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

Kiss me right nowLINDBERG50rank/position

LINDBERG / Kiss Me Now

LINDBERG is a rock band that was hugely successful in the 1990s.

Known for their energetic, upbeat pop-rock sound, the group has produced many classic songs.

Among them, “Ima Sugu Kiss Me” stands out as a particularly memorable piece.

While the song leans toward pop rock and maintains tremendous energy throughout, it surprisingly doesn’t feature sustained long notes in the mid-to-high or higher registers.

The overall vocal range isn’t especially wide, so even women with lower voices should be able to sing it comfortably in an appropriate key.

At all times.Noriyuki Makihara51rank/position

[Official] Noriyuki Makihara “No Matter What” (Music Video) [3rd Single] (1991) Noriyuki Makihara/donnatokimo [No. 1]

A signature work by Noriyuki Makihara that delivers a universal message of living true to yourself, carried by a powerful yet gentle melody.

While acknowledging the doubts and anxieties of life, this classic is imbued with a strong resolve to cherish your true self.

Included on the album “Who Do You Share a Happy Yawn With?”, it became a massive hit, surpassing one million copies within six months of its June 1991 release.

It was also selected as the entrance march for the 64th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament in spring 1992.

The melody, featuring a distinctive acoustic guitar and a calm tempo, makes it easy to sing.

For many people, it’s a song that resonates in the heart when standing at a crossroads or when they feel on the verge of losing themselves.

Watarase BridgeChisato Moritaka52rank/position

Chisato Moritaka 'Watarase Bridge' (Music Video)

Known as a bittersweet love song, this piece is one of Chisato Moritaka’s signature tracks.

Set against the backdrop of the Watarase River at dusk, it delicately portrays the protagonist’s feelings as she reflects on a past romance.

Released in January 1993, the song was also used as the ending theme for the TV program “Ii Tabi Yume Kibun,” resonating deeply with many listeners.

It is also known as the first song in which Moritaka performed an instrument, showcasing the breadth of her musical talent.

When singing it at karaoke, delivering it with rich emotion will surely elevate the atmosphere of the venue.

threadMiyuki Nakajima53rank/position

thread

Since her debut in 1975, Miyuki Nakajima has produced numerous hit songs as a genius singer-songwriter, all the while maintaining a mysterious, solitary presence that continues to shine even in the Reiwa era.

Among her many masterpieces, Ito is one of her most famous songs, first appearing on the 1992 album EAST ASIA.

From the 2010s onward, it was used as background music on television programs, boosting its household recognition, and in 2020 a film inspired by the song was released—testament to its immeasurable influence.

Of course, it’s challenging to capture the expressive nuance that someone like Nakajima brings, but the melody line is easy to sing, so in terms of karaoke difficulty it’s relatively low—making it a great choice for those aiming for a high score.

HANABIMr.Children54rank/position

Mr.Children「HANABI」from TOUR 2017 Thanksgiving 25

Mr.

Children’s “HANABI,” known for being chosen as the theme song of the smash-hit TV drama Code Blue: Doctor Heli Emergency Lifesaving.

Men in their 40s may have no end of daily worries, but listening to this song might give you courage.

Mr.

Children are a karaoke staple among staples, so you can hype things up with people of any generation! Try savoring and singing the memorable lines in the chorus.

It’s a song that really gets everyone excited when sung together.

Love will winKAN55rank/position

Aiwa Katsu

KAN’s 8th single, released in September 1990.

It was originally used as the ending theme for TV Asahi’s “Quiz Omoshiro TV,” but it gained popularity after being featured as an insert song on Fuji TV’s “Hochan no Yamada Katsute Nai TV,” becoming a record-breaking long seller.

If you’re in your 40s, you probably experienced the hit in real time.

With its very catchy and easy-to-remember melody, I imagine many people remember it vividly along with their memories from that time.

The song doesn’t require particularly difficult high notes or very low notes, and the melody is friendly and straightforward, with simple rhythmic phrasing—making it a great choice for people who aren’t confident singers to pick for karaoke.

There aren’t any especially tricky parts, so just sing it energetically and liven up the room!

appearsAyumi Hamasaki56rank/position

Ayumi Hamasaki / appears

If you came of age in the late 1990s to early 2000s, there’s a good chance you looked up to Ayumi Hamasaki as a role model.

In Japan’s music scene, she ranks first among female solo artists in total CD sales, and with her charismatic presence—including her fashion—she sparked the “Ayu” boom.

Many of her songs feature soaring high tones one after another, which might make some people feel hesitant about singing them.

For those people, we recommend “appears,” released in 1999.

Compared to her other tracks, its melody has fewer wide interval jumps, so even those with lower voices will find it easier to sing at karaoke if they adjust the key.