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

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

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 (121–130)

Rusty NailX JAPAN

X Japan Rusty Nail from “The Last Live” HD

Rusty NailX JAPAN

One of X JAPAN’s signature songs, the band that made a miraculous comeback in 2007 and has continued their energetic activities, including touring around the world.

Those who were lucky in their thirties may have experienced this song in “The Last Live,” which is used in the footage.

It’s a masterpiece where a beautiful melody shines through the intense sound.

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Blue BenchSasuke

Sasuke – Blue Bench -10th Anniversary-

Blue BenchSasuke

The signature song by Sasuke, a two-man unit that mainly performed street gigs in front of Ōmiya Station in Saitama Prefecture before their debut.

The story goes that the CD was first released in 2003 exclusively at stores in Ōmiya, then gained popularity through word of mouth, leading to a nationwide release in 2004.

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JitterbugELLEGARDEN

ELLEGARDEN “Jitterbug” Music Video

JitterbugELLEGARDEN

A song that makes you want to slip back to your youth.

With ELLEGARDEN’s fierce yet heartrending vocals, you might just forget your hectic days.

Released in July 2003, this track was also used as the ending theme for TBS’s “CDTV.” It’s a re-cut single from the album “BRING YOUR BOARD!!,” and despite being an indie release, it reached No.

1.

It’s considered a work in which Takeshi Hosomi earnestly engaged with the Japanese language.

Even when you’re swamped with work, this song will give you a boost.

It’s perfect for blowing off stress, so give it a listen during your commute or on your break.

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If I can laughUrufuruzu

Ulfuls – If I Can Laugh

If I can laughUrufuruzu

The 24th single by Ulfuls, released in 2002.

When this song came out, the company I was working for was a black company (exploitative workplace), and I was really encouraged by this song (lol).

It’s a very gentle cheer-up song that I’d recommend to men in their troubled thirties.

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[For men in their 30s] Nostalgic music: Recommended popular songs (131–140)

Tomorrow will surely be a good day.Takahashi Yuu

Yū Takahashi’s directorial debut MV “Tomorrow Will Surely Be a Good Day” — Omokuri Director Edit Version (Short Size)

Tomorrow will surely be a good day.Takahashi Yuu

Released in 2015, this is Yu Takahashi’s 12th major-label single and was also used in a car commercial.

Its uplifting lyrics and powerful vocals can give you energy when you’re tired or feeling lost.

The music video was also directed by Yu Takahashi himself.

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In conclusion

We’ve put together a roundup of songs popular among men in their 30s. I’m sure there were some tracks that made you feel nostalgic! The songs from this era—often called the golden age of J-pop—are full of timeless classics that still sound cool today. When you listen again now, you might even hear them differently than you did back then.