Popular Japanese songs among women in their 40s: recommended classics and standard hits

CRAZY GONNA CRAZYTRF

TRF / CRAZY GONNA CRAZY

Even within the broad label of “people in their 40s,” the music you grew up with differs greatly depending on whether you’re in your early or late 40s.

That said, TRF can be considered an artist popular across the entire 40-something demographic.

Among their songs, CRAZY GONNA CRAZY is particularly easy to sing.

Because it’s primarily dance music, it can be hard to notice, but the song actually has a narrow vocal range and doesn’t feature complex melodic leaps.

As long as you adjust the key to suit your voice, even those who feel their voice doesn’t come out easily should be able to sing it without trouble.

Consider adding it to your repertoire.

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Ryo

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Ding DongZoo

ZOO Ding Dong EXPRESS

ZOO was a music group that was hugely active in the 1990s.

In Japan, they helped popularize black contemporary music, gaining popularity with a sound that made what was then an uncommon genre catchy and accessible.

Among ZOO’s songs, one I especially recommend is “Ding Dong.” While the song has fairly pronounced dynamic nuances, they are primarily expressive rather than driven by volume, which stays relatively steady, so it’s not overly difficult.

The vocal range is also narrow, so if you lock into the rhythm and pitch, you can aim for a high score at karaoke.

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Marigoldaimyon

Aimyon – Marigold [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Aimyong’s songs have a timeless appeal that’s independent of trends, making them popular across generations.

“Marigold,” released in 2018, marked her major breakthrough.

Its somewhat nostalgic melody evokes the early Heisei era, making it very pleasant to listen to and a classic that resonates with people of all ages.

For women in their 40s who say, “I mostly listen to the J-pop from my youth, but I want to try singing something more recent…,” I highly recommend Aimyong’s songs.

“Marigold” sits on the lower side pitch-wise and doesn’t have an extreme vocal range, so even those with lower voices or who feel insecure about singing should give it a try!

threadNakajima Miyuki

thread

Since her debut in 1975, Miyuki Nakajima has produced numerous hit songs as a genius singer-songwriter, all the while maintaining a mysterious, solitary presence that continues to shine even in the Reiwa era.

Among her many masterpieces, Ito is one of her most famous songs, first appearing on the 1992 album EAST ASIA.

From the 2010s onward, it was used as background music on television programs, boosting its household recognition, and in 2020 a film inspired by the song was released—testament to its immeasurable influence.

Of course, it’s challenging to capture the expressive nuance that someone like Nakajima brings, but the melody line is easy to sing, so in terms of karaoke difficulty it’s relatively low—making it a great choice for those aiming for a high score.

Lover of Möbiusushirogami hikaretai

Lover of Möbius

A lyrical love song that layers an endlessly continuing romance over a Möbius strip.

Though it’s an idol song that sings of eternal love, Yasushi Akimoto’s lyrics, infused with philosophical notions like déjà vu and past lives, harmonize beautifully with Tsugutoshi Gotō’s graceful melody.

Ushirogami Hikaretai released the song in November 1987, and it reached No.

4 on the Oricon charts.

It was also included on the album “BAB” and became well-loved as the ending theme for the Fuji TV anime “Tsuideni Tonchinkan.” It’s a recommended track for twilight dates or when you want to sink into memories of first love.

Savor this gem of a pop tune—brimming with the bittersweet ache of youth—in a moment of quiet.