Ranking of Popular Western Music Artists Among People in Their 40s [2026]

AfricaTOTO85rank/position

Toto – Africa (Official HD Video)

For TOTO, it was the first song to reach No.

1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it’s also their most popular song, but TOTO themselves felt it was different from their previous work, and Steve Lukather has said he didn’t think it was all that good.

Blank SpaceTaylor Swift86rank/position

Taylor Swift – Blank Space

This is a motivational song by Taylor Swift, approached with vocal skills that express both delicacy and power over a girlish acoustic sound.

With nuanced vocal work that also suits women in their 30s, it has a style that makes you want to sing it at karaoke.

ShoutTears for Fears87rank/position

Tears For Fears – Shout (Official Music Video)

Included on the 1985 album “Songs from the Big Chair.” A two-piece rock band from the UK formed in 1981.

It’s a track where the mid-tempo, solemnly unfolding rhythm and a dark melody tinged with gloom drive home the refrain urging you to shout—piercing straight into the heart.

Where Is The Love?The Black Eyed Peas88rank/position

The Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love? (Official Music Video)

The first single from the Black Eyed Peas’ third album, Elephunk, by the popular American hip-hop/rap-rock group, is the song “Where Is the Love?” This track is one of their signature songs and became a major hit.

DreamsThe Cranberries89rank/position

The Cranberries – Dreams (Dir: Peter Scammell) (Official Music Video)

This song is a 1992 release by the Irish rock band The Cranberries, but it didn’t become a worldwide hit until a few years later.

Even after that, it was frequently used as a theme, appearing in places such as the film “You’ve Got Mail” (released in ’98) and in commercials for Kirin.

Killing Me Softly With His SongThe Fugees90rank/position

Fugees – Killing Me Softly With His Song (Official Video)

Originally, this song—known in Japan as “Yasashiku Utatte”—became a huge hit with Roberta Flack’s version.

Later, the hip-hop group Fugees, featuring Lauryn Hill, covered it, leading to a revival hit and earning them the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group.

Mr. BrightsideThe Killers91rank/position

The Killers – Mr. Brightside (Official Music Video)

A sad breakup song released in 2003 by the American rock band The Killers.

The music video features actress Izabella Miko.

It’s said to be an easy track to sing at karaoke because the same vocal melody is repeated.