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! Recommended summer songs for people in their 40s [2026] (41–50)
dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo
This song, Yo Hitoto’s fifth single and one of her signature pieces, was written in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks and released in 2004.
It has the feel of a Japanese standard already and is a classic that has been covered by numerous artists.
The choral parts in the chorus are truly moving.
It’s also a highly popular karaoke song across a wide range of generations.
Eternal, unchanging loveOda Tetsurō
A wonderful melody maker who has colored Japanese pop music, Tetsurō Oda released this single in 1992.
Many people were probably in the thick of their youth then, or remember hearing it as a Pocari Sweat commercial song.
With its glittering sound that seems perfect for a summer drive and a beautiful world that feels like it could take you anywhere, this is a track that transports you.
It makes you nostalgic for the ’90s if you were there, and even if you weren’t, its heartfelt message tightens your chest and almost brings you to tears.
It’s a curious mix of brightness and melancholy, but I feel Oda’s songs shine with that kind of spacious, open-ended sensibility.
Mrs. MermaidChekkāzu
If you’re in your 40s, there’s a good chance you were a fan when you were a kid or in your youth.
Among the Checkers’ songs, “Mrs.
Mermaid” is one of the more mature numbers.
Even if you thought it was just so-so back then, there are songs that really hit differently once you’re an adult, right? This is exactly one of those, packed with the atmosphere and trends of the time, making it a track that feels nostalgic.
While summer songs are often upbeat, this one is a calm, grown-up tune.
Middle-Aged JUMPSazan Ōrusutāzu
Many people of that generation probably grew up listening to Southern’s songs from as far back as they can remember.
The track they released in 2018 is full of nostalgic highlights in its music video.
Apparently, this sparked a trend where all the members appeared on the cover of Weekly Shonen Jump, depicted as manga characters.
Twilight SurroundRIP SLYME
This piece feels like a sonic rendering of that unique atmosphere as summer dusk fades into night.
The warm tones of the acoustic guitar blend beautifully with the gentle scratches, wrapping you in a sensation that makes your heart feel a little lighter as you listen.
Released in October 2004 as their tenth single, it peaked at No.
5 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.
Celebrated as a classic that showcases the depth of their musicality, it continues to be cherished by many listeners.
It’s the kind of song that quietly keeps you company on a summer night—when you want to relax in a slightly cooled room or reflect on the day, lost in thought.
OCEANB’z
B’z’s “OCEAN” evokes a magnificent oceanic scene.
Released in 2005, the song gained popularity as the theme for the drama “Umizaru: UMIZARU EVOLUTION.” Its lyrics convey a love as vast as the sea to someone precious, delivering emotion that matches the drama’s grand scale.
For those in their 40s who spent their youth with B’z, listening to this song as an adult may bring to mind their own family or beloved partner.
Try listening to it while quietly gazing at the ocean in summer.
fireworksaiko
When it comes to love songs for people in their 40s, I imagine several of aiko’s tracks would come to mind.
Her song “Hanabi” is one of her early works, released in 1999 as her third single.
That said, it’s also popular among younger listeners—a true “classic,” you might say.
It’s a summer love song packed tightly with sweet, earnest feelings of being truly in love, and those emotions come through so clearly.
It’s also a go-to at karaoke and always gets the crowd going.