[40s] Karaoke Popularity Rankings by Generation [2025]

Ballad of a SingerKazuyoshi Saito43rank/position

Kazuyoshi Saito – Ballad of a Singer (2008 Ver.) [Music Video]

A timeless adult classic by Kazuyoshi Saito, celebrated for its deeply moving vocals and rich storytelling.

This exquisite ballad conveys heartfelt emotions for a loved one—feelings that are hard to say out loud—set to song with disarming honesty.

Its simple melody and resonant guitar gently enfold the lyrical world.

Since its release in November 1997, many artists have covered it, and in 2017 it was used as the theme song for the animated film “Lu Over the Wall.” In August 2022, a performance on THE FIRST TAKE drew significant attention, extending its appeal to a new generation.

With a relaxed tempo and a relatively narrow vocal range, it’s easy to sing with ease.

Why not sing it with all your heart, pouring your feelings for someone special into every note?

for a long timeKiroro44rank/position

Kiroro “Nagaimono” Official Music Video

Woven with a timeless, universal melody, a heartfelt vocal performance, and gentle piano tones, this song “Nagaimo” was released in 1998 as Kiroro’s major-label debut and became a million-selling hit.

It’s of course familiar to many women in their 40s, but even in the Reiwa era you still hear it often—one could even say it holds a place similar to “Minna no Uta.” You might associate it with skilled singers, but its straightforward melodic progression makes it very easy to sing, so even those who aren’t confident singers should give it a try at karaoke.

The overall pitch is on the higher side, but if you have a lower voice, adjusting the key will make it perfectly manageable.

PRIDEMiki Imai45rank/position

Miki Imai - PRIDE (Live at Cadogan Hall, London, 2016)

Miki Imai is a singer with a background as an actor, voice actor, and narrator, who moved to the United Kingdom in 2012.

Her 12th single “PRIDE,” used as the theme song for the TV drama Doc, is known as her biggest hit.

The lyrics express the feelings of being in love not passively, but with pride—something that likely struck a chord in real time with many in their 40s, the generation of the song’s heyday.

With its relaxed melody that makes it easy to sing, it’s an emotional number that remains popular in karaoke.

RobinsonSpitz46rank/position

Spitz / Robinson

When it comes to Spitz’s signature songs, this is likely the one many people think of.

Its clear, beautiful melody and bittersweet lyrics really resonate.

Released in April 1995, the track is included on the album “Honey” (Hachimitsu).

It’s the perfect song to liven up gatherings with friends, reunions, or karaoke.

Along with a sense of nostalgia, it’s a classic whose charm hasn’t faded with time.

White LoveSPEED47rank/position

White Love – SPEED (Full)

SPEED is a four-member female idol-style dance and vocal group that became a major sensation at their debut because all members were in elementary or junior high school at the time.

Their 5th single, “White Love,” used as the commercial song for Shiseido’s Tissaera Angel Drop featuring all members, became a huge hit and sold over a million copies.

Since it features two vocalists with different keys, it’s also great for two people to sing together at karaoke.

It’s a cute yet emotional winter song that we especially hope women in their 40s—of the same generation—will sing while reminiscing about those days.

EverythingMISIA48rank/position

MISIA – Everything （Official HD Music Video）

MISIA is a female singer with a five-octave range and overwhelming expressive power that vividly evokes scenes, earning her support both in Japan and abroad.

Her 7th single “Everything,” used as the theme song for the TV drama “Yamato Nadeshiko,” became a massive hit and the best-selling single by a female artist in the 2000s.

While it’s relatively easy to sing compared to other MISIA songs, techniques like the falsetto in the chorus can easily cause pitch errors, so be careful when singing it at karaoke.

It’s a classic winter song that we hope will be sung not only by those in their 40s—the generation who grew up with it—but also by younger listeners.

Easy★RiderTamio Okuda49rank/position

Tamio Okuda “Easy★Rider” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Tamio Okuda’s classic “Eiju★Rider.” While Okuda has many great songs, this one, in particular, condenses a very characteristic sound of his into a cohesive core.

The vocal range is somewhat on the higher side, but the span itself is quite narrow, from mid1 C# to mid2 G#.

If you set it to the right key, it’s a song most people can sing without trouble.

It’s best performed without overbelting, with a slightly languid, nonchalant feel.

Give it a try as a reference.