[For Women] Attractive Songs That Appeal to Men in Their 40s

dogwood (flowering dogwood)Yo Hitoto

Hitoto Yo – Hanamizuki

When it comes to singing at karaoke, it’s reassuring to choose songs everyone knows.

Hitoto Yo’s signature song “Hanamizuki” is perfect for that.

It consistently ranks near the top of karaoke popularity charts and is a beloved, moving pop classic.

Most men know it too, so it’s great for duets.

It’s a reliable number to keep in your repertoire.

Since it’s a slow song, it works really well in the early part of the session before the crowd warms up!

Hello, Again ~A Place That’s Been Around Since Long Ago~My Little Lover

My Little Lover "Hello, Again ~A Place That’s Been There Since Long Ago~

Since the 1980s, Takeshi Kobayashi has been active behind the scenes in the music world, and in the 1990s he became known for producing Mr.

Children and for his work under the name YEN TOWN BAND.

Kobayashi wrote most of the lyrics and music and handled production for MY LITTLE LOVER—a trio he later joined as a member—which was one of the top groups of the 1990s, an era marked by a string of million-selling hits.

Released in 1995, “Hello, Again – Mukashi Kara Aru Basho” is an iconic masterpiece and arguably My Little Lover’s signature song.

Many people say that just hearing the introductory guitar phrase by guitarist Kenji Fujii brings back memories of those days.

AKKO’s vocals, with their natural tone, are also superb.

It’s a highly recommended and easy-to-sing number for karaoke!

TOMORROWMayo Okamoto

Mayo Okamoto “TOMORROW” Music Video

It’s one of the iconic cheer-up songs of the 1990s, and surely there are many women who, even after turning 40, still find strength in it.

Released in 1995 as Mayu Okamoto’s debut single, “TOMORROW” was a massive hit, selling over two million copies.

Even in the Reiwa era, it remains a universally beloved anthem.

The melody, delivered with Okamoto’s straightforward and clear voice, is very easy to sing, and it doesn’t include the high-note sections typical of many hits from that time, so even those with lower voices can feel at ease.

Since the song overall has a bouncy rhythm, it’s good to sing it with crisp articulation while paying attention to the dynamics of the melodic accents.

appearsAyumi Hamasaki

Ayumi Hamasaki / appears

If you came of age in the late 1990s to early 2000s, there’s a good chance you looked up to Ayumi Hamasaki as a role model.

In Japan’s music scene, she ranks first among female solo artists in total CD sales, and with her charismatic presence—including her fashion—she sparked the “Ayu” boom.

Many of her songs feature soaring high tones one after another, which might make some people feel hesitant about singing them.

For those people, we recommend “appears,” released in 1999.

Compared to her other tracks, its melody has fewer wide interval jumps, so even those with lower voices will find it easier to sing at karaoke if they adjust the key.

Soft scarCocco

Cocco – Soft Scars

Singer-songwriter Cocco, who was active in the 2000s.

For those in their early to mid-40s, she’s arguably a defining artist of their generation.

Among her songs, the one I especially recommend is Yawaraka na Kizuato (Soft Scars).

It has the feel of straightforward J-pop, similar to what Aimyon represents today.

There’s a falsetto part toward the end of the chorus, but because it’s sung very softly, even those who struggle with high notes should be able to sing it without any trouble.

Tomorrow, when spring comesTakako Matsu

Takako Matsu – When Spring Comes Tomorrow

This is the debut single released by Takako Matsu when she was 19, even though she had already established herself as a popular actress.

Released in 1997, it became a hit, and she performed the song at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

The lyrics were written by the renowned screenwriter Yuji Sakamoto, while Daisuke Hinata—active globally as a music producer and keyboardist—handled composition and arrangement.

It’s a light, springtime pop song that fills you with warmth just by listening.

Different from the stunning vocals she showcased in Frozen, Matsu’s fresh, youthful voice here is soothing to the heart.

It also brings back memories of Namie Amuro covering the song on a TV show at the time.

It’s very easy to sing, so relax and enjoy singing it without overthinking.

Between the Sky and YouMiyuki Nakajima

Between the Sky and You

Miyuki Nakajima is a singer-songwriter who holds the remarkable record of topping the singles chart across four decades, from the 1970s through the 2000s.

Her 31st single, “Between the Sky and You,” released as a double A-side with “Fight!,” became a million-selling hit as the theme song for the TV drama “Homeless Child,” which stirred up a nationwide social phenomenon.

The sentimental story woven by her trademark powerful vocals brings scenes from the drama vividly to mind just by listening.

It’s an emotional number that’s sure to turn heads when you sing it at karaoke.