Lovely karaoke song

Songs popular among men in their 40s. Timeless classics that bring back memories.

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

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.

Songs popular among men in their 40s: classic tracks that bring back memories (51–60)

BambinaHotei Tomoyasu

Tomoyasu Hotei / HOTEI – Bambina

BambinaHotei Tomoyasu

This is Tomoyasu Hotei’s 17th single, Bambina, released in 1999.

Hotei’s guitar feels absolutely fantastic in this track.

As he himself calls it “rodeo rock,” the upbeat tempo gets you riding the groove and your excitement shoots way up.

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To be happyFLYING KIDS

FLYING KIDS – To Be Happy (Music Video)

To be happyFLYING KIDS

This is the debut single by FLYING KIDS, a seven-member Japanese funk band.

They appeared on the popular 1989 band audition show Ikasu Band Tengoku, which drew attention and led to their major-label debut.

It’s a very feel-good track—rough around the edges and laid-back, with a groove that makes you want to sway side to side.

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DiamondsPRINCESS PRINCESS

Princess Princess 'Diamonds <Diamond>'

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.

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Don’t avert your eyes.DEEN

Don’t look away, Eyes [DEEN] hitomi sorasanaide

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.

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Songs popular among men in their 40s. Timeless classics that bring back memories (61–70)

B.BLUEBOØWY

KYOSUKE HIMURO -B.BLUE-(2004 at Tokyo Dome)

B.BLUEBOØWY

A song released in 1986 as the fourth single by the legendary rock band BOØWY.

For the generation that listened to BOØWY in real time, the intro riff is probably unmistakably iconic.

Even after BOØWY disbanded, the song has often been performed at Kyosuke Himuro’s solo concerts, and GLAY’s guitarist TAKURO has said he was profoundly influenced, recalling that “a huge shock ran through me” when he first heard it.

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Time goes byEvery Little Thing

Time goes by – Every Little Thing (Full)

Time goes byEvery Little Thing

“Time goes by.” It’s a smash hit by Every Little Thing.

I recommend this song not only to people in their 40s but also to those in their 30s.

The soothing tone of the female vocalist gently wraps the love song in warmth.

It’s a very easy-to-listen-to and wonderful piece.

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Driver’s HighL’Arc〜en〜Ciel

L’Arc～en～Ciel「Driver’s High」-Music Clip-

Driver’s HighL'Arc〜en〜Ciel

L’Arc~en~Ciel’s 17th single.

A single cut from the classic album “ark,” it was also used as the opening theme for the TV anime GTO.

Kicking off with the roar of a car engine and shifting into a high-velocity guitar sound, the arrangement heightens the anticipation for the extraordinary journey ahead.

True to the theme vocalist and lyricist hyde described—“the exhilaration of driving while listening to music”—it rekindles that invincible rush we felt back then, as if we could break free from mundane days and go anywhere.

It’s a perfect rock tune not only for a refreshing drive scene, but also for switching your mood.

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