Ranking of Popular Band Songs Among People in Their 40s [2026]

crimsonX JAPAN43rank/position

X Japan “Kurenai” from The Last Live (HD)

Opening with a melancholic guitar arpeggio, this song blends X JAPAN’s signature high-speed metal sound with a dramatic interplay of stillness and intensity that stirs the heart.

Released in September 1989 as their major-label debut single and included on the album BLUE BLOOD, it reached No.

5 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

The song was performed at the 1992 NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen and was also used in an NTT Docomo commercial.

It’s a track I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who wants to feel the strength to keep moving forward while carrying sorrow and despair.

ROSIERLUNA SEA44rank/position

LUNA SEA – 「ROSIER」MV

LUNA SEA is a five-member rock band whose inimitable musicality has electrified fans, inspiring countless visual kei bands to emulate their style.

Their third single, “ROSIER,” became a major hit despite having no tie-in, even winning the Japan Record Awards’ Best Promotional Video.

Its thrilling, syncopation-heavy beat naturally sends your energy soaring just by listening.

While it has a driving sense of speed, the song sits in a lower key, making it a rock tune that’s relatively easy to sing at karaoke.

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Hoshino Takashi

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TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu45rank/position

TSUNAMI

Known as a masterpiece that likens the pain of heartbreak to a tsunami, this work is a moving love song celebrated as one of Southern All Stars’ signature pieces.

It’s a gem of a ballad that expresses the sorrow of losing someone dear through a grand melody, fully showcasing Keisuke Kuwata’s exceptional songwriting and composing talent.

Released in January 2000, it topped the Oricon weekly charts and won the Japan Record Award the same year.

It was also selected as the theme song for the popular segment “Mirai Nikki III” on the TV program “U-nan no Hontoko!,” becoming a classic beloved across generations.

As a heartwarming song that offers comfort to those carrying the pain of losing someone special, it’s also highly recommended for karaoke.

A person who loves springGLAY46rank/position

GLAY / A Person Who Loves Spring

A gem of a ballad born from the inspiration of witnessing people endure Iceland’s harsh winter while longing for spring.

It poetically depicts the changing of the seasons and human emotions, and its heartwarming melody—woven by delicate piano tones and the band’s dynamic groove—leaves a strong impression.

Included on the album “BELOVED,” released in November 1996, this GLAY number also gained popularity the following year as the B-side to the single “Kuchibiru,” and has been featured on numerous classic releases, including the best-of album “DRIVE-GLAY complete BEST.” It’s a song we especially recommend to those who, while awaiting the arrival of spring, hold dear the feelings they have for someone special.

Driver’s HighL’Arc〜en〜Ciel47rank/position

L’Arc～en～Ciel「Driver’s High」-Music Clip-

When it comes to intros that instantly crank up the excitement with the sound of an engine starting, many people probably think of this L’Arc-en-Ciel song.

Its exhilarating sense of speed that shoots straight to the horizon and the lyrics that feel like you’re bursting out from here and now make your heart race every time you listen.

Released in August 1999, this track was a single cut from the smash-hit album “ark,” and it was also beloved as the opening theme for the TV anime GTO.

The refreshing sound that syncs with the anime’s visuals gripped the hearts of boys at the time.

Sing it at karaoke and you’ll feel a rush from the opening call to the soaring chorus.

It’s an evergreen classic you’ll want to choose for a drive with friends or whenever you want to feel refreshed.

summer festivalWhiteberry48rank/position

Whiteberry “Summer Festival” MUSIC VIDEO

There are countless songs that you want to listen to when summer arrives, but many people probably have this one etched especially deeply in their hearts.

This work, a cover of JITTERIN’JINN’s classic by Whiteberry—whose members had an average age of 14 at the time—was released in August 2000 and became a huge hit.

The vocalist’s sparkling delivery and the band’s driving sound vividly capture both the excitement of summer festivals and the bittersweet ache of unspoken feelings.

It was also used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Fushigi na Hanashi,” and for many, hearing it on a drive or at karaoke surely brings back those summers of long ago and makes their hearts swell.

Runnerbakufū suranpu49rank/position

Bakufu Slump “Runner” MUSIC VIDEO (HD)

The iconic song by Bakufu Slump, capturing the vibrant spirit of youth and the bonds of friendship, continues to move countless hearts even today.

Its lyrics, depicting the everyday life of boys on the track team, vividly portray scenes like talking in the locker room after the rain and gazing at the stars on the field at night, stirring up nostalgic memories.

Since its release in October 1988, it has been featured as insert music on Nippon TV’s “Genius! Takeshi’s Energy Giving TV” and in a Hitachi video commercial, and has since remained a beloved cheer song for high school baseball.

This piece is perfect for times when you face parting from friends, need the courage to take a new step forward, or want to cheer on someone important.

Its powerful melody and passionate message will gently nudge listeners onward.