[2026] Autumn Songs for People in Their 60s: Classic Tracks Perfect for the Deepening Fall
Autumn—the season that somehow leaves us feeling a little melancholy.
At this time of year, many of us tend to become sentimental and recall past heartbreaks or farewells with loved ones.
In this article, we introduce autumn songs we recommend for people in their 60s, selected from among many classics.
We’ve focused on tracks released mainly from the 1970s to the mid-1980s—the youth songs that today’s 60-somethings listened to—so they’re sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
They’re also great picks for autumn karaoke.
After sampling them, be sure to try singing them yourself.
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[2026] Autumn Songs for People in Their 60s: Classic Tracks Perfect for the Deepening Season (11–20)
Please understand.Akira Inaba
This is one of Akira Inaba’s signature songs, known for its touching lyrics and gentle melody.
Released in February 1976 as his debut single, it became a major hit, selling over 600,000 copies.
It reached No.
3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart and ranked No.
9 on the year-end chart for 1976, capturing the hearts of many.
The song delicately portrays the feelings of a woman suffering from heartbreak and lingering attachment, and many listeners may relate to the image of her pouring her emotions into a letter.
Its familiar, easy-to-listen-to melody also appeals to older audiences, making it a piece that can be enjoyed along with nostalgic memories.
It might be nice to sing it together in a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere.
cosmos (flower)Momoe Yamaguchi
This song is one of the signature works of Momoe Yamaguchi, a leading singer of Showa-era kayōkyoku who was active in the 1970s.
When people think of autumn songs from the Showa period, many might picture this one.
Titled after cosmos, a flower symbolic of autumn, the song weaves the feelings of a woman about to get married toward her mother, with imagery throughout the lyrics that evokes the season.
Although the melody carries a somewhat dark and lonely mood, you’ll likely find yourself moved as you listen while reading the lyrics.
September RainHiromi Ohta
A masterpiece that brilliantly captures the bittersweet atmosphere of autumn.
Hiromi Ohta’s crystal-clear voice exudes a gentle warmth that seeps into the heart.
The pain of heartbreak and nostalgia for days gone by are layered over the falling rain, stirring the listener’s emotions.
Released in September 1977 as Ohta’s ninth single, the song reached the weekly Top 10 on the Oricon charts.
It was also performed at the NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen at the end of that year, leaving a deep impression on many.
It’s the perfect song for a quiet moment spent listening to the sound of rain while reflecting on memories with someone dear.
A café in a student districtGaro
This is a classic hit by Garo that brings back nostalgic memories of student days.
Composed by Koichi Sugiyama with lyrics by Michio Yamagami, the song gently portrays memories of a former lover, set in a coffee shop in a student district.
Released in June 1972, it went on to top the Oricon charts for seven consecutive weeks the following year and won the Newcomer Award at the Japan Cable Radio Awards.
It was later used in a 1980 commercial for Gohan Desu Yo! and featured in the 2018 NHK morning drama Half, Blue., among other appearances, showing its enduring popularity.
This piece evokes a longing for youthful days.
Why not sing it together with seniors and enjoy reminiscing about those times?
cosmos (flower)Masashi Sada
A classic by Masashi Sada that begins with the image of delicate pale-pink blossoms swaying in the autumn sunlight.
Its lyrical portrayal of the bond between mother and daughter gently warms the hearts of listeners.
Included on the album “Watashihanashū,” released in March 1978, the song has since been covered by many artists and continues to be loved across generations.
Performed three times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, it has become deeply rooted in the Japanese music scene.
When facing a farewell with someone dear or the start of a new chapter in life, why not listen to this song and let it be a companion to your heart?
Before winter comespaper balloon
A signature song by Kamifusen that you’ll want to listen to when the autumn breeze begins to blow.
Released in November 1977, it became a major hit, selling 450,000 copies.
Set against the seasonal shift from late summer into autumn just before winter arrives, it poignantly portrays a woman’s longing to reunite with a former lover.
The melody, infused with a folkloric flavor, blends beautifully with the vividly descriptive lyrics.
It’s a song that older listeners will also find familiar, evoking warm memories.
Perfect for quiet moments—like watching the sea alone at dusk and thinking of someone dear.
[2026] Autumn songs for people in their 60s. Classic tracks perfect for the deepening autumn (21–30)
Autumn is burningHitomi Ishikawa
“Aki ga Moeru” (Autumn Ablaze) is Hitomi Ishikawa’s ninth single, a song that evokes the atmosphere of the Showa era.
Released in 1980, it portrays the poignancy of autumn as it shifts toward a winter that creeps up from your feet, along with the end of a summer romance.
The lyrics brim with heated emotion, revealing the depth of a woman’s passion.
It was also used as the ending theme for the TV Tokyo program “Obake no Samba,” and was loved by a wide audience.
This track became an important stepping stone leading to her later hit, “Machibuse.” I hope you’ll feel the beauty of this song on a long autumn night.