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!
- [2026 Edition] Youth Anthems for Your 40s! A Roundup of Popular Heart-Pounding × Heartwarming Songs
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- [For men in their 40s] That nostalgic song you can enjoy at karaoke!
- Popular Japanese songs among women in their 40s: recommended classics and standard hits
- Songs popular among men in their 40s. Timeless classics that bring back memories.
- [Nostalgic Hits] Japanese dance music that resonates with people in their 40s.
- Easy-to-sing karaoke songs: Classic picks for women in their 40s
- [2026] Crowd-Pleasing Songs Recommended for People in Their 50s: A Collection of Nostalgic Classics
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- [40s] Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Rankings [By Generation]
- [For Men in Their 40s] A Collection of Songs That Score High at Karaoke [2026]
- You'll surely remember your youth. Spring songs recommended for people in their 40s.
Recommended for women (11–20)
SEASONSHamasaki Ayumi
Ayumi Hamasaki, who debuted in 1999, was known at the time as a style icon for high school girls.
I imagine there are many women in their 40s who spent their youth listening to her music.
“SEASONS” is her 16th single, released in 2000, and it became a huge hit after being featured in the TV drama “Weather Forecast Lover” more than two months before its release.
Since it’s characterized by its high, soaring vocals, if you’re confident in your high notes, definitely give it a try and get the crowd going!
My RevolutionWatanabe Misato
People in their 40s probably feel a strong sense of familiarity with this as a generational hit song.
Misato Watanabe’s “My Revolution” still has lyrics that resonate today.
Its friendly, catchy melody is easy to sing and easy to listen to, so it’s sure to get everyone hyped! Belting out the chorus line “My Revolution” feels amazing and will boost your confidence for tomorrow! Definitely sing it when you go to karaoke with friends from the same generation!
Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY
PUFFY is a distinctive female duo whose music is striking for its unique sensibility: while their songs often have a bright, standout tone, they also carry a subtly ennui-laden atmosphere.
They’re also known as fashion icons, and I believe many women in their 40s admired their fashion and musical style.
Among PUFFY’s tracks, the one I especially recommend is Nagisa ni Matsuwaru Et Cetera.
Although it sits a bit on the higher side, the vocal range itself is relatively narrow—mid2B to hiC#—so as long as you sing it in an appropriate key, you shouldn’t struggle with vocal production.
Since much of it is sung in chest voice, trying to deliver the chorus in a speaking-like tone is a good approach.
Love againglobe
People in their 40s are the generation that matched perfectly with the Komuro Sound, right? globe, in particular, was incredibly popular.
However, many of globe’s songs are quite high, and as we get older, a lot of their famous tracks can feel harder to sing.
That’s why I recommend Love again.
While it does have some high notes, its range is slightly narrower for a female song—roughly from mid1F to hiC.
Because of that, you can lower the key by a wider margin, making it easier to find your ideal key, and the pitch movement is relatively simple compared to other globe songs.
Recommended for women (21–30)
First loveUtada Hikaru
Hikaru Utada’s “Hatsukoi” is a single released in 2018.
Many women in their 40s probably remember her debut days.
Of course, the songs from that time are wonderful, but she’s a songstress who has continued to create increasingly delicate and artistic music as the years go by.
Brimming with her many charms, this track was reportedly written as the image song for the TBS drama “Hana Nochi Hare: Hanadan Next Season.” Sink into Hikaru Utada’s world with its calm atmosphere, and enjoy singing it comfortably!
Don’t give upZARD
ZARD is an indispensable presence in the Japanese music scene of the ’90s, and for many women in their 40s today, their songs undoubtedly evoke the soundtracks of youth.
The late Izumi Sakai’s clear vocals and heartfelt lyrics never lose their luster, and they’re still hugely popular at karaoke.
“Makenaide” is one of ZARD’s most famous songs, a true classic with nationwide acclaim.
While the pitch is slightly on the higher side, it’s generally average overall, and the melody is straightforward without large leaps in range, making it a good candidate for high karaoke scores.
Aim to articulate each word of the lyrics clearly, and sing the chorus with crisp, powerful delivery!
flareSuperfly
Superfly’s “Flare,” which was used as the theme song for the 2019 NHK morning drama series “Scarlet,” was released in 2019.
The lyrics feel as if they cheer on women in their 40s who are busy with childcare and work, and the melody’s bright, Latin-like rhythm lifts your spirits just by listening.
So when you’re busy and starting to feel worn out, please try singing this song.
You’ll receive sun-like brightness and energy from it!