[For men in their 70s] A collection of easy-to-sing songs even for people who are tone-deaf

Let's get married.Takuro Yoshida

Takuro Yoshida - Let's Get Married

This work is memorable for its translucent, beautiful melody and sweet, poignant vocals.

Released in 1972, the song marked a major turning point in the history of folk music.

Centered on acoustic guitar, its warm sound creates an atmosphere that gently envelops feelings of love.

While poetically depicting springtime scenes, Takuro Yoshida expresses sincerity and pure affection.

Simple yet profound in its message, this classic reached a peak of No.

3 on the Oricon weekly chart.

Its heartwarming, gentle tone and tender vocal timbre enrich everyday moments.

It’s a song to savor slowly on a blossoming spring day, reminiscing with those of the same generation as memories come into full bloom.

12th graderKazuo Funaki

[With Large Lyrics] High School Senior [Rec]

This lyrical song is filled with memories of youth, and Kazuo Funaki’s fresh vocals in a student uniform make a striking impression.

Set to a march-like, approachable melody, it gently recounts the joys and loneliness of school life and the partings with friends.

After its release in June 1963, the work achieved astonishing sales and won the New Artist Award at that year’s Japan Record Awards.

It was also adapted into a film, starring Kazuo Funaki himself, with scenes shot in his hometown of Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture.

It’s a song meant to be hummed together as you reminisce about nostalgic youthful days.

Let’s sing along with cheerful handclaps.

Song of the Four SeasonsLyrics and music by: Toyohisa Araki

Song of the Four Seasons | With Lyrics | 100 Selected Japanese Songs | Those who love spring are people with pure hearts

Under the gentle sunshine of spring, a timeless Showa-era classic resonates deep in the heart.

In Toyohisa Araki’s work, the beauty of Japan’s four seasons and his feelings toward people are exquisitely captured within a warm melody.

Born from gratitude toward nurses during a hospital stay, this piece was introduced on Nippon Broadcasting’s “Aozora Wide,” where it received an overwhelming response, and Yoko Seri’s performance went on to become a million seller.

The tenderly drawn seasonal scenes and the deep affection for friends and family evoke a tranquil passage of time.

It’s a wonderful song that invites you to reminisce and reflect on bonds with loved ones.

Perfect for a relaxing music recreation session for seniors.

The two are young.Dick Mine

The two are young.

The famous call-and-response of “You.” “What is it?” from the song Futari wa Wakai was released in 1935 as the theme song for the film The Peeked-at Bride and became a major hit as a duet by Dick Mine, a former jazz singer, and Reiko Hoshi, a former Takarazuka Revue dancer.

Beyond being a vocalist, Dick Mine was known as a multitalented figure—guitarist, actor, lyric adapter, and arranger—who also looked after his juniors, including Frank Nagai and James Miki, and is said to have nurtured talents who later became prominent actors, such as Hitoshi Ueki and Makoto Fujita.

As a pioneer of contemporary Japanese entertainment, he can be said to have had a profound influence on later generations.

Tokyo lights, foreverJiro Niikawa

Tokyo lights, forever

Because enka requires applying kobushi (melismatic bends), it tends to be harder to sing than typical J-pop.

Even so, I imagine many men in their 70s still want to sing enka.

In that case, I recommend Tokyo no Hi yo Itsu Made mo.

Compared to standard enka, this song has a somewhat plain vocal line.

As a result, the instances of kobushi are relatively few for enka, and the ones that do appear are on the easier side.

Although the piece sits a bit higher in range, it doesn’t demand many long sustained notes, so anyone who can produce moderately high tones should be able to sing it without issue.

Grandfather's Clock

Nursery rhyme “Grandfather’s Clock”

A classic song that weaves a moving story, it tenderly captures the deep bond between a grandfather and his old clock.

Inspired by a pendulum clock Henry Clay Work encountered at a hotel in England, it was created in 1876.

Its gentle melody and heartwarming lyrics make it irresistibly singable for everyone.

Upon release, the sheet music became a smash hit in the United States, selling one million copies, and after being featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” it gained further attention through a cover by Ken Hirai.

It was adapted into a film in December 2022, drawing renewed interest.

It’s a perfect song for joyful gatherings, evoking warmth and nostalgia through the feelings for a clock that has marked time together.

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.