Songs popular among men in their 40s. Timeless classics that bring back memories.
As a man in your 40s, what kind of music do you usually listen to?
Of course, you probably hear a lot of the latest hits, but chances are you still love the songs that were with you during your youth.
In fact, when it comes to songs popular among men in their 40s today, many of them are tracks that made waves around the 1990s.
In this article, we’ll introduce a generous selection of Japanese songs—focusing on hits from that era—that are especially recommended for men in their 40s.
They’re full of classics perfect for karaoke or for listening to in the car, so definitely give them a listen.
They might just bring back memories from those days.
Popular songs among men in their 40s. Timeless tracks that bring back memories (1–10)
my graduationSPEED
A graduation song filled with both poignancy and warmth.
Released by SPEED in April 1998.
It portrays encounters and farewells, as well as the many “graduation” moments in life, in a positive light.
The lyrics, infused with gratitude for the past and hope for the future, truly resonate.
It’s also included on the albums RISE and MOMENT.
Great for hyping up a karaoke session, and equally perfect for listening in the car while reminiscing about your youth.
A song that stirs nostalgic memories and gives you the courage to take a new step forward—one that especially strikes a chord with men in their 40s.
RomancePENICILLIN
It’s a song by the visual-kei rock band PENICILLIN that overflows with the desire to convey passionate feelings.
Released as a single in January 1998, it was used as the theme song for Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san.
The lyrics, depicting a bittersweet crush and unwavering love for a partner, leave a strong impression.
It’s a perfect track for those who want to bask in sweet, heartrending memories of love.
It might be nice to try singing it at karaoke again after a long time.
Get WildTM NETWORK
“Get Wild” is the 10th single by TM NETWORK, released in 1987.
This signature song of TM NETWORK became a huge hit as the ending theme for the TV anime City Hunter.
Tetsuya Komuro’s stylish music still sounds incredibly cool even today.
SOUL LOVEGLAY
GLAY is a four-member rock band that churned out hit songs during the heyday of the visual kei movement in the 1990s and continues to be highly active today.
Their 14th single, “SOUL LOVE,” which was used as the campaign song for Kanebo’s “Bronze Love ’98 Summer,” is said to have been written by TAKURO in just ten minutes.
The arrangement moves from a twin-lead-guitar intro into a refreshingly GLAY-like ensemble, and for those in their 40s—the generation that grew up with it—simply hearing it may bring a flood of memories.
It’s one of GLAY’s signature tracks, sure to boost your mood when it comes on as background music during a drive.
Mermaid of ReminiscenceTHE YELLOW MONKEY
This is The Yellow Monkey’s seventh single, “Mermaid of Reminiscence,” released in 1995.
It ranked 11th in a fan poll held in 2013 and is also included on the album “YEMON – FAN’S BEST SELECTION.” It’s a wonderful song that continues to be loved even after many years.
ROCKET DIVEhide with Spread Beaver
This is a track defined by its energetic sound and heartfelt lyrics.
hide’s distinctive voice and the band’s powerful performance leave a strong impression.
Released in January 1998, it became a popular song that reached No.
4 on the Oricon charts.
The lyrics sing about breaking free from the monotony of everyday life and finding the courage to embark on new adventures.
It also includes a song produced the day before the live event “MIXED LEMONed JELLY.” Perfect for belting out at karaoke or listening to on a drive.
A must-hear classic that will bring back memories, especially for men in their 40s.
That's important.Daiji MAN Brothers Band
It was released in 1991 as the third single by Daiji MAN Brothers Band.
Although it didn’t become a big hit at first, it was used as the theme song for Fuji TV’s “Hok-chan no Yamada Katsutenai Terebi,” gradually gaining recognition and popularity.
It was also used as a support song for the Tohoku region, and total sales at the time exceeded 1.8 million copies.
For people of that generation, of course, but also for a wide range of listeners, it likely has a strong image as a positive, much-loved song.