[2025] Uplifting songs recommended for people in their 50s: A collection of nostalgic classics
When we think of people in their 50s today, many likely spent their formative years during Japan’s musical golden era: late-1970s to 1980s TV shows like “The Best Ten,” the late-80s band boom, and the early-90s J-POP and trendy drama boom.
In this article, we’ll introduce high-energy songs that 50-somethings can enjoy and feel nostalgic about.
In the midst of busy, demanding daily life, music can bring back memories you’d almost forgotten.
We hope this article can be that spark for you!
It can also serve as a helpful guide for younger generations when choosing songs for karaoke with people in their 50s.
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- Famous songs we’d like women in their 50s to sing (by age group)
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[2025] Uplifting Songs Recommended for People in Their 50s: A Collection of Nostalgic Classics (1–10)
FriendsRebecca
People in their 40s and 50s must find this very nostalgic.
“Friends” by Rebecca, a band that epitomized the 1980s.
The husky, passionately sung chorus was wonderful.
It’s still a popular karaoke number today.
Be sure to sing it out—your youthful days will come flooding back.
Close your eyes and come here.Barbee Boys
A love song where the sweet yet bittersweet feelings of a man and a woman intersect.
The striking harmonies between a husky-voiced female vocalist and a male vocalist stand out, paired with lyrics brimming with thrill and tension.
Released on January 1, 1989, it reached No.
8 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
It was also used as the CM song for Shiseido’s men’s hair styling product “TREND·Y,” cementing the band’s popularity.
A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for karaoke, it’s recommended for those who want to enjoy a nostalgic classic or reminisce about memories with someone special.
Get Along Together -Because I Want to Give You My Love-Yasuhiro Yamane
It’s a signature ballad by Yasuhiro Yamane, with a heartwarming backstory: he reportedly wrote it in just one week to celebrate a friend’s wedding! It first came out in January 1993 as an acoustic solo version, and then this band-arranged version released in September of the same year became a massive hit.
Its popularity steadily grew through cable radio, and the fact that it sold a total of 1.
74 million copies without any tie-in is nothing short of legendary.
Its straightforward message of love—overcoming past wounds and walking forward together—deeply resonates at many turning points in life.
It’s the perfect song for those moments when you want to express gratitude to someone special.
[2025] Uplifting Songs Recommended for People in Their 50s: A Collection of Nostalgic Classics (11–20)
CAT’S EYEAnri
Until then, Anri had been strongly associated with ballads, but this track must have completely refreshed her image for many listeners.
It’s packed with the mysterious and provocative allure of a phantom thief racing through the night city.
Released in August 1983, the song topped the Oricon charts for five consecutive weeks as the theme for the TV anime Cat’s Eye.
Its urban, cool sound is also included on Timely!!, a classic album produced by Toshiki Kadomatsu.
Give it a listen when you want to recapture the excitement of that era or boost your mood on a drive.
It’s also a sure-fire hit for livening up a karaoke session.
My RevolutionMisato Watanabe
It’s an iconic cheer song from the ’80s, and many people probably feel their hearts swell just by listening to it.
This track, which fuses Misato Watanabe’s powerful vocals with Tetsuya Komuro’s dramatic song structure, was released in January 1986 as her fourth single.
Chosen as the theme song for the TBS drama “Sailor-fuku Dori,” it became her first No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
The lyrics depict a strong resolve to change the future through one’s own strength, even in loneliness, stirring the hearts of many.
Also included on the album “Lovin’ you,” it remains a timeless classic that empowers those in their 50s—still in their prime at work and busy as parents—without losing any of its luster.
Romantic FlightKome Kome Club
Known as one of Kome Kome Club’s signature songs, this piece captivates with its refreshing, upbeat melody and heartfelt lyrics.
Released in 1987, it became a popular track after being featured in a JAL commercial.
Included on the album “KOMEGUNY,” it’s praised as a work brimming with the talents of Carl Smoky Ishii.
Singing of passion for love and dreams, and the pursuit of life’s romance, the song continues to resonate with many.
It’s a tune that brings back fond memories while giving you the courage to look ahead—perfect for getting the crowd going at karaoke, too.
The hottest summer in the worldPrincess Princess
When it comes to songs that symbolize summer, this one by Princess Princess—the pioneering Japanese all-girl band—surely comes to mind.
Beneath the glittering sun, it bursts with bright, catchy melodies, yet the lyrics portray the protagonist’s impatience and heartache right in the midst of that dazzling season.
It’s well known that although the song was first released in 1987, it became a massive hit with its re-recorded version in July 1989 when it was used as a TV program theme song.
Belt it out on a summer drive and you’re guaranteed to feel amazing.
It may even bring back those bittersweet memories of summers gone by.