Popular Japanese songs among women in their 40s: recommended classics and standard hits
No matter how many years go by or how many times you listen, the songs you loved in your youth always stir something warm in your heart, don’t they?
In this article, we’ll introduce popular Japanese songs that colored the teenage years of women in their 40s.
We’ve gathered a trove of classics perfect for anyone thinking, “I want to hear that song again,” or “I want to sing the songs I sang as a student at karaoke.”
You’re sure to rediscover the tracks you loved back then!
Even if you’re busy every day with work and household chores, why not take a little break and bask in the memories of your youth?
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Popular Japanese songs among women in their 40s: recommended masterpieces and classic tracks (21–30)
Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY
PUFFY is a distinctive female duo whose music is striking for its unique sensibility: while their songs often have a bright, standout tone, they also carry a subtly ennui-laden atmosphere.
They’re also known as fashion icons, and I believe many women in their 40s admired their fashion and musical style.
Among PUFFY’s tracks, the one I especially recommend is Nagisa ni Matsuwaru Et Cetera.
Although it sits a bit on the higher side, the vocal range itself is relatively narrow—mid2B to hiC#—so as long as you sing it in an appropriate key, you shouldn’t struggle with vocal production.
Since much of it is sung in chest voice, trying to deliver the chorus in a speaking-like tone is a good approach.
Angel's RestFumina Hisamatsu
Fumina Hisamatsu is a female singer who gained popularity for her musical style that blends glam rock and soft rock into J-pop.
She has a slightly low, full-bodied voice, and her hallmark is a husky, powerhouse vocal style reminiscent of male rock singers.
Among her songs, the one I especially recommend is Tenshi no Kyūsoku (Angel’s Rest).
If you’re a rock fan in your late 40s, you might have listened to it back in the day.
While the song is notable for its strong, driving melody, it sits mainly in the low-to-mid range and has a relatively narrow vocal range, making it a piece that suits many different voice types.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
Popular Japanese songs among women in their 40s: Recommended masterpieces and classics (31–40)
The strong and fleeting onesCocco
For those in their early 40s, songs from the 1990s are likely more memorable than those from the late 1980s.
Among female singer-songwriters who made a big splash in the ’90s, one track by Cocco that I especially recommend is “Tuyoku Hakanai Monotachi” (“The Strong and the Fragile”).
This piece features a rhythm with a bounce reminiscent of reggae, while the vocal line maintains an ennui-like quality.
The song has a relatively narrow vocal range and contains no phrases that require sudden jumps in pitch, making it easy to sing for people with any kind of voice.
I hope it’s sunny.DREAMS COME TRUE
It’s one of DREAMS COME TRUE’s signature songs, filled with kindness that gently warms the listener’s heart.
In this piece, Miwa Yoshida’s poetic words weave together memories of childhood with family, who she is now as a grown-up, and a calm gaze toward the future.
The depiction of driving along a road where she was once led by the hand conveys the passage of time and unchanged love, touching the hearts of those who listen.
Released in October 1992 as DREAMS COME TRUE’s 12th single, the song reached households nationwide as the theme for the NHK morning drama series “Hirari.” The album it appears on, “The Swinging Star,” also became a massive hit, breaking sales records at the time.
When you want to loosen your shoulders during busy days or recall warm moments with someone dear, give it a listen.
If you sing it at karaoke, it will gently soften the atmosphere of the room.
A Road Bathed in Morning SunlightORIGINAL LOVE
When it comes to quintessential Shibuya-kei, ORIGINAL LOVE stands out.
Their song “Asahi no Ataru Michi,” featuring Takao Tajima’s sultry vocals, is still a truly wonderful track even today.
Shortly after this song, “Primal,” which was provided for a drama starring Kyoka Suzuki, gained attention and won support from women who had previously been outside the Shibuya-kei audience.
366 daysHY
An evocative ballad that poignantly portrays the pain of heartbreak and lingering attachment.
The piano melody and soul-stirring vocals convey the agony of days spent unable to forget a former lover.
Released in 2008 and included on the album “HeartY,” the song drew attention as the theme for Fuji TV’s drama and film “Akai Ito” that same year.
Filled with the charm of artists who cherish Okinawan culture while winning the hearts of music fans across Japan, this track is sure to leave a deep impression when sung at karaoke with someone special.
I’m proudTomomi Kahala
I remember girls being clearly split into two groups when it came to Tomomi Kahara: those who absolutely loved her, and those who said, “Sorry, not for me.” I think that was because she had a bit of a scandal-prone image.
But lately, seeing her get older and work hard at horseback riding makes me, as someone from the same generation, want to cheer her on—Go, Tomo-chan!