[40s] Popular Japanese Music / J-POP Rankings [By Generation]

HONEYL’Arc〜en〜Ciel71rank/position

HONEY [15th L’Anniversary Live]

When it comes to artists that men in their 40s often listened to, doesn’t L’Arc~en~Ciel come to mind? This time, I’d like to introduce “HONEY.” One of my students practiced this song too.

L’Arc~en~Ciel’s vocal range is surprisingly on the lower side.

I think it’s easy to sing for people with a typical male range plus the ability to use falsetto.

The chorus is very clear and uplifting, so it’s easy to add dynamics, and rock fans will love it! On the flip side, the key might be how to keep the low notes from getting muffled.

If you’re not used to a certain range, both low and high notes can require a lot of breath.

When singing low notes, imagine releasing a slow, steady mass of air—your body will resonate more easily and you’ll hear your own voice better.

And above all, the groove matters! It also makes it easier to project your voice, so sing with energy and get into the groove!

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Kubota Mami

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for a long timeKiroro72rank/position

Kiroro “Nagaimono” Official Music Video

Nagaira, one of Kiroro’s signature songs released in January 1998.

The overall vocal range is A3 to C5, with F4 used the most, so this calm range should be very singable for women in their 40s.

The high notes come on the syllable “na” in the chorus, which is tricky to pronounce, so you need to project more firmly than you might think.

Try pinching your nose and saying syllables in the “na” and “ma” rows.

When you try it, your voice will usually sound nasal… However, once you can produce a good tone even with that nasal quality, the nasality drops away, and the usually nasal “na” and “ma” sounds become easier to pronounce.

Give it a try!

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Kubota Mami

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La La LaDaikoku Maki73rank/position

La La La

Maki Ohguro’s classic “La La La.” Among her works, this track especially harmonizes J-pop and pop rock, presenting an overall upbeat, powerful, yet refreshing melody.

In this song’s vocal lines, the pre-chorus (B section) is the most powerful, followed by the verse (A section), while the chorus is arranged with a lighter, more straightforward vocal line.

The tricky part is the pre-chorus, but it doesn’t require a wide vocal range; you just need to focus on crisp articulation at the start of the lines, so even women in their 40s with lower voices should be able to sing it without any problem.

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Ryo

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I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka74rank/position

I LOVE YOU – Yutaka Ozaki (Full)

It’s one of Yutaka Ozaki’s signature songs, released in 1983! I imagine many people in their 50s listened to it in real time back then.

It’s a ballad about the bittersweet love of young men and women, with a piano melody that really resonates.

Ozaki’s husky voice beautifully captures the loneliness and restlessness of youth.

After being included on the album “Seventeen’s Map,” it was released as a single in 1991 and was also used in a JR Tokai commercial.

It’s a song that everyone can get excited about at karaoke, so why not sing it together with people of all ages?

Banzai ~ So glad I loved you ~Urufuruzu75rank/position

Ulfuls – Banzai ~I'm Glad I Fell in Love~

This rock tune celebrating the joy of pure love is a fan favorite that showcases Ulfuls’ musicality to the fullest.

Its lyrics, which candidly express gratitude to a loved one, resonate deeply, and together with its bright, catchy melody, the song lifts listeners’ spirits.

Released in February 1996, it was included on the album “Banzai” and also drew attention as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Goddess of Victory.” Moreover, it won the Excellence Award at the 38th Japan Record Awards.

It’s a perfect track for getting pumped up at karaoke with friends or for reminiscing about special memories with someone important.

EverythingMISIA76rank/position

MISIA – Everything （Official HD Music Video）

With her overwhelming vocal prowess spanning five octaves, MISIA is the singer who helped root R&B in Japan’s pop scene.

Released in October 2000 as her seventh single, this song was used as the theme for the TV drama “Yamato Nadeshiko” and became a signature winter hit, selling over 1.87 million copies according to Oricon.

Its lyrics, depicting missed connections in love and the wish to meet again, resonated with many listeners.

Among MISIA’s songs, the high notes in this one are comparatively restrained, making it easier to sing at karaoke—a definite appeal.

There’s also the famous anecdote that salt was used instead of snow during the music video shoot, and together with its visual beauty, the song has remained a beloved winter classic.

How about taking a moment to listen closely while reminiscing about that time?

A gentle feelingChara77rank/position

Chara “Yasashii Kimochi” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Chara, a female singer-songwriter who gained popularity for her distinctive musicality.

Many women in their 40s might have been fans of hers, right? Among her songs, the one I especially recommend is Yasashii Kimochi.

It’s a track that balances both a gothic feel and cuteness.

The vocal range is on the higher side at mid2 A# to hi D#, but the overall span is relatively narrow.

Using breath-based techniques such as hiccups can instantly elevate the quality, so try singing while referencing her breathing style.

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Ryo

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