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

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.

Traveler,Yuzo Kayama

Yuzo Kayama – Tabibito yo

Born in 1937, Yuzo Kayama has long been a leading figure in Japan’s Showa-era music.

Among his works, “Tabibito yo” is a masterpiece that deeply moves many listeners.

Released in 1994, the song expresses feelings for a distant hometown and the adventurous spirit of youth through Kayama’s powerful vocals.

Its poetic lyrics and melody, especially through the theme of travel, will strongly resonate with men in their seventies.

It’s an ideal song to belt out at karaoke as they recall their younger days.

When people in their seventies, enriched by life experience, sing this song among friends, it will surely create new memories.

Azusa No. 2hunter

Azusa Nigo (2015 Remaster)

Woven with care around the image of a train bound for one’s hometown, this song carries profound, relatable emotion alongside the warm, enduring vocals of Hunters.

Released in March 1977, it reached No.

4 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and led to winning the New Artist Award at the 19th Japan Record Awards.

Many artists, including Saya Asakura and Kaori Mizumori, have covered the song.

It’s a heartwarming piece perfectly suited for scenes of gazing at nostalgic landscapes from a gently rolling train window, lost in cherished memories.

Waltz of StarlightMasao Sen

Waltz of Starlight - Masao Sen

Known as a masterpiece that gently sings a heartrending love story, Masao Sen’s work was released in March 1966 and gradually drew significant attention.

The delicate lyrics by Sonoe Shiratori and the beautiful melody crafted by Minoru Endo harmonize wonderfully, making it a gem that resonates with the heart.

Set to a waltz rhythm, it tenderly depicts the protagonist’s complex feelings as they resolve to part with their beloved.

Spreading by word of mouth through cable broadcasting, it achieved an astonishing 2.

5 million sales.

Its gentle, nostalgic melody invites humming along and remains a beloved classic that many people still enjoy singing together today.

Tokyo RhapsodyIchiro Fujiyama

Tokyo Rhapsody, nostalgic song, Tokyo

A classic song representing 1936 (Showa 11) was born in a work set in Ginza, Kanda, Asakusa, and Shinjuku, portrayed in a pure and light foxtrot style.

Ichiro Fujiyama’s beautiful voice elegantly sings of urban scenes and a love story.

This piece, which vividly brings to mind the bustling districts of Tokyo at the time, became a massive hit, selling 350,000 copies.

It was Fujiyama’s first release after moving to Teichiku, and a film of the same title was later produced, cementing its status as a beloved song that symbolizes the Showa era.

It’s a perfect track for a calm moment or when reminiscing about the past.

Enjoy a heartwarming time discussing what Tokyo was like back then together with older listeners.

Parting at 22wind

Parting at 22 / Kaze (with lyrics)

The debut song by the folk duo Kaze is a heartwarming classic, as gentle as the spring sunshine.

The lyrics vividly portray the pure love and parting of youth, while the tender acoustic guitar melody weaves a beautiful harmony.

Since its release in 1975, it has been covered by many artists and even adapted into a film by director Nobuhiko Obayashi in 2007, remaining beloved across generations.

In NHK’s “SukiUta — Kouhaku Everyone’s Survey,” it ranked 71st for the White Team.

It’s a perfect song for savoring slowly when you want to bask in nostalgic memories, and it could also spark lively conversations among older listeners about their experiences from back in the day.

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.