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

No matter how many years go by or how many times you listen, the songs you loved in your youth always stir something warm in your heart, don’t they?

In this article, we’ll introduce popular Japanese songs that colored the teenage years of women in their 40s.

We’ve gathered a trove of classics perfect for anyone thinking, “I want to hear that song again,” or “I want to sing the songs I sang as a student at karaoke.”

You’re sure to rediscover the tracks you loved back then!

Even if you’re busy every day with work and household chores, why not take a little break and bask in the memories of your youth?

Playlist

Popular Japanese songs among women in their 40s: recommended classics and standard hits
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Swaying feelingsZARD		A masterpiece by Izumi Sakai that portrays the feelings of love
2	On the hill where the moon is visible tonightB’z		A B’z masterpiece that depicts deep affection and conflict
3	First LoveUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada's classic song 'First Love,' a heart-touching piece
4	Poem of SunlightLe Couple		The warm charm of songs woven by a husband-and-wife duo
5	Love the islandSuzuki Ami		Ami Suzuki’s youth anthem, a classic that feels like summer
6	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		The charm of aiko’s classic song “Kabutomushi”
7	HONEYL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		L’Arc~en~Ciel’s classic, a testament to youth
8	FriendsREBECCA		REBECCA “Friends” is a youth anthem
9	Being just friends is fine.Takahashi Yumiko		Yumiko Takahashi’s signature song, a bittersweet unrequited love song
10	PRIDEImai Miki		Miki Imai’s “PRIDE” gained popularity.
11	White LoveSPEED		SPEED’s classic hit “White Love,” a winter youth
12	Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE		DREAMS COME TRUE’s classic song “Mirai Yosouzu II”
13	Time goes byEvery Little Thing		The appeal of ELT, a representative group in the J-POP scene
14	I can’t stay a daydreaming girlAikawa Nanase		Nanase Aikawa’s debut song, with a powerful rock style.
15	cherrysupittsu		Spitz is a prime example of music beloved by people in their 40s.
16	Hello, Again ~A Place That’s Been Around Since Long Ago~My Little Lover		A classic youth anthem by MY LITTLE LOVER
17	CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s signature song, a wedding classic
18	PIECE OF MY WISHImai Miki		Miki Imai’s soul-stirring masterpiece
19	A Cruel Angel’s ThesisTakahashi Yoko		A representative theme song of Evangelion
20	Dancing Hero (Eat You Up)Oginome Yōko		80s disco classics, danceable hits
21	ENDLESS STORYREIRA starring YUNA ITO		Yuna Ito’s debut song, a Western-style ballad
22	For the momentEvery Little Thing		Let's sing ELT's classic song 'For the moment'
23	for a long timeKiroro		Kiroro’s “Nagai Aida” is a song that women in their 40s find easy to sing.
24	Wedding bellSuger		The classic song by the chorus group Sugar
25	I’m proudKahara Tomomi		Tomomi Kahala, then and now: a figure her generation can’t help but root for
26	LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE		Characteristics of DREAMS COME TRUE’s classic song “LOVE LOVE LOVE”
27	Love Story Comes SuddenlyOda Kazumasa		The classic theme song of Tokyo Love Story
28	A Road Bathed in Morning SunlightORIGINAL LOVE		The appeal of Takao Tajima, a Shibuya-style office lady
29	A Perfect SkyBONNIE PINK		A classic summer tune, an emotional song by BONNIE PINK
30	PIECES OF A DREAMCHEMISTRY		A classic song by an R&B duo from a talent competition show
31	AutomaticUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada: A musical revolution in R&B
32	GIRL TALKAmuro Namie		An R&B hit song by Namie Amuro that sings about camaraderie
33	Rock ‘n’ Roll in a Dumped MoodTOM CAT		An inspiring rock and roll classic that sublimated heartbreak
34	LAT,43˚ N 〜Forty-three degrees north latitude〜DREAMS COME TRUE		I recommend DREAMS COME TRUE’s easy-to-sing classic “LAT, 43˚ N.”
35	Love will winKAN		KAN's signature songs, nostalgic melodies
36	A gentle feelingChara		Vocal techniques in Chara’s “Yasashii Kimochi”
37	Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY		Introducing PUFFY’s song “Nagisa ni Matsuwaru Etcetera”
38	Love againglobe		Karaoke song recommendations of globe for people in their 40s
39	366 daysHY		A moving song that portrays the pain of heartbreak
40	TouchIwasaki Yoshimi		The youthful hit song “Touch” leaves a lasting impression on the heart.
41	Love and a Machine GunFlipper’s Guitar		The captivating music of Keigo Oyamada and Kenji Ozawa
42	Lion HeartSMAP		A song of memories that we walked together through the SMAP era
43	High School LullabyImokin Torio		The famous song by Imo-Kin Trio that brings back memories of youth.
44	Midsummer FruitSazan Ōrusutāzu		A bittersweet summer love song by Southern (All Stars)
45	rainbowFukuyama Masaharu		An iconic song that gives hope and courage; the lyrics are moving.
46	I hope it’s sunny.DREAMS COME TRUE		A heartwarming classic by DREAMS COME TRUE
47	presentJITTERINl’ JIN		A nostalgic breakup song that was popular on Ikaten
48	Broken-winged angelNakamura Ayumi		Ayumi Nakamura’s signature song “Tsubasa no Oreta Angel” (The Broken-Winged Angel)
49	The strong and fleeting onesCocco		Cocco’s classic from the ’90s—narrow vocal range and easy to sing
50	Angel’s RestHisamatsu Fumina		Fumina Hisamatsu’s rock-style J-pop songs are captivating.
51	The Talent for LoveKawamoto Makoto		A famous song by Makoto Kawamoto, a guitar-based female singer
52	Marigoldaimyon		Aimyon’s “Marigold” is a masterpiece.
53	You’re My Only Shinin’ StarNagayama Miho		A romantic ballad that vows love under the moonlit night
54	Lover of Möbiusushirogami hikaretai		A song of eternal love like a Möbius strip
55	JupiterHirahara Ayaka		Make classic masterpieces moving through song
56	PowerPoketto Bisuketsu		POWER, the smash-hit song by Pocket Biscuits
57	BOYS & GIRLSHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s classic hit “BOYS & GIRLS”
58	The Theory of HappinessShiina Ringo		Ringo Sheena’s classic heals adult women.
59	go for it！DREAMS COME TRUE		Singable songs by DCT that are popular across generations
60	CRAZY GONNA CRAZYTRF		TRF, popular among people in their 40s, with the easy-to-sing song CRAZY
61	Ding DongZoo		ZOO in the ’90s popularized Black music.
62	threadNakajima Miyuki		The charm and influence of Miyuki Nakajima’s classic song “Ito”
63	Turn the roulette of fateZARD		A heartwarming masterpiece that brings the courage to live
64	a walk in the parkAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s classic song “a walk in the park”
65	Chase the ChanceAmuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s “Chase the Chance” was a big hit.
66	HeroAmuro Namie		Rio Olympics theme song 'Hero' - a moving song
67	I want to see you.sawada chikako		A classic song that sings of lost love and aching longing
68	Ah, what a relief.Hana＊Hana		Hanahana’s “Ah~ Yokatta” is an easy song to sing.
69	Letter ~Dear You at Fifteen~Anjura Aki		A Letter to Youth: A Song of Courage and Hope
70	SWEET 19 BLUESAmuro Namie		Features of B’z’s classic song “SWEET 19 BLUES”