[40s] Popular Songs Ranking by Generation [2026]

The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi85rank/position

The Last Rain

Yasushi Nakanishi’s classic, filled with gentle yet heartrending emotion, is a ballad about parting with a lover.

The breakup scene, overlaid with imagery of rain, along with the portrayal of deep affection, possessiveness, and the acceptance of being unable to make the other person happy, leaves a strong impression.

The beautiful arrangement of piano and strings further highlights the crystalline quality of his vocals.

Released in August 1992, it was later used as the theme song for Hitachi’s “Ashita P-KAN Kibun!” and gradually gained support, ultimately becoming a massive hit with total sales of 900,000 copies.

In karaoke, its relaxed tempo and relatively narrow vocal range make it easy to sing calmly.

Why not sing it while carefully unfolding its story-like lyrics, together with your cherished memories?

To the futureKiroro86rank/position

Kiroro “To the Future” Official Music Video

This song gently sings of joy, sorrow, and feelings for loved ones, and it has continued to resonate with many people.

Released in June 1998, it drew significant attention as Kiroro’s second single.

It was also featured as the commercial song for P&G’s “Bridge of Feelings Project,” making it a beloved piece across generations.

Often performed at life’s milestones—such as graduations and weddings—it touches the heart in moments of parting from loved ones and embarking on new beginnings.

Alongside nostalgic memories, it inspires hope for the future, and it’s also a great choice to sing at karaoke.

On the hill where the moon is visible tonightB’z87rank/position

B'z / At the Hill Where the Moon Is Visible Tonight

A million-selling song by the two-piece rock unit B’z, who have produced a wide range of tracks from hard-hitting rock tunes to ballads.

Written as the theme song for the TV drama “Beautiful Life: Futari de Ita Hibi,” this gem portrays deep love, the conflicts that arise within it, and hope.

Released in February 2000, it ranked eighth on that year’s Oricon Annual Singles Chart, capturing the hearts of many in tandem with the drama.

It’s the kind of song you’ll want to listen to on a long autumn night, gazing at the moon with someone special.

planetariumOtsuka Ai88rank/position

Ai Otsuka / Planetarium

A treasured ballad by Ai Otsuka that weaves memories of love sparkling like a starry sky into gentle piano melodies.

With a clear, translucent voice, she conveys the aching emotions anyone who has experienced heartbreak can relate to.

Released in September 2005, it became a hot topic as the theme song for the drama “Koi no Karasawagi.” Also included on the album “LOVE COOK,” this work remains etched in many hearts as one of Ai Otsuka’s signature songs.

For karaoke, we recommend singing it at a relaxed pace while recalling memories of someone special.

threadNakajima Miyuki89rank/position

thread

Since her debut in 1975, Miyuki Nakajima has produced numerous hit songs as a genius singer-songwriter, all the while maintaining a mysterious, solitary presence that continues to shine even in the Reiwa era.

Among her many masterpieces, Ito is one of her most famous songs, first appearing on the 1992 album EAST ASIA.

From the 2010s onward, it was used as background music on television programs, boosting its household recognition, and in 2020 a film inspired by the song was released—testament to its immeasurable influence.

Of course, it’s challenging to capture the expressive nuance that someone like Nakajima brings, but the melody line is easy to sing, so in terms of karaoke difficulty it’s relatively low—making it a great choice for those aiming for a high score.

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KOH-1

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As I love you selfishly, I won’t hurt anyone but you.B’z90rank/position

B'z / As Love Is, As Selfish As I Am, I Won't Hurt Anyone But You

“Ai no mama ni wagamama ni boku wa kimi dake o kizutsukenai” is a song released in 1993 by the rock duo B’z.

Sing it at karaoke and the length of the title alone will be a great conversation starter—instant crowd-pleaser! The track sold over two million copies and achieved an extraordinary run on the Oricon charts, ranking No.

1 for four consecutive weeks.

As a result, it’s beloved across generations as one of B’z’s signature songs.

It was also used as the theme song for the 1993 remake of the TV drama Journey to the West (Saiyuki).

If you’re from the same generation, it might help you bond with others who watched the show too!

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Yoimachi Jēn

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HANABIMr.Children91rank/position

Mr.Children「HANABI」from TOUR 2017 Thanksgiving 25

Mr.

Children’s “HANABI,” known for being chosen as the theme song of the smash-hit TV drama Code Blue: Doctor Heli Emergency Lifesaving.

Men in their 40s may have no end of daily worries, but listening to this song might give you courage.

Mr.

Children are a karaoke staple among staples, so you can hype things up with people of any generation! Try savoring and singing the memorable lines in the chorus.

It’s a song that really gets everyone excited when sung together.

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miyabi

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