen to much music anymore, this true classic offers small sparks of hope in daily life.
CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Namie Amuro
Released in February 1997, this was Namie Amuro’s ninth single under her solo name.
It was a massive hit that sold over two million copies at the time, so as of August 2023, it’s hard to imagine any Japanese woman in her 50s who hasn’t heard it.
Because of its lyrics, it also became a staple song at weddings.
As a 1990s track—an era when success in the karaoke market was considered essential for a hit—the vocal melody is very easy to sing and remember.
That’s why it’s a song I’d especially recommend to women in their 50s who may not sing often anymore.
In fact, I’m sure many of you have already sung it at a friend’s wedding or similar occasion.
Close your eyesKen Hirai
Drowning in truly moving harmonies and melody, “Hitomi wo Tojite” is a profoundly touching masterpiece by Ken Hirai.
Released in 2004 as his 20th single, it topped numerous charts.
Written for the film “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World,” the song portrays the ache of a heartbreaking breakup and a deep love that cannot forget the beloved.
The lyrics convey painful memories of the one loved and a resolve to keep living alongside those memories.
Hirai’s soaring vocals fully convey the emotion of the words, as if gently nestling close to the listener’s heart.
For women in their 50s, it’s a song that invites reflective nostalgia.
It’s also a perfect karaoke choice for sharing a moving moment together.
Let's become a familyMasaharu Fukuyama
Conveying the beauty of family bonds and love through a warm melody, “Kazoku ni Narou yo” is a classic beloved across generations.
Its lyrics, like flipping through a photo album, resonate deeply with listeners and align with cherished memories and life milestones for many.
It’s often played in various settings, such as weddings and family gatherings, creating heartwarming moments.
In particular, for women in their 50s, the song can rekindle the joys and nostalgia felt through parenting and family life.
For those who have been away from music for a while, this song offers a wonderful way to rediscover its allure.