Recommended Japanese pop songs for karaoke for men in their 40s

Full-Power BoySukima Suichi

Sukima Switch – “Zenryoku Shonen” Music Video : SUKIMASWITCH / Zenryoku Shonen Music Video

Takuya Ohashi’s gentle yet powerful vocals blend beautifully with the fresh sound of the acoustic guitar.

Centered on themes of growth and challenge, the song tenderly reminds us of the importance of not forgetting the pure feelings in our hearts, even as we become adults.

Released in April 2004 as the fifth single, it became beloved across generations as an NTT DoCoMo commercial song.

It was also included on the album “Kuusou Clip,” released the same year, and achieved steady sales.

With its relaxed tempo and a melody carried by stable pitch, it seeps into the heart alongside fond memories.

As a refreshing classic that anyone can enjoy, it will continue to linger in the hearts of many.

MiracleGReeeeN

GReeeeN – Kiseki

GReeeeN, who recently changed their name to “GRe4N BOYZ” from 2024 onward, are well known as a group whose members all have careers as dentists and continue their musical activities alongside their medical work.

Since the late 2000s, they have released one hit after another on the J-pop scene, and their songs are hugely popular at karaoke.

Among them, “Kiseki,” released in 2008, is one of their signature tracks and a Heisei-era classic covered by many artists.

Its melody line is simple and easy to sing, and the vocal range is narrow, so if you’re aiming for a high score, definitely give this song a try.

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Hide-and-seekYuuri

Yuuri “Kakurenbo” Official Music Video

For men in their 40s who are looking for recent hit songs that are easy to sing, I recommend Yuuri’s Kakurenbo.

Yuuri originally made his major debut as the frontman of a rock band, but after the group disbanded, his street performances drew attention, and he re-debuted in 2020 as a singer-songwriter.

While he’s especially popular with Gen Z, his novel-like lyrics and carefully woven melodies resonate deeply even with listeners in their 40s.

Kakurenbo is one of his signature songs, and among Yuuri’s tracks it’s arranged in a relatively lower key.

Although the chorus does reach slightly higher notes, the overall range is narrower, making it easy to sing.

The parts sung with power carry a captivating nuance that reflects his rock background, so if you enjoy ballads, definitely give it a try.

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For loveOkuda Tamio

“For Love” from the live film tamio okuda TOUR “29-30”

Since debuting as UNICORN in 1987, Tamio Okuda has maintained a unique position throughout his long career, continuing to exert a tremendous influence on subsequent artists.

For many people now in their 40s who spent their youth in the 1990s, it’s likely that Okuda’s songs from around his solo debut—rather than his work with Unicorn—were the soundtrack of their adolescence.

Okuda’s milestone solo debut single, “Ai no Tame ni,” was released in 1994 and became one of his signature tracks, achieving million-seller status.

While it’s hard to capture the nuanced atmosphere that Okuda himself brings, the melody has a relatively narrow range and gentle interval leaps, making it genuinely easy to sing.

If you’re aiming for a high score at karaoke, definitely consider adding it to your repertoire.

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SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama – Sakurazaka (Full ver.)

Masaharu Fukuyama is undoubtedly one of Japan’s most iconic figures, both as a singer-songwriter and as an actor.

It’s truly remarkable that he has continued to release hit songs from the 1990s through the Reiwa era.

While each generation likely has its own “Fukuyama songs,” Sakura-zaka, released in 2000, is a quintessential Heisei-era classic that achieved a record-breaking double million in sales.

Some may find ballads challenging, but the simply crafted melody line makes it easy to sing, and the relatively low key makes it approachable for those with lower voices.

If you carefully follow the scale, you can definitely aim for a high karaoke score; at the same time, the song’s charm lies in its lower register, so if you’re not confident with low melodies, this is a great piece to practice with.

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Goodbye to sorrowanzenchitai

Kanashimini Sayonara

A love ballad by Anzenchitai that captivates with its rich, deep bass tones and emotional vocals.

Centered on parting and renewal, it gently sings of the bittersweetness of love and the hope that follows.

Koji Tamaki’s profound voice resonates to the depths of the heart, conveying both compassion for the other person and the strength to stay by their side.

Released in June 1985, it topped the Oricon charts, marked the band’s first appearance at the 36th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, and won the Gold Award at the 27th Japan Record Awards.

It’s a song that quietly gives you a push when you’ve gone through a farewell with someone important and are ready to take a new step forward.

ultra soulB’z

B’z / ultra soul【B’z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2018 -HINOTORI-】

This is a hard rock number by B’z that powerfully expresses a soul’s cry to keep pushing the limits.

The lyrics, which portray facing oneself and chasing dreams, brilliantly capture the doubts and inner struggles we all encounter at life’s crossroads.

Takahiro Matsumoto’s dynamic guitar and Koshi Inaba’s soaring vocals blend perfectly, injecting a strong surge of energy into the listener’s heart.

Released in March 2001, it was chosen as the official theme song for the FINA World Swimming Championships in Fukuoka that same year.

Also included on the album “GREEN” and performed on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, this track gives a boost to anyone striving in their work or life.

It’s the perfect cheer song to belt out with close friends when you get together.