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

Kiss me right nowLINDBERG43rank/position

LINDBERG / Kiss Me Now

LINDBERG is a rock band that was hugely successful in the 1990s.

Known for their energetic, upbeat pop-rock sound, the group has produced many classic songs.

Among them, “Ima Sugu Kiss Me” stands out as a particularly memorable piece.

While the song leans toward pop rock and maintains tremendous energy throughout, it surprisingly doesn’t feature sustained long notes in the mid-to-high or higher registers.

The overall vocal range isn’t especially wide, so even women with lower voices should be able to sing it comfortably in an appropriate key.

White kiteMy Little Lover44rank/position

My Little Lover “White Kite”

Younger listeners probably felt that this My Little Lover track is quintessentially summery.

At the same time, those who spent their youth in the ’90s may have had the sensation of being suddenly pulled back into a summer of that decade.

Released as a single in December 1995, the song is a refreshingly breezy tune overflowing with summertime imagery.

Beyond akko’s crystalline vocals, its contemporaneous UK rock flavor leaves a strong impression.

In 2021, it was also featured in a commercial for Suntory’s chu-hi “Horoyoi Shiroi Sour,” drawing renewed attention as a perfect song for the summer vibe.

Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro45rank/position

Motohiro Hata – “Himawari no Yakusoku” Music Video

This is a song whose gentle vocals and guitar tones resonate in the heart.

The lyrics, which sing about the bond with a loved one and caring for each other, can bring you to the verge of tears.

Released in 2014 as the theme song for the film “STAND BY ME Doraemon,” it moved many people.

Motohiro Hata’s warm singing voice deepens the emotion of the story.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you want to express gratitude to someone important to you, or when you want to be there for someone.

Also recommended as wedding background music.

vexing lipsTakahashi Mariko46rank/position

vexing lips

Mariko Takahashi has remained popular since the 1970s.

She’s an exceptionally long-running artist who stayed at the forefront into the 1990s.

Because of that, I think even women in their 40s are quite familiar with her songs.

Among her works, the one I especially recommend is Hagayui Kuchibiru (“Frustrated Lips”).

It’s a striking piece featuring vocals influenced by Showa-era kayōkyoku and the distinctive synth sounds of the early ’90s.

In this song, the chorus reaches the highest notes, but it stays within the mid-to-high range overall, and the long sustained notes only appear in the lower register.

As a result, it’s a very singable tune for women with lower voices.

Love will winKAN47rank/position

KAN - Love Will Win

When it comes to songs that give you an involuntary boost, this one is it.

Released in 1990, it was used as the ending theme for TV Asahi’s “Quiz Omoshiro TV,” and later as an insert song on Fuji TV’s “Houchan’s Yamada Katsutenai TV.” It carries a powerful message that love will triumph no matter what hardships you face.

KAN reportedly wrote this song after giving relationship advice to a friend.

He was also conscious of Billy Joel’s style when composing it, and together with the sound of the piano, its warm message resonates in the heart.

It’s recommended for when you’re feeling down or want to push yourself.

It’s sure to lift your spirits.

At all times.Makihara Noriyuki48rank/position

[Official] Noriyuki Makihara “No Matter What” (Music Video) [3rd Single] (1991) Noriyuki Makihara/donnatokimo [No. 1]

A signature work by Noriyuki Makihara that delivers a universal message about living true to yourself, carried by a powerful yet gentle melody.

It’s a classic imbued with a strong resolve to value your true self, even while grappling with doubts and anxieties in life.

Also included on the album “Who Will You Share a Happy Yawn With?”, it became a massive hit, surpassing one million copies within six months of its June 1991 release.

It was chosen as the entrance march for the 64th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament in spring 1992.

The melody is marked by an acoustic guitar and a calm tempo, making it easy to sing.

It’s a song that resonates at life’s crossroads or when you feel you might lose yourself, and it’s cherished by many.

Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi49rank/position

Kazuyoshi Saito – Ballad of a Singer (2008 Ver.) [Music Video]

A timeless adult classic by Kazuyoshi Saito, celebrated for its deeply moving vocals and rich storytelling.

This exquisite ballad conveys heartfelt emotions for a loved one—feelings that are hard to say out loud—set to song with disarming honesty.

Its simple melody and resonant guitar gently enfold the lyrical world.

Since its release in November 1997, many artists have covered it, and in 2017 it was used as the theme song for the animated film “Lu Over the Wall.” In August 2022, a performance on THE FIRST TAKE drew significant attention, extending its appeal to a new generation.

With a relaxed tempo and a relatively narrow vocal range, it’s easy to sing with ease.

Why not sing it with all your heart, pouring your feelings for someone special into every note?