Nostalgic Japanese Pop Hits That Get 40-Something Men and Women Excited
There are plenty of chances to end up at karaoke—whether it’s drinks with coworkers or reunions with old friends—but do you ever find yourself struggling to pick the right songs?
I’m not too familiar with recent hits, and if it’s a gathering of people from the same generation, I’d rather get everyone hyped with nostalgic tunes we listened to in our youth.
So in this article, I’ll introduce some great crowd-pleasers recommended for people in their 40s!
I’ve focused mainly on nostalgic songs from around the 1990s, so if you’re in your 40s, these tracks should bring back memories of your younger days.
Not only are they perfect for getting everyone in the same age group excited together, but they’re also timeless classics from the Japanese music scene—so there are plenty of songs that people of all ages can enjoy together!
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Upbeat Songs Recommended for People in Their 40s (11–20)
Like when we first metEvery Little Thing
This is a song that brings back the fluttering feeling in your chest, like when you first fell in love.
Released by Every Little Thing in August 1997, it peaked at No.
3 on the Oricon weekly chart and became a massive hit, earning Triple Platinum certification.
It was also used as the theme for Morinaga’s ICE BOX commercial, and has etched itself into many hearts as a song that evokes a refreshing summer love story.
Its transparent vocals and heartfelt melody create a captivating world that will surely soothe your soul.
When you sing it at karaoke, try to recall that feeling of being in love and have fun with it.
A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly
It’s a signature work by Superfly, whose soul-stirring, powerful vocals deliver love straight to the listener’s heart.
In this song, the many emotions of life—joy, sorrow, gratitude—are expressed like a colorful bouquet of flowers, carrying a warm yet strong message that, no matter how many detours we take, our feelings return to the ones we cherish.
The protagonist, awkward yet earnest in trying to convey love and thanks, will move many listeners and give them energy for tomorrow.
Released in February 2008 as the fourth single, it stirred great emotion as the theme song for the drama “Edison no Haha” (Edison’s Mother).
Step a little away from the everyday, sing your heart out with all your feelings, and this is sure to lift your spirits!
CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie
Namie Amuro, adored as the diva of the Heisei era and the woman who sparked the “Amuraa” phenomenon, has long been a style icon.
Among her many hits, “CAN YOU CELEBRATE?” is her best-selling song and a classic at weddings.
Produced by Tetsuya Komuro for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.m.
drama Virgin Road, it became a happy-yet-tear-jerking wedding anthem.
Around the same time, Amuro herself announced her marriage, which boosted the song’s popularity even further.
Whether you were an Amuraa back then or not, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at karaoke.
crimsonX JAPAN
X JAPAN is a five-member rock band that continues to earn support at home and abroad for its metal sound infused with classical elements.
Their major-label debut single, “Kurenai,” is also known as a number that had already been a staple at their live shows since their indie days.
The high-speed ensemble featuring double bass drums—rare in the J-pop scene at the time—likely shocked many listeners in their 40s today who grew up with it.
Because of its very high vocal range, it’s recommended to adjust the key to suit your voice, but if you can power through it, it’s a cathartic metal anthem that will make you want to scream and blow off stress.
White LoveSPEED
SPEED, the dance and vocal group that skyrocketed to fame in the 1990s, released “White Love” in 1997.
It was their fifth single, topped the Oricon Singles Chart, and became the group’s biggest hit, achieving double million sales.
It’s a winter-themed love song with bittersweet lyrics that express the anxiety that comes precisely from being so happy right now.
Try singing it with a friend, splitting the parts between Hiroko Shimabukuro and Eriko Imai!
TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya
When it comes to Fumiya Fujii’s signature songs, TRUE LOVE is the one.
The beautiful tone of the acoustic guitar pairs perfectly with his sultry vocals, drawing you into the world of the song from the very first notes of the intro.
It was also used as the theme song for a hit drama, so any man in his 40s probably knows it and has likely sung it at karaoke at least once.
With its relaxed melody, it’s a great song to pour your feelings into when you sing.
Try singing it while reminiscing about when this song was all the rage.
Hype songs recommended for people in their 40s (21–30)
In the Sun and the DustCHAGE and ASKA
A gem of a melody that portrays the dreams and setbacks of youth—and the strength to overcome them.
Released to the world by CHAGE and ASKA in January 1991, this work captures the persistence of those who keep pursuing their dreams, set to a 16-beat rhythm infused with a Western pop sensibility.
The chorus, simple yet striking, has a familiar charm that makes you want to sing along.
A single cut from the album “SEE YA,” it was featured in Nissin Foods’ “Cup Noodles Red Zone” campaign and as the ending theme for Fuji TV’s TIME3, becoming a major hit with cumulative sales exceeding 500,000 copies.
It’s a song that gently pushes you forward when you want to keep running toward unseen dreams—or when you find yourself at a crossroads in life.