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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Top 10 hype songs recommended for people in their 40s (1–10)
When in doubt, start here! Crowd-pleasing and nostalgic classic hits!
First, let me introduce some recommended songs for people in their 40s, regardless of gender! From crowd-pleasing anthems to nostalgic tracks you listened to a lot in your youth, these are all guaranteed hits. If you’re unsure what to sing at karaoke or looking for background music, start by choosing from this list!
LA LA LA Love SongToshinobu Kubota
LA LA LA LOVE SONG has an unforgettable intro that lasts just a few seconds.
It’s a track released in 1996 by singer Toshinobu Kubota, known for his vocal prowess that feels beyond the typical Japanese style.
The song was used as the theme for the TV drama Long Vacation, starring Takuya Kimura, which aired the same year.
Because the drama achieved very high ratings, this song is widely regarded as one of Kubota’s signature hits.
With its nostalgic feel and catchy groove, it’s a tune that can get people of all generations excited.
frecklesJUDY AND MARY
JUDY AND MARY’s “Sobakasu,” which is also popular as an anime song, was used as the first opening theme for the Fuji TV anime Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story and became a million-selling hit.
In JUDY AND MARY, the sole female member and vocalist, YUKI, wrote most of the lyrics, whose charm lies in words that are cute yet pierce the heart.
Back then, plenty of people likely tried to imitate YUKI’s singing voice at karaoke! If you want to bask in nostalgia or get the crowd going, be sure to pick “Sobakasu.”
VALENTIBoA
Dubbed the “Queen of K-POP,” BoA burst onto the Japanese music scene like a comet in the early 2000s.
The single she released in Japan in August 2002 is a dance track distinguished by passionate Latin rhythms, which shocked music fans at the time.
The lyrics convey a will to believe firmly in oneself, to carve out the future as if in battle, and a fervent determination to stay true to love no matter the difficulties.
The album bearing this song’s title, VALENTI, was released in January 2003, debuting at No.
1 on the Oricon Weekly Albums Chart and achieving million-seller status.
It was also widely loved as the theme for the PS2 game PROJECT MINERVA and the music program JAPAN COUNTDOWN.
Sing it at karaoke and you’re sure to relive the heat of that era and get an instant boost of energy.
Romantic FlightKome Kome Club
Formed by nine members, Kome Kome Club announced their reunion in 2006 and, though at a slow pace, have continued to work steadily ever since.
Their 10th single, “Roman Hikō,” was created with the aim of being used in an airline commercial, and, just as intended, it was selected as the CM song for JAL’s Okinawa travel “JAL STORY Summer Rikyu Campaign.” Its distinctive vocals riding over a buoyant, floating ensemble will likely take men in their 40s back to those days.
With an overall low key, it’s easy to sing at karaoke—a track that’s sure to overlap with memories of youth.
huge nuisanceUNICORN
Reunited in 2009, UNICORN has continued to captivate fans with their energetic activities.
Their signature song “Dai Meiwaku” (Great Nuisance) was released as a single in 1989, the first year of the Heisei era.
The song features a businessman who’s just bought his dream home only to be assigned to a solo post away from his family, and it comically portrays his mix of joy and sorrow with an uptempo beat.
It’s a highly popular track among both younger generations who discovered the band after their reunion and longtime fans alike.
I just feel like crying.Miho Nakayama
A ballad deeply etched in the memories of those who spent their youth during the 1990s CD boom.
This beloved classic is known as one of Miho Nakayama’s signature songs.
Chosen as the theme for a TBS drama and cherished as a wedding staple, the piece features lyrics that delicately portray the complex emotions of a single woman, beautifully matched by Nakayama’s clear, translucent vocals.
Released in February 1994, the single reached No.
1 on the Oricon charts, selling a total of 1.
048 million copies and earning the title of a million seller.
It was also performed at that year’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, resonating with many listeners.
When singing it at karaoke, try emulating Nakayama’s gentle delivery.
Get WildTM NETWORK
A classic by TM NETWORK that colored the late-’80s music scene.
The moment that driving beat kicks in, you’re instantly sent back to your youthful days.
It gained huge popularity as the ending theme for the anime City Hunter, and for those who lived through that era, it’s surely a song full of memories.
It’s also a karaoke staple, with lyrics about a man’s resolve that are easy to relate to.
Sing it at an after-work get-together or a class reunion where guys in their 40s gather, and it’s guaranteed to be a hit.
As one of Tetsuya Komuro’s signature songs, it’s loved by a wide audience, so it’s something people can enjoy together across generations.