Nostalgic Songs Perfect as Driving BGM for People in Their 40s
Many of us probably feel that music is essential when going for a drive! Up-tempo songs that lift your spirits are perfect for the highway, while smoother, more mature tracks suit nighttime drives.
You want to choose the ideal BGM depending on when you’re going, who you’re with, and your destination.
In this article, we’ll introduce recommended driving songs especially for people in their 40s.
We’ve picked tracks by artists that will be familiar to those in their 40s, so find some tunes to accompany your next drive.
[For people in their 40s] Nostalgic songs perfect as driving BGM (1–10)
Driver’s HighL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
This is the 17th single by L’Arc~en~Ciel, a four-piece rock band in which every member has released hit songs as a composer.
Released as a single cut from their 6th album, ark—which drew attention for being released simultaneously with their 7th album, ray—the track was used as the opening theme for the TV anime GTO.
From the opening that begins with the sound of a car engine and transitions into an airy guitar phrase, the refreshing arrangement makes it perfect BGM for heading out on a drive.
Born from the concept of “a song that feels good to listen to while driving,” it’s an especially recommended number for drivers in their 40s—the generation that grew up with it.
Over DriveJUDY AND MARY
A song where you can fully feel JUDY AND MARY’s signature refreshing sense of speed; when it was released, it was also used in a car commercial, so it likely evokes a strong image of driving.
The bright, radiant sound in the chorus feels like it’s depicting the expansive view that opens up after emerging from a tunnel.
While the sound gives a cheerful impression, the lyrics portray suffering and the strong resolve to overcome it, as well as someone offering encouragement.
blue carsupittsu
Masamune Kusano’s resounding vocals in the chorus are especially striking, conveying a sense of someone trying to deliver their feelings.
While the lyrics seem to look back on painful memories, the mid-tempo sound—light on its feet—also suggests a positive outlook, as if moving past those memories and stepping forward.
Like in this song, taking a drive to revisit places tied to memories might be a chance to change your perspective or find hope to move ahead.
Chuo FreewayMatsutōya Yumi
This is a song included on the 1976 album The 14th Moon.
Its calm sound carries a refreshing feel that would suit a driving situation.
The lyrics are modeled on the Chuo Expressway, describing in detail the scenery visible from it, incorporating specific place names.
Precisely because the images of what you see are so concrete, it’s the kind of song that makes you want to use it as background music and actually experience the landscapes depicted in the lyrics.
wandererOkuda Tamio
This is a song by Tamio Okuda with a gentle, airy sound that soothes the heart.
When it was released, it was used as the theme song for a drama, but since it has been featured in various travel-themed TV programs afterward, it may be more strongly associated with travel shows.
The lyrics also use travel as a motif, giving the impression of wandering in search of oneself.
With its calm sound and vocals, it’s the kind of track that settles the mind and makes you want to set off on a journey with it as your BGM.