[2026] Recommended karaoke songs for women in their 70s: from enka to Showa-era pop

foreignerSaki Kubota

Saki Kubota "Ihōjin" Animated Music Video

It’s a signature work by Saki Kubota, notable for its grand, beautiful melody that evokes the Silk Road.

Released in October 1979 as her debut single, the song was written and composed by Kubota herself, reportedly inspired by everyday scenes viewed from the Chuo Line train window.

The lyrics deftly convey the feelings of a traveler in a distant foreign land—tinged with a quiet loneliness yet filled with longing for the unknown.

Widely loved as a Sanyo Electric TV commercial song, it became a million-seller classic.

It’s also included on the album “Yume-gatari.” When singing it at karaoke, preserving the clear, translucent vocal quality and the richly scenic worldview will make its charm shine even more.

It’s lovely to sing it at a relaxed pace while picturing nostalgic landscapes.

March of 365 StepsKiyoko Suizenji

Kiyoko Suizenji - “365-Step March” (Official Audio)

It’s a rousing anthem for life that’s still sung today—the kind where you recognize it instantly from the very first phrase and think, “That song!” Sung by Kiyoko Suizenji and released back in 1968, this piece reminds us that happiness isn’t something that falls into our laps; it’s something we seize by moving forward, step by steady step.

Even if there are times when you take three steps forward and two steps back, those experiences will one day make beautiful flowers bloom along your path—gently giving you a push from behind.

Beloved through numerous tie-ins, it was used as the entrance march for the 1969 National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament and as the theme song for the anime Marude Dameo, among others.

When your heart feels a little tired, it’s the kind of song that lifts your spirits naturally when everyone raises their voices together.

airportTeresa Teng

airport

With lyrics by Michio Yamagami and music by Kimihisa Inomata, this classic song—released by Teresa Teng in July 1974—marked the beginning of her brilliant career in Japan.

Its poignant scene of a farewell set in an airport and the feelings the protagonist keeps hidden in her heart deeply move listeners.

The song earned the New Artist Award at the 16th Japan Record Awards and became widely beloved on radio and cable broadcasts.

Its gentle, moody kayōkyoku style is perfect for older adults who want to savor the world of the song at karaoke.

Moreover, as a timeless classic loved across generations, it’s a wonderful choice to enjoy together with family and people of all ages.

Scat at DawnSaori Yuki

Yoake No Scat

It’s a quintessential masterpiece of the Showa era, with Saori Yuki’s voice—often called a “sobering tonic”—resonating deeply in the heart.

The beautiful humming at the beginning delicately evokes the stillness before dawn and a faint hope for the new day.

Rofu Yamagami’s richly poetic worldview also sinks deeply into the listener’s soul.

This piece marked Saori Yuki’s fresh new start in March 1969 and was loved as the theme for TBS Radio’s late-night program “Night Ballad.” Its status as a million seller with over 1.

5 million copies conveys the fervor of the time.

It’s the perfect song for when you want to relax into music or spend a gentle moment reminiscing about the past.

In conversations with people of the same generation, this beautiful melody is sure to bring a warm, easygoing atmosphere.

Crossing Amagi PassSayuri Ishikawa

Crossing Amagi Pass

Sayuri Ishikawa’s “Amagi-goe,” released in 1986, is an enduring masterpiece that continues to be loved today.

With this song, Ishikawa served as the closing act on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

The lyrics portray the depth of love and inner conflict, carrying a profound emotional weight that resonates with listeners.

For people in their seventies, it’s a song that brings back memories of their youth, and it’s a strong choice for karaoke if you’re aiming for a high score.

It’s the perfect track for tough or lonely times, and for moments when you want to reminisce about someone special.

Ecstasy BluesMina Aoe

Ecstasy Blues

Mina Aoe, praised as the “Queen of the Blues” and known for her captivating husky voice.

This is her memorable major-debut single! Her sigh-laced singing, which sinks deeply into the listener’s heart, beautifully conveys the lingering aftertaste of a love that is sweet yet somehow tinged with melancholy in the night.

In the lyrics, emotions of rapture, akin to a dreamlike trance, and hazy, “oboro” scenes are painted in shades of blue, inviting listeners into a sensual world.

Released in June 1966, the song sold around 800,000 copies and earned her first appearance on that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

The background story—that the lyricist bestowed upon her a stage name taken from the protagonist of a serialized novel—adds further depth to the song’s world.

It’s a track I’d highly recommend when you want to relax, overlay it with your own memories, and immerse yourself in its atmosphere.

In the pouring rainAkiko Wada

Doshaburino Ameno Nakade

This is a song that powerfully moves listeners’ hearts, with young Akiko Wada passionately singing of the deep sorrow of heartbreak amid pouring rain.

The track candidly conveys a woman’s earnest feelings as she cries out her undying love—one she cannot sever—even while carrying the pain of parting from the one she loves.

Its dramatic development and powerful vocals are sure to evoke deep empathy in listeners.

Released in April 1969 as Akiko Wada’s second single, it reached No.

19 on the Oricon chart.

It’s a timeless classic that has been passed down across generations, notably covered by Sambomaster on their 2018 album “Akko ga Omakase.” Though a kayōkyoku number, it brims with the strong rhythms of R&B and soul, making it irresistible for fans of those genres.

It’s also a wonderful choice to try at karaoke when you want to sing with emotion or sink into a bittersweet mood.