From Showa-era kayōkyoku to pop: songs that sound cool when you can really sing them
Many of you probably want to sing cool, deep tracks at karaoke with style.
In particular, Showa-era kayōkyoku and New Music, as well as early-to-mid Heisei J-POP, are packed with timeless masterpieces that still sound fresh decades after their release—a real treasure trove of cool, mature songs.
It’s precisely because of that universal appeal that these songs continue to be sung by today’s younger generation.
In this article, I’ll introduce plenty of those songs that, if you can pull them off, will give you that sophisticated edge.
I’ve picked selections mainly from Japanese music of the ’70s through the ’90s, with some of the latest J-POP mixed in, so use this as a reference when choosing songs for karaoke!
- Must-see for men: Songs that look cool if you can sing them at karaoke—numbers that women can’t help but be captivated by.
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the ’70s to 2000s that are perfect for livening up karaoke
- A collection of iconic, cool Showa-era kayōkyoku classics sung by male vocalists
- [Men in Their 50s, Gather Up!] Classic Karaoke Crowd-Pleasers & Easy-to-Sing Hits
- [Classic Showa Kayō Hits] The captivating Showa-era pop songs beloved even by younger generations
- [Songs from the Showa Era] Introducing classic tracks that are easy to sing at karaoke.
- Karaoke songs for men in their 40s: a curated selection of hit tracks women want to hear!
- Karaoke songs recommended for men with low voices or who are good at singing in a low register
- Heisei-era masterpieces: Easy to sing! Carefully selected songs recommended for karaoke choices!
- Songs Women Want Men to Sing: Popular Karaoke Picks Chosen by Girls
- [2026] Songs I Want to Try at Karaoke! A Roundup of Popular Showa-Era Kayōkyoku
- Even karaoke beginners can relax! Easy-to-sing songs for men
From Showa-era kayōkyoku to pop: Cool songs to master (81–90)
Take It BackReiko
Born in 2002, REIKO—born in the Philippines and raised in Aichi Prefecture—is a promising young singer-songwriter who, despite narrowly missing out in SKY-HI’s audition program “THE FIRST,” was later recognized for his talent by SKY-HI himself and debuted as a solo artist.
Released in April 2025, the track “Take It Back” consciously channels New Jack Swing, reviving the style in a modern way and shaping it into a killer tune that fully showcases REIKO’s superb vocal ability and outstanding sense of rhythm.
Beyond the melody line that moves across a wide vocal range, songs like this demand a strong rhythmic feel while singing; simply hitting the notes as written will never capture the vibe.
Listen closely to the track and try singing with the song’s inherent groove in mind.
LaughobiaMINAKEKKE
MINAKEKKE is the solo project of Yui Minako.
Characterized by a sound rooted in goth, new wave, acid folk, and trip-hop, it has earned high praise from hardcore music aficionados.
The new track “Laughobia” blends acid folk and trip-hop, boasting a very wide vocal range.
Although it’s sung with a downbeat, moody delivery, the abundance of long tones likely demands more diaphragm and breath control than one might expect.
Asakusa KidBīto Takeshi
A song by Takeshi Kitano—highly acclaimed across generations for his distinctive character as a comedian, film director, and actor.
It’s a bittersweet number that depicts episodes from his early days, and it continues to be celebrated as a classic, having been used as the theme song for the 2017 film Hibana (Spark).
The lyrics vividly capture the struggle between dreams and reality, likely prompting many listeners to reflect on their own lives.
Sung softly at karaoke, it’s sure to resonate with the audience—a gritty, quintessential masterpiece of the Showa era.
FOR YOUR LOVEMatsuzaki Shigeru
Shigeru Matsuzaki is a singer with overwhelming vocal prowess.
In fact, he’s a Japanese artist who’s recognized worldwide—he took second place at the Mallorca Music Festival, a competition where top singers from around the globe vie for vocal supremacy.
One of his signature songs is “FOR YOUR LOVE.” Among his works, this track stands out for its especially soulful melody.
While the sweet lyrics are memorable, it also carries a rugged depth, so if you’re confident in your singing ability, definitely give it a try.
Tokyoyashiki takajin
Released in March 1993, this mood-kayō song fuses tearful enka with sophisticated urban pop.
Through Kansai-dialect lyrics, it movingly portrays a romance and breakup with a man she met in Tokyo, along with her complex feelings toward the city.
Takajin Yashiki was an artist who was active mainly in the Kansai region, also serving as a host of the popular program “Sei! Young.” This piece became a hit as requests on cable radio surged, ultimately selling a total of 600,000 copies.
In live performances, he would sometimes change the place name in the chorus to match the concert location, valuing a sense of unity with the audience.
When singing it at karaoke, it’s recommended to sing at an easy, relaxed pace while thinking of your hometown and the special people you’ve met.