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

Premium salted grilled Kuroge Wagyu tongue 680 yenOtsuka Ai92rank/position

Ai Otsuka / Grilled Kuroge Wagyu Top Salted Tongue 680 yen

This is a song about pure love for someone special.

Created by Ai Otsuka, this number was released in February 2005 as her seventh single.

It was chosen as the ending theme for the anime Black Jack and became a hot topic.

It’s a love song with an intriguingly unusual title, and its heartwarming lyrics and gentle melody are truly wonderful.

It reminds you that the ordinary moments of everyday life are the real treasures.

Brimming with that kind of charm, this piece will surely bring you a sense of calm when you listen to it!

StoryAI93rank/position

AI – Story

The AI with the famously husky voice.

While there are some high notes in the song, it’s mostly sung in a natural mid-range chest voice, so “Story” should be quite easy to sing! The tricky part of this song is definitely the high notes in the bridge.

My students practiced that same spot over and over.

If you sing it with the same feel as the chorus, you’ll run out of breath and your voice won’t carry.

It’s crucial to prepare before hitting the high notes! Since the song flows straight into the bridge after the end of the second verse, it can move on before you’ve had time to prepare… Take a quick breath right before the bridge and project your voice powerfully as if aiming into the distance! For the vowel “i,” it’s easy to spread the mouth sideways and tense up, so it’s easier to produce if you create space inside your mouth while pronouncing it.

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After the FestivalKuwata Keisuke94rank/position

Keisuke Kuwata – After the Festival (Full ver.)

That sudden stillness and loneliness that arrives after a joyful time.

Keisuke Kuwata masterfully sings of that sentimental scene that everyone can relate to.

Released in October 1994, this song was also used as the theme for the drama “Shizukanaru Don,” and surely remains in many people’s memories.

The helpless lingering attachment and unbroken, pure feelings after a passionate love has ended are woven together by a weathered, Dylan-esque vocal timbre and a gently resonant acoustic sound.

The faint warmth and bittersweet ache that remain after the frenzy—portrayed so vividly in this work—are truly nothing short of breathtaking.

It’s a gem of a rock ballad, perfect for immersing yourself in quiet reflection on days gone by as summer ends and autumn begins.

I want to shout that I love you.BAAD95rank/position

"Slam Dunk Theme Song" vol. 2 BAAD - 'I Want to Shout That I Love You' sung by Kaname Kawabata (Short Ver.)

It’s a timeless masterpiece etched in my heart along with memories of my nostalgic youth.

Beginning with a fresh morning scene, it portrays the protagonist’s emotions as they waver between friendship and romantic feelings, conveyed through a passionate melody and powerful vocals.

A signature work by BAAD, it was released as a single in December 1993 and used as the first opening theme for the TV anime SLAM DUNK.

In March 2021, it won the Users’ Choice Award at the Heisei Anisong Grand Prize, and it continues to be loved across generations.

With lyrics that explore universal themes such as the frustrations of love and the courage to take a step forward, it’s perfect for moments when you want to indulge in sweet, bittersweet memories of romance.

astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN96rank/position

BUMP OF CHICKEN “Stargazing”

A timeless masterpiece that has captured the hearts of countless generations continues to resonate with many people today.

Released by BUMP OF CHICKEN in February 2002, this song is known as one of the band’s signature tracks and was also used as an insert song for a Kansai TV/Fuji TV drama.

Included on the album “jupiter,” it became a million-seller.

Its lyrics contrast the innocence of childhood with the complex emotions of adulthood, portraying a willingness to face unanswerable questions—an approach that resonates with those standing at life’s crossroads.

As a song that gives listeners the courage to move forward without fearing failure, it has become a source of support for many.

cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai97rank/position

Ai Otsuka / Sakuranbo

Released in December 2003 as Ai Otsuka’s second single, this song is a sweet and cute love tune.

Composed when Otsuka was around 18–19, at a time when upbeat tracks were in vogue, it portrays the sugary dynamics of a couple in love.

Like a cherry—sweet and irresistible—the lyrics express a desire to always be together.

Combined with Otsuka’s adorable, lively vocals, the song gives listeners energy and courage.

Known as one of her signature tracks, it has continued to be loved across many settings, including as a high school baseball cheer song and a brass band “chance theme.”

SakurazakaFukuyama Masaharu98rank/position

Masaharu Fukuyama – Sakurazaka (Full ver.)

A timeless masterpiece that gently cradles the feelings of a lost love, overflowing with bittersweet longing and tenderness.

Its sweet melody and emotionally rich vocals weave a heart-stirring love ballad that portrays a love unchanged even after a farewell.

Released in April 2000 as Masaharu Fukuyama’s 15th single, it was chosen as the theme song for the “Mirai Nikki V” segment of TBS’s “Unnan no Hontoko!” and ranked second on Oricon’s annual singles chart that year.

Healing hearts and resonating with many throughout the year, this song is perfect for the spring season.

While carrying the pain of parting, it conveys a pure wish for the other person’s happiness—an exquisite love song to listen to during spring’s farewells and new encounters.