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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!

Playlist

Upbeat songs recommended for people in their 40s
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastLA LA LA Love SongToshinobu KubotaThe song “LA・L…” with its striking intro that lasts only a few seconds
2eastfrecklesJUDY AND MARYThe hit song from Rurouni Kenshin, 'Sobakasu'
3eastVALENTIBoAK-pop queen BoA shocks Japan’s music scene
4eastRomantic FlightKome Kome ClubAnnounced their reunion in 2006 and are still slow...
5easthuge nuisanceUNICORNReunited in 2009, and since then they have been energetically active...
6eastI just feel like crying.Miho NakayamaA representative ballad from the 1990s CD boom
7eastGet WildTM NETWORKTM N, who colored the music scene of the late ’80s...
8eastMarunouchi SadisticRingo SheenaRingo Sheena, a masterpiece that sings of the feelings of urban women
9eastA bouquet of flowers with loveSuperflyA heartwarming classic that conveys love and gratitude
10eastYAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKACHAGE, released on March 3, 1993…
11eastROSIERLUNA SEANumerous visual kei bands have taken on that style...
12eastI don’t want to let go.T-BOLANFor those in their 40s and older, the classic song “Hanashitakunai…”
13eastHONEYL’Arc〜en〜CielOne of the signature songs of L’Arc~en~Ciel…
14eastcherrySpitzA translucent, beautiful melody seeps into my heart...
15eastA gentle feelingCharaA Char song that depicts pure love and freedom
16eastThis is my way of life.PUFFYPUFFY’s signature song—refreshing and rich with a meaningful message
17eastCAN YOU CELEBRATE?Namie AmuroNamie Amuro’s classic song “CAN YOU CELEBRATE?”
18eastLike when we first metEvery Little ThingAn inspiring classic that brings back memories of first love: Summer Romance
19eastBoys & GirlsAyumi HamasakiThe Appeal of Ayumi Hamasaki’s Iconic 1990s Songs
20eastTRUE LOVEFumiya FujiiSpeaking of Fumiya Fujii’s signature songs, “TRUE…” comes to mind.
21eastIn the Sun and the DustCHAGE and ASKAA youthful song of chasing dreams that resonates in the heart
22eastWON’T BE LONGBubblegum BrothersAn Awa Odori-style cheer song that gives you energy and courage
23eastPink sighMariko TakahashiA Mediterranean-style love classic that stirs the heart
24eastlipsGLAYGLAY's smash hit that depicts a heartrending love
25eastI won’t fall in love anymore.Noriyuki MakiharaA classic song that portrays the heartbreak of lost love and a forward-looking spirit
26eastSee, spring has come.Ushirogami HikaretaiA song that celebrates the arrival of spring and the exhilaration of the season
27eastultra soulB’zA song of the heart that challenges the limits and pursues dreams
28eastTRAIN-TRAINTHE BLUE HEARTSA fiery rock tune that cheers on life
29eastSPARKTHE YELLOW MONKEYAn energetic song that sings of passionate love
30eastEmbracing SummerTUBEA timeless song that portrays summer youth and a bittersweet love
31eastThe rattlesnake is comingTunnelsThe Deep Appeal of Tunnels’ Popular Songs
32eastBanzai ~ So glad I loved you ~UlfulsEnergize your heart with a rock tune of love and gratitude
33eastLike tonight’s moonElephant KashimashiA song of the heart that overcomes solitude and walks toward the future
34eastA Tearful RequestThe CheckersHeartfelt breakup songs from late-night radio: timeless classics that resonate
35eastBeard and BoobsUnicornA masterpiece depicting the conflict between love and work in a salaryman's life
36eastBefore anything else, from atop the roadThe explosively popular group “Sepia”A forward-looking song of life with drums and flutes resounding
37easthomeYusaku KiyamaA warm ballad of a father's love for his child
38eastRunnerBakufū SlumpA timeless masterpiece whose song of youth resonates in the heart
39eastSneaker BluesMasahiko KondoA bittersweet love song of youth, basking in nostalgic memories
40eastff (fortissimo)HOUND DOGA passionate love song by the rock band HOUND DOG
Recommended for women
41eastGood-bye daysYUIThe moving theme song of the film “A Song to the Sun”
42eastLOVE MachineMorning MusumeA rousing classic by Morning Musume
43eastSong of LoveKumi KodaKoda Kumi’s classic love song, with lyrics that resonate with the heart
44eastWasshoi!Nanae AikawaNanase Aikawa performs a song celebrating Japan–Brazil friendship.
45eastCold Flowerthe brilliant greenA hit song by the brilliant green, a moving masterpiece that resonates with the heart.
46eastCan’t Stop Fallin’ in Loveglobeglobe’s classic that colored the winter of 1996
47eastcherry (cherry fruit; sakuranbo)Ai OtsukaAi Otsuka’s “Sakuranbo,” a bright, cheerful love song
48eastUnwavering WishNaomi TamuraA classic 90s anime song by Naomi Tamura
49eastGod of RomanceKohmi HiroseKohmi Hirose, a popular musician on YouTube
50eastPassionUAA classic UA song that portrays burning passion and heartrending sorrow.
51eastWhite LoveSPEEDSPEED’s “White Love,” a smash-hit winter love song
52eastTiming ~Timing~Black BiscuitsA classic hit from a 90s unit, a big hit once again
53eastThe Theory of HappinessRingo SheenaRingo Sheena’s “Theory of Happiness,” a masterpiece where light and darkness intertwine
54eastEt cetera related to the seashorePUFFYPUFFY’s distinctive musicality and captivating songs
55eastLove againglobeFor globe fans in their 40s: iconic songs that are easy to sing
56eastSingle AgainMariya TakeuchiMariya Takeuchi “Single Again” TV theme song
57eastHello, Again ~A Place That’s Been Around Since Long Ago~My Little LoverA classic by My Little Lover that gives you a sense of youth.
58eastShape of LoveMISIA feat.HIDE(GReeeeN)A moving masterpiece from the collaboration between MISIA and GReeeeN
59eastMy RevolutionMisato WatanabeMisato Watanabe’s “My Revolution” is a moving masterpiece that pierces the heart.
60eastSEASONSAyumi HamasakiAyumi Hamasaki, a late-90s high school girl icon
61eastFirst loveHikaru UtadaHikaru Utada 'First Love' drama theme song
62eastCHA CHA CHAAkemi IshiiA powerful classic that celebrates the way independent women live
63eastDon’t give upZARDZARD’s iconic 1990s hit “Makenaide” (“Don’t Give Up”)
64eastflareSuperflySupport women with the Scarlet theme song
Recommended for men
65eastTomorrow never knowsMr.ChildrenMelodies that apply lyrics in a distinctive way, and …
66eastTSUNAMISouthern All StarsIf it’s this classic by Southern All Stars, at kara…
67eastGo for it!!UlfulsAn energetic song that, when you listen to it, makes you want to unintentionally give it your all…
68eastSakurazakaMasaharu FukuyamaMasaharu Fukuyama’s masterpiece is a poignant song to an ex-lover…
69eastsingle bedSharam QThe one that became a huge hit in 1994 was this “…
70eastCheersTsuyoshi NagabuchiSpeaking of Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s signature songs, this one comes to mind…
71eastMarionetteBOØWYPeople like Kyosuke Himuro and Tomoyasu Hotei, who are now...
72eastcrimsonX JAPANIncorporating classical elements into a metal sound…
73eastTake back the love!!Crystal KingThis piece is characterized by its powerful sound and strong, dynamic vocals...
74eastGLORIAZIGGYSuggests influences from LA metal and glam rock…
75eastAs I love you selfishly, I won’t hurt anyone but you.B’zAs love dictates and selfishly, I end up hurting only you…
76eastRose of PassionTHE BLUE HEARTSTHE BLUE HEARTS in the ’90s…
77eastPOISON ~A world where you can’t even say what you want to say~Takashi SorimachiTakashi Sorimachi’s hit song “POISON,” the theme song of GTO
78eastEasy★RiderTamio OkudaTamio Okuda’s classic song “E10★Rider”
79eastOverMr.ChildrenLoved by a wide range of people regardless of age or gender...
80eastLove Story Comes SuddenlyKazumasa OdaAs one of Kazumasa Oda’s signature hit songs, even now...
81eastSummer Days of 1993classSomething like Simon & Garfunkel in Japan...
82eastSTARTJUN SKY WALKER(S)Known by the abbreviation JUNSKA, from the late 1980s...
83eastCan’t Say Anything… SummerTHE JAYWALKIt makes you wonder if a breakup could ever feel this refreshing...
84eastLike tonight’s moonElephant KashimashiA headline reading “An exceptional rookie makes a shocking debut…”
85eastBe kind to othersTHE BLUE HEARTSThey enjoyed immense popularity among junior and senior high school students, and even after their breakup, they remain legendary...
86eastSaudadePorno GraffittiGaining attention with the hit of their debut song “Apollo”…