Ranking of Western Music Artists Popular Among People in Their 40s [2025]

DOESN’T REALLY MATTERJanet Jackson8rank/position

Janet Jackson – Doesn’t Really Matter (Official Video)

Released in 2000, this song was also used as a movie’s theme song.

It was a massive hit that played every night in clubs at the time, and it’s also famous for being covered by a Japanese artist.

It’s a lovey-dovey song with the message, “Nothing around us matters as long as we’re in love.”

FootlooseKenny Loggins9rank/position

Footloose (From “Footloose” Soundtrack)

Triggered by the main theme song of the worldwide smash hit film Footloose, this track also became a massive hit.

With its lively sound and irresistibly danceable vibe, it stands as one of the quintessential songs of the 1980s.

It brings back memories of everyone tapping their shoes and dancing as they walked.

It was Kenny Loggins’s biggest hit and is still loved today.

creepRediohead10rank/position

Radiohead – Creep

This is an early signature song by Radiohead, a globally renowned band that combines exceptional charisma with cutting-edge innovation among currently active groups.

Although it’s an extremely popular track, it stopped being performed live after a certain point in time.

However, it seems to have been brought back recently, and it’s been a huge crowd-pleaser at concerts.

Soak Up The SunSheryl Crow11rank/position

Sheryl Crow – Soak Up The Sun

One of the hit songs by Sheryl Crow, a singer-songwriter primarily associated with American country and western music, is Soak Up the Sun.

Both the lyrics and the music video have a surfing vibe, making it a refreshing track.

WaterfallsTLC12rank/position

TLC – Waterfalls (Official HD Video)

When it comes to the girl groups that were big during the middle and high school years of women now in their 40s, TLC is surely one of the first names that comes up.

One of their signature songs is Waterfalls.

It’s a track that I think can bring back memories of that time and get everyone excited.

I Will Always Love YouWhitney Houston13rank/position

Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You – Lyrics

This song, I Will Always Love You, was the theme song for the movie The Bodyguard, in which she starred, and it became a massive hit sung by Whitney Houston.

While it requires very advanced vocal ability, you can still get the crowd going just by mimicking the expressions during the chorus.

Dancing QueenABBA14rank/position

ABBA – Dancing Queen (Official Music Video)

When it comes to Swedish artists who defined the ’70s and ’80s, ABBA needs no introduction.

Frida and Agnetha’s vocals effortlessly handle any genre—from pop and rock to disco—just as you’d expect.

Beyond this famously well-known song, they have countless catchy hit tunes.