Karaoke songs in foreign languages that are easy for women in their 60s to sing: world classics and recommended popular tracks

Aux Champs-ÉlyséesDaniele Vidal

Daniele Vidal - Les Champs-Élysées - (Oh) Champs-Élysées

The chorus of “Aux Champs-Élysées” is something everyone’s heard—an iconic song that amplified 1970s Japanese people’s longing for the “stylish city of Paris.” Daniele Vidal, with her big eyes and cute features, fit the song’s image perfectly.

It’s funny how listening to this song makes you want to head out into the city, skipping along in vividly colored shoes.

Temptation of the BreezeOlivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John – Have You Never Been Mellow

A smash hit from the time when the description “fairy-like” fit Olivia Newton-John perfectly.

I remember it holding the number-one spot for a long stretch on American Top 40, where Reiko Yukawa was the DJ.

Her clear, translucent voice truly embodied the Japanese title, “The Temptation of a Breeze.” It feels like a song I could sing comfortably.

Sad AngelMary Hopkin

Sad Angel / Mary Hopkin — Those Were The Days / Mary Hopkin

Mary Hopkin’s debut song, known for being produced by Paul McCartney.

It became a worldwide hit, spawning cover versions in many languages, and in Japan it was covered by numerous singers—so it’s likely everyone has heard it at least once.

The uniquely wistful melodic line reflects the song’s roots in a Russian folk tune.

Open ArmsJourney

Journey – Open Arms (Official Video – 1982)

A single cut from Journey’s monster album Escape, this is a quintessential rock ballad.

In Japan, it had a revival hit as the theme song for the film Umizaru.

Riding on Jonathan Cain’s beautiful piano melody, it makes you want to spread your arms like you’re flying and sway as you belt it out.

If you work your abs a bit and expand your lower register, this song will definitely get even better.

Sugar Baby LoveThe Rubettes

The Rubettes – Sugar Baby Love

The debut single and biggest hit by the British band The Rubettes, who were active in the 1970s.

In Japan, many people rediscovered the charm of this song after it was used as the synchronized swimming track in the Fuji TV drama WATER BOYS.

It’s an irresistibly bright, fun, feel-good tune no matter when you listen to it.

Love is BlueVicky Leandros

Vicky Leandros ♪ L’Amour est bleu (Japanese title: Koi wa Mizu-iro) (1967)

It became famous through Paul Mauriat’s easy-listening version, so the melody is something everyone’s probably heard.

There are many vocal covers by people from various countries, and plenty by Japanese artists too, but the original version sung in French by Vicky from Greece feels the most natural and best.

Love HolidayMichel Polnareff

Love’s Holiday / Michel Polnareff — “Holidays” / Michel Polnareff

The first half of the 1970s was a truly vibrant time for French pop.

Even if you didn’t speak French, I bet many people traced the katakana ruby printed in music magazines and sang along as best they could.

This song is relatively easy too, so even if you don’t understand French, no problem—just sing it by feel.