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!
- 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
- Even karaoke beginners can relax! Easy-to-sing songs for men
- [Popular and Crowd-Pleasing!] Stylish Song Selections and Karaoke Tracks
- A lineup of classic hits! Karaoke songs recommended for the yutori generation
From Showa-era kayōkyoku to pop: Cool songs to master singing (11–20)
I can’t say it.Gō Hiromi
Released in 1994 as Hiromi Go’s 66th single, this song was used as the theme for the TBS drama “Omiai no Tatsujin” and as the ending theme for Fuji TV’s “Kamioka Ryutaro ni wa Damasarenai zo!” It was issued as the second installment in a trilogy of ballads and is one of Hiromi Go’s most popular ballads.
I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN
Released in March 1993 as DEEN’s debut single, this song was also used in NTT DoCoMo’s “Pocket Bell” commercial and became a million-selling hit right from their debut.
The mid-1990s, when this track came out, was truly the golden age of J-pop, and major labels were very conscious of releasing singles that would be widely sung at karaoke.
Even among those, this one stands out as a top recommendation for being easy to sing.
The tempo and vocal melody are crafted to be very catchy and familiar.
It’s perfect when you want to enjoy an emotive ballad at karaoke.
Ruby RingTerao Akira
Triggered by his acting debut, singer Akira Terao quickly became a promising young member of Yujiro Ishihara’s “Ishihara Gundan,” gaining popularity for his cool smile and nuanced performances.
This is his sixth single, widely known as one of his signature songs, where his deep voice intertwines perfectly with an emotional guitar riff.
It was a massive hit that sold over a million copies, making it a karaoke favorite across generations.
With its low key, it’s also recommended for those who aren’t confident singers—a cool number that looks great if you can pull it off.
MissingKubota Toshinobu
It’s a song included on Toshinobu Kubota’s first album, “SHAKE IT PARADISE,” released in 1986.
Although it wasn’t a single, it’s cherished as one of his most popular tracks.
The lyrics poignantly depict a man’s unrequited love, and the song has become a classic covered by many artists.
globeYonezu Kenshi
It’s a song in which Kenshi Yonezu sings boldly while reflecting deeply on the path he’s walked and the life he’s lived.
It also drew attention for being chosen as the theme song for Studio Ghibli’s film “The Boy and the Heron.” The gentle vocals layered over a calm, piano-centered sound and the words that evoke fantastical scenery help heighten a tender emotion.
When singing it, clearly emphasizing the rests where the vocal line breaks may convey the act of looking back on life more vividly.
It’s recommended to sing as if speaking to the listener—or to yourself.
death anniversarychanmina
This is a powerful song by Chanmina that vividly portrays the urgency toward passing time and the resolve to live fully in the present.
It was also used as the theme song for the drama “Hayabusa Fire Brigade.” By contrasting the striking title “Meinichi” (the anniversary of someone’s death) with the all-out intensity of the present, it underscores a determination to live desperately in the now.
The strong rhythm with hints of R&B and funk, layered with a surging, powerful vocal delivery, conveys unwavering conviction.
Paying attention to the treatment of line endings and the application of force to evoke a gritty feel is a key point in fully communicating the song’s world.
From Showa-era kayōkyoku to pop: Cool songs to master (21–30)
Professionalism feat. HannyaAli
Speaking of especially gritty recent tracks, wouldn’t ALI’s “Professionalism feat.
Hannya” be the one? It’s got that brass band flavor ALI excels at, with an energetic, masculine, yet undeniably sexy finish throughout.
Beyond the captivating vocal lines that weave in falsetto and shouts, Hannya’s verse is seriously tough, so if you can pull this off, you’ll definitely come across as cool and gritty.
Be sure to check it out.
