[40s] Karaoke Crowd-Pleasers Ranking [2025]

ONLY YOUBOØWY78rank/position

BOØWY – ONLY YOU

ONLY YOU, the fifth single by the band BOØWY, which featured Kyosuke Himuro and Tomoyasu Hotei.

Carried by a rock ’n’ roll, beat-driven rhythm and sung refreshingly in Himuro’s husky voice, the song became a major hit.

Among BOØWY’s catalog, it stands out as a breezy track perfect for summer.

Inspired by this iconic rock band of the 1980s, many young people formed bands, and the song was often performed at school festivals.

April windElephant Kashimashi79rank/position

April wind

This song, April Wind, is the B-side to Elephant Kashimashi’s signature 1996 release, At the End of Sorrow.

As the title suggests, it’s a song for April—a perfect karaoke pick for spring that lets you feel the season’s breeze.

Elephant Kashimashi has many rugged, hard-hitting tracks that pierce straight to the heart.

This one, too, has a masculine core and will likely resonate especially with male listeners.

Bring it out at spring drinking parties or banquets and show off your manly spirit at karaoke.

Be kind to othersTHE BLUE HEARTS80rank/position

Hito ni Yasashiku – The Blue Hearts (Be Kind to People)

The four-piece rock band THE BLUE HEARTS enjoyed immense popularity among junior high and high school students, and even after disbanding they are still remembered as legends.

Their indie-era single “Be Kind to People” remains known today as one of THE BLUE HEARTS’ signature songs.

With its straightforward message and band sound, it’s likely to stir up memories of youth for those in their 40s who experienced its impact in real time.

It’s a timeless classic that never fades with the changing times—perfect to pick when you want to liven up a karaoke session.

LemonKenshi Yonezu81rank/position

Kenshi Yonezu – Lemon

Appearing on the year-end 2018 NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, Kenshi Yonezu is an artist whose popularity has been soaring.

While many of his songs are complex and hard to sing, Lemon is a slow-tempo ballad that’s easier to perform and very popular at karaoke.

It’s a big hit among younger people too, making it perfect for company karaoke gatherings.

MarigoldAimyon82rank/position

Aimyon – Marigold [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Aimyong’s songs have a timeless appeal that’s independent of trends, making them popular across generations.

“Marigold,” released in 2018, marked her major breakthrough.

Its somewhat nostalgic melody evokes the early Heisei era, making it very pleasant to listen to and a classic that resonates with people of all ages.

For women in their 40s who say, “I mostly listen to the J-pop from my youth, but I want to try singing something more recent…,” I highly recommend Aimyong’s songs.

“Marigold” sits on the lower side pitch-wise and doesn’t have an extreme vocal range, so even those with lower voices or who feel insecure about singing should give it a try!

loveGen Hoshino83rank/position

Gen Hoshino – Koi (Official Video)

Thanks to his versatility, singer-songwriter Gen Hoshino is active in a wide range of fields and continues to showcase a one-of-a-kind sense of pop in his music.

His 9th single, “Koi,” was used as the theme song for the TV drama “We Married as a Job,” and became such a sensation that it sparked a social phenomenon.

For male singers, the many high-key melodies make it a challenging song, but for female singers it’s relatively easy to sing, so it’s recommended.

In a large-group karaoke setting, it’s a modern pop tune that’s fun to sing while everyone does the catchy dance together.

RobinsonSpitz84rank/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.