Lovely karaoke song

[For men in their 40s] That nostalgic song you can enjoy at karaoke!

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.
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.

After company drinking parties or class reunions, many men in their 40s—right in their prime working years—probably find themselves going to karaoke quite often, don’t they?

Still, when it’s actually your turn to sing, it’s easy to get stuck on what song to choose.

You may want to sing the nostalgic tunes that were the soundtrack of your youth, but sometimes it’s hard to settle on one.

So in this article, we’ll introduce lots of karaoke songs that really get men in their 40s fired up!

For today’s forty-somethings, their teenage years were around the 1990s, when the Komuro Family, Being artists, and rock bands that are still popular today were all in their heyday!

From among the songs popular with men in their 40s, we’ve picked out timeless hits that are widely known across generations.

Use this as a reference for your next karaoke session.

[For Men in Their 40s] Those Nostalgic Karaoke Classics You Can Enjoy! (91–100)

Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenEigo Kawashima

EXILE ATSUSHI – Sake, Tears, Men and Women (EXILE ATSUSHI SPECIAL SOLO LIVE in HAWAII)

Sake, Tears, Men and Women by Eigo Kawashima

This is a socially conscious masterpiece that portrays the subtle miscommunications between men and women and the nuances of emotional expression with deep insight.

It warmly observes how men open up through drinking and women through tears, each revealing their inner feelings.

Born from impressions Eigo Kawashima had at age 18 during a family memorial gathering, the song was included on the November 1975 album “Jinrui” (Humanity) and released as a single in June 1976.

Also known as the jingle for the sake brand Kizakura, it became a major hit, reaching No.

9 on the Oricon weekly chart.

It is a gem I recommend to anyone who wants to face their heart honestly when confronted with life’s sorrow and poignancy.

Raise the rankinglower

My WayDef Tech

Def Tech – My Way【Official Music Video】

My WayDef Tech

This song passionately sings about the importance of walking your own path.

It conveys a powerful determination to keep moving toward lofty ideals while staying grounded, offering strong encouragement to listeners.

The warmly enveloping melody and its positive message blend beautifully.

Featured on the album “Def Tech,” released in January 2005, the track garnered numerous tie-ins, including a Yokohama Tires commercial song, a theme song for high school baseball, and an insert song for the film “Crows Zero II.” Def Tech’s signature Jawaiian reggae sound will be a reliable companion when you need the courage to chase your dreams or a boost to fire yourself up.

Raise the rankinglower

[For Men in Their 40s] Those Nostalgic Songs You Can Enjoy at Karaoke! (101–110)

Embracing SummerTUBE

TUBE “Embrace the Summer” MUSIC VIDEO

Embracing Summer TUBE

With a sound that evokes clear blue skies and a shining sun, this is a quintessential summer song from TUBE.

It conveys a love so intense it keeps you awake at night, expressed through passionate lyrics and melody.

The protagonist’s once-in-a-lifetime feelings are sure to stir memories of bittersweet love that many have experienced.

Released in May 1994, this smash hit topped the Oricon charts and sold 940,000 copies.

It was also featured in a Toyota Corolla Ceres commercial and has become a karaoke staple loved by many.

It’s the perfect track to share with close friends or colleagues as you reminisce and look back together on life’s milestones.

Raise the rankinglower

Beard and BoobsUnicorn

Unicorn - 'Beard and Boobs'

Beard and Boob Unicorn

One of Unicorn’s signature works, this song humorously portrays the wavering emotions caught between a salaryman’s job and his love life.

Tamio Okuda’s lyrical world shines as he deftly weaves in modern workplace relationships, from a young company president to the woman at the neighboring desk.

Released in October 1991, the track features an arrangement inspired by the grand sound of Electric Light Orchestra, with a striking use of synthesizers.

As the closing song on the album “Hige to Boin,” it brilliantly conveys the complex feelings of a man who can’t give up on love even while being overwhelmed by work.

It’s a perfect pick for livening up after-work karaoke with colleagues.

Raise the rankinglower

PearlTHE YELLOW MONKEY

THE YELLOW MONKEY – Pearl

Pearl THE YELLOW MONKEY

This song, with its powerful guitar sound and Kazuya Yoshii’s captivating vocals, is probably familiar to many of you.

While it explores themes of loneliness and isolation, the lyrics also suggest hope and new beginnings.

In August 2000, it was used as the image song for Nippon TV’s “Gekikukan Puro Yakyū.” Its exhilarating, fast-paced melody brings back memories of youthful days.

Sing it at karaoke and it’s sure to get people of all generations fired up! It’s also perfect for reflecting on your own youth as you sing.

Raise the rankinglower

For loveTamio Okuda

“For Love” from the live film tamio okuda TOUR “29-30”

For Love by Tamio Okuda

Since debuting as UNICORN in 1987, Tamio Okuda has maintained a unique position throughout his long career, continuing to exert a tremendous influence on subsequent artists.

For many people now in their 40s who spent their youth in the 1990s, it’s likely that Okuda’s songs from around his solo debut—rather than his work with Unicorn—were the soundtrack of their adolescence.

Okuda’s milestone solo debut single, “Ai no Tame ni,” was released in 1994 and became one of his signature tracks, achieving million-seller status.

While it’s hard to capture the nuanced atmosphere that Okuda himself brings, the melody has a relatively narrow range and gentle interval leaps, making it genuinely easy to sing.

If you’re aiming for a high score at karaoke, definitely consider adding it to your repertoire.

Raise the rankinglower

Nameless PoemMr.Children

Mr.Children “Nameless Poem” Mr.Children “HOME” TOUR 2007 ~in the field~

Nameless Poem Mr.Children

Mr.

Children, popularly known as “Misuchiru,” have a massive hit song called “Namonaki Uta” (“A Nameless Song”).

It was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Pure,” so some men in their 40s who watched the show at the time may remember it.

The song features tongue-twister-like lyrics, and many people probably recall memorizing that part perfectly for karaoke.

Since Misuchiru are popular across generations, you can’t go wrong choosing this song for karaoke.

Raise the rankinglower