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.
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- [Nostalgic Hits] Japanese dance music that resonates with people in their 40s.
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Songs popular among men in their 40s: classic tracks that bring back memories (51–60)
To be happyFLYING KIDS
This is the debut single by FLYING KIDS, a seven-member Japanese funk band.
They appeared on the popular 1989 band audition show Ikasu Band Tengoku, which drew attention and led to their major-label debut.
It’s a very feel-good track—rough around the edges and laid-back, with a groove that makes you want to sway side to side.
Surely more than anyone else in the worldMiho Nakayama & WANDS
This song was released in 1992 as a collaboration single between Miho Nakayama and the rock band WANDS.
During the planning stage it was a ballad, but a suggestion to give it more of a Christmas party vibe led to its current style.
It’s a masterpiece in which Miho Nakayama’s vocals and WANDS’ vocalist Show Uesugi’s voice blend beautifully.
Eternal, unchanging loveTetsuro Oda
As a hitmaker who defined the 1990s, Tetsuro Oda was hugely active in the J-POP scene as a singer, composer, and producer, and this is his biggest solo hit.
Its refreshing sound has a uniquely appealing quality.
No matter how many times you listen, it never fades or gets old.
Many of you probably remember it well.
Several artists, including Kobukuro, Ryuichi Kawamura, and Ms.
OOJA, have covered it.
Released in March 1992, it was tied in as the theme for Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s Pocari Sweat commercial and became a major hit, even reaching No.
1 on the Oricon charts.
TSUNAMISouthern All Stars
Known as a masterpiece that likens the pain of heartbreak to a tsunami, this work is a moving love song celebrated as one of Southern All Stars’ signature pieces.
It’s a gem of a ballad that expresses the sorrow of losing someone dear through a grand melody, fully showcasing Keisuke Kuwata’s exceptional songwriting and composing talent.
Released in January 2000, it topped the Oricon weekly charts and won the Japan Record Award the same year.
It was also selected as the theme song for the popular segment “Mirai Nikki III” on the TV program “U-nan no Hontoko!,” becoming a classic beloved across generations.
As a heartwarming song that offers comfort to those carrying the pain of losing someone special, it’s also highly recommended for karaoke.
Songs popular among men in their 40s. Timeless classics that bring back memories (61–70)
I should be able to fly (in the sky).Spitz
This is Spitz’s eighth single, released in 1994.
It’s a song that has raced through the ages and has now become a karaoke staple.
Why not give it a try at a party or mixer? The overall tone is very gentle, and it evokes a nostalgic feeling.
CLOUDY HEARTKyosuke Himuro
Written and composed by Kyosuke Himuro, this is “CLOUDY HEART,” released in 1985.
It’s a song by the rock band BOØWY, but since they disbanded, two versions emerged: the edgy BOØWY version and, in contrast, the softer Himuro version.
Give me an unbalanced kissHiro Takahashi
This masterpiece expresses a bittersweet yearning for love through delicate imagery—like a crying figure reflected in a cracked mirror and fingers tracing the moon.
Chosen as the ending theme for the beloved classic anime Yu Yu Hakusho, it became a cross-generational favorite, thanks in part to Hiro Takahashi’s clear, translucent vocals.
Since its release in December 1993, it has been included on the albums WELCOME TO POPSICLE CHANNEL and Hiro Takahashi Best Collection, selling around 300,000 copies.
Its sweetly aching, love-like melody and arrangements that evoke the spirit of 1970s kayōkyoku create a gentle mood reminiscent of a romantic film soundtrack.
Savor this heartwarming song—one to treasure as a cherished memory.