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 (1–10)
ArcadiaKirinji
One of Kirinji’s signature songs is Aliens.
It’s a wonderfully downbeat yet sexy track, but because it’s so well-known, you often end up overlapping with others when you sing it at karaoke, right? That’s why I recommend Arcadia.
While it exudes the same kind of downbeat vibe as Aliens, it also features sections with a distinctly rock-flavored sound.
If you deliberately choose to sing this song, long-time music aficionados will surely be impressed by your taste.
No more tears are neededSuzuki Masayuki
Sex appeal and cool sophistication are closely related.
That’s why I recommend “Mou Namida wa Iranai” (“No More Tears”).
It’s a hit by Masayuki Suzuki that became a nationwide sensation in the 1990s.
The biggest draw of this song is its expansive vocal line.
The smooth vocal parts, firmly rooted in Black music, exude an adult allure.
While the melody itself isn’t particularly difficult, the singer’s vocal timbre is crucial.
If you can pull it off, you’ll definitely leave a strong impression of refined coolness.
Stop the night once moreSakiya Kenjirō
If you want to nail a cool, moody vibe with a ballad, I recommend Mō Ichido Yoru o Tomete (“Stop the Night Once More”).
It’s one of Kenjirō Sakiya’s signature songs and a work that epitomizes late-’80s and ’90s Japanese ballads.
While it shares much with standard pop ballads, it also carries a touch of R&B, giving the track a subtle groove.
The key is high and the vocal line is fairly challenging, but definitely consider adding it to your repertoire.
HyperNova (m-flo loves Maya)maya
Maya is a young artist who’s been drawing attention from Japanese R&B enthusiasts lately.
Her collaboration with m-flo on “HyperNova feat.
Maya” quickly put her in the spotlight.
Maya’s biggest charm, above all, is her powerful vocal ability.
She’s a singer who has mastered the kind of authentic vocal improvisation—rarely heard in Japanese pop—known as the “fake” technique, and this work showcases her skills throughout.
If you can sing it well, you’re sure to earn praise as ‘cool’ from R&B aficionados.
Server Downmurasaki ima
Shiin, a female singer-songwriter who’s won fans with her sophisticated musicality, rose to nationwide fame with “Femme Fatale A.” Since it went viral, many of you have probably heard her songs on TikTok or Instagram.
Among her works, the one I especially recommend is “Server Down.” It’s a challenging, R&B-centered track, but the sultry allure of the A melody is incredible—definitely consider adding it to your repertoire.