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

Don't give upZARD

"Don't Give Up" Music Video

ZARD is an indispensable presence in the Japanese music scene of the ’90s, and for many women in their 40s today, their songs undoubtedly evoke the soundtracks of youth.

The late Izumi Sakai’s clear vocals and heartfelt lyrics never lose their luster, and they’re still hugely popular at karaoke.

“Makenaide” is one of ZARD’s most famous songs, a true classic with nationwide acclaim.

While the pitch is slightly on the higher side, it’s generally average overall, and the melody is straightforward without large leaps in range, making it a good candidate for high karaoke scores.

Aim to articulate each word of the lyrics clearly, and sing the chorus with crisp, powerful delivery!

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.

Pink sighMariko Takahashi

Pink sigh

It is a masterpiece that fuses an exotic, Mediterranean-like atmosphere with an urban, sophisticated sound.

The song dreamily portrays a woman who blossoms like a flower when embraced by her lover, expressing both the beauty and the fragility of love.

Mariko Takahashi’s delicate yet powerful vocals further deepen the work’s unique world.

Released in May 1984 as the commercial song for Sanki’s “Camellia Diamond,” it was also included on the album Triad.

Highly acclaimed—including winning the Lyrics Award at the 26th Japan Record Awards—it became a long-running hit.

With a quiet mood that hints at hidden passion, this is a perfect track for spending peaceful moments with someone special.

Blue waterMiho Morikawa

Blue Water (21st century ver.)

This is a masterpiece whose crystal-clear, refreshing melody and hope-filled lyrics resonate deeply.

It beautifully expresses a profound bond with a loved one, the courage to keep moving forward, and the excitement for a future brimming with limitless possibilities.

Miho Morikawa’s powerful, expansive vocals further enhance the song’s appeal.

Released in April 1990, it was selected as the opening theme for the NHK anime “Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water,” becoming a popular hit that stayed on the Oricon charts for 11 consecutive weeks.

Also included on the albums “VOICES” and “GOLDEN☆BEST Miho Morikawa,” this song is perfect for adding color to everyday life or giving yourself a boost when you need it.

VoyageAyumi Hamasaki

Ayumi Hamasaki / Voyage

A grandly depicted ballad by Ayumi Hamasaki that likens life to a journey, portraying how everyone, bearing their own scars, continues to walk in search of happiness.

Set to a beautiful melody led by piano and strings, it sings of cherished memories, bonds with loved ones, and hope for the future.

Featured on the album RAINBOW and used as the theme song for the TBS drama My Little Chef, the track topped the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart for three consecutive weeks, selling over 679,000 copies.

It’s the perfect song for conveying your feelings to someone special and taking a brave new step forward.

Ding DongZoo

ZOO Ding Dong EXPRESS

ZOO was a music group that was hugely active in the 1990s.

In Japan, they helped popularize black contemporary music, gaining popularity with a sound that made what was then an uncommon genre catchy and accessible.

Among ZOO’s songs, one I especially recommend is “Ding Dong.” While the song has fairly pronounced dynamic nuances, they are primarily expressive rather than driven by volume, which stays relatively steady, so it’s not overly difficult.

The vocal range is also narrow, so if you lock into the rhythm and pitch, you can aim for a high score at karaoke.

From the depths of the heart to the water planetHiroko Moriguchi

From the depths of the heart to the water planet

Singer Hiroko Moriguchi, known as a leading figure among the original “baradoru” (variety-idol) talents and still an indispensable presence on variety shows today.

Her debut single as an idol singer, “Mizu no Hoshi e Ai wo Komete,” was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam.

If a woman in her 40s sings it, it’s sure to hype up men of the same generation, so it’s a great pick for karaoke.

There’s also an arranged version included on the 2019 album GUNDAM SONG COVERS, making it a karaoke song that’s fun to compare across versions.