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.

Playlist

Popular Japanese songs among women in their 50s: recommended classics and staple tracks
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	The hottest summer in the worldPRINCESS PRINCESS		A classic hit by the girls' band PRINCESS PRINCESS
2	The Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE		Iconic 80s songs, anthems of youthful memories
3	Aino Katachi feat. HIDE (GReeeeN)MISIA		“Aino Katachi” is an easy-to-sing masterpiece.
4	Ballad of a SingerKazuyoshi Saito		Kazuyoshi Saito’s classic: a song of the joy of singing and of love
5	Let’s Count Your Kisses ~You were mine~Yuki Koyanagi		Yuki Koyanagi classics that are easy to pitch and fun to sing at karaoke
6	TRUE LOVEFumiya Fujii		Fumiya Fujii's 'TRUE LOVE' resonates with people in their 50s.
7	FriendsREBECCA		A classic coming-of-age song that depicts Rebecca’s first love
8	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Yo Hitoto		Yo Hitoto's 'Hanamizuki' is a love song that resonates with the heart.
9	Time goes byEvery Little Thing		A shape of love that remains unchanged as time passes
10	PRIDEMiki Imai		Music is the key of the heart that colors life.
11	La La LaMaki Ohguro		Maki Ohguro’s classic hit “La La La,” a moving song that heals the heart
12	CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Namie Amuro		Namie Amuro’s smash hit and a wedding classic
13	Close your eyesKen Hirai		Ken Hirai's classic song 'Hitomi wo Tojite' is a heart-wrenching ballad about lost love.
14	Let’s become a familyMasaharu Fukuyama		A heartwarming classic that sings of family bonds
15	Sailor Suit and Machine GunHiroko Yakushimaru		Hiroko Yakushimaru’s classic song “Sailor Suit and Machine Gun”
16	SWEET MEMORIESSeiko Matsuda		Seiko Matsuda’s classic song “SWEET MEMORIES”
17	powder snowRemioromen		Remioromen’s “Konayuki” is a masterpiece.
18	foreignerSaki Kubota		Saki Kubota’s classic song “Ihōjin” is easy to sing.
19	Tomorrow never knowsMr.Children		A classic that portrays the anguish and radiance of youth, a moving piece that transcends generations.
20	Don’t give upZARD		The inspiring classic “Makenaide” resonates in the heart.
21	RobinsonSpitz		Spitz’s classic song “Robinson” resonates with the heart.
22	LA LA LA Love SongToshinobu Kubota		A love song that transcends time, a classic that comforts the heart
23	God of RomanceKohmi Hirose		Kohmi Hirose’s classic hit “God of Romance”
24	BOY MEETS GIRLTRF		The Charm of the Classic Song ‘BOY MEETS GIRL’
25	Tears aren’t just for show.Akina Nakamori		Akina’s signature song and Yosui’s classic strike a chord.
26	I’m glad I met you.Kyoko Koizumi		Explaining Kyoko Koizumi’s signature songs from the 1990s
27	CHA CHA CHAAkemi Ishii		A Japanese-language cover of an Italian song; easy to catch the rhythm.
28	Sky RestaurantHi-Fi set		An explanation of Hi-Fi Set’s classic songs
29	City Hunter ~Don’t Let Love Disappear~Kahoru Kohiruimaki		Kahoru Kohiruimaki, a popular singer from the 80s and 90s
30	Don’t give up on your dreamsTakako Okamura		Takako Okamura singing her signature songs after graduating from Aming
31	North WingAkina Nakamori		Akina Nakamori’s love song: a resolute journey starting from the airport
32	The Girl Who Leapt Through TimeTomoyo Harada		Tomoyo Harada’s classic song “The Girl Who Leapt Through Time”
33	Hold On MeKahoru Kohiruimaki		Kahoru Kohiruimaki’s captivating vocals and songs
34	Nancy of Summer ColorsYu Hayami		Introducing classic hits by the 80s idol Yū Hayami.
35	Heavenly KissSeiko Matsuda		Seiko Matsuda’s “Heavenly Kiss” is a masterpiece.
36	Surely more than anyone else in the worldMiho Nakayama		A timeless classic that sings of fated reunions and eternal love
37	After all, I’m an idolKyoko Koizumi		A masterpiece that portrays the light and shadow of idols
38	rainChisato Moritaka		A tale of heartbreak and a heart drenched in rain
39	Summertime BluesMisato Watanabe		A bittersweet love song of youth by the summer sea
40	Come, spring.Yumi Matsutoya		A famous song by Yumi Matsutoya depicting a spring scene
41	Love Doesn’t Stop ~Turn It Into Love~Wink		A poignant love born from friendship: a timeless classic
42	Gentle RainKyoko Koizumi		A resonant masterpiece that touches Kyoko Koizumi’s heart, like the rain
43	I’m only gazing at you.Maki Ohguro		A woman's bittersweet feelings as she changes herself for love
44	Stars on EarthMiyuki Nakajima		Miyuki Nakajima’s powerful songs encourage people.
45	Second LoveAkina Nakamori		Akina Nakamori’s first Oricon number-one hit song
46	Silhouette RomanceJunko Ohashi		Junko Ohashi’s sophisticated adult love song
47	contrailYumi Arai		A gem of a song that entrusted its soul to a contrail
48	Pink sighMariko Takahashi		A Mediterranean-style love classic that stirs the heart
49	Lingering Snowdolphin		The Appeal of the Heart-Touching Classic 'Nagori Yuki'
50	cosmos (flower)Momoe Yamaguchi		Cosmos Flowers Portraying Love for a Mother and a Departure
51	Purple TownJunko Yagami		Junko Yagami’s big hit song “Purple Town.”
52	Tomorrow, when spring comesTakako Matsu		Takako Matsu’s major-label debut single becomes a big hit.
53	A woman born in OsakaBORO		A moving song from Osaka that depicts youth
54	Glass BoyKinKi Kids		KinKi Kids’ classic songs color the memories of youth.
55	Beyond the Night SkySMAP		A timeless song whose melody and lyrics soothe the heart
56	STAY TUNESuchmos		A captivating track that colors the city night
57	Baby, I love youTEE		A love song that resonates in the heart with a sweet, mellifluous voice
58	Go for it!Ulfuls		The passionate tone of “Guts da ze” and its courage
59	GoodbyeOf course		A poignant masterpiece that sings of the end of winter
60	TSUNAMISouthern All Stars		A moving song that sings of destiny’s deep love and hope
61	UFOPink Lady		Pink Lady’s classic hit themed around a romance with an alien
62	School HeavenFinger Five		A timeless song that paints memories of youth, resonating in the heart.
63	It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Masaki Ueda		A Kansai-dialect classic that sings of a heartrending love
64	Fall in LoveAkiko Kobayashi		Akiko Kobayashi’s classic song that sings of a heartrending love.
65	loveGen Hoshino		Gen Hoshino’s “Koi” becomes a social phenomenon along with the drama
66	Marilyn in 1986Minako Honda		Minako Honda’s signature song, a classic that represents the 1980s.
67	A Beautiful Burning ForestTokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra		Skapara’s classic song of passion and melancholy
68	Love is overOuyang Feifei		“Love is Over” is a masterpiece that portrays a woman’s independence.
69	Graduation PhotoYumi Arai		Graduation photo, a vivid moment of youth
70	Becoming a Thousand WindsMasafumi Akikawa		Masafumi Akikawa’s signature song that resonates with the heart, Cherished Feelings
71	Falling in LoveAkiko Kobayashi		A big hit as Akiko Kobayashi’s debut song
72	I LOVE YOUYutaka Ozaki		Yutaka Ozaki’s youth songs and poignant love lyrics resonate in the heart.