Recommended autumn songs for people in their 70s: A collection of nostalgic fall tunes
There are all kinds of autumn-themed songs—tracks with “September” in the title or lyrics, songs centered on autumnal plants like cosmos and pampas grass, and pieces that tell various stories set in the fall.
In this article, I’ll introduce songs that are perfect for autumn, especially recommended for people in their 70s.
Focusing mainly on music from the 1970s, I’ve selected a range of songs that depict autumn in different ways, so please look for an autumn song that resonates with you.
I also recommend listening while reading the lyrics—you’ll be able to immerse yourself even more deeply in each song’s world.
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Recommended autumn songs for people in their 70s. A collection of nostalgic fall songs (11–20)
cosmos (flower)Momoe Yamaguchi
A melancholy voice and sound that seep into the heart—this is a classic song for autumn.
Released on October 1, 1977 as the 19th single, it has been performed at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1992, 1997, and 2023 by Masashi Sada, who wrote both the lyrics and music.
The lyrics are told from the perspective of a woman who will be married tomorrow, expressing her heartfelt gratitude to her mother.
It’s said that Sada wrote the lyrics while imagining his own younger sister.
Often sung at important life milestones such as wedding receptions, this song may evoke memories of a child’s departure from the nest for those in their seventies.
Fallen leaves in the snowAkira Fuse
A signature song by Akira Fuse that delicately portrays the changing of the seasons.
Released in October 1976, it was also used in a commercial for Suntory Gold Label.
The song expresses feelings of loneliness and the transience of life, carried by a gentle, soothing melody.
Its lyrics, imbued with deep emotions—such as nostalgia for days gone by and conversations with one’s other self—are sure to resonate with many listeners.
Fuse’s clear, expansive vocals further enhance the song’s world.
Why not listen to it slowly on a quiet autumn night? It will surely be a piece that stays close to your heart.
Burning AutumnHi-Fi set
Released as a single in 1978, this piece continues to be loved by many as an autumn song that resonates with the heart.
Hiroyuki Itsuki’s poetic lyrics and Toru Takemitsu’s beautiful melody come together to create a work in which autumnal scenery and emotion are delicately interwoven.
It’s striking how the song vividly captures the complex movements of the heart—encounters and partings of lovers, among other facets of life—amid the changing seasons.
Its melodic character and refined choral work quietly seep into the listener’s heart.
It’s a masterpiece that leaves a deep afterglow, the kind you want to pause and listen to at life’s turning points.
Cosmos Highwayhunter
The Hunters’ classic “Cosmos Kaidō.” As it paints vivid cosmos flowers blooming along the highway—right leading to Echigo, left to Kiso—its wistful melody tracing memories of lost love strikes the heart.
You can picture the protagonist setting off alone, harboring a bygone romance, while gazing at cosmos swaying in the autumn breeze.
Released in 1977, it remains an unfading ballad that symbolizes Japan’s autumn.
It’s the perfect song to listen to on a bright autumn afternoon, letting your thoughts drift to a landscape of blooming cosmos.
Ya Ya (I Won't Forget That Time)Southern All Stars
A song filled with nostalgia and warmth.
Released in October 1982, this heartwarming ballad gently embraces memories of youth.
Weaving college-era friendships and bittersweet love into its lyrics, it resonates deeply with listeners.
Chosen as the theme song for a Mazda MPV commercial, it has been loved by so many that it even appears in high school music textbooks.
It’s best enjoyed on an autumn evening by the window, listened to at a relaxed pace.
Why not bask in fond memories and reflect on cherished moments with someone special?
Withered Pampas Grass of the Showa EraSakura and Ichiro
This song, sung by Sakura and Ichiro, deeply portrays the feelings of a man and woman who support each other as they overcome the harshness and loneliness of the Showa era.
Even as they face poverty and solitude, their determination to move forward together is encapsulated in the phrase “kare susuki” (withered pampas grass).
Released in 197X, it gained popularity when it was used as an insert song for the TBS drama “It’s Time: Showa Year One.” Although sales were sluggish at first, it eventually became a million-seller, moving 1.
5 million copies.
For those in their seventies, it’s a stirring track that recalls youthful struggles and the bonds with a loved one.
As you enter the autumn of life, it’s also a wonderful song to sing while reminiscing about the past.
I hope you can feel the strength to live without giving up, conveyed through lyrics that vividly evoke scenes of the Showa period.
Recommended autumn songs for people in their 70s: A collection of nostalgic fall tunes (21–30)
September RainHiromi Ohta
One of Hiromi Ohta’s signature songs, known for her crystal-clear vocals.
“Kugatsu no Ame” (September Rain) is a classic ballad that expresses heartbreak and emotional pain with the arrival of autumn.
Many listeners will likely relate to the story in the lyrics, where the protagonist—having suffered an unjust breakup—musters the courage to take a new step forward.
Released in September 1977 as her ninth single, it was a noteworthy track also performed at that year’s NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Born from the collaboration of Kyōhei Tsutsumi’s beautiful melody and Takashi Matsumoto’s poetic lyrics, this song is perfect for listening to alone at night.