35 Best Songs for Seniors That Everyone Knows and Loves

We all know music has no limitations, especially regarding age. It has an enthusiastic feeling of beats that has nothing to do with age. Listening to music has become a routine; youngsters always have their favorite playlist on the tune. Whether you do workouts, are stuck in traffic jams, or spend your weekends, music has been an exciting part of life. We must pay attention to the interest in music for older adults. It would be best if you weren’t surprised that elders who surpassed the 60s still cherish jazz (traditional and modern), blues, classic rock, some grunge, punk, or classic funk. Old people like songs that may involve the music they liked when they were young, like teenagers or in their 30s. 

Listening to music can be one of the hobbies for old people. Not only enjoyment but senior citizens’ music also significantly benefits their health. It helps in reducing stress, improving manifestations of depression, and ultimately improving the quality of life. The melody of old-school songs has a miraculous ability to enhance memory. Especially if we talk about love songs, it rejuvenates their spirit, enlightening the forever-existing fire in their heart. After all, who says love songs are only for the young? Music has scientifically proven benefits to the overall health of seniors. 

Favorite Sing along songs for Seniors of All Time

There should be a separate category for something like “old people songs” or “songs for seniors,” though they might have mixed tastes. Every decade has its popular hits and the most meaningful lyrics, which is still a sing-along for seniors. 

Sing-along songs bring immediate pleasure to the mind. If one has a bad day, singing along or humming to the tune can quickly relieve anxiety, boosting oxytocin levels. Sing-along songs for seniors trigger the release of happy chemicals in the body, involving dopamine and serotonin. When seniors sing along, they feel light-weighted with their souls. 

So here we have the best songs to sing along to for the elders belonging to different age groups:-

Popular music for 60-Year-Olds

• Brown Sugar- The Rolling Stones

• Superstition- Stevie Wonder

• Comfortably Numb- Pink Floyd

• The Way We Were- Barbra Streisand

• (They Long To Be) Close To You- Carpenters

Popular Music for 70-Year-Olds

• “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”- Tony Bennett 

• What A Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong

• (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction- Rolling Stones

• Good vibrations- Beach Boys

• Moon River- Andy Williams/Henry Mancini

Popular Music for 80-Year-Olds

• “The Purple People Eater,” Sheb Wooley

• “You Can’t Hurry Love,” The Supremes

• “Sing, Sing, Sing,” The Benny Goodman Orchestra 

• “In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt Suite,” Grief

• “If You’ve Got the Money, I’ve Got the Time,” Lefty Frizzell

Popular Music for 90-Year-Olds

• Blue Suede Shoes- Elvis Presley

• I’ve Got the World on the String- Frank Sinatra

• My Favorite Things- Rodgers & Hammerstein

• This Little Light Of Mine- The Seekers

• I’m a Believer- The Monkees

Songs for Seniors with Dementia 

A very prevalent disease for older people, dementia is a late-life complication. Alzheimer’s disease is the cause of dementia, characterized by loss of cognitive functioning. In simple terms, seniors experience a loss of memory and an inability to make decisions or judgments or solve problems. According to estimation, about 50% of those aged 85 or older have dementia. But fortunately, medical research has confirmed that music does have various positive effects on individuals with dementia. Songs for seniors with dementia are often retained in their minds as other memories tend to fade. Music has a significant impact by improving cognitive functioning. 

Research has concluded that soft classical music or non-rhythmic instrumental background music impacts by elevating mood and boosting cognition. The music creating “the Mozart effect” has improved thinking ability.

For older adults, dementia cannot hinder their music-listening activity; it doesn’t matter if forgetfulness has become a regular part of life. The songs old people like with dementia are:-

• “Singing in the Rain”- Gene Kelly

This song has feel-good lyrics. Overall, this song is iconic.

• “You Are My Sunshine”- Jimmie Davis

With simple lyrics, it’s been a choice for every generation. 

• “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”- Judy Garland 

It has been classic for several generations, which puts us back in time.

• “I Want to Hold Your Hand”- The Beatles

It would be great in the playlist; it has repetitive lyrics with a simple message for loved ones.

• “You Make Me Feel So Young”- Frank Sinatra

With admirable lyrics best for incorporating emotional closeness, it is a perfect song for seniors. 

Music Therapy Songs for Older Adults

The taste of music for youngsters and senior citizens may vary. Greenberg’s research shows young people like intense music that seniors dislike. Various factors, including personality advancement, have already influenced old citizen music tastes; they often like listening in a private context. Personality is a significant determinant of the playlist. That’s why music is therapy for them, if it feels nostalgic, enlightening the brain’s visual cortex. 

The music therapy songs are listed as follows:-

1. He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands- Marian Anderson

This song is from the 1930s and is an African-American spiritual reminder not to lose sight while at the extremity.

1. White Christmas- Bing Crosby

This song is from the 1940s and reminisces about earlier times’ Christmas setting. It is a soulful song. 

2. Love Me Tender- Elvis Presley

This song is from the 1950s and is the most popular song by Elvis Presley; it has his baritone voice.

3. The Loco-motion- Little Eva

This song is from the 1960s, which implies the crazy motion of dance. It’s a perfect pop song.

4. Come Go with Me- Del-Vikings

This song is from the 1950s and is a traditional spiritual. It was a freedom song in the early 1960s.

Best Karaoke Songs for Seniors 

Singing is the best way to relax your mind and feel free. Karaoke is made for people’s enjoyment like they lose some frustration by singing. Karaoke originates in Japan; since then, it has become famous throughout Asian countries before Europeans and North Americans. The sing-along songs feel like you are part of the performance. The most popular thing about karaoke is one share their musical skills with a spark of fun in a unique form. Karaoke is the cheapest yet most comforting thing, no matter how you sing or what note you touch. Undoubtedly, older people express the same enthusiasm for karaoke as youngsters. Karaoke songs for seniors are the best gift for the elders. There are some associated benefits of karaoke:-

1. Gaining confidence

Songs for seniors allow older people to come out, figure out the courage and sing. It builds self-esteem by breaking the shy streak. It develops a “face it” attitude. 

1. Enlarge social circles

When someone heads out with friends or relatives to spend a karaoke together, it broadens the social circle.

1. Lowering stress

One thing elders should always take care of is mental health. Stress could be one of the factors for progressing Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. By practicing melody and rhythm, the brain’s neurons are stimulated and function well. The way high notes are touched, the blood supply to the body is enhanced. Since good hormones are released, various prevalent heart and mental problems can be avoided. 

1. Facilitate emotional outbursts

By singing the lyrics, sometimes we try to convey our message most effectively. Sing-along songs sum up all the feelings and emotions, thus enabling us to communicate through emotions. 

1. Improve memory

Music for the elderly has a handful of advantages for overall health. It is a fun activity. Singing karaoke involves some brain activity. When older adults juggle with the lyrics, it will also enable access to other memories. The learning and concentration are boosted.

The suggested best karaoke songs for older people are listed below:-

· Come Together- The Beatles

· Folsom Prison Blues- Johnny Cash

· Smoke Gets In Your Eyes- The Platters

· Shake, Rattle, And Roll- Bill Haley And His Comets

· I Walk The Line- Johnny Cash

How Does Music Affect The Elderly?

Sing-along songs for seniors significantly evoke their emotions and memories, which they used to cherish when they were young. Older adults do spend an absurd amount of time singing along to their favorite songs; they don’t need to be necessarily their favorite. 

There has been reported an increasing number of older people who feel isolated and depressed. It may happen to anyone who crosses their 60s as their cognitive functions start degrading. Memory is the worst affected skill, and the ability to learn and retrieve information is the first thing older people give up. Here comes music with magical potential that effectively tackles age-related memory issues. Popular sing-along songs can boost productivity, lowering anxiety and stress, so our seniors can realize their quality of life. 

Sometimes due to depression and social anxiety, older people don’t socialize more. Many of them end up struggling with loneliness. Songs for seniors could enrich their social networks and relationships. 

Music is like a non-pharmacological treatment for older people struggling with psychiatric problems. Long-lasting anxiety turns conditions detrimental, resulting in the risk of disability, psychomotor impairment, and isolation. The effect of music can be employed to maintain the sleep cycle and relieve depressive symptoms. 

The infusion of music into daily life brings more positivity, motivation, and enjoyment. Sing along to songs with a daily dose of melody to connect joyful tunes to the soul. Music is the trustworthy assistant, whether they exercise, do some work, make a schedule, spend time with loved ones, or reignite memories.

Old People Music as a Hobby That Inspires

As we are aging, retirement is near. Once people are retired, they have plenty of time to do beautiful things. Despite spending days in isolation, the elderly have time to follow their hobbies. Practicing hobbies is the best thing one can do to relax the soul. Usually, older people have hobbies like creative arts, bird watching, yoga, swimming, gardening, and, most importantly, music. Music has therapeutic effects; it may cure anxiety without pharmacological treatment. The hobby of listening to music and singing along with music is a rewarding activity that ensures good health. Coming after music bestows the opportunity to explore and socialize with people, inspiring them to move their bodies.

The healing power of music is prominent. Leonard Bernstein, a legendary composer and music educator, said, “Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.”

It would be most satisfactory to see the joy on the elderly faces after listening to their favorite piece of music. Music not only makes them feel good, but it also keeps on motivating the soul to remain youthful. One begins to forget even about physical pain once indulged in musical lyrics. Music inspires gratitude. It could be a potent medicine even for those battling severe illnesses. 

There are many things that could be entertaining for seniors that can help combat their loneliness. Music is one of those popular fun activities. Apart from fun, it is a relaxing yet calming activity. Music is a universal language without any dimension; everyone knows and speaks this language. Songs for seniors are unlimited; none of them might be their favorite, but they encourage older people to experience a sense of emotional closeness to their younger selves. There are many associated benefits of listening to music or karaoke for older adults, including mood elevation, enhanced blood circulation, reduced stress and anxiety, and more psychological and physical engagement. Music could be a conversation starter, allowing communication which ultimately reduces the chances of loneliness.