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

IzakayaHiroshi Itsuki

Izakaya — Kinomi Nana / Hiroshi Itsuki

Set in an izakaya, this song delicately portrays the subtle emotions of lonely men and women.

Yu Aku’s woven lyrics and Katsuo Ono’s soul-stirring melody blend beautifully, evoking a mature worldview steeped in the atmosphere of the Showa era.

The distinctive voices of Hiroshi Itsuki and Nana Kinomi gently envelop a scene where loneliness and warmth intertwine.

Released in October 1982, this work has continued to be loved as one of Hiroshi Itsuki’s signature songs.

A new duet version with Fuyumi Sakamoto was produced in October 2017.

With lyrics that touch on the nuances of life and a familiar, accessible melody, it’s a wonderful choice for everyone to enjoy singing at karaoke.

As time goes byKenji Sawada

As time goes by

A gem of a ballad that depicts the wounded hearts of lonely men and women, gently wrapped in tender love.

The poignant lyrics about men and women burdened with exhausted hearts strike deep, and when combined with Kenji Sawada’s sultry vocals, they evoke profound emotion.

Released as an insert song for the drama “Akuma no Youna Aitsu,” which premiered in August 1975, this work became a major hit, topping the Oricon chart for five consecutive weeks.

The fusion of Yu Aku’s masterful lyrics and Katsuo Ohno’s lyrical melody produced a treasured classic that quietly stays by your side when you feel weary of life or uncertain about a relationship with someone dear.

TokyoTakajin Yashiki

Tokyo

Released in March 1993, this mood-kayō song fuses tearful enka with sophisticated urban pop.

Through Kansai-dialect lyrics, it movingly portrays a romance and breakup with a man she met in Tokyo, along with her complex feelings toward the city.

Takajin Yashiki was an artist who was active mainly in the Kansai region, also serving as a host of the popular program “Sei! Young.” This piece became a hit as requests on cable radio surged, ultimately selling a total of 600,000 copies.

In live performances, he would sometimes change the place name in the chorus to match the concert location, valuing a sense of unity with the audience.

When singing it at karaoke, it’s recommended to sing at an easy, relaxed pace while thinking of your hometown and the special people you’ve met.

festivalSaburō Kitajima

Saburo Kitajima “Matsuri” (Official Audio)

A song that powerfully sings of the spirit of Japan’s festival culture was released by Saburo Kitajima in November 1984.

It beautifully expresses gratitude to the mountain and sea deities, traditions passed from parent to child, and the passion of men.

The song was performed a total of six times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen up to 2013, serving as the grand finale five of those times.

In 2014, it was also used in Suzuki’s New Year sales campaign commercial, making it beloved by a wide audience.

With its powerful vocals, moving melody, and the universally relatable fervor of festivals, this is a song that’s perfect for belting out at karaoke.

Kiyoshi's Zundoko SongKiyoshi Hikawa

Kiyoshi Hikawa / Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi [Official]

A heartwarming, approachable song that makes the most of rhythms found in folk songs and enka.

This masterpiece fully showcases Kiyoshi Hikawa’s charm, beautifully expressing the bittersweetness of love, masculine strength, and longing for one’s hometown.

With his natural vocal talent and refreshing appeal, Hikawa presents a uniquely modern take on the traditional enka worldview.

It was released by Nippon Columbia in February 2002.

The song won the Gold Prize at the 44th Japan Record Awards and is known as one of Hikawa’s signature tracks.

With its relaxed tempo and narrow melodic range, it’s a piece you can sing with a calm mindset.

During the chorus, it’s also nice to have listeners add call-and-response interjections!

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?

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?