Recommended Japanese pop songs for karaoke for men in their 40s

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RAG MUSIC is a comprehensive web media platform for music, play, and entertainment. We deliver delightful entertainment content including music reviews, events, life hacks, and recreation.
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerWakachan Araki
I started playing guitar in middle school and focused on band activities during my student years. I’ve been a hobbyist Vocaloid producer for over 15 years. After entering the workforce, I gained experience in various roles, including event sound engineering and videography/photography. As a writer, I’ve contributed introduction articles for music and manga websites, and in 2022 I had the opportunity to write the bonus liner notes for IA SUPER BEST. My specialties are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

Has karaoke turned into nothing but a work obligation?

Singing with your boss or coworkers is important, but going to belt out your favorite songs with close friends or your partner feels amazing.

That rush you get the first time you sing a favorite song—while saying, “I don’t remember the lyrics at all!”—is the real charm of karaoke, isn’t it?

So this time, we’re introducing popular karaoke songs chosen by people in their 40s!

Recommended Japanese karaoke songs for men in their 40s (11–20)

Easy★RiderTamio Okuda

Tamio Okuda “Easy★Rider” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Easy★Rider Tamio Okuda

“Easy Rider” is one of those songs that feels great to sing at karaoke.

You can relax your shoulders and sing it, and its groove and tempo feel really good.

It’s obviously a top recommendation for karaoke, and it’s also perfect as background music for a drive.

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Surfing JohnnyKeisuke Kuwata

Keisuke Kuwata – Surfin' Johnny (Short ver.)

Surfing Johnny Kuwata Keisuke

Just hearing that light, tinkling piano intro instantly brings back memories of those summers… It’s a Heisei-era masterpiece that colored the early 2000s! No explanation needed: “Naminori Johnny,” the smash hit released in 2001 under the solo name of Keisuke Kuwata, vocalist of Southern All Stars, is a karaoke staple and has been sung across generations.

With Kuwata’s signature style in full bloom and a wide vocal range, the melody darts busily between low and high notes, which might feel surprisingly challenging when you actually try to sing it.

At the same time, it’s so catchy you can memorize it right away just by listening.

If you sing it with clear contrast—keeping the soaring parts and the rhythmic parts in mind—you can aim for a high score at karaoke!

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Get WildTM NETWORK

Special Movie Commemorating the Decision to Produce “City Hunter: The Movie” | In Theaters Early Spring 2019

Get WildTM NETWORK

If you were into the anime City Hunter, this song is probably a nostalgic one for you.

The toms are way louder than in most tracks, and that makes it really cool.

The synthesizer phrase in the intro has a touch of melancholy, and it’s cool too.

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WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You Gotta Make a MovementH Jungle with T

WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes Start a Movement~ (Two Million Mix)

WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes Start a Movement H Jungle with T

H Jungle with t is a musical unit by Masatoshi Hamada of Downtown and Tetsuya Komuro.

The unit was born from the popular TV show “HEY! HEY! HEY! MUSIC CHAMP,” and their track “WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You’ve Gotta Make a Move~” became explosively popular.

Classified in the genre known as jungle, this work is arranged with a reggae flavor throughout.

Although it features some somewhat loud sections, the overall vocal range isn’t wide, making it easy to sing and perfect for getting everyone hyped at karaoke.

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The rattlesnake is comingTunnels

The rattlesnake is coming

Rattlesnakes Are Coming, Tunnels

Not only did they score big with variety shows, but the comedy duo Tunnels also enjoyed hits with their songs.

Among the many hit numbers they produced, the one I especially recommend as an easy-to-sing track is Garagara Hebi ga Yattekuru.

It falls under what you’d call a comic song and is mainly aimed at elementary and middle school students, but the vocal line is surprisingly funky and cool.

The overall vocal range is quite narrow, so it’s suitable for men of almost any voice type.

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Like a white cloudSaru Iwa Ishi

Like a white cloud

Saru Ga Ishi, like white clouds

The comedy duo Saruganseki, made up of Hiroiki Ariyoshi and Kazunari Moriwaki.

The song that truly cemented their then idol-like popularity is, of course, Shiroi Yuki no Yō ni (Like White Snow).

As a composition, it’s a very orthodox J-pop number with a very narrow vocal range.

Since the two aren’t professional singers, the vocal lines present no real difficulty.

It’s also a crowd-pleaser at karaoke, so be sure to check it out.

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Recommended Japanese pop songs for karaoke for men in their 40s (21–30)

Midnight ShuffleMasahiko Kondo

Masahiko Kondo - Midnight Shuffle

Midnight Shuffle Kondo Masahiko

Masahiko Kondo is strongly associated with his success in the ’70s and ’80s, but he actually had hits in the ’90s as well.

One of them is Midnight Shuffle.

If you’re a man in your 40s, chances are you’ve heard it at least once.

While it features a melody that’s uncommon in typical J-pop, the vocal line is quite easy: there are no sections requiring complex pitch movement, and the range is fairly narrow.

It’s a song that suits virtually any voice type, so it’s worth adding to your repertoire.

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