Recommended love songs for men in their 40s: classic and popular Japanese tracks.

You are freeCHAGE and ASKA

[MV] You are free / CHAGE and ASKA

Recut from the 16th album “RED HILL,” this is CHAGE and ASKA’s 33rd single, released in November 1993.

At the time, it was featured as the commercial song for Asahi Soft Drinks’ “J.O.,” and the music video starring Hong Kong star Michelle Reis left a strong impression.

Blending urban sounds with 90s R&B and emotive choral work by 14 Karat Soul, the track is truly moving.

The lyrics, which accept a breakup by acknowledging the other person’s righteousness—a quietly adult kind of sorrow—are sure to resonate.

Because it unfolds at a relaxed tempo, you’ll want to be careful not to lag behind the rhythm, but it’s a song to sink into on a night when you want to gently soothe the pain of heartbreak.

GLORIAZIGGY

ZIGGY「GLORIA」

A signature song by ZIGGY, who were active from the 1980s to the 1990s.

Released in May 1988, the track became widely known the following year when it was chosen as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Dō-Kyū-Sei” (Classmates).

It sold approximately 329,000 copies and reached No.

3 on the Oricon charts.

The song is characterized by Junnosuke Morishige’s powerful vocals and its catchy melody.

The lyrics, which emphasize the importance of moving forward without losing hope even in the face of an uncertain future, strongly resonated with young people at the time.

For those in their 40s, it’s likely a song that brings back bittersweet memories of their youth.

It’s also a great pick to liven up a karaoke session.

TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya

TRUE LOVE / Fumiya Fujii

It was released in 1993 as Fumiya Fujii’s second single.

The song was used as the theme for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.

drama “Asunaro Hakusho,” and Fumiya Fujii wrote both the lyrics and the music.

It surpassed one million in sales and became a massive hit, selling over two million copies.

It is one of Fumiya Fujii’s signature songs and is often sung at weddings.

Last SongGACKT

GACKT「Last Song」MUSIC VIDEO

Starting from a silence like freshly fallen snow and gradually building into passion, this dramatic progression makes it one of GACKT’s most memorable ballads.

The poignant theme of a “last song” dedicated to a loved one resonates deeply with listeners.

Released as a single in November 2003, it also plays a crucial role in the narrative of the album Crescent and continues to be cherished by fans today.

It was performed at the 54th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, a widely known episode where its overwhelming expressiveness deeply moved audiences at home.

It’s a song that gently stays by your side when you want to quietly accept a love that has ended, or on nights when you look back on the past alone and try to face forward.

I wanted to kiss you again.B’z

I wanted to kiss you again.

This is a classic B’z ballad that portrays a heartrending love story between a man and a woman, set against the changing seasons from a summer meeting to a winter parting.

The lingering melancholy and Takahiro Matsumoto’s weeping guitar further deepen the sense of lingering regret and attachment.

Included on the album “IN THE LIFE,” released in November 1991, the song was initially a candidate to be released as a single, but was ultimately passed over because “ALONE,” which had a tie-in, was prioritized.

Even so, it remains extremely popular among fans, ranking 4th in the vote that determined the tracks for the best-of album “B’z The Best ‘Treasure’.” It’s the perfect song to sit with on a night when a fleeting moment brings back memories of a past love and tightens your chest.

Close your eyesHirai Ken

Ken Hirai 'Close Your Eyes' MUSIC VIDEO

The moment that poignant piano intro begins, many of you may feel your memories from that time come rushing back.

This is the 20th single by singer-songwriter Ken Hirai, who continues to captivate countless fans with his overwhelming vocal prowess and expressive artistry.

Written as the theme song for the 2004 film “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World,” it became a historic hit, topping the year-end charts.

The lyrics, which portray the sorrow of mourning a lost lover and the resolve to go on loving them in memory, never fail to bring listeners to tears.

Also included on the album “SENTIMENTALovers,” this ballad gently accompanies the heart of a man living on while carrying an unforgettable love.

On a night when you want to quietly lose yourself in memories alone, give it a listen.

IT’S ONLY LOVEFukuyama Masaharu

Masaharu Fukuyama – IT’S ONLY LOVE (Full ver.)

This is one of Masaharu Fukuyama’s signature numbers, which became widely known in living rooms across Japan as the commercial song for DyDo Drinco’s “DyDo Blend Coffee,” and marked his first million-selling hit.

Released in March 1994, it also achieved the remarkable feat of topping the Oricon Weekly Chart for four consecutive weeks.

Despite its refreshingly rock-flavored sound, the lyrics reveal lingering attachment and a sense of loss toward a former lover, making it a heartbreak song where the more bravado you show, the more the sadness wells up.

Arranged by Makoto Saito to sit in a comfortable vocal range, it’s also appealing in how easy it is to sing with feeling.

It’s a classic I recommend when you want to look forward while reflecting on a past love, or when you want to belt it out at karaoke and feel refreshed.