[Recommended for people in their 70s] Songs that get everyone excited. Songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke.

youthKoichi Morita and Top Gallant

Kouichi Morita and Top Gallant — Seishun Jidai (Youthful Days)

The classic song that colored the Showa era, “Seishun Jidai” (Youthful Days), was released in 1976 by Koichi Morita and Top Gallant.

Written by lyricist Yuu Aku and composed by Koichi Morita, the track left a lasting mark on the music scene, becoming a million-seller within six months of its release.

Its appeal lies in lyrics that capture the bittersweetness and poignancy of youth.

Each listen stirs a deep sense of nostalgia and longing from the recesses of the listener’s memory, resonating profoundly.

It also enjoys unwavering popularity as a karaoke staple.

It’s especially recommended for those in their 70s.

Among nostalgic hits, “Seishun Jidai” has a singular power to move the heart—why not belt it out at karaoke?

The Highland Train GoesAtsurō Okamoto

The highland train goes — a nostalgic song

A song that gracefully celebrates the natural beauty of the highlands and the romance of train travel evokes heartwarming memories of family trips and brings to mind wonderful moments with loved ones.

Its sweeping scenery and romantic spirit are sure to soothe anyone’s heart.

Carried by Atsuro Okamoto’s comforting vocals, the pastoral landscapes gently resonate within.

Since its release in 1954, this work has continued to be beloved by many and was featured in the 2020 NHK morning drama series “Yell,” moving audiences across generations.

It’s perfect for a time of sharing old memories over tea with everyone.

Settle in, relax, and enjoy a peaceful moment.

Marilyn Monroe No ReturnAkiyuki Nosaka

Marilyn Monroe No Return

With a voice tinged with heartbreak and resignation that evokes the end of the world, this classic has been deeply etched into many listeners’ hearts.

Its weighty, socially reflective poetry blends beautifully with a chanson-like, elegant melody line, crafting a singular soundscape.

Interweaving Buddhist imagery and the changing seasons, Nosaka Akiyuki’s vocal performance is breathtaking as it quietly speaks of life’s impermanence and the cycle of rebirth.

Released by Nippon Columbia in 1971 and included on the album “Nosaka Uta Taizen I: Singing Sakurai Jun,” the song was also featured in the 1973 film “Contemporary Gangsters: The Three Blood-Cherry Brothers.” It’s a recommended piece for those seeking to touch a deeper truth of life, or to quietly reflect on their hearts on a still night.

TouchYoshimi Iwasaki

Touch

Yoshimi Iwasaki’s “Touch” is a moving classic from 1985 and a perfect karaoke pick for people in their 70s.

The song blends love-themed lyrics by Chinfa Kan with a touching melody by Hiroaki Serizawa.

In particular, the latter half’s youth-evoking lines bring back the bittersweet feelings anyone recalls from their adolescent years.

Before the introduction of the Commodity Tax in 1986, this work was treated as a children’s song, yet it has continued to be loved by younger generations even into the Reiwa era.

Be sure to sing this song along with your overflowing memories and enjoy a wonderful karaoke time!

What a nice bath.The Drifters

Nice hot bath [The Drifters]

This is a song that celebrates the charms of hot spring resorts, beloved from the Showa-era hit TV program “It’s 8 o’clock! Everybody, Gather Round!” The original version, sung by the Duke Aces, was themed around hot spring areas in Gunma Prefecture, and The Drifters covered it on the B-side of their debut single.

The lyrics were adapted to feature hot spring resorts across Japan—such as Noboribetsu and Kusatsu—expressing fondness for onsen through a lively rhythm and call-and-response shouts.

The song was used as the ending theme for both “It’s 8 o’clock! Everybody, Gather Round!” and “Drifters’ Big Laughter,” and it also appeared in a 1969 film.

Humming it together with older adults while reminiscing about hot spring trips can make for a heartwarming moment.

Lingering Snowdolphin

Dolphin [Iruka] / Nagori-yuki [Lingering Snow] (Single Version) Official Audio with translation

This is a song whose charm lies in a melody that evokes the arrival of spring and lyrics that touch the heart.

Set on a train platform, it vividly portrays a man and a woman parting ways amid the fleeting snow of early spring.

Beautifully depicting the moment of farewell and a love left unfinished by youth, the piece is filled with the bittersweetness of adolescence and the process of growing up.

Iruka’s rich, resonant vocals carry a warm, heartfelt quality that reaches deep within.

First included on the March 1975 album “Iruka no Sekai,” it was released as a single in November of the same year and reached No.

4 on the Oricon chart.

It’s a beloved, well-known song that many remember; humming along as you recall old memories is sure to make for a delightful moment.

It may also inspire lively conversations among older listeners as they reminisce about those days.

Ah, Ueno StationHachirō Izawa

Hachiro Izawa - Ah, Ueno Station

Since its release in May 1964, Hachiro Izawa’s emotionally rich song depicting Ueno Station—which welcomed many young people through group employment—has been a source of comfort for those living away from their hometowns.

As the terminus of the Tohoku Main Line, Ueno Station has watched over young people coming to Tokyo with dreams and hopes in their hearts.

This work embodies both thoughts of family and expectations for a new life.

In 2003, a monument to the song was erected in front of Ueno Station’s Hirokoji Exit, and since 2013 it has also been used as the departure melody.

Why not sing along and indulge in fond memories together? Conversations with those who remember that era are sure to flow naturally.

May you enjoy a heartwarming moment in the gentle warmth of spring.