An anthem for your 30s. Beloved and popular songs that are both heart-pumping and heart-fluttering.
Introducing songs that will instantly make people in their 30s think, “So nostalgic…!” I’m sure everyone has that one track that links straight to their teenage memories.
Don’t you ever get the irresistible urge to listen to those songs when they come to mind? In this article, we’ve gathered unforgettable tracks—mainly from the ’90s and 2000s—that anyone in their 30s has likely heard at least once.
These are songs that bring back memories from those days, making you laugh, cry, or want to see someone again.
As a small break from your busy day, why not take a moment to look back at the past?
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Youth songs for your 30s: iconic and popular tracks that are both heart-thumping and heart-fluttering (161–170)
Barefoot GoddessB’z
This is the 13th single by B’z, who hold the Guinness World Record for the best-selling album artist in Japan and have established popularity across generations.
The song was used in a Toyota Corolla Levin commercial, and its exhilarating blend of B’z’s signature powerful high-tone vocals and highly pop-oriented guitar sound is unmistakable.
As a hit that symbolizes the Being boom of the 1990s, it’s likely a quintessential anthem of youth for those in their 30s.
With its edgy sound that amps up your mood, it remains a timeless rock tune even today.
Open your heartZARD
ZARD’s 18th single, “Open Your Heart,” which was featured in a sports drink commercial, brings back that nostalgic ’90s pop vibe.
The title carries the idea that if you open your heart just a little, you might see people in a different light.
With its familiar, easy-listening melody and Izumi Sakai’s gentle vocals, it’s a song that fills you with warmth.
Opening your heart isn’t easy, but listening to this track makes you want to treat others with kindness and love.
Give me an unbalanced kissTakahashi Hiro
This masterpiece expresses a bittersweet yearning for love through delicate imagery—like a crying figure reflected in a cracked mirror and fingers tracing the moon.
Chosen as the ending theme for the beloved classic anime Yu Yu Hakusho, it became a cross-generational favorite, thanks in part to Hiro Takahashi’s clear, translucent vocals.
Since its release in December 1993, it has been included on the albums WELCOME TO POPSICLE CHANNEL and Hiro Takahashi Best Collection, selling around 300,000 copies.
Its sweetly aching, love-like melody and arrangements that evoke the spirit of 1970s kayōkyoku create a gentle mood reminiscent of a romantic film soundtrack.
Savor this heartwarming song—one to treasure as a cherished memory.
SAKURA GoodbyeSCANDAL
A number that became one of SCANDAL’s signature early works, beautifully capturing both the bittersweetness and freshness that accompany graduation scenes.
Its message, told from a true-to-life perspective, carries a power that evokes universal empathy.
The song had existed since the band’s formation and drew attention when it was used as the ending theme for Fuji TV’s variety show “Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!” Its up-tempo rock sound and the sense of parting—and anticipation for a new journey—set against the season of cherry blossoms are sure to resonate as spring arrives.
It can be called a gem of a pop tune that colors a page of youth, perfect for listening to at life’s important milestones.
We are youngKing&Prince
King & Prince is one of Japan’s leading idol groups.
“We are young” was created as the theme song for the drama We are young, which stars group member Yuta Kishi.
It’s a medium-tempo ballad about life, carrying the message “Let’s live a life without regrets.” The chorus, where the meaning of the title becomes clear, is sure to stir your heart when you hear it.
Incidentally, the composition was handled by Koji Tamaki.
Shangri-LaChatto Monchī
Chatmonchy is a girls’ band that gained popularity in the 2000s with a sound rooted in pop rock and indie rock.
If you’re a woman in your 30s who likes Japanese rock, you probably listened to their songs quite a bit.
Among Chatmonchy’s tracks, the one I especially recommend is Shangri-La.
The song’s lowest note is mid2 C and the highest note is hi D#, but the hi D# appears only once, and the main high phrases are built around hi C.
While it is a high-pitched song, the range isn’t wide, so if you lower the key appropriately, it should be quite singable.
Sign of LovePUFFY
“Ai no Shirushi” (“Sign of Love”) also made waves for winning a Special Award in the TikTok Awards Japan 2022 Buzzword of the Year.
The song was released by PUFFY in 1998, with lyrics and composition by Masamune Kusano of Spitz.
Its catchy phrases that stick in your head after just one listen and its poppy vibe are part of its charm.
In recent years it’s been used in commercials and performed on YouTube channels, which are said to be factors behind its renewed buzz.
It’s also perfect for getting people of all ages excited together through music.