Famous songs we’d like women in their 40s to sing, by age group

May it be filled with kindnessJUJU

JUJU 'So That It Overflows with Kindness'

When I was on the verge of losing the meaning of life, meeting the one I love made my heart shine… JUJU’s heartwarming rock ballad is cherished by people of all generations.

Released in February 2009 as the theme song for a collaborative project between MTV Japan and Nissan, the track’s chorus expresses unconditional love and gratitude, like an eternal vow to someone precious.

The next time you go to karaoke with that intriguing man in his 40s, why not share your feelings through this song?

Like when we first metEvery Little Thing

"Like When We First Met" MUSIC VIDEO / Every Little Thing

For many women now in their 40s who spent their teenage years to early twenties in the mid-to-late 1990s, Every Little Thing holds a special place.

Back then, plenty of people imitated Kaori Mochida’s fashion and hairstyles.

ELT’s classic songs are still hugely popular at karaoke even in the Reiwa era, but if you’re aiming for a high score, we recommend the 1997 hit “Deatta Koro no You ni.” Its quintessential late-’90s Avex-style sound and melody make it very easy to sing, and since there aren’t any tricky sections, it’s less likely you’ll go off-pitch.

The overall key is on the higher side, so if you have a lower voice, try adjusting the key to suit you before singing.

for a long timeKiroro

Kiroro “Nagaimono” Official Music Video

Woven with a timeless, universal melody, a heartfelt vocal performance, and gentle piano tones, this song “Nagaimo” was released in 1998 as Kiroro’s major-label debut and became a million-selling hit.

It’s of course familiar to many women in their 40s, but even in the Reiwa era you still hear it often—one could even say it holds a place similar to “Minna no Uta.” You might associate it with skilled singers, but its straightforward melodic progression makes it very easy to sing, so even those who aren’t confident singers should give it a try at karaoke.

The overall pitch is on the higher side, but if you have a lower voice, adjusting the key will make it perfectly manageable.

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.

I hope it’s sunny.DREAMS COME TRUE

I hope it’s sunny.

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.

PRIDEMiki Imai

Miki Imai - PRIDE (Live at Cadogan Hall, London, 2016)

Miki Imai is a singer with a background as an actor, voice actor, and narrator, who moved to the United Kingdom in 2012.

Her 12th single “PRIDE,” used as the theme song for the TV drama Doc, is known as her biggest hit.

The lyrics express the feelings of being in love not passively, but with pride—something that likely struck a chord in real time with many in their 40s, the generation of the song’s heyday.

With its relaxed melody that makes it easy to sing, it’s an emotional number that remains popular in karaoke.

Yellow Yellow HappyPocket Biscuits

Yellow Yellow Happy (Colorful Version)

Pocket Biscuits is a musical unit that originated from the 1990s hit TV show “Ucchan Nanchan no Urinari!!”.

Unusually for a project-born unit, they were active for five years, and at their peak even headlined a solo concert at the Budokan.

Among their songs, the one I especially recommend is “Yellow Yellow Happy.” It has a powerful, upbeat melody, but the vocal line itself is simple and repeats similar phrases.

On top of that, the range is relatively narrow, so a woman in her 40s should be able to sing it without any trouble.