20 Songs for a 40th Birthday - Musical Mum (2024)

Turning 40 can be a bittersweet experience. It’s an important milestone, but it can also make you reflect on how quickly time has passed. If you’re looking for the perfect soundtrack for your 40th birthday party, look no further!

We’ve put together a list of the best songs to celebrate this special occasion. Whether you’re into classic rock or modern pop, we’ve got something for everyone. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to party as you turn forty!

1. “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

First on the list is “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. This upbeat track is perfect for getting the party started.

It’s all about celebrating life and living it to the fullest, which is exactly what you should be doing on your 40th birthday! This was released in 2011 for the album of the same title.

2. “Young at Heart” by Frank Sinatra

“Young at Heart” by Frank Sinatra is a classic that can serve as a reminder that age is just a number and you’re still young at heart. This song was released in 1953 which then was made as a soundtrack for the movie of the same title. It has been covered by several artists over the years.

3. “Wonderwall” by Oasis

Oasis’s “Wonderwall” is another perfect choice for a 40th birthday party. It’s an emotional song about the person who stuck with you through thick and thin.

This track was released in 1995 and is from the album “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” It is their most popular song with over 400 million views on Youtube.

4. “Happy Birthday Darlin” by Conway Twitty

“Happy Birthday Darlin'” by Conway Twitty is a more sentimental choice for those who want to reflect on their life so far. This country song was released in 1979 and is from the album Cross Winds. It peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

5. “100 Years” by Five For Fighting

The next song on our list is “100 Years” by Five For Fighting. This song is about living life to the fullest and not taking anything for granted.

It’s a perfect choice for those who want to reflect on their lives and all they’ve accomplished. This track was released in 2004 and is from the album The Battle for Everything.

6. “Now and Forever” by Carole King

Carole King’s “Now and Forever” is a beautiful ballad about lasting love and the feeling that time has stood still. This song was released in 1992 and is from the album A League of Their Own. It now has over 400k views on Youtube.

7. “I’ll Melt With You” by Modern English

Next on the list is “I’ll Melt With You” by Modern English. This song is about being so in love that you would do anything for the other person.

It’s a perfect choice for those who are celebrating their 40th birthday with their significant other. This track was released in 1982 and is from the album After the Snow.

8. “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan

Up next is a song that will get everyone on the dance floor! “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan has been a party track.

This 90s hit will have everyone feeling nostalgic for their childhood and teenage years. This is still available for streaming on all music platforms out there.

9. “My Next 30 Years” by Tim McGraw

“My Next 30 Years” by Tim McGraw is a song about looking ahead to the future with hope and excitement. This country ballad is a reminder that life is just beginning at 40 and there are so many great things yet to come. You can find this on the album A Place in the Sun.

10. “American Pie” by Don McClean

Don McClean’s “American Pie” is a classic tune that everyone knows. This song is perfect for a 40th birthday celebration because it looks back at the life and all of its ups and downs.

It is also a great reminder that even though time moves on, some things never change. You can find this track on the album of the same title.

11. “Friday I’m In Love” by The Cure

Another song you can’t help but dance to is “Friday I’m In Love” by The Cure. This song is all about feeling young and carefree, which is something we could all use as a reminder of from time to time.

You can find this track on the album Wish. This became such a huge hit and it won various awards and nominations.

12. “Time Of Your Life” by Green Day

“Time of Your Life” by Green Day is a sentimental favorite for many. This song is about living in the moment and cherishing the time we have on earth with the people we love.

It’s a reminder that life is precious and should be celebrated. You can find this track on the album Nimrod.

13. “Happy Birthday To You” by New Kids On the Block

This next song is a special one because it’s “Happy Birthday To You” by New Kids On the Block. This is about celebrating the birthday of a loved one.

It was released in 1990 and is included in their album Step by Step. It now has over 2 million views on Youtube.

14. “No Such Thing” by John Mayer

John Meyer’s “No Such Thing” is a perfect song for anyone who is feeling reflective on their life. This song is about coming to terms with the fact that life doesn’t always go the way we want it to.

But it’s also a reminder that we are all unique and special in our own ways. You can find this track on the album Room For

15. “It’s Your Birthday!” by R. Kelly

“It’s Your Birthday!” by R. Kelly is a fun and upbeat song that is perfect for any birthday celebration. This song was released in 2004. You can find this track on the album Happy People/U Saved Me.

16. “Birthday Song” by Don McLean

The next song on our list is “Birthday Song” by Don McLean. This is a classic birthday song that everyone can sing along to.

This now has over 200k views on Youtube and can also be streamed on other platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. This is one of the tracks under his self-titled album.

17. “Birthday” by The Beatles

The Beatles are next with their song “Birthday”. This was released in 1968 and was written by Lennon-McCartney.

This classic hit will surely make anyone feel happy on their birthday. The song is also included in their self-titled album which can be streamed on all major music platforms out there.

18. “Trip Around the Sun” by Jimmy Buffett and Martina McBride

“Trip Around the Sun” is a song by Jimmy Buffett and Martina McBride. This was released in 2004 and is included in his album “License to Chill”.

This fun and upbeat song is a great addition to your birthday playlist. You can listen to this on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms.

19. “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds

Ben Folds is up next with his song “The Luckiest”. This was released in 2001 and is included in his album “Rockin’ the Suburbs”.

This is a beautiful and heartfelt song about being lucky to finally find your person and you celebrate her in ways you can. This is one of his most popular songs with over 3.5 million Youtube views.

20. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

We are finishing the list with a banger! “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. This was released in 2013 and was featured in the movie Despicable Me as a soundtrack.

It quickly became a global phenomenon and one of the most popular songs of all time. This song will surely put a smile on your face and make you happy on your birthday!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed our list of songs for your 40th birthday! There are so many great songs out there that it was hard to narrow it down to just 20. But we think these songs will definitely make your birthday a special one. Thanks for reading!