Lovely senior life

For seniors: Recommended youthful songs for people in their 90s. A collection of classic Showa-era hits.

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

If you’re in your 90s today, you’re probably very familiar with the music that was popular in the 1930s and 1940s.

The songs we heard as children or during our school years tend to stay with us forever, don’t they?

In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of popular songs from the youthful days of those in their 90s—tracks that feel nostalgic and familiar.

If you have someone in their 90s in your life—whether a family member or someone you know through a senior care facility—please consider sharing the songs we’re about to introduce with them.

They’ll surely be delighted as the music brings back fond memories of their younger days.

For Seniors: Recommended Youthful Songs for People in Their 90s. A Collection of Showa-Era Classics (41–50)

Woman of the CasbahKunié Etō

Kasbah No Onna

Kasbah Woman Eto Kunie

Kunié Eto’s “Kasbah no Onna” is a classic Showa-era kayōkyoku released in 1955.

With its exotic lyrics and melody, it captivates listeners and doesn’t let go.

Set in the Casbah of Algeria, its world portrays a wistful woman, striking a deep emotional chord.

It has been covered and cherished by many singers, including Mina Aoe and Keiko Fuji, and its popularity is evident from frequent use in films and TV dramas.

It’s a song that leaves a strong impression along with a sense of nostalgia.

For people in their 90s, it may bring back memories of their youth.

It’s also a great one to sing together with family.

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Mischief of the spring breezeMomoe Yamaguchi

Momoe Yamaguchi – Prank of the Spring Breeze

Harukaze no Itazura - Momoe Yamaguchi

With the arrival of spring, a timeless masterpiece was born.

The lyrics gently express tender first love and poignant emotions, portraying the delicate feelings of a girl walking through the city in the spring breeze.

Momoe Yamaguchi’s pure, clear voice beautifully conveys the wavering heart of a young woman.

Released in March 1974, the song was used as the theme for the film “The Dancing Girl of Izu,” and became a major topic of conversation.

Together with the film, which showcased Yamaguchi’s charm as an actress to the fullest, it remains deeply etched in many people’s hearts.

It’s a perfect song for spending a peaceful moment in the warmth of spring or reminiscing about cherished memories.

Why not enjoy it with older listeners, sharing nostalgia while feeling the arrival of spring?

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The Path of Starlit ShadowsMinoru Obata

The Path of Starlit Shadows

Hoshikage no Komichi by Minoru Obata

The classic “Hoshikage no Komichi” (Star-Shadowed Path), released by Minoru Obata in 1950.

One is captivated by the dreamlike scene of a romantic path scented with acacia, where lovers walk hand in hand.

In the turmoil of the postwar era, this song brought comfort and hope to people’s hearts, has been covered by many artists, and continues to be cherished today.

How about spending a quiet evening with someone special, listening to this song together? It’s sure to become a truly special moment.

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A hill with a view of the harborAiko Hirano

A hill with a view of the harbor

The Hill Overlooking the Harbor - Aiko Hirano

Aiko Hirano’s “The Hill Overlooking the Harbor” is a classic that portrays a wistful love set against the turmoil of the postwar period.

Various scenes—like tears shed under a pale light on a foggy night—are rendered poetically over a beautiful melody.

Released in 1947, the song has been covered by many singers and remains a timeless masterpiece.

It’s a perfect choice for someone in their nineties who, while immersed in old memories, finds themselves nostalgically recalling their youth.

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Tokyo Flower GirlHaruo Oka

Tokyo Flower Girl

Haruwo Oka, the Flower-Selling Girl of Tokyo

Haruo Oka’s “Tokyo no Hanauri Musume” (The Flower-Selling Girl of Tokyo) is a masterpiece among masterpieces, beautifully and poignantly depicting postwar Japan.

Through the figure of the flower-selling girl, it brings to life people who carry hope and dreams in their hearts.

With the call of “Hana o meshimase, meshimase hana o” (“Please buy flowers, please buy some flowers”), you can almost see the warm, human-hearted streets of Tokyo in those days.

Released during the chaos after the war, this song stayed close to many people’s hearts, giving them courage and hope.

It’s a track I highly recommend to you—someone living your best in the present—as you reminisce about your nostalgic youthful days.

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In conclusion

We’ve put together a comprehensive list of recommended youth songs for people in their 90s.

The selections mainly feature music from the 1930s and 1940s, so those in their 90s will likely find many familiar tunes.

Please consider sharing these songs with the 90-something loved ones in your life.