Songs popular among men in their 40s. Timeless classics that bring back memories.
As a man in your 40s, what kind of music do you usually listen to?
Of course, you probably hear a lot of the latest hits, but chances are you still love the songs that were with you during your youth.
In fact, when it comes to songs popular among men in their 40s today, many of them are tracks that made waves around the 1990s.
In this article, we’ll introduce a generous selection of Japanese songs—focusing on hits from that era—that are especially recommended for men in their 40s.
They’re full of classics perfect for karaoke or for listening to in the car, so definitely give them a listen.
They might just bring back memories from those days.
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Popular songs among men in their 40s. Timeless tracks that bring back memories (31–40)
The sun is burning.THE YELLOW MONKEY
A 1995 hit by The Yellow Monkey, who achieved a miraculous reunion and are still active as of 2019.
Its upbeat sound and instantly memorable chorus make it perfect for karaoke.
Why not give it a try while imitating Kazuya Yoshii’s distinctive vocals and wavy, wriggling moves?
runnerbakufū suranpu
“Runner” is a famous song by the rock band Bakufu Slump, who debuted in 1984.
Around the time of their debut, they were known for provocative performances and, together with Seikima-II and Kome Kome Club, were referred to as one of the “three major novelty bands.”
Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS
They are THE BLUE HEARTS, a leading Japanese punk rock band.
Many men in their 40s may find themselves reminiscing about their youth.
The impact THE BLUE HEARTS had afterward was tremendous, influencing not only the music scene but also a wide range of prominent figures.
SAY YESCHAGE and ASKA
This was CHAGE and ASKA’s 27th single, released on July 24, 1991—a mega-hit that became their first Oricon No.
1 and a million seller.
It’s also widely known for being tied in as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “101st Proposal.” Many people of that generation likely remember it together with the drama’s iconic scenes.
The lyrics express a man’s wish to be “together forever” with a woman, but the song as a whole conveys a love so vast it can’t be fully captured by words—an elegant, medium-tempo love ballad.
DiamondsPRINCESS PRINCESS
This is ‘Diamond,’ the seventh single by PRINCESS PRINCESS, released in 1989.
It’s a very lively, up-tempo song, but the vocals are solid and steady, making it pleasant to listen to.
It’s even used at school sports days, so people who aren’t from that generation often know it too.
Popular songs among men in their 40s: Classic tracks that bring back memories (41–50)
Don’t avert your eyes.DEEN
A song released by DEEN in 1994 as their fifth single.
The lyrics were written by ZARD’s vocalist, Izumi Sakai.
It conveys a pure desire to gaze into the eyes of a beloved person, sung with a gentle yet powerful voice over a refreshing sound.
It was also used in a soft drink commercial, making it a song many people have heard even if they aren’t familiar with DEEN.
Close your eyes and come here.BARBEE BOYS
This is “Me o Tojite Oide yo,” a signature song by BARBEE BOYS, a five-member rock band known for its distinctive male–female twin-vocal lineup.
The band is characterized by lyrics that depict lovers’ quarrels volleyed back and forth and a New Wave–influenced sound, and their songs were frequently used in television commercials.