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

I don’t want to let go.T-BOLAN15rank/position

I Don’t Want to Let Go

The four-piece rock band T-BOLAN, which brightened the 1990s, released “Hanashitaku wa Nai” as their second single.

It was used as an insert song for the Fuji TV drama “Hotel Woman.” While it wasn’t a runaway hit, the sultry delivery and melody of the chorus linger in your memory, don’t they? Even though they weren’t a visual-kei band, they left an impression of having a certain allure, and the straightforward lyrics bring back memories of a time when human connections felt deeper.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

miyabi

Report a problem

Robinsonsupittsu16rank/position

Spitz / Robinson

The moment the intro’s guitar arpeggios begin to play, many people feel their chest tighten.

Masamune Kusano’s crystal-clear vocals and the lyrics’ worldview—capturing everyday scenes while somehow remaining dreamlike—gently nestle close to the listener’s heart.

Known as one of Spitz’s signature numbers, this song was released in April 1995 as their 11th single.

At the time, it was used as the ending theme for “Imada Koji no Shibuya-kei Uraringo,” and also appeared as an insert song in the drama “Hakusen Nagashi,” becoming a long-loved bestseller.

It’s also included on the classic album “Honey (Hachimitsu)” and is a pivotal work that rapidly boosted the band’s profile.

It’s perfect for moments when, bathed in the soft sunlight of spring, you want to quietly reminisce or bring back cherished memories.

GLORIAZIGGY17rank/position

ZIGGY「GLORIA」

ZIGGY is one of the rock bands that sparked the band boom of the ’80s.

Their hallmark sound was influenced by LA metal and bad-boys rock, and they were especially known for their upbeat songs.

Speaking of ZIGGY’s classics, isn’t “GLORIA” the first that comes to mind? The vocal line in this song spans a fairly narrow range, from mid1 G to mid2 G, and the pitch movement isn’t very dramatic.

There’s a hi C used as a vocal embellishment, but since this is an ad-lib section that doesn’t earn extra points in karaoke scoring, you don’t need to stick to the original pitch there if the height is too demanding.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

JAMTHE YELLOW MONKEY18rank/position

THE YELLOW MONKEY – JAM

For rock fans in their 40s, many of you may have admired THE YELLOW MONKEY, right? Yemon has produced countless classics, but the song I especially recommend as being easy to sing is JAM.

While it gives off an energetic vibe, its overall vocal range is quite narrow, from mid1C to mid2F.

In terms of singability, it’s a perfect choice.

However, because the range is narrow, it can be hard to create moments of excitement, so you’ll need to be mindful of rhythm and dynamics as you sing.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya19rank/position

TRUE LOVE / Fumiya Fujii

For those of you now in your 40s who spent your teenage years in the 1990s, you might associate Fumiya Fujii more with his work as a solo artist than with The Checkers.

Fujii is active in many fields beyond music, but his most famous song as a solo singer is TRUE LOVE, released in 1993 as his solo debut single.

It’s fascinating that there are many anecdotes surrounding the song’s creation—such as the fact that Fujii had no prior experience composing before writing it, and that the odd time signature in the intro came from a mistake he made while recording the demo, which was kept as is.

It’s a massive hit so iconic it appears in textbooks and remains a karaoke favorite, yet it’s based on classic chord progressions and features a straightforward melodic development, making it very easy to sing.

One point to note: in the first chorus he sings certain parts in falsetto, while in the second chorus he sings those parts in chest voice—so keep that in mind and deliver it with strength.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

KOH-1

Report a problem

DiamondsPRINCESS PRINCESS20rank/position

[MV] Diamonds / Misaki Aono

Released in 1989, this song is a rock ballad that vividly portrays the feelings of being in love.

Its straightforward lyrics from a woman’s perspective and powerful vocals leave a strong impression.

It was featured in a Sony audio tape commercial and became a major hit, reaching No.

1 on the Oricon Singles Chart.

Total sales surpassed 1.7 million copies.

As one of Princess Princess’s signature songs, it continues to be loved by many.

It’s perfect for when you want to rekindle feelings of love or convey your feelings to someone special.

Sing it at karaoke and it’s sure to get the crowd going.

Hello, Again ~A Place That’s Been Around Since Long Ago~My Little Lover21rank/position

My Little Lover "Hello, Again ~A Place That’s Been There Since Long Ago~

Just hearing the guitar phrase in the intro can instantly bring those scenes from back then flooding back—many of you may know that feeling.

My Little Lover’s third single, released in August 1995, was used as the theme song for the NTV drama “Owaranai Natsu” and became a massive hit, selling approximately 1.85 million copies in total.

The lyrical guitar riff by Kenji Fujii and akko’s translucent vocals weave a nostalgic sound that perfectly matches the lyrics, which portray both the bittersweetness and hope of leaving a familiar place.

JUJU’s 2010 cover also drew attention, and the song continues to be loved across generations.

It’s the quintessential spring classic that tightens your chest when you listen to it during graduation season—perfect for karaoke with friends from the same generation, too!