Karaoke songs you’ll want to sing for men in their 70s: Enka and nostalgic Showa-era pop

Ozasiki SongKazuko Matsuo and the Mahina Stars

Ozashiki Kouta / Kazuko Matsuo & The Mahina Stars

A gem of a classic in which a nostalgic, quintessentially Japanese melody blends beautifully with the sprightly Dodonpa rhythm.

Released in 1964 by Kazuko Matsuo with Hiroshi Wada and the Mahina Stars, it became a massive hit, selling over 1.

5 million copies that same year.

Set in Kyoto’s Pontocho district, this highly narrative song portrays a fleeting romance between a geisha and a married man, expressing pure love and poignant resignation with exquisite sensitivity.

It was adapted into a film by Shochiku in February 1965 and won support across generations.

It’s a tune everyone can enjoy together—humming along, clapping in time with the rhythm.

Its catchy melody sticks in your head, making you want to sing along.

Forget-me-not to youYoichi Sugawara

②_ Yoichi Sugawara Forget-me-not to You (with lyrics)

This is a masterpiece that has long been cherished as a romantic lyrical song.

It gives voice to the bittersweet feelings for someone you’re parting from and the wish to meet again someday, carried on a blue flower with a cherished meaning.

Released in November 1971 and performed at that year’s Red and White Song Battle, it was presented again at the 1984 edition, thirteen years later.

It’s a song you’ll want to hum as you recall precious memories and think of someone dear.

How about spending a quiet evening thinking of someone you love?

Tokyo Olympic OndoHaruo Minami

Haruo Minami “Tokyo Olympic Ondo” [from ~The Trajectory of Vocal Art: The Complete Works of Haruo Minami~]

As the name suggests, Tokyo Olympic Ondo was the theme song for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and in addition to Haruo Minami, it was performed by prominent singers such as Yukio Hashi, Michiya Mihashi, Kyu Sakamoto, and Saburo Kitajima.

It is said that the association with Haruo Minami became fixed because his version sold the most.

At the time, Minami said, “Japan worked hard and achieved such a remarkable recovery.

The Tokyo Olympics is an opportunity to show that to the world, and I poured my strong desire to make it a success into the song.” For seniors, it may be a track that brings back the feelings of that era.

You are more beautiful than a rose.Akira Fuse

Akira Fuse – You Are More Beautiful Than a Rose [Official Audio]

This is a single released in January 1979 that sings about the memories of a wonderful romance.

Woven by Akira Fuse’s clear, expansive vocals, the story vividly depicts the emotional moment of noticing how a cherished person has changed after meeting again for the first time in a while.

The chorus melody is striking, and the gentle, heartwarming tone of the song is truly appealing.

The track was featured in a Kanebo Cosmetics commercial and gained widespread popularity.

It is a classic performed four times on the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, first showcased at the 30th Kouhaku.

In 2012, it was also used in a Lotte Fit’s gum commercial.

How about spending some time slowly immersing yourself in the music while flipping through a photo album of memories? It’s a heartwarming song that brings forth a tender feeling of thinking about someone special—highly recommended.

Cape TourKotaro Yamamoto and the Weekend

Cape Tour / Kotaro Yamamoto & The Weekend (with lyrics)

Gently enveloping the ache of heartbreak, this song features Kotaro Yamamoto’s soft vocals that sink deeply into the heart.

Released in June 1974 as his debut single, it became a major hit, reaching No.

5 on the Oricon singles chart.

Loved by many, it was even adopted as the station melody on the Keikyu Kurihama Line.

The scenes woven from the loneliness of traveling alone, the courage to look ahead, and thoughts of a cherished person soothe the soul alongside the calm melody.

It’s a recommended track for moments when you want to rest your heart and linger in warm nostalgia.

Tokyo CachitoFrank Nagai

Tokyo Cachito — Frank Nagai

It’s a classic of mood kayō that has continued to be loved as a Showa-era masterpiece.

Set against the backdrop of nights in Akasaka, the song portrays the bittersweetness of adult love with an urban sensibility.

Frank Nagai’s alluring low voice richly conveys the feelings of a man troubled by love.

Released in October 1960, the single featured “Arcade Blues” on the B-side.

As a leading presence in the mood kayō boom of the time, it was cherished by many.

It’s a song I’d recommend as a fun karaoke pick to sing with friends, along with fond memories.

Scorpio womanKenichi Mikawa

Kenichi Mikawa “Woman of Scorpio (New Recording)” (Official Audio)

A signature song by Kenichi Mikawa that portrays the strength and poignancy of a passionate woman who lives for love.

Released in December 1972, this memorable enka number expresses straightforward affection and the sorrow of betrayal.

Mikawa’s powerful vocals blend beautifully with a distinctive worldview inspired by Scorpio, one of the twelve zodiac signs, and the song sold about 97,000 copies on the Oricon charts.

It was performed on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen for four consecutive years from 2006 to 2009, revealing new charms through various arrangements, including operatic and samba styles.

With its relaxed tempo and gentle melodic contours, it’s also easy to sing—another part of its appeal.

Why not sing it with a sense of nostalgia as a treasured song tied to precious memories?