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For men in their 30s: Nostalgic music. Recommended popular songs

In your busy 30s, juggling work and personal life, it’s easy to have fewer chances to listen to music in your daily routine.

Of course, you probably still hear the latest hits, but the songs that really stay with you are likely the ones from your student days, when you listened to music the most, right?

People in their 30s today were likely students in the ’90s to ’00s, and there are so many songs from that era whose lyrics you can still sing along to even now.

In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of popular tracks that still resonate with men in their 30s!

You’re sure to come across songs that make you feel nostalgic!

[For men in their 30s] Nostalgic music: Recommended popular songs (91–100)

My NoteSukima Suichi

Sukima Switch – “Boku Note” Music Video: SUKIMASWITCH – BOKU NOOTO Music Video
My NoteSukima Suichi

It’s one of Sukima Switch’s signature songs.

It was used as the theme song for a Doraemon movie and became a hot topic.

Since it was released after Doraemon’s voice actors changed significantly, some listeners may find themselves feeling nostalgic when they hear it.

The lyrics have a slightly bittersweet tone and resonate with the heart.

somedaySaucy Dog

Saucy Dog "Someday" MUSIC VIDEO
somedaySaucy Dog

A straightforward, honest love song that brings the ache and poignancy of heartbreak right to your chest.

Through real-life scenes—like the deserted park at Tawarayama and the sloping road where you can see the starry sky—the memories woven together vividly portray feelings for a precious person you can never meet again.

Released in May 2017 as a track on the album “Country Road,” this piece gently embraces an unforgettable love with warm lyrics that blend in the local Shimane dialect.

Its softly resonant melody offers quiet comfort to those who want to hold their one-sided love close, and to those who can’t quite put an end to a past romance.

Theory of the Mindful HeartRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – A Theory of Heart [Official Music Video]
Theory of the Mindful HeartRADWIMPS

Yūshinron, RADWIMPS’s fourth major-label single, is one of their early signature songs and a beloved classic among fans.

Some people now in their 30s may have first discovered the band—who were then rising as a cutting-edge young act—through this track.

The song is memorable for its catchy chorus and lyrics with a distinctive worldview, but the part to watch out for when singing it at karaoke is the fast, rap-like delivery.

Practice to keep your rhythm steady, and try to avoid sounding too flat or mechanical as you sing.

All of the YouthFujifaburikku

Released in October 2007, “Wakamono no Subete” is one of the signature songs of Fujifabric from the period when the late Masahiko Shimura was a member, and it’s still fresh in our memory that it surpassed 100 million streams on the Oricon Weekly Streaming Ranking in 2024.

It’s a defining classic of the 2000s, and many people in their 30s today likely have it in their karaoke repertoire.

The song’s structure is essentially classic J-pop, with clear sections and no surprising high notes or long sustained tones, making it generally easy to sing.

If you sing with an awareness of the contrast between the restrained first half and the soaring chorus, it will sound even better!

Surfing JohnnyKuwata Keisuke

Keisuke Kuwata – Surfin' Johnny (Short ver.)
Surfing JohnnyKuwata Keisuke

Just hearing that light, tinkling piano intro instantly brings back memories of those summers… It’s a Heisei-era masterpiece that colored the early 2000s! No explanation needed: “Naminori Johnny,” the smash hit released in 2001 under the solo name of Keisuke Kuwata, vocalist of Southern All Stars, is a karaoke staple and has been sung across generations.

With Kuwata’s signature style in full bloom and a wide vocal range, the melody darts busily between low and high notes, which might feel surprisingly challenging when you actually try to sing it.

At the same time, it’s so catchy you can memorize it right away just by listening.

If you sing it with clear contrast—keeping the soaring parts and the rhythmic parts in mind—you can aim for a high score at karaoke!

You’re no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS

FUNKY MONKEY BABYS "You’re Not Here Anymore"
You're no longer here.FUNKY MONKEY BABYS

This is a gem of a ballad that sings of the sweet, aching pain of heartbreak.

The farewell scene on the station platform and the memories the two shared are delicately portrayed and delivered with a melody that pierces the heart.

Among FUNKY MONKEY BABYS’ works, it stands out for its rich emotional expression.

Released in October 2007, it reached No.

8 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

It was selected as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “Otona no Shikaku,” earning broad support across generations.

The song is also included on the album “FUNKY MONKEY BABYS 2,” and has been covered by Mariko Takahashi.

It’s a heartwarming track that stays by your side when you sense the end of a romance or go through a farewell with someone dear.

Heart Rainindigo la End

A heart-stirring ballad that quietly observes a bittersweet parting in love.

Its melody delicately captures subtle emotions, while the graceful sound of acoustic guitar and electric piano resonates deep within.

Released by indigo la End in February 2016, the song was featured as the TV commercial theme for the smartphone game ‘Shoumetsu Toshi’ and is also included on their second major-label album, ‘Aiiro Music.’ Told from the perspective of a woman reflecting on the end of a relationship, the lyrics leave a strong impression as they carefully express emotional shifts through the metaphor of rain.

It’s a song that stays close to your heart when you want to quietly accept the pain of heartbreak and move forward.