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

Jindo MonogatariYoshimi Tendo

[MV] Yoshimi Tendo / Jindo Monogatari (full ver.)

Inspired by the mysterious phenomenon in Jindo, Korea—where the sea parts and a path appears—this masterpiece movingly conveys the earnest longing to reunite with a loved one far away.

No matter the hardship, the feelings for a beloved never cease, and the strong prayer that one day they will meet again deeply resonates with listeners.

Released as a single in February 1996, it became YOSHIMI TENDO’s first million seller.

It won the Best Vocal Performance at the 38th Japan Record Awards that same year and was performed at the 48th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen in 1997, becoming a song cherished across generations.

Sung with heartfelt emotion at karaoke, it’s sure to spread warmth and inspiration to those who listen.

Sinbad on the ShorePink Lady

Sinbad on the Shore

It’s an exhilarating track that dynamically belts out a burning summer romance by the seaside! This piece is Pink Lady’s fourth single, released in June 1977, and its effervescent melody is so charming it makes your body naturally want to move to the rhythm.

The lyrics, expressing the straightforward feelings of a woman in love, surely resonated with many listeners.

It became their first million-selling record and a massive hit that symbolized the music scene of the time.

In 2005, it was also embraced as the theme song for the TV drama “Adults’ Summer Vacation.” It’s a delightful song that’s sure to liven up karaoke sessions not only with people of the same generation but also with younger folks like your grandchildren.

The Bride of SetoRumiko Koyanagi

Seto no Hanayome / Rumiko Koyanagi

Rumiko Koyanagi’s “Seto no Hanayome” is a classic released in 1972 that propelled her to stardom in the enka world.

The song beautifully captures the scenic Seto Inland Sea and the feelings of a young woman, giving listeners a deep sense of love and marriage.

Even after many years since its release, it remains a song filled with special memories for many women in their 70s.

I’d love for those listeners to sing it at karaoke.

The familiar melody will lift their spirits and deepen the bonds with friends who have shared the years together.

atonementTeresa Teng

atonement

A signature song by Teresa Teng that poignantly and expressively portrays the moment of a heartrending farewell.

Released in January 1984, it effectively served as a kind of second debut in Japan.

The lyrics by Toyohisa Araki and the music by Takashi Miki harmonize beautifully, capturing the delicate emotions of a lonely woman.

Gaining traction gradually through cable radio, it ultimately became a massive hit, selling 1.

5 million copies and winning the Japan Cable Radio Awards that same year.

For many older listeners, it may overlap with memories of their youth.

Why not sing it while savoring the nostalgia and weaving in your own life experiences?

NoraYuki Kadokura

Nora

Yuki Kadokura’s singing voice brings this masterpiece straight to the heart.

Centered on themes of love, loneliness, and self-acceptance, it beautifully captures the complexity of human relationships and the conflicts within.

The lyrics convey the importance of facing oneself in love.

Released in August 1998, this song has remained one of Kadokura’s signature works, cherished by many.

If you sing it at karaoke, I recommend matching the relaxed tempo while overlaying it with your own life experiences.

If you pour deep emotion into it, it will surely become a wonderful song that resonates with the heart.

Keiko's Dream Opens at NightKeiko Fuji

Keiko Fuji - Keiko’s Dream Opens at Night

Keiko Fuji’s “Keiko no Yume wa Yoru Hiraku” became a timeless smash hit after its 1970 release, topping the Oricon charts for 10 consecutive weeks and ranking third for the year.

This work transcends the enka genre and is loved by a wide range of generations.

Fuji’s emotionally rich vocals evoke a warm sense of nostalgia and empathy in listeners.

It’s a song I especially recommend to women in their 70s.

Why not enjoy this Shōwa-era classic at karaoke with your family and friends?

Tsugaru Strait Winter SceneSayuri Ishikawa

Tsugaru Strait – Winter Scene

There is a classic song that beautifully and poignantly portrays a northern winter landscape and a bittersweet love.

Powerfully sung by Sayuri Ishikawa, the piece recounts the feelings of a woman traveling from Ueno on a night train to Aomori, where she bids a final farewell aboard the Seikan ferry.

Since its 1977 release, it has garnered numerous honors, including the Japan Record Award for Best Vocal Performance, and stands as a monumental work in the enka genre.

Set against the frigid Tsugaru Strait, the image of a woman quietly deciding to part ways amid snow and the roar of the sea is deeply moving.

Please enjoy a wonderful time together, singing along or clapping in rhythm as you savor nostalgic memories.