[2025 Edition] Songs That Will Get the Crowd Going—Perfect for Women in Their 40s to Sing at Karaoke

Captivated by a sparkling momentMANISH

MANISH Captured by a sparkling moment.

In the mid-90s, MANISH drew attention with exhilarating pop rock, and this gem of a track brilliantly captures the hidden radiance of everyday life.

Riding on a lively, synth-driven sound, Misuzu Takahashi’s clear, expansive vocals truly resonate.

Released in February 1995, it debuted at No.

6 on the Oricon chart.

It was also used as the ending theme for the third season of the TV anime SLAM DUNK, earning love across generations.

With over 400,000 copies sold, this work remains one of MANISH’s signature songs, cherished by many to this day.

If you sing it at karaoke, why not fully enjoy it with friends while reminiscing about your youth?

SAKURA DropsHikaru Utada

Hikaru Utada – SAKURA Drops

This is a classic song by Hikaru Utada where wistfulness and hope intertwine.

Through the fleeting nature of cherry blossoms, the lyrics portray the pain of a broken heart and the beginning of new love, resonating deeply.

Released in June 2002, it gained attention as the theme song for a TBS drama.

The gentle sound of the acoustic guitar and Utada’s clear, expansive vocals are captivating.

Sing it at karaoke and you’re sure to earn the empathy of women in their 40s with rich romantic experiences.

It’s a perfect pick when you want to liven up a girls’ night out with friends or a work drinking party.

Listening to it in the spring makes it all the more poignant.

Let's Count Your Kisses ~You Were Mine~Yuki Koyanagi

[Official] Yuki Koyanagi “Let’s Count Your Kisses ~You were mine~” (Music Video) / Anatano Kiss wo Kazoemashou (1st Single)

This song, which resonated with many because of its sad love theme, became a massive hit and stayed on the charts for a long time.

“Anata no Kiss wo Kazoemashou ~You were mine~” is Yuki Koyanagi’s debut single, released in 1999.

You often hear it covered by various artists, too.

It’s a song that really suits the expression “to belt out,” a listen-worthy, tear-jerking piece—so try singing it with a gentle, heartfelt delivery.

From a woman’s perspective, it’s a bittersweet, unforgettable love song that truly tugs at the heart.

A flower blooming in joyACO

A flower blooming in joy

ACO is a female singer-songwriter who gained popularity for her trip-hop-centered musical style.

Many women in their 40s may have discovered her through her guest appearance on Dragon Ash’s classic track “Grateful Days.” Among ACO’s songs, the one I especially recommend is “Yorokobi ni Saku Hana” (“A Flower Blooming in Joy”).

While the vocals are sentimental, the melody line is unexpectedly even and subdued, with a fairly narrow range, making it easy to sing regardless of your vocal timbre.

Be sure to give it a listen.

Blue TearsJUDY AND MARY

Judy and Mary – Blue Tears

A classic early song from JUDY AND MARY, back when their Lolita-punk vibe was still strong, before they grew into a nationally beloved band! It’s an older track that existed from the period when former guitarist Taiji Fujimoto was still in the lineup, and it was released in 1993 as their second single overall.

In terms of sales, though, it didn’t perform particularly well.

Later on, it was included on their best-of compilation, and among fans it’s a well-known and popular song.

It’s an exhilarating, fast-paced number, yet the lyrics and melody carry a beautiful sense of poignancy.

You can really feel the melodic songwriting talent of bassist and composer Hiroto Onda.

For those of us in our 40s, if we go to karaoke together and someone sings “BLUE TEARS” instead of “Sobakasu” or “Over Drive,” I personally can’t help but feel a little thrill.

Dewdrops of DreamsTakako Matsu

Takako Matsu “Yume no Shizuku”

Takako Matsu, also known for her work in Disney’s Frozen, wrote both the lyrics and music for this song, which was featured in a Shiseido “WHITIA” commercial.

Its bittersweet portrayal of unrequited love likely resonated with many who listened while thinking of someone they cared about at the time.

It’s the kind of song that would spark cries of “So nostalgic!” if sung at karaoke.

While her debut single “Ashita, Haru ga Kitara” is also popular, this track is especially recommended for summer.

Hello, my friendYumi Matsutoya

Yumi Matsutoya – Hello, my friend

As one of the most important artists in Japanese music history, Yuming—Yumi Matsutoya—is a name that invariably comes up.

Each generation has songs by Yuming that hold special meaning, but many women in their 40s today will likely think of her hits from the 1990s.

From the standpoint of being easy to sing at karaoke, I recommend Hello, my friend.

Released in 1994 as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama Kimi to Ita Natsu (A Summer with You), it was a massive hit that sold over a million copies.

While it’s packed with that quintessential Yuming flavor, the melody unfolds very straightforwardly and is easy to sing.

There are no particularly challenging high notes or sustained long notes, so with a bit of practice, you can probably expect a high score at karaoke.