Easy-to-sing songs recommended for women in their 70s: A collection of classic hits perfect for karaoke

Sugarcane fieldLyrics and Music: Naohiko Terashima

Sugarcane Field (♪ zawawa zawawa~) by Himawari ×9 [Chorus] Full Version with Lyrics | 8/15 End of War Memorial Day

This is an anti-war song imbued with a deep wish for peace, overlaying memories of the Battle of Okinawa with the sound of sugarcane swaying in the wind.

It was conceived when Naohiko Terashima visited Okinawa in 1964 and was told about the remains of the war dead at Mabuni Hill.

Premiered in 1967, it became widely beloved after Naomi Chiaki sang it on NHK’s music program “Minna no Uta” in 1975.

Told from the perspective of a girl who lost her father in the war, the song features the symbolic sound “zawawa” repeated 66 times, resonating deeply with listeners.

It’s a recommended piece for those who have experienced war or for moments when you want to reflect on peace.

MaybeSachiko Kobayashi & Katsuhiko Miki

Maybe PART II

The harmony woven by the two singers resonates deeply in the heart—this is the definitive enka masterpiece.

The acclaimed album “Moshikashite,” which revives a song originally released in 1984, is imbued with aching longing and a powerful wish.

It beautifully portrays a heart where affection for another and lingering anxieties are intermingled, and the stirring melody further elevates those feelings.

This work was also performed at the 35th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, capturing the hearts of many viewers.

It’s a gem that listeners of all ages—from seniors to entire families—can enjoy, and we’d be delighted if you chose it as a cherished song for your precious memories.

A Love Story in GinzaYujiro Ishihara · Junko Makimura

A Love Story in Ginza — Yujiro Ishihara & Junko Makimura [Female Part]

Released in 1961, this song portrays the glittering streets of Ginza alongside a poignant love story between a man and a woman.

The duet by Yujiro Ishihara and Junko Makimura beautifully captures the subtle differences in their emotions, with vocals that resonate deeply with listeners.

Featured as an insert song in the film “Kaze-o-Yobu Otoko: From Town to Town” and followed by a film of the same title the next year, it became a major hit.

As an emblem of Ginza, a monument to the song was erected in 1990.

Blending a man’s powerful feelings with a woman’s sultry sentiments, this emotionally rich piece is perfect for moments when you want to talk about love or look back on cherished memories.

My Pure LadyAmi Ozaki

My Pure Lady / Ami OzakiOfficial Lyric Video

This is a memorable track with a refreshing bossa nova-style melody that evokes the arrival of spring.

Its gentle, soft atmosphere, which tenderly wraps around feelings of a faint crush and affection for someone, will warm your heart before you know it.

Ami Ozaki’s clear, translucent vocals blend beautifully with lyrics that depict the small joys of everyday life.

Released in February 1977, the song was also used in a Shiseido cosmetics commercial and reached No.

4 on the Oricon charts.

The arrangement by Masataka Matsutoya and the performance by members of Tin Pan Alley are among its many charms.

It’s a lovely piece you’ll want to listen to with the windows open, feeling the pleasant breeze under the calm spring sunlight.

Love VacationThe Peanuts

Love Vacation – Sung by The Peanuts [With Lyrics] (Including Harmony Chorus)

A refreshing love story unfolding by the summer seaside resonates in the heart with a light, buoyant rhythm.

With a swinging feel that incorporates jazz’s four-beat, it’s a song everyone can enjoy together with handclaps.

Its lovely lyrics and melody bring back nostalgic memories of youth.

The beautiful harmonies of The Peanuts gently wrap the sweet moments by the shore.

Released in April 1963 and performed at that year’s 14th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, the piece was also used as the campaign song for Toray’s summer wear “Vacance Look.” It’s a gentle, singable number, perfect for recreational activities at care facilities.

Since it’s a melody everyone knows, simply clapping along or swaying to the beat is more than enough to enjoy it.

Because the moon is so very blueTsutoko Sugawara

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

Totoko Sugawara, known for her distinctive, wistful vibrato, was called the Queen of Elegy and is also famous as the very first singer to perform on NHK’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen, which everyone knows.

She moved to Tokyo at the age of nine for an audition, where her talent blossomed, and together with her father, the composer Akira Mutsu, she released numerous masterpieces.

Her signature song, “Tsuki ga Tottemo Aoi Kara” (Because the Moon Is So Very Blue), became a million-selling hit in an era when the music market was much smaller than it is today, making her a household name across Japan.

For many seniors, it’s a song right at the heart of their youthful days, so it could be a great choice for recreational activities or background music in senior care facilities.

Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Teng

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

Teresa Teng, the Asian diva who conveyed life’s deepest emotions through moving melodies.

This song tells of how meeting a beloved person dramatically changed her life, and of her resolve to devote herself completely.

Set to a gentle, warm major-key arrangement, her clear, translucent voice resonates in the heart.

Released as a single in February 1986 and included on the album “Toki no Nagare ni Mi o Makase,” it won the Grand Prix at the 19th Japan Cable Radio Awards that same year.

With its beautiful, easy-to-remember melody, it’s perfect for everyone to hum along to while sharing fond memories.