[Showa Era] A roundup of nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks you’ll want to sing at karaoke
What kind of image do you have of the music genre known as “folk songs”? Perhaps many of you picture Showa-era singers with an acoustic guitar in hand, singing lyrics like private diaries of everyday life—and at times delivering political messages.
In Japan, folk songs became a booming trend from the 1960s to the 1970s, and countless classic tracks that made music history were born as the style evolved.
In this article, we’ve curated a wide selection of nostalgic Japanese folk song classics that you’ll definitely want to try singing at karaoke.
Whether you experienced them in real time or you’re a younger listener who loves Showa-era music, be sure to check them out!
- A classic Japanese folk song passed down through generations of acoustic performances
- Folk songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic and popular tunes everyone can enjoy
- Folk dance classics and popular songs
- Nursery rhymes you’ll want to sing at karaoke: classic and popular songs everyone can enjoy together.
[Showa Era] A roundup of nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks to sing at karaoke (1–10)
Let's get married.Takuro Yoshida
A quintessential folk love song and one of Takuro Yoshida’s signature masterpieces.
Its candid expression of feelings that resonated with the youth of the time and lyrics that sing of deep, marriage-minded love are especially appealing.
Released in January 1972, it became a massive hit, surpassing one million copies sold by September of that year.
If you sing it at karaoke, try delivering it sincerely over the gentle tones of an acoustic guitar.
It’s a great choice for conveying your feelings to a lover or someone special, and it’s also well-received as a performance at weddings.
Parting at 22Princess Kaguya
This moving farewell song by Kaguya-hime truly resonates with the heart.
It portrays a 22-year-old woman deciding to part ways with her lover—a theme that young people can easily relate to.
It’s characterized by Shozo Ise’s poetic lyrics and Takahiko Ishikawa’s memorable guitar intro.
Released in February 1975, the song became a major hit, selling 708,000 copies on the Oricon charts.
If you sing it at karaoke, it’s best to savor the lyrics—filled with gratitude toward the other person and lingering feelings—and perform it with emotion.
It’s a song I’d love not only seasoned romantics to hear, but also young people just beginning their journey in love.
Red ElegyAgata Morio
It was released on April 25, 1972.
The song was created based on a gekiga (dramatic manga) that had been serialized in the manga magazine Garo.
The single’s cover art was drawn by the gekiga’s author, Seiichi Hayashi.
Among Morio Agata’s songs, it became a major hit, selling 600,000 copies, and is considered one of his signature tracks.
[Showa Era] A roundup of nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks you’ll want to sing at karaoke (11–20)
So sad I can’t bear itThe Folk Crusaders
Released on March 21, 1968.
The planned release of “Imjin River,” which was to be The Folk Crusaders’ second single, was voluntarily withheld, and this song was hastily created as a substitute.
There is an anecdote that it was composed by reversing the chords of “Imjin River.”
A café in a student districtGaro
It’s a classic that feels like a snapshot of fresh, youthful days.
The lyrics, woven by Garo’s vocalist, gently portray the tender feelings of first love in school days and memories at a coffee shop.
Released as a single in June 1972, it became a huge hit, topping the Oricon charts for seven consecutive weeks the following year.
It also won the Newcomer Award at the Japan Cable Broadcasting Awards.
Since then, the song has been covered by many artists and has continued to be loved across generations, featuring in commercials and morning drama series.
It’s a great choice for karaoke—not only for those who feel nostalgic, but also for anyone who wants to revisit their youth.
Why not sing your own memories to its gentle melody?
Ice worldYosui Inoue
This is a song included on the album “Kōri no Sekai” (Ice World), released on December 1, 1973.
The song became one of Yosui Inoue’s signature tracks.
Its lyrics, which express human emotions through the coldness of ice, are both enigmatic and profound.
If you sing it with emotion like Yosui Inoue, it’s a great song to liven up a karaoke session.
A Ballad Dedicated to My MotherKaientai
It was released on December 10, 1973.
The lyrics were written by Tetsuya Takeda, and the song is about himself.
Most of it is delivered as spoken narration, conveying lessons he learned from his mother.
Takeda’s narration is excellent, and it can move you to tears when you listen.
In karaoke, the key is how well you can express this spoken part.
It’s best to practice thoroughly at home before you sing it.
If you nail it, the crowd will go wild.