Recommended love songs for people in their 90s: A collection of classic Shōwa-era romance songs

I loved you, loved you, I ended up falling so in love.Hiroshi Wada and the Mahina Stars, Miyoko Tashiro

Miyoko Tashiro, Naoki Matsudaira — I Loved You, Loved You, Loved You So Much

A duet song by Hiroshi Wada and the Mahina Stars with Miyoko Tashiro, “Aishite Aishite Aishichatta no yo.” Released in 1965, this classic expresses deep love and aching emotion.

Its straightforward lyrics of love are sung over a Hawaiian-style melody.

As you listen, you might find yourself remembering an old romance.

If you listen with someone special, you may be able to reaffirm your bond.

It’s a recommended track for when you want to feel nostalgic or spend a calm, peaceful moment.

You, my beloved.Hisao Ito

You, my beloved — Hisao Ito

As one of the quintessential masterpieces of Showa-era kayōkyoku, there is a gem of a ballad that expresses Hisao Itō’s sweet yet heartrending feelings of love.

Composed by Yuji Koseki with lyrics by Kazuo Kikuta, this piece beautifully blends a gently expressive melody with a rich baritone voice.

Released by Nippon Columbia in September 1953, it also drew attention as the theme song for the film “Kimi no Na wa,” which premiered the same year.

The story and the music melded together perfectly, moving the hearts of people at the time.

Please enjoy this timeless classic at a relaxed pace, letting it resonate alongside fond memories.

It’s also lovely to listen together with older listeners and let conversations blossom about youthful days.

a red handkerchiefYujiro Ishihara

Red Handkerchief: Yujiro Ishihara

Set against the backdrop of a northern spring, this song tells the story of a bittersweet farewell in love.

Carried by a gentle, lyrical melody, Yujiro Ishihara’s rich vocals vividly portray the lingering feelings of heartbreak.

Released by Teichiku Records in October 1962, the track is also included on the album “Yujiro Ishihara Original 6.” In January 1964, it was used as the theme song for a film of the same name starring Ishihara, captivating the hearts of many alongside the movie.

Even today, it remains a beloved classic that everyone can hum along to and is very popular at karaoke.

With its heartfelt lyrics and approachable melody, it’s the perfect song for singing together and having fun.

Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Teng

Leave oneself to the flow of time / Teresa Teng (with lyrics)

A gem of a love song whose melody, filled with kindness and warmth, gently permeates the heart.

With gratitude for meeting a beloved person and a love so deep that one could give everything for them, Teresa Teng’s clear, transparent voice expresses these emotions with rich nuance.

Released in February 1986, the song won the Grand Prize at the 19th Japan Cable Awards, marking an unprecedented third consecutive win, and it resonated widely across Asia.

Its major-key, soaring melody gently touches the hearts of older listeners, offering a soothing moment wrapped in nostalgia.

As a song that creates a warm atmosphere where people can look back on the past and share their feelings for those they cherish, it also serves as a bridge for communication.

The City of Love, SapporoYujiro Ishihara

Sapporo, City of Love: Yujiro Ishihara

This gem of a love song, which tells a romance beginning at Sapporo’s iconic Clock Tower, is cherished by many as one of Yujiro Ishihara’s signature numbers.

Released as a single in May 1972, it drew attention as a groundbreaking work told from a woman’s perspective and went on to sell a total of 650,000 copies.

Coinciding with the Sapporo Winter Olympics held that year, the song also helped convey Sapporo’s allure to listeners across Japan.

Wrapped in Ishihara’s deep, gentle vocals, the feelings of a woman who discovered love beneath a tender sky are tenderly sung, evoking vivid scenes in which memories of love deepen with the changing seasons.

A duet version with Miyuki Kawanaka was later produced, and this piece remains a beloved classic that beautifully weaves together Sapporo’s scenery and the memories of love—an unforgettable song that lingers in the heart.

Because the moon is so very blueTsutoko Sugawara

Highest Sound Quality! ~ Because the Moon Is So Very Blue (Sung by: Totoko Sugawara)

Many people are likely captivated by Totoko Sugawara’s beautiful singing in this classic song, which poignantly portrays a tree-lined path walked beneath a blue, shimmering moon.

Known as the theme song for a film released in 1955, this work, which reflects a lyrical storyline, carries a warmth that gently envelops the listener.

A popular song that sold over one million copies, it features an emotionally rich melody composed by Akira Mutsu and lyrics brimming with poetic sentiment by Minoru Shimizu, both of which resonate deeply.

Its unhurried rhythm and wistful vocals make it a perfect recommendation for moments when you want to linger in memories during a quiet time.

In the stillness of the night, it may bring back recollections of softly humming the tune while strolling with someone dear.

Blue Light YokohamaAyumi Ishida

Blue Light Yokohama - Ayumi Ishida

This classic song, which beautifully depicts the nightscape of the port city of Yokohama, captivates with its urbane, sophisticated sound, a melody line influenced by chanson, and emotionally rich lyrics tinged with melancholy.

Ayumi Ishida’s clear, transparent voice superbly conveys the bittersweetness of love shining under the city’s neon lights.

Released in December 1968, the work achieved an astonishing sales record of over one million copies in just ten days.

It won the Japan Record Award for Composition and also enjoyed great popularity in Korea.

It’s a lovely choice in connection with Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Day on June 2.

A gem cherished by older listeners along with nostalgic memories.

If you hum it together during a karaoke recreation, conversation is sure to flow naturally.