Nostalgic Japanese Pop Hits That Get 40-Something Men and Women Excited
There are plenty of chances to end up at karaoke—whether it’s drinks with coworkers or reunions with old friends—but do you ever find yourself struggling to pick the right songs?
I’m not too familiar with recent hits, and if it’s a gathering of people from the same generation, I’d rather get everyone hyped with nostalgic tunes we listened to in our youth.
So in this article, I’ll introduce some great crowd-pleasers recommended for people in their 40s!
I’ve focused mainly on nostalgic songs from around the 1990s, so if you’re in your 40s, these tracks should bring back memories of your younger days.
Not only are they perfect for getting everyone in the same age group excited together, but they’re also timeless classics from the Japanese music scene—so there are plenty of songs that people of all ages can enjoy together!
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Upbeat Songs Recommended for People in Their 40s (11–20)
A gentle feelingChara
Released in 1997, this song is themed around innocent, pure love told from a woman’s perspective.
Its simple yet deeply emotional lyrics, combined with Chara’s distinctive vocals, captured the hearts of many listeners.
Upon release, it achieved commercial success, peaking at No.
7 on the Oricon chart.
It was also featured in a Shiseido “Tissera J” commercial, helping it gain popularity across a wide audience.
The lyrics, which portray the dynamics of a loving relationship and the struggle for freedom, resonate with those facing challenges in romance and human relationships.
When singing it at karaoke, it’s best to perform with honest, heartfelt emotion.
This is my way of life.PUFFY
PUFFY made a striking debut on the music scene in 1996.
When it comes to their signature song, it has to be that fresh, pop number written and composed by Tamio Okuda.
It was also featured in commercials and quickly became a nationwide hit.
The lyrics carry a powerful message about facing the anxieties and joys of everyday life head-on and moving forward.
Sprinkled throughout are homages to The Beatles, making it a track that music aficionados can enjoy as well.
It has been used in anime such as “KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops” and “Atashin’chi,” and is loved across generations.
When singing it at karaoke, try to channel PUFFY’s characteristically light and breezy vocal style.
CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Namie Amuro
Namie Amuro, adored as the diva of the Heisei era and the woman who sparked the “Amuraa” phenomenon, has long been a style icon.
Among her many hits, “CAN YOU CELEBRATE?” is her best-selling song and a classic at weddings.
Produced by Tetsuya Komuro for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.
m.
drama Virgin Road, it became a happy-yet-tear-jerking wedding anthem.
Around the same time, Amuro herself announced her marriage, which boosted the song’s popularity even further.
Whether you were an Amuraa back then or not, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at karaoke.
Like when we first metEvery Little Thing
This is a song that brings back the fluttering feeling in your chest, like when you first fell in love.
Released by Every Little Thing in August 1997, it peaked at No.
3 on the Oricon weekly chart and became a massive hit, earning Triple Platinum certification.
It was also used as the theme for Morinaga’s ICE BOX commercial, and has etched itself into many hearts as a song that evokes a refreshing summer love story.
Its transparent vocals and heartfelt melody create a captivating world that will surely soothe your soul.
When you sing it at karaoke, try to recall that feeling of being in love and have fun with it.
Boys & GirlsAyumi Hamasaki
Ayumi Hamasaki secured a firm position as a leading female singer of the 1990s.
Her signature song, released in 1999, is characterized by lyrics that depict hope for a radiant future alongside the loneliness and despair buried deep within the heart.
The track won the Excellence Award at the Japan Record Awards and has since been widely recognized as a song that symbolizes Hamasaki’s career as a vocalist.
Also used in a cosmetics commercial, the song’s bright, rhythmic pop sound brims with uplifting energy.
It’s perfect for livening up a karaoke session or for refreshing yourself during busy days filled with work or childcare.
TRUE LOVEFumiya Fujii
When it comes to Fumiya Fujii’s signature songs, TRUE LOVE is the one.
The beautiful tone of the acoustic guitar pairs perfectly with his sultry vocals, drawing you into the world of the song from the very first notes of the intro.
It was also used as the theme song for a hit drama, so any man in his 40s probably knows it and has likely sung it at karaoke at least once.
With its relaxed melody, it’s a great song to pour your feelings into when you sing.
Try singing it while reminiscing about when this song was all the rage.
Hype songs recommended for people in their 40s (21–30)
In the Sun and the DustCHAGE and ASKA
A gem of a melody that portrays the dreams and setbacks of youth—and the strength to overcome them.
Released to the world by CHAGE and ASKA in January 1991, this work captures the persistence of those who keep pursuing their dreams, set to a 16-beat rhythm infused with a Western pop sensibility.
The chorus, simple yet striking, has a familiar charm that makes you want to sing along.
A single cut from the album “SEE YA,” it was featured in Nissin Foods’ “Cup Noodles Red Zone” campaign and as the ending theme for Fuji TV’s TIME3, becoming a major hit with cumulative sales exceeding 500,000 copies.
It’s a song that gently pushes you forward when you want to keep running toward unseen dreams—or when you find yourself at a crossroads in life.