Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 90s: a collection of moving masterpieces
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of tear-jerking songs from the Showa era that are especially recommended for men in their 90s.
We’ve focused mainly on works that depict the parting of men and women, so we’re confident you’ll find songs that resonate with your own past experiences and memories.
If you’re reading this, please consider recommending the songs we’re about to introduce to any 90-year-olds around you.
We’d be delighted if this could be an opportunity to discover music that overlaps with past experiences and memories and truly moves the heart.
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Tear-jerking songs recommended for men in their 90s: A collection of moving masterpieces (1–10)
The Last Train of the Red LampKasuga Hachirō
A song etched in the hearts of many as a quintessential masterpiece of the Showa era.
Released in 1952, it was also used the following year, 1953, as the theme song for a film of the same title.
Hachiro Kasuga’s clear, pristine voice beautifully conveys the sorrow of parting and the hope of reunion.
The lyrics, which vividly depict a farewell scene on a station platform, resonate deeply with listeners.
It is a piece that condenses the feelings of farewell and reunion held by people who lived through the turbulent postwar era.
A song we especially recommend to those who have experienced parting from someone dear.
Yearning for the ShadowIchiro Fujiyama
A poignant song that continues to be cherished as a classic from the Showa era.
Its quietly expressed feelings of longing for a lost love resonate deeply with listeners.
Known for Ichiro Fujiyama’s dignified vocals, the song became a smash hit upon its release in 1932.
It has been covered by many artists, including Hibari Misora and Shinichi Mori, and is still sung today.
The background that Masao Koga wrote both the lyrics and music, reflecting his own struggles, may also add to the song’s depth.
It’s a recommended piece for those who have experienced parting with someone dear or who wish to bask in nostalgic memories.
Namida-bushiSaburō Kitajima
A song set on the seas of Hokkaido that portrays the harsh lives and romances of fishermen.
Tetsurō Hoshino’s emotionally rich lyrics blend beautifully with Tōru Funamura’s wistful melody, and Saburō Kitajima’s powerful vocals resonate deeply with listeners.
Released in June 1962, it became a million-seller and won the New Artist Award at the 4th Japan Record Awards.
Long carried on as one of Kitajima’s signature songs, it is still loved by many.
Its lyrics, depicting the loneliness and farewells of men of the sea, overlap with the life experiences of those who have aged, evoking deep empathy.
It’s the perfect song for looking back on memories with someone dear.
Tear-Jerking Songs Recommended for Men in Their 90s: A Collection of Moving Masterpieces (11–20)
Black petalsHiroshi Mizuhara
A signature song by Hiroshi Mizuhara that stirs listeners’ hearts with its sweet, aching baritone.
The lyrics, which chronicle the pain of heartbreak and a skepticism toward love, beautifully capture the loneliness and poignancy of romance that everyone has felt.
Released by Toshiba Records in 1959, the song sold over 300,000 copies in its first year.
It was also used as an insert song in the film “Bet Your Youth” and even won the inaugural Japan Record Award—testament to its phenomenal popularity.
If you’ve ever been hurt in love, you’ll surely relate.
Listen while thinking of someone dear, and old memories may come flooding back.
Yearning for youFrank Nagai
Composed in 1922, this work—with its moody sound and sultry vocals that exude an adult atmosphere—was later covered in 1961 by mood-kayō singer Frank Nagai, becoming a revival hit.
It depicts someone recalling days with a departed lover and being overwhelmed by loneliness.
Hearing this song may bring back memories of youthful romance for some listeners, and it might even spark a lively conversation about the old days.
It was released as a 7-inch single by Victor Records in 1961, featured on the A-side.
dancerKoichi Miura
This work, known as a classic from the Showa era, pairs its emotionally rich, melodic kayōkyoku style with Koichi Miura’s sincere vocal delivery to deeply resonate with listeners.
Released in 1957, it gained wide support after being broadcast on the Kureha Spinning–sponsored radio program “Kureha Home Song.” Inspired by a literary work, the lyrics portray a poignant farewell set against the backdrop of the Shimoda Highway and the landscapes of Izu.
Delving deeply into the joys and sorrows of love, the song often overlaps with one’s own past experiences and memories, moving many who hear it.
It’s especially recommended for moments of nostalgia or after parting from someone dear.
wandererAkira Kobayashi
This work is characterized by a wistful melody and lyrics with deep shadows.
Centered on the themes of a wanderer’s loneliness and melancholy, it depicts how memories of the past resurface each time night falls.
Akira Kobayashi’s distinctive high-register vocals beautifully convey the protagonist’s heartrending emotions.
Released in June 1985, it is widely known as one of Kobayashi’s signature songs.
The theme—discovering the joy of living for love yet ultimately choosing a solitary journey—is striking.
It’s recommended for moments when you stand at a crossroads in life or feel the urge to look back on the past.