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

In this article, we’ll introduce a comprehensive list of karaoke songs perfect for men in their 70s.

Focusing on tracks from the 1960s to the 1980s that they likely listened to in their youth, we’ve gathered many classic enka and Showa-era pop songs.

If you’re in your 70s, you’ll probably know every song here—and each one may bring back a variety of memories.

We hope this article helps you choose songs for your next karaoke session.

Reminisce about the old days and have a great time singing with friends of the same generation!

Playlist

Karaoke songs you’ll want to sing for men in their 70s: Enka and nostalgic Showa-era pop
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastSanguisorba officinalis (Great burnet)Masato SugimotoA heartwarming song filled with Masato Sugimoto’s love for his late mother. Released in 2007, it also earned a spot at the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
2eastDream PlayTomio UmezawaUmezawa Tomio’s debut single. Released in 1982, it reached No. 8 on the Oricon chart and sold over 500,000 copies.
3eastI love youYutaka OzakiA poignant love song by Yutaka Ozaki. It’s a piano ballad about a forbidden love, and many artists have covered it.
4eastAmerica BridgeYutaka YamakawaSet against the Ebisu Minami Bridge in Tokyo, amidst the hustle and bustle of the city...
5eastBeach of MemoriesThe Wild OnesSummary (20 characters): A GS signature song depicting the refreshing tone of a 12-string guitar and memories by the seaside.
6eastloveChiharu MatsuyamaA 20-character summary: A ballad by Chiharu Matsuyama. With acoustic guitar and a clear, transparent voice, it’s a classic that expresses yearning and love.
7eastWinter LightningAliceA signature 1977 release by Alice. A classic that fuses folk and rock, it reached No. 2 on the Oricon chart.
8eastIt was rainy again in Nagasaki today.Hiroshi Uchiyamada and the Cool FiveAs a milestone of mood kayō (Japanese mood music), it has captured the hearts of many people…
9eastTSUNAMISouthern All StarsKeisuke Kuwata’s heartbreaking breakup ballad, a moving masterpiece
10eastBecoming a Thousand WindsMasafumi AkikawaAkikawa Masafumi’s ballad, a moving masterpiece that resonates with the heart
11eastThe City of Love, SapporoYujiro IshiharaA signature song by Yujiro Ishihara set against the Sapporo Clock Tower. Released in 1972, it sold 650,000 copies and helped promote the appeal of the Sapporo Olympics.
12eastThe two are young.Dick MineA classic 1935 hit depicting romance in early Showa Japan. A heartwarming duet between a man and a woman that captures the innocence of young lovers.
13eastNorthern SpringMasao SenThe emotionally rich lyrics and beautiful melody seep into the heart…
14eastspring’s dry windShigeru IzumiyaSummary (20 characters): Shigeru Izumiya’s “Light and Shadow” is a folk song depicting conflict with society and a classic covered by many artists.
15eastI’ve come a long way, when I think about it.KaientaiA nostalgic classic by Kaientai, Thoughts of Home
16eastA Love Story in GinzaYujiro Ishihara · Junko MakimuraSummary (20 characters): Released in 1961. A blockbuster duet song depicting a poignant romance between a man and a woman set in Ginza.
17eastOh, sake!Ikuzo YoshiA heart-touching, one that awakens nostalgic memories…
18eastYokohama TwilightHiroshi ItsukiA classic song representing the Showa era and one of Hiroshi Itsuki's signature numbers...
19eastNorth TavernTakashi HosokawaA depiction of the romance between a man and a woman who meet in a tavern in the northern country...
20eastGardenia blossomTetsuya WatariA classic whose gentle singing voice and deep emotion seep into the heart...
21eastCity LightsMasaaki SakaiMasaaki Sakai joined The Spiders in 1962...
22north_eastsummer vacationTakuro YoshidaA classic by Takuro Yoshida. A song that paints nostalgic summer vacation memories with a gentle melody.
23south_eastmy dadPrincess KaguyaA heartwarming portrayal of a father within the family…
24eastThere’s always tomorrowKyu SakamotoKyu Sakamoto’s uplifting classic song “Ue o Muite Arukou”
25north_eastsunset cloudsMasao SenThe enka legend Masao Sen’s “Yuyakegumo” (Sunset Clouds) is…
26south_eastfreezing rainAkio KayamaA timeless classic whose poignant enka resonates with the heart
27south_eastLook up at the stars in the nightKyu SakamotoSummary (20 characters): A song about the night sky. Sung by Kyu Sakamoto, it’s a classic that encourages people facing hardships.
28eastWords of FarewellKaientaiA masterful song that sings life lessons based on Tetsuya Takeda’s heartbreak experience. Theme song of Kinpachi-sensei.
29eastOzasiki SongKazuko Matsuo, Mahina StarsKazuko Matsuo’s classic song—a heartrending love ballad set in Kyoto
30eastForget-me-not to youYoichi SugawaraBittersweet feelings of farewell imbued in a blue flower
31eastTokyo Olympic OndoHaruo MinamiThe Tokyo Olympic Ondo is a symbol of the Games.
32north_eastParting at 22windThe Wind’s debut song, cherished as a timeless anthem of youth
33south_eastYou are more beautiful than a rose.Akira FuseSummary (20 characters): Akira Fuse’s 1979 single. A classic that gently sings of the emotions of a nostalgic encounter.
34south_eastCape TourKotaro Yamamoto and the WeekendA heartbreak song by Kotaro Yamamoto
35south_eastTokyo CachitoFrank Nagai
Tokyo CachitoFrank Nagai
Summary (20 characters): A Showa-era classic by Nagai Frank. Set against the nights of Akasaka, it portrays the bittersweetness of adult love with an urban touch.
36north_eastfestivalSaburō KitajimaA masterpiece that powerfully sings of Japanese festival culture
37south_eastScorpio womanKenichi MikawaRepresentative enka song of Kenichi Mikawa of Scorpio
38south_eastAzusa No. 2hunterA heartwarming train song filled with longing for one’s hometown
39south_eastPrivate railway line areaGoro NoguchiA classic song that sings of the bittersweetness of love, expressing Goro Noguchi’s emotions.
40south_eastTokyo RhapsodyIchiro FujiyamaA classic song from the Showa era: Ichiro Fujiyama’s “Tokyo.”
41south_eastLove You, TokyoAkira Kurosawa and Los PrimosAkira Kurosawa and … with a captivating, nostalgic atmosphere
42south_eastBoyhoodYosui InoueA youthful poem embraced by the timeless songs of Yosui Inoue
43south_eastThe Longed-For Hawaii RouteHaruo OkaOkada Haruo's classic that uplifted postwar Japan
44south_eastOtomi-sanKasuga HachirōClassic songs that colored the Showa era: bittersweet love songs of men and women
45south_east12th graderKazuo FunakiKazuo Funaki, in the 1960s, alongside Teruhiko Saigō, ...
46south_eastSnow CountryIkuzo Yoshi
Snow CountryIkuzo Yoshi
Ikuzo Yoshi released “Yukiguni” in 1986 and it beca…
47south_eastThe Highland Train GoesAtsurō OkamotoThe travel sentiment of a highland train, a song that resonates in the heart
48south_eastSong of Seeing Spring OffGoro NoguchiA classic that gently sings of springtime farewells, a melody that resonates with the heart
49south_eastMy GiftOf courseA famous song by Kazumasa Oda that makes you feel the arrival of spring
50south_eastNational Sake-Drinking Festival Song of JapanbarracudaA heartwarming classic about enjoying a drink, loved across the nation
51south_eastLet’s get married.Takuro YoshidaTakuro Yoshida’s heartwarming spring classic
52south_eastShirake Bird OndoMasao KomatsuMasao Komatsu’s Nostalgic Direction Ondo
53south_eastAkira’s Zundoko SongAkira KobayashiA scene of young love, a youth song with a thumping 'zundoko' rhythm
54south_eastMarilyn Monroe No ReturnAkiyuki NosakaA moving masterpiece that quietly speaks of life's impermanence
55south_eastExaminee BluesTomoya TakaishiA folk song depicting the struggles of exam-takers
56eastForever with youYuzo KayamaYuzo Kayama’s love song, a masterpiece that resonates in the hearts of youth
57easta red handkerchiefYujiro IshiharaSpring in the northern country, a masterpiece that resonates in Yujiro Ishihara’s heart
58south_eastIzakayaHiroshi ItsukiA masterpiece that portrays the loneliness of an izakaya, resonating deep in the heart
59south_eastAs time goes byKenji SawadaA song of love and healing for lonely men and women
60north_eastAh, Ueno StationHachirō IzawaA classic song that sings of Ueno Station and longing for one’s hometown
61south_eastKiyoshi’s Zundoko SongKiyoshi HikawaHikawa Kiyoshi’s signature songs: a fusion of tradition and modernity
62eastGoodbye once moreKiyohiko OzakiA song about Mr. Kiyohiko Ozaki’s deep love and heartrending farewell…
63eastTokyoTakajin YashikiAn emotional song of love and farewell written in Kansai dialect
64eastWaltz of StarlightMasao SenMasao Sen’s poignant classic, a love song that resonates with the heart
65eastIt’s okayKiyoshi HikawaKiyoshi Hikawa’s songs deliver hope in life.
66eastHanjirō of the Hakone Eight RiKiyoshi HikawaA moving classic that captures the allure of enka
67eastTraveler of the NorthYujiro Ishihara
Traveler of the NorthYujiro Ishihara
Yujiro Ishihara was an actor who symbolized the Showa era, and...
68eastA Man’s LifeSaburō KitajimaSaburo Kitajima’s classic that sings of life
69eastA Letter Waiting for SpringTakuro YoshidaHeartfelt exchanges through letters and songs of memories
70eastTraveler,Yuzo KayamaYuzo Kayama was born in 1937, and for many years...
71eastUntil we meet againKiyohiko OzakiKiyohiko Ozaki, with his powerful vocal ability, has achieved numerous...
72eastOur JourneyMasatoshi NakamuraA classic youth anthem like sunlight filtering through the trees, resonating in the heart
73eastBrother ShipsIchiro TobaThe heavyweight of the enka world, Ichiro Toba, sings “Kyoudai-bune (Brothers’ Boat)…
74eastSaraiYuzo KayamaA heartwarming classic that captures feelings for one’s hometown
75eastIf you’re happy and you know it, clap your handsKyu SakamotoA heartwarming classic imbued with peace and friendship
76eastBlue MountainsIchiro FujiyamaA masterpiece that beautifully sings of postwar hope and a new era
77eastGatchaman SongMasato ShimonShowa-era hero song, a tune of speed and courage
78eastTokyo lights, foreverJiro NiikawaBecause enka requires the use of vibrato-like kobushi ornamentation, it’s…
79eastdraft (cold air seeping through gaps)Ryotaro SugiLyrics filled with deep views on life and warm hope touch the heart…
80eastSōemonchō BluesKatsuji Heiwa and the Dark HorseSōeimon by Katsuji Heiwa and Dark Horse…
81eastYou shouldn’t, but you do.Toshi Itō and Happy & BlueA masterpiece that sings of the bittersweet love of the Showa era. 197…
82eastAs long as the sun is in the skyAkira NishikinoAs a recommended song for a man in his 70s to sing...
83eastBus StopKoji TairaReleased in September 1972, it topped the Oricon charts...
84eastNorthern fishing groundsSaburō Kitajima“The grand master of enka, Saburō Kitajima’s ‘Kita no Ryōba’ (The Northern Fishing Grounds) is…”
85eastI’m appearing under my former name.Akira KobayashiMr. Akira Kobayashi was a leading figure of his era through his film appearances, and he…
86eastThe Camellia Sasanqua InnEisaku OkawaEisaku Okawa has a warm, emotive voice and...
87eastA solitary journey to MichinokuJoji YamamotoJoji Yamamoto, with his emotionally rich enka, has captivated audiences across generations...
88eastSake, Tears, Men, and WomenEigo KawashimaEigo Kawashima released in 1975 “…
89eastDream-Chasing SakeJiro AtsumiJiro Atsumi is a leading figure in the enka world and an overwhelming…