[Remembering the Pain of Love…] Breakup Songs Recommended for People in Their 60s

Heartbreak RestaurantKentaro Shimizu

Heartbreak Restaurant 1976 11/21 Kentaro Shimizu Debut Single

Set in a restaurant portrayed as a place to heal the pain of heartbreak, this story gently envelops a wistful heart.

Released in November 1976 as Kentaro Shimizu’s debut, the song struck a chord with many through its light, catchy melody and deeply affecting lyrics.

Through the perspectives of heartbroken patrons who gather at the restaurant and a protagonist who has yet to experience love, it depicts the universality of love’s joy and sorrow.

It reached No.

1 on the Oricon Singles Chart in February 1977 and became a major hit with approximately 647,000 copies sold.

It also won numerous awards, including Best New Artist at the Japan Record Awards that same year.

A gem of a ballad to listen to when you want to soothe the pain of heartbreak or be a source of comfort for someone else.

If we ever meet in the city somedayMasatoshi Nakamura

If we ever meet in the city someday

It’s a gently written, heart-touching classic about memories of a past lover and the wish to meet again.

From parting in the city of memories, to love and resentment, and even the moment when dreams were shattered, it weaves together every moment the two spent together.

Masatoshi Nakamura’s warm vocals blend beautifully with the soothing melody crafted by Takuro Yoshida, resulting in a song that evokes both nostalgia and bittersweet longing.

Released in May 1975, it was used as an insert song in the drama “Oretachi no Kunshō” and reached No.

6 on the Oricon charts.

Many artists, including Naoko Ken and Masayuki Suzuki, have covered it.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to if you’ve experienced parting from someone dear, or when you’re in the mood to reminisce about the past.

Lingering Snowdolphin

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

This song poignantly portrays a heartrending farewell, using unseasonal snow as its motif.

Set on a station platform as spring approaches, the story vividly conveys the lingering attachment of a man who cannot accept the parting.

First performed on the album “The World of Iruka,” recorded in March 1975, and released as a single that November, it became one of Iruka’s signature classics.

It peaked at No.

4 on the Oricon chart, ranked No.

11 for the year, and sold over 800,000 copies.

With Masataka Matsutoya’s rich arrangement paired with Iruka’s gentle vocals, the song beautifully depicts the scene of farewell.

It’s recommended for moments when you want to reminisce about your youth and look back on precious times with someone dear.

Darkening RoomYumi Arai

The Paled Room / Kageriyuku Heya (2022 Ｍix)

A masterpiece by Yumi Arai that poignantly portrays lovers facing a breakup, depicted through the shifting scene of a room from dusk to nightfall.

The solemn arrangement featuring a pipe organ and the gospel-style chorus by an all-star lineup—including Hi-Fi Set and Tatsuro Yamashita—further accentuate the pain of parting.

Released in March 1976, the song reached No.

10 on the weekly Oricon chart and No.

43 on the year-end chart.

It’s a track I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who has experienced the farewell of a loved one.

Do whatever the hell you want.Kenji Sawada

Do whatever the hell you want.

A love song that strikingly portrays a man trying to keep his pride even as he’s tormented by the premonition of a breakup.

The scene of a lover packing up and leaving in the middle of the night is exquisitely rendered through Yu Aku’s delicate words and Katsuo Ono’s wistful melody.

The conflicting emotions—lingering attachment to the other and a man’s stubborn pride—intertwine, and Kenji Sawada’s sultry vocals shake the soul.

Released in May 1977, the song claimed the No.

1 spot on the Oricon weekly chart for a total of five weeks.

It went on to achieve the remarkable feat of sweeping numerous music awards that year, including the Japan Record Award.

A gem of a masterpiece that resonates deeply with those who have experienced parting with someone precious or who stand at a crossroads in life.

Goodbye once moreKiyohiko Ozaki

Sayonarawo Mouichido

A ballad distinguished by its rich vocal power and expressive nuance, this is a song by Kiyohiko Ozaki released in July 1971.

It’s not just a typical heartbreak tune; it tells of choosing to part ways out of love, set to a beautiful melody that sings of hope for the future.

Its deeply affecting vocals resonate with listeners, and the emotive melody portrays mature love within a calm atmosphere.

Released following the massive hit of the previous single “Mata Au Hi Made,” it reached No.

2 on the Oricon charts and sold a total of 444,000 copies.

In 1999, it was sung on screen by Naoto Takenaka in the film “Nodojiman,” and it has continued to be loved across generations.

It’s a song you’ll want to sing with cherished companions, drawing on the depth of your life experiences.

The memories are too beautifulJunko Yagami

Memories are too beautiful

Junko Yagami’s major-label debut song, which sings of a love forever out of reach, framed within beautiful memories.

A superb ballad where a sophisticated bossa nova-tinged melody intertwines with her lustrous vocals.

With lyrics that poignantly and beautifully depict a lost love, and a transparent, elegant sound, it can be considered the very essence of classic New Music.

Released in January 1978, it reached No.

25 on the Oricon chart.

It was also included on the album “Omoide wa Utsukushisugite” and selected as the theme song for Nippon Broadcasting’s “Cocky Pop.” This work is a timeless classic that gently accompanies hearts feeling the sorrow of parting with a loved one and the nostalgia for a past that can never return.

Recommended for those moments when you want to surrender to a soothing melody and immerse yourself in memories of days gone by.