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!

Playlist

Upbeat songs recommended for people in their 40s
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	GLAMOROUS SKYNakajima Mika		Mika Nakashima tops the charts for two consecutive weeks with the NANA theme song
2	Tree of WadatsumiHajime Chitose		A masterpiece of Chitose Hajime’s ethereal singing
3	Pink Unrequited LoveMatsuura Aya		Introduction to Aya Matsuura’s songs themed around unrequited love
4	VoyageHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki’s 2002 single
5	The strong and fleeting onesCocco		Cocco’s “Strong and Fragile People,” a tropical, easy-to-sing classic
6	My friendZARD		ZARD’s 17th single, released in 1996
7	SAMURAI DRIVEhitomi		The sophisticated pop rock of hitomi’s signature songs
8	1/2Kawamoto Makoto		Introducing the charms of Makoto Kawamoto’s smash hit song “1/2”
9	5 seconds before I fall seriously in loveHirosue Ryōko		A classic song by Ryoko Hirosue. It expresses the feelings right before falling in love.
10	My Sweet Darlin’Yaita Hitomi		Introduce Hitomi Yaida’s 2000 breakout song
11	FlowerORANGE RANGE		ORANGE RANGE's smash-hit ballad
12	A flower that blooms only hereKobukuro		Kobukuro's Okinawa-origin ballad
13	cherry blossomKobukuro		A classic song that captures the meetings and farewells of cherry blossom season
14	LA LA LA Love SongKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s signature songs and TV drama theme songs
15	Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB		Kome Kome Club’s classic song “Roman Hikō” colors my youth.
16	YAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKA		CHAGE’s hit song “YAH YAH YAH”
17	HONEYL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		A powerful and sorrowful song, a contrast between momentum and emotion
18	huge nuisanceUNICORN		UNICORN’s classic song “Dai Meiwaku” is still loved today.
19	I don’t want to let go.T-BOLAN		T-BOLAN’s classic song, a passionate and deeply emotional ballad
20	TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya		Fumiya Fujii’s classic song “TRUE LOVE” is popular.
21	In the Sun and the DustCHAGE and ASKA		A gemlike melody portraying the strength to overcome dreams and setbacks
22	lipsGLAY		A fast-paced song that portrays GLAY’s earnest love
23	SPARKTHE YELLOW MONKEY		Love Song of The Yellow Monkey
24	ultra soulB’z		B’z’s hard rock, a song about a life chasing dreams
25	TRAIN-TRAINTHE BLUE HEARTS		A classic in rock history, an anthem of courage and hope
26	Embracing SummerTUBE		A huge hit summer song by TUBE that expresses a wistful love
27	See, spring has come.ushirogami hikaretai		A song that celebrates the arrival of spring and the exhilaration of the season
28	The rattlesnake is comingTonneruzu		Thanks to Tunnels (Tunnels no Minasan no Okage desu)
29	Banzai ~ So glad I loved you ~Urufuruzu		A rock song by Ulfuls that sings about love
30	Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi		A masterpiece that sings of loneliness and passion for the future
31	A Tearful RequestChekkāzu		The Checkers’ heartbreak song sets a record with a massive hit
32	WON’T BE LONGBaburugamu Burazāzu		A cheer song with an Awa Odori motif. Achieved million-seller status.
33	Beard and Boobsyunikōn		The male psyche wavering between work and love
34	Before anything else, from atop the roadIsseifubi Sepia		Released in 1984, a major hit that reached No. 5 on the Oricon chart
35	homeKiyama Yusaku		A ballad that sings of a father's love for his child
36	I won’t fall in love anymore.Makihara Noriyuki		Makihara Noriyuki’s signature breakup song
37	Runnerbakufū suranpu		A classic by Bakufu Slump portrays youth and the bonds of friendship
38	Sneaker BluesKondō Masahiko		Sneaker Blues: A Love Breakup
39	Pink sighTakahashi Mariko		A classic by Mariko Takahashi that portrays love with a lover in a fantastical way
40	ff (fortissimo)HOUND DOG		HOUND DOG’s signature work: powerful rock of love and dreams
Recommended for women
41	Song of LoveSutoroberī Furawā		Pikmin commercial song, gentle and pleasant
42	Sunny Day SundaySenchimentaru Basu		Sentimental Bus’s classic summer song
43	A Little LovePucchimoni		The appeal and characteristics of Petitmoni’s debut single
44	Wait & See ~Risk~Utada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada’s smash hit song Wait & See
45	PowerPoketto Bisuketsu		The appeal of Pocket Biscuits’ hit song “POWER”
46	frecklesJUDY AND MARY		The hit song from Rurouni Kenshin, 'Sobakasu'
47	Marunouchi SadisticShiina Ringo		Ringo Sheena, a masterpiece that sings of the feelings of urban women
48	This is my way of life.PUFFY		PUFFY’s signature song—refreshing and rich with a meaningful message
49	First LoveUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada: Masterpieces of First Love and Heartbreak
50	CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s classic song “CAN YOU CELEBRATE?”
51	Unwavering WishTamura Naomi		A classic 90s anime song by Naomi Tamura
52	The Theory of HappinessShiina Ringo		Ringo Sheena’s “Theory of Happiness,” a masterpiece where light and darkness intertwine
53	Hello, Again ~A Place That’s Been Around Since Long Ago~My Little Lover		A classic by My Little Lover that gives you a sense of youth.
54	Single AgainTakeuchi Mariya		Mariya Takeuchi “Single Again” TV theme song
55	Shape of LoveMISIA feat.HIDE(GReeeeN)		A moving masterpiece from the collaboration between MISIA and GReeeeN
56	SEASONSHamasaki Ayumi		Ayumi Hamasaki, a late-90s high school girl icon
57	First loveUtada Hikaru		Hikaru Utada 'First Love' drama theme song
58	I just feel like crying.Nagayama Miho		A representative ballad from the 1990s CD boom
59	flareSuperfly		Support women with the Scarlet theme song
60	Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY		Introducing PUFFY’s song “Nagisa ni Matsuwaru Etcetera”
61	Love againglobe		Karaoke song recommendations of globe for people in their 40s
62	Don’t give upZARD		ZARD’s iconic 1990s hit “Makenaide” (“Don’t Give Up”)
63	CHA CHA CHAIshii Akemi		A powerful classic that celebrates the way independent women live
64	Like when we first metEvery Little Thing		An inspiring classic that brings back memories of first love: Summer Romance
Recommended for men
65	Get WildTM NETWORK		A famous song by TM NETWORK from the '80s
66	ROSIERLUNA SEA		LUNA SEA's 'ROSIER' is a big hit song.
67	Tomorrow never knowsMr.Children		Mr.Children’s famous song—its lyrics depicting life—resonate deeply with the heart.
68	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		A masterpiece by Southern All Stars, a moving work that sings of romantic feelings.
69	single bedSha ran Q		Sharam Q’s hit song Single Bed
70	MarionetteBOØWY		Legendary rock band BOØWY, best-known song “Marionette”
71	cherrysupittsu		A translucent melody and a song of youth
72	SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s classic song about the pain of heartbreak
73	crimsonX JAPAN		A band that fuses metal and classical music
74	HOWEVERGLAY		GLAY’s moving ballad, sung passionately by TERU
75	GLORIAZIGGY		A rock band influenced by LA metal
76	As I love you selfishly, I won’t hurt anyone but you.B’z		B’z’s smash hit sold 2 million copies.
77	Rose of PassionTHE BLUE HEARTS		A passionate song of roses, a timeless classic that resonates with the heart
78	Take back the love!!kurisutaru kingu		Theme of Fist of the North Star: depicting a man's love and determination
79	Love Story Comes SuddenlyOda Kazumasa		Tokyo Love Story theme song “Kanchi”
80	OverMr.Children		Mr.Children's 'Over' is a masterpiece and popular among people in their 40s.
81	Summer Days of 1993class		A million-hit song by a Simon & Garfunkel-style duo class
82	Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi		Elekashi’s signature songs resonate across generations
83	POISON ~A world where you can’t even say what you want to say~Sorimachi Takashi		Takashi Sorimachi’s POISON has a narrow vocal range and is easy to sing.
84	Easy★RiderOkuda Tamio		Vocal Guide for “Easy Rider”
85	I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki’s masterpiece, a poignant song of youth
86	SaudadePorunogurafiti		Latin-flavored sound of Porno Graffitti