Ranking of Popular Western Music Artists Among People in Their 40s [2026]
This is a ranking of Western songs popular among people in their forties.
Those in their 40s are the generation that witnessed Western music becoming global hits alongside the rise of MTV.
Featuring artists who have performed in Japan and are hugely popular there, it’s packed with nostalgic hits.
Playlist
| Ranking of Popular Western Music Artists Among People in Their 40s [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Last ChristmasWham! |  play_arrow | A classic Christmas song: Wham’s masterpiece “Last Christmas” |
| 2 | I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys |  play_arrow | The vocal group that epitomized the ’90s, Ba... |
| 3 | Virtual InsanityJamiroquai |  play_arrow | The British funk band, Jamiroquai… |
| 4 | It’s My LifeBon Jovi |  play_arrow | Live your own life firmly—it’s no one else’s life. |
| 5 | Let’s DanceDavid Bowie |  play_arrow | The musicality and depth of spirit of David Bowie |
| 6 | DeepBlackstreet |  play_arrow | Black street, downer club music |
| 7 | if we hold on togetherDiana Ross |  play_arrow | Diana Ross, who represents the 1990s... |
| 8 | One More TryGeorge Michael |  play_arrow | George Michael’s year of major solo hits |
| 9 | DOESN’T REALLY MATTERJanet Jackson |  play_arrow | Released in 2000, and as the theme song for the film... |
| 10 | ImagineJohn Lennon |  play_arrow | Let’s passionately sing John Lennon’s classic, “Imagine.” |
| 11 | FootlooseKenny Loggins |  play_arrow | Explosive hit songs from the ’80s, dance numbers |
| 12 | creepRediohead |  play_arrow | Radiohead's early signature song makes a comeback |
| 13 | Soak Up The SunSheryl Crow |  play_arrow | Sheryl Crow's surfing song |
| 14 | WaterfallsTLC |  play_arrow | “Waterfalls” by TLC from the ’90s |
| 15 | I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston |  play_arrow | Sang the famous song from the movie “The Bodyguard” passionately |
| 16 | Dancing QueenABBA |  play_arrow | ABBA from Sweden spans multiple genres |
| 17 | Back In BlackAC/DC |  play_arrow | AC/DC's sixth album "Back i…" |
| 18 | HelloAdele |  play_arrow | Deep vocal approach and smooth... |
| 19 | I Don’t Want to Miss a ThingAerosmith |  play_arrow | A power ballad that cherishes time with a loved one |
| 20 | No oneAlicia Keys |  play_arrow | Singing about the happiness of having met someone I can love forever… |
| 21 | Back To BlackAmy Winehouse |  play_arrow | British soul music, jazz, R... |
| 22 | FocusAriana Grande |  play_arrow | A stylish rhythm-and-blues vocal... |
| 23 | FoolishAshanti |  play_arrow | Ashanti cheer song, good for karaoke |
| 24 | Sk8er BoiAvril Lavigne |  play_arrow | Stylish characters and skatebo… |
| 25 | Love is like a sighBerlin |  play_arrow | A smash-hit insert song from the Top Gun movie |
| 26 | HaloBeyoncé |  play_arrow | Luxurious artistry and a sense of exhilaration... |
| 27 | Uptown GirlBilly Joel |  play_arrow | A love story between a young worker and an upper-class woman |
| 28 | Don’t Worry Be HappyBobby McFerrin |  play_arrow | The album “Simple Pl…” released in ’88 |
| 29 | SometimesBritney Spears |  play_arrow | Britney, whose lyrics often use bold, assertive expressions… |
| 30 | HurtChristina Aguilera |  play_arrow | A track with a danceable texture and catchy... |
| 31 | Lady MarmaladeChristina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, Pink |  play_arrow | The captivating theme song of Moulin Rouge |
| 32 | Don’t Dream It’s OverCrowded House |  play_arrow | An iconic 80s MTV track, a timeless anthem of hope and solidarity |
| 33 | Girls Just Want To Have FunCyndi Lauper |  play_arrow | A tight “Girls just wanna have fun”… |
| 34 | That’s The Way It IsCéline Dion |  play_arrow | A smooth melody line and a pleasant po... |
| 35 | Bad DayDaniel Powter |  play_arrow | Sung by a singer-songwriter from Canada... |
| 36 | ManeaterDaryl Hall & John Oates |  play_arrow | A hugely popular Black duo from the 80s |
| 37 | Walk Of LifeDire Straits |  play_arrow | Dire Straits’ classic songs and distinctive musical style |
| 38 | SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire |  play_arrow | You can sing classic hits from the 1970s at karaoke |
| 39 | LightsEllie Goulding |  play_arrow | Gorgeous style with a grand, expansive musicality… |
| 40 | Only TimeEnya |  play_arrow | Absolutely as a charismatic figure in the easy listening world… |
| 41 | The Final CountdownEurope |  play_arrow | The Swedish rock band, Europe… |
| 42 | Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Eurythmics |  play_arrow | The electric pop classic “Sweet Dreams” |
| 43 | My ImmortalEvanescence |  play_arrow | A band sound brimming with a sense of speed that feels punkish... |
| 44 | More than wordsExtreme |  play_arrow | Speaking of Extreme, more than… |
| 45 | basket caseGreen Day |  play_arrow | Green Day’s upbeat punk song |
| 46 | Sweet Child O’ MineGuns N’ Roses |  play_arrow | Originally, it was on the 1st album, “Appetite Fo…” |
| 47 | On The Floor ft. PitbullJennifer Lopez |  play_arrow | A party song by a female star in her 40s |
| 48 | Don’t Stop Believin’Journey |  play_arrow | Don't stop believing; classic hit gains attention again. |
| 49 | Love YourselfJustin Bieber |  play_arrow | I want to show off a cool song at karaoke. So... |
| 50 | I Was Made For Lovin’ YouKISS |  play_arrow | It became a million-seller and was a big hi… |
| 51 | RoarKaty Perry |  play_arrow | There exists a catchy and melodious track... |
| 52 | Bad RomanceLady Gaga |  play_arrow | Vocalists with unique fashion and an unwavering, my-own-way attitude… |
| 53 | Summertime SadnessLana Del Rey |  play_arrow | A fresh, up-and-coming artistic flair and outstanding transparency/clarity... |
| 54 | U Can’t Touch ThisMC Hammer |  play_arrow | MC Hammer’s smash hit song and choreography |
| 55 | Like A PrayerMadonna |  play_arrow | Skilled pop sensibilities and exquisitely dance-like... |
| 56 | All I Want for Christmas Is YouMariah Carey |  play_arrow | A classic Christmas love song, feelings for the one you love |
| 57 | Family AffairMary J Blige |  play_arrow | A quintessential example of 90s R&B… |
| 58 | All About That BassMeghan Trainor |  play_arrow | A deep track that, despite its high pitch, s... |
| 59 | All I Want for Christmas Is YouMerry Christmas | play_arrow | Mariah Carey's Christmas songs are on the difficult side |
| 60 | When A Man Loves A WomanMichael Bolton |  play_arrow | Percy Sledge’s classic song is popular. |
| 61 | Billie JeanMichael Jackson |  play_arrow | A song released in 1983. Moonwalk... |
| 62 | Black or WhiteMichael Jackson |  play_arrow | Michael's signature song, Black or White |
| 63 | TornNatalie Imbruglia |  play_arrow | Made famous by Natalie’s smash hit “Tone” |
| 64 | Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana |  play_arrow | Nirvana’s signature song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” |
| 65 | Don’t Look Back in AngerOasis |  play_arrow | Noel Gallagher’s iconic Western music karaoke standard |
| 66 | Counting StarsOneRepublic |  play_arrow | Lately I haven’t been getting much sleep. It’s just… |
| 67 | TryP!nk |  play_arrow | A birthday in my 40s—another year added... |
| 68 | West End GirlsPet Shop Boys |  play_arrow | The appeal of Pet Shop Boys |
| 69 | HappyPharrell Williams |  play_arrow | I want to feel a little brighter. At times like that... |
| 70 | Another Day In ParadisePhil Collins |  play_arrow | Phil Collins’s classic hit; a major smash |
| 71 | We Will Rock YouQueen |  play_arrow | Queen’s signature song “We Will Rock You” |
| 72 | Fight SongRachel Platten |  play_arrow | It's an anthem for life. In her song, I felt... |
| 73 | Never Gonna Give You UpRick Astley |  play_arrow | Rick Astley's classic song is loved across generations. |
| 74 | Livin’ La Vida LocaRicky Martin |  play_arrow | Ricky Martin introduction |
| 75 | DiamondsRihanna |  play_arrow | That dope style solidly becomes musicality and... |
| 76 | AngelRobin Williams |  play_arrow | The British boy band, Take That… |
| 77 | Somebody’s Watching MeRockwell |  play_arrow | Rockwell’s signature song, a classic featuring Michael |
| 78 | Good For YouSerena Gomez |  play_arrow | A refined, translucent vocal that’s smooth... |
| 79 | You’re Still The OneShania Twain |  play_arrow | Country singer Shania Twa… |
| 80 | Holding Back The YearsSimply Red |  play_arrow | Simply Red, a US number-one hit song |
| 81 | TrueSpandau Ballet |  play_arrow | Legendary hit song of the ’80s, a worldwide smash hit |
| 82 | wannabeSpice Girls |  play_arrow | Introduce the Spice Girls’ hit songs |
| 83 | Englishman In New YorkSting |  play_arrow | A portrayal of the heart of a British person living in New York… |
| 84 | Eye Of The TigerSurvivor |  play_arrow | Survivor’s rock classic “I Am a Champion” |
| 85 | AfricaTOTO |  play_arrow | For TOTO, it's Billboard's Hot 10... |
| 86 | Blank SpaceTaylor Swift |  play_arrow | A girlish acoustic sound is... |
| 87 | ShoutTears for Fears |  play_arrow | The album released in ’85, “Songs fro… |
| 88 | Where Is The Love?The Black Eyed Peas |  play_arrow | The Black Eyed Peas’ hit song |
| 89 | DreamsThe Cranberries |  play_arrow | The Cranberries’ worldwide hit song |
| 90 | Killing Me Softly With His SongThe Fugees |  play_arrow | A cover song by the Fugees became a huge hit. |
| 91 | Mr. BrightsideThe Killers |  play_arrow | The Kil..., an American rock band |
| 92 | Under the SeaThe Little Mermaid |  play_arrow | The song from under the sea, “Under the Sea,” is hugely popular. |
| 93 | Your LoveThe Outfield |  play_arrow | The album released in ’85, Play Deep… |
| 94 | Every Breath You TakeThe Police |  play_arrow | 4 consecutive weeks at number one in the UK, and 8 consecutive weeks on the US Billboard charts… |
| 95 | What’s Love Got To Do With ItTina Turner |  play_arrow | A catchy melodic sensibility and an eccentric ar... |
| 96 | With Or Without YouU2 |  play_arrow | There seem to be various takes on how to interpret this song… |
| 97 | JumpVan Halen |  play_arrow | Included on the 1984 album released in ’84. 7… |
| 98 | A Thousand MilesVanessa Carlton |  play_arrow | The hit song “A Thousand Miles” by the American singer |
| 99 | Take On Mea-ha |  play_arrow | The Norwegian band a-ha 198... |
| 100 | All The Small Thingsblink-182 |  play_arrow | Blink is an American rock band… |