Recommended for people in their 40s! Winter songs born in the era of back-to-back million sellers
Speaking of the teenage and young adult years for people in their 40s, that would be from the 1990s through the 2000s.
They’re the generation that listened to music during the era said to have the highest CD sales in the J-pop scene.
Among the many hit songs from that time, there are quite a few that sing about the seasons.
So in this article, we’ll introduce winter songs recommended for people in their 40s! It’s packed with nostalgic tracks, perfect for looking back on memories.
It’s also useful as a reference for choosing songs at karaoke, so be sure to make use of it!
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Recommended for people in their 40s! Winter songs born in the era of back-to-back million sellers (11–20)
STRIPE!NEW!Makihara Noriyuki
Here’s a refreshing track that’s perfect for the season when you start longing for the crisp winter air.
The lyrics, which paint a striking contrast between blue skies and white snow, leave a strong impression, and the sparkling tones of the synthesizer deliver a positive sense of winter’s arrival—truly a classic.
Written, composed, and arranged entirely by Noriyuki Makihara, this single was released in November 1998.
Many of you may fondly remember hearing it on TV as the theme song for Alpen’s commercials at the time.
It was included on the following year’s album, Cicada, and continues to enjoy enduring popularity.
Play it in the car on your way to the slopes to lift your spirits, and sing it at karaoke to let the soaring chorus energize the room.
Give it a listen whenever you want to shake off the cold and boost your mood!
DEPARTURESglobe
A song that brilliantly captures the bittersweet feeling of winter.
Released in January 1996 as globe’s 4th single, it was also featured in JR East’s “JR SKISKI” commercial.
It became a massive hit, achieving double million sales and ranking 2nd on the Oricon year-end singles chart.
The winter scenes woven by the electronic sound and KEIKO’s clear, transparent vocals are sure to resonate deeply with those in their 40s.
The lyrics, which express the desire to break free from a stagnant daily life, gently encourage anyone looking to take a new step forward—making it a heartwarming track.
Because it’s a cold night…TRF
This piece feels as if it lets bittersweet feelings take flight into the cold night sky.
It’s a song packed with TRF’s charm.
Released in December 1993, it was fully produced by Tetsuya Komuro.
At the 2012 FNS Music Festival, a collaborative performance with Komuro was showcased.
Beloved by many as a song you want to listen to in the colder season, it lets you feel the emotion of thinking about someone important—perfect for spending a winter night on your own.
Winter SongKiroro
This is the third single by Kiroro, a female duo from Okinawa formed during their high school years.
Released in November 1998, the song resonated with listeners despite having no tie-ins and was later used in a Meiji Seika commercial in 2001.
The lyrics depict a scene where snow gently falls even on distant towns, evoking feelings for a loved one far away.
Its message—overcoming the loneliness felt in winter’s stillness and believing in the bond between hearts—is one that many can relate to.
Winter, againGLAY
A song whose intro and lyrics evoke Hokkaido’s snowy landscapes, captivating many listeners.
It’s GLAY’s 16th single and was used as the campaign song for JR East’s “JR SKI SKI.” Widely loved as a track that heralds the arrival of winter, it’s also perfect as entertainment for seasonal events like year-end and New Year parties.
This rock number truly shines when heard in the cold season, and was written and composed by TAKURO with the desire to share the scenery of his hometown.
Released in 1999, this work holds a special place in GLAY’s discography.
White LoveSPEED
This is the fifth single by SPEED, a four-member female idol-style dance and vocal group, which was used as the commercial song for Shiseido’s “Tissela Angel Drop.” Released on October 15, 1997, it is known as SPEED’s biggest hit, having achieved double million sales.
With its catchy melody and dance, it’s a song that can really liven up a karaoke session for people of that generation.
The melody itself is simple, but because of the twin vocals and the wide pitch range, it might be difficult to sing alone.
If you team up with a friend whose comfortable range is different from yours and set the keys to suit each of you, it becomes much easier to sing—so give it a try!
Recommended for people in their 40s! Winter songs born in the era of consecutive million sellers (21–30)
Winter StoryOkamura Takako
After her work as part of Aming, Takako Okamura also thrived as a solo artist.
She has left behind several classic songs, but the one I especially recommend is Winter Story.
The vocal range in this piece isn’t wide, and the melody line has relatively gentle contours.
Because the range isn’t broad, you can lower the key and still project the low notes sufficiently, making it undeniably easy to sing.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
