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?

Playlist

Popular Japanese songs among women in their 40s: recommended classics and standard hits
	Title	Playlist	One point
1	Love the islandAmi Suzuki		Ami Suzuki’s youth anthem, a classic that feels like summer
2	First LoveHikaru Utada		Hikaru Utada's classic song 'First Love,' a heart-touching piece
3	Swaying feelingsZARD		A masterpiece by Izumi Sakai that portrays the feelings of love
4	On the hill where the moon is visible tonightB’z		A B’z masterpiece that depicts deep affection and conflict
5	beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko		The charm of aiko’s classic song “Kabutomushi”
6	HONEYL’Arc〜en〜Ciel		L’Arc~en~Ciel’s classic, a testament to youth
7	FriendsREBECCA		REBECCA “Friends” is a youth anthem
8	Poem of SunlightLe Couple		The warm charm of songs woven by a husband-and-wife duo
9	Being just friends is fine.Yumiko Takahashi		Yumiko Takahashi’s signature song, a bittersweet unrequited love song
10	LOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUE		Characteristics of DREAMS COME TRUE’s classic song “LOVE LOVE LOVE”
11	White LoveSPEED		SPEED’s classic hit “White Love,” a winter youth
12	I can’t stay a daydreaming girlNanae Aikawa		Nanase Aikawa’s debut song, with a powerful rock style.
13	A Perfect SkyBONNIE PINK		A classic summer tune, an emotional song by BONNIE PINK
14	cherrySpitz		Spitz is a prime example of music beloved by people in their 40s.
15	AutomaticHikaru Utada		Hikaru Utada: A musical revolution in R&B
16	GIRL TALKNamie Amuro		An R&B hit song by Namie Amuro that sings about camaraderie
17	PRIDEMiki Imai		Miki Imai’s “PRIDE” gained popularity.
18	Time goes byEvery Little Thing		The appeal of ELT, a representative group in the J-POP scene
19	Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE		DREAMS COME TRUE’s classic song “Mirai Yosouzu II”
20	PIECES OF A DREAMCHEMISTRY		A classic song by an R&B duo from a talent competition show
21	Hello, Again ~A Place That’s Been Around Since Long Ago~My Little Lover		A classic youth anthem by MY LITTLE LOVER
22	A Cruel Angel’s ThesisYoko Takahashi		A representative theme song of Evangelion
23	CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Namie Amuro		Namie Amuro’s signature song, a wedding classic
24	A gentle feelingChara		Chara’s “Yasashii Kimochi” has a unique charm.
25	PIECE OF MY WISHMiki Imai		Miki Imai’s soul-stirring masterpiece
26	Dancing Hero (Eat You Up)Yoko Oginome		80s disco classics, danceable hits
27	Love againglobe		For globe fans in their 40s: iconic songs that are easy to sing
28	LAT,43˚ N 〜Forty-three degrees north latitude〜DREAMS COME TRUE		I recommend DREAMS COME TRUE’s easy-to-sing classic “LAT, 43˚ N.”
29	Et cetera related to the seashorePUFFY		PUFFY’s distinctive musicality and captivating songs
30	Angel’s RestFumina Hisamatsu		Fumina Hisamatsu’s rock-style J-pop songs are captivating.
31	The strong and fleeting onesCocco		Cocco’s classic from the ’90s—narrow vocal range and easy to sing
32	I hope it’s sunny.DREAMS COME TRUE		A heartwarming classic by DREAMS COME TRUE
33	A Road Bathed in Morning SunlightORIGINAL LOVE		The appeal of Takao Tajima, a Shibuya-style office lady
34	366 daysHY		A moving song that portrays the pain of heartbreak
35	I’m proudTomomi Kahala		Tomomi Kahala, then and now: a figure her generation can’t help but root for
36	Wedding bellSuger		The classic song by the chorus group Sugar
37	Love Story Comes SuddenlyKazumasa Oda		The classic theme song of Tokyo Love Story
38	The Talent for LoveMakoto Kawamoto		A famous song by Makoto Kawamoto, a guitar-based female singer
39	CRAZY GONNA CRAZYTRF		TRF, popular among people in their 40s, with the easy-to-sing song CRAZY
40	Rock ‘n’ Roll in a Dumped MoodTOM CAT		An inspiring rock and roll classic that sublimated heartbreak
41	High School LullabyImo Kin Trio		The famous song by Imo-Kin Trio that brings back memories of youth.
42	Love will winKAN		KAN's signature songs, nostalgic melodies
43	JupiterAyaka Hirahara		Make classic masterpieces moving through song
44	go for it！DREAMS COME TRUE		Singable songs by DCT that are popular across generations
45	Ding DongZoo		ZOO in the ’90s popularized Black music.
46	MarigoldAimyon		Aimyon’s “Marigold” is a masterpiece.
47	threadMiyuki Nakajima		The charm and influence of Miyuki Nakajima’s classic song “Ito”
48	TouchYoshimi Iwasaki		The youthful hit song “Touch” leaves a lasting impression on the heart.
49	Love and a Machine GunFlipper’s Guitar		The captivating music of Keigo Oyamada and Kenji Ozawa
50	You’re My Only Shinin’ StarMiho Nakayama		A beautiful ballad of the moonlit night, depicting eternal love
51	Turn the roulette of fateZARD		A heartwarming masterpiece that brings the courage to live
52	Lover of MöbiusUshirogami Hikaretai		A song of eternal love like a Möbius strip
53	Ah, what a relief.Hana*Hana		Hanahana’s “Ah~ Yokatta” is an easy song to sing.
54	Lion HeartSMAP		A song of memories that we walked together through the SMAP era
55	Midsummer FruitSouthern All Stars		A bittersweet summer love song by Southern (All Stars)
56	rainbowMasaharu Fukuyama		An iconic song that gives hope and courage; the lyrics are moving.
57	presentJITTERINl’ JIN		A nostalgic breakup song that was popular on Ikaten
58	Broken-winged angelAyumi Nakamura		Ayumi Nakamura’s signature song “Tsubasa no Oreta Angel” (The Broken-Winged Angel)
59	a walk in the parkNamie Amuro		Namie Amuro’s classic song “a walk in the park”
60	Chase the ChanceNamie Amuro		Namie Amuro’s “Chase the Chance” was a big hit.
61	HeroNamie Amuro		Rio Olympics theme song 'Hero' - a moving song
62	I want to see you.Chikaco Sawada		A classic song that sings of lost love and aching longing
63	PowerPocket Biscuits		POWER, the smash-hit song by Pocket Biscuits
64	BOYS & GIRLSAyumi Hamasaki		Ayumi Hamasaki’s classic hit “BOYS & GIRLS”
65	Letter ~Dear You at Fifteen~Angela Aki		A Letter to Youth: A Song of Courage and Hope
66	SWEET 19 BLUESNamie Amuro		The Appeal of the Movie Theme Song ‘SWEET 19 BLUES’ and Key Vocal Points
67	The Theory of HappinessRingo Sheena		Ringo Sheena’s classic heals adult women.