Popular Japanese songs among men in their 60s: recommended masterpieces and classic tracks

Goodbye once moreKiyohiko Ozaki

Sayonarawo Mouichido

A gem of a medium-tempo ballad that portrays parting lovers from a forward-looking perspective.

It’s a masterpiece that resonates with the bittersweet sorrow and resolve of two people who must choose separation in order to walk their own important paths.

Kiyohiko Ozaki’s emotionally rich vocals beautifully express both the loneliness of farewell and the hope of meeting again.

Released in July 1971, the song reached No.

2 on the Oricon Singles Chart and was also included on the album “Kiyohiko Ozaki Second Album.” In the 1999 film “Nodojiman,” Naoto Takenaka performs the song on screen, revealing a new facet of its appeal.

This is a track we highly recommend to anyone who has experienced parting from someone dear and wants to keep those memories as nourishment while moving forward.

Rainy BlueHidemasa Tokunaga

HIDEAKI TOKUNAGA – Rainy Blue

The debut song by Hideaki Tokunaga, a poignant love story that begins in a late-night phone booth.

Its lyrics—quintessentially Showa—paint cinematic scenes of urban stillness and rain, perfectly intertwined with delicate, emotionally rich vocals to create a gem of a track.

Released in January 1986, it reached No.

90 on the Oricon charts.

A rearranged version released in November 1997 rose to No.

31, capturing the hearts of many.

By portraying heartbreak and loneliness as universal themes, it remains a beloved classic that resonates even today.

It’s the kind of bittersweet love song you’ll want to play on a rainy day—why not give it a listen?

MelodyKoji Tamaki

Koji Tamaki “Melody” Live at Tokyo International Forum 1997/11/22

A gem of a ballad that gently envelops nostalgia for the past and feelings for what has been lost.

Koji Tamaki’s delicate vocals resonate deeply in this piece, where straightforward lyrics and a simple melody blend beautifully.

Carried by the warm tones of an acoustic guitar, it quietly sings of the resolve to face forward while holding cherished memories close.

Released in May 1996, the song has been covered by many artists over the years and has grown in esteem.

A heartwarming track that pairs perfectly with a leisurely night drive or a quiet moment alone in thought.

I look up as I walkKyu Sakamoto

Walk looking up Sakamoto Kyu — with lyrics

“Ue o Muite Arukou” is a song that clears my heart every time I listen to it.

Loved across generations, its charm lies in its soothing melody and uplifting lyrics.

Its empowering message, which helps you overcome tough times, resonates in any era.

Recognized overseas as well, it can be seen as a work that shared Japanese culture with the world.

It also remains a karaoke staple, cherished by many.

Time, stop.Eikichi Yazawa

Time, stand still — Eikichi Yazawa

It’s a song by Eikichi Yazawa, the eternal rock star known as Eikichi “Eik-chan” Yazawa.

It was released in 1978 as his fifth single.

The lyrics, from a male perspective, tell of a man resolved to devote himself to a summer romance, with a poignant, cool edge.

The single sold over a million copies.

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.

Sexual Violet No. 1Masahiro Kuwana

Sexual Violet No. 1

It captivates with a rock sound emblematic of the 1970s and a sultry male vocal.

Depicting a passionate relationship between a man and a woman that exudes a bewitching sensuality, the piece is adorned with Takashi Matsumoto’s sophisticated lyrics and Kyohei Tsutsumi’s masterful melodic lines.

Released in 1979 as a campaign song for Kanebo Cosmetics, it topped the Oricon chart for three consecutive weeks.

Also included on the album “Communication,” it continues to enchant countless listeners.

Masahiro Kuwana’s wild, husky voice and mature allure vividly convey a world steeped in the melancholy of love.

It’s a perfect track for parties or karaoke—ride the catchy rhythm and sing along, and everyone is sure to feel their spirits lift.