Perfect for driving BGM and karaoke! Recommended summer songs for people in their 40s [2026]
For those in their 40s today, what Japanese summer songs come to mind?
Many of you probably think right away of hit songs from the 1990s, the era when CDs sold the most in Japan.
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of summer tracks recommended for people in their 40s.
Listening to these songs will likely bring back memories and feelings from back then, and the songs we’re about to introduce might just give you a warm sense of nostalgia.
Use them as a reference for your driving playlist or karaoke selections!
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Perfect for driving BGM and karaoke!! Summer songs recommended for people in their 40s [2026] (71–80)
Sunny day sundaySENTIMENTAL:BUS
Sunny Day Sunday is the perfect song for a hot summer day, especially one that’s sweltering.
It’s a track released by Sentimental Bus and was used in a Pocari Sweat commercial.
The lyrics depict someone absorbed in an activity under the blazing sun.
Thanks to its theme and its fast-paced, driving sound, it’s also beloved as a baseball cheering song.
Since it’s sung quite fast, you might need some tips if you want to tackle it at karaoke.
A Little Love SongMONGOL800
A straightforward love song by MONGOL800, a rock band from Okinawa.
Its pure lyrics remind us just how precious the people close to us truly are, touching the hearts of many.
Released in September 2001 and included on the album MESSAGE, which sold over 2.8 million copies, the song spent 14 consecutive weeks at No.
2 on the Oricon karaoke chart.
Its enduring popularity is evident in its use as the ending theme for the TV anime Teasing Master Takagi-san and as a motif for a 2019 film.
Put it on as driving music, and you’ll find yourself singing along under the blue sky.
tsunamiSazan Ōrusutāzu
When you think of summer, a beloved national group comes to mind: Southern All Stars and their 2000 release, “TSUNAMI.” It’s an entrancing song that likens the heartache of a broken romance to surging waves, evoking a delicate, glass-like love story.
Unusually for a Southern single, the track has no intro.
Perfect for driving BGM and karaoke! Summer songs recommended for people in their 40s [2026] (81–90)
HIGH PRESSURET.M.Revolution
A song with a sparkling sound and an uplifting message.
Its powerful yet soaring vocals blend beautifully with electronic elements.
Recorded in July 1997, this track was featured in a Lotte “Sweetie Ice” commercial and reached No.
4 on the Oricon weekly singles chart.
It was also used as the opening theme for the Taiwan/China versions of the TBS anime B’T-X.
A perfect summer tune for those who want to enjoy the hot season to the fullest or are looking for a spark to start a new romance.
Slow & EasyHirai Dai
This track features a tropical vibe, evoking a pleasant sea breeze and warm sunlight.
The warm tone of the acoustic guitar blends beautifully with Dai Hirai’s gentle vocals.
The lyrics advocate the importance of living slowly in today’s society, soothing the hearts of those who lead busy lives.
Released in May 2015 as the title track of the album “Slow & Easy,” it was also used in the Sumitomo Forestry commercial for the “Sakimachi Arai-Minami Sustaina Town.” It’s a perfect song for summer drives, trips to and from the beach, or for unwinding when you want to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
sparkleFuji Kaze
An ambitious work by Fujii Kaze with a striking vibe reminiscent of ’80s–’90s dance music.
Even amid life’s hardships and rapid changes, you can overcome them as long as you’re with the one you love.
The lyrics carry that uplifting message, perfectly matched with a breezy, lighthearted melody.
Released in May 2021, it was performed at the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in December of the same year via a remote appearance from his family home in Satoshō, Okayama Prefecture.
It’s the perfect track not only for July drives in the height of summer, but also for karaoke sessions indoors with the AC on.
In the Sun and the DustCHAGE and ASKA
A powerful pop number that captures the sparkle of youth and the struggles of life.
Released as a single by CHAGE and ASKA in January 1991, this work warmly portrays young people who carry dreams and hopes while confronting a reality that doesn’t go their way.
Its lyrics, interweaving the joy and poignancy of living, leave an even deeper impression through a beautiful, resonant melody and effective use of synthesizers.
Chosen as a re-cut single from the album “SEE YA,” it gained wide support after being featured in a Nissin Foods commercial and as the ending theme for Fuji TV’s program “TIME3.” When you feel overwhelmed by work and daily life and want to pause to face your own heart, this song will be there to gently stay by your side.