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 kayō to pop: Cool songs to master (41–50)
Sorrow like snowHamada Shogo
Sadness Is Like Snow is a classic by Shogo Hamada, released in 1981.
He wrote the song after his mother suffered a stroke, and its lyrics carry the message that it’s precisely when we face sorrow that we can become gentle.
Although the song gained popularity in the early ’90s, the version most people know is the 1992 remake used as a TV drama theme.
The original version has a cool, understated vibe too, so why not give it a try and sing it?
loadTHE toraburyū
A massive hit that sold over two million copies in total.
Its poignant lyrics about heartbreak and parting deeply resonate with men in their 50s, making it a karaoke classic! It might feel a bit too mellow when actually sung at karaoke, but it’s perfect for when you want a break.
When singing, pay attention to breath flow and expressiveness for a better performance.
The song builds toward the chorus, so if you sing each phrase of the chorus with the image of growing intensity, it will add expressiveness and enhance the atmosphere.
The key is to sing carefully and delicately—avoid singing roughly at all costs!
I’ll walk home.Saitō Kazuyoshi
This song fully brings out the coolness of a straight-ahead band sound.
The guitar, the organ, the chord progression—everything is straightforward.
That’s exactly why the skillful musicianship that makes it all sing really stands out.
Kazuyoshi Saito’s vocals have a rough, gritty texture that matches beautifully with the guitar’s distorted grit.
Ti AmoEXILE
It’s a song included on EXILE’s 28th single, “The Birthday 〜Ti Amo〜,” released in 2008.
Chosen as the CM song for Meiji’s “Meltykiss,” it became a major hit.
It won the Grand Prize for the first time at both the 50th Japan Record Awards and the 41st Japan Cable Radio Awards.
It’s a track that exudes masculine allure.
Easy★RiderOkuda Tamio
It was released in 1996 as Tamio Okuda’s sixth single.
In addition to being used in a Nissan “Wingroad” commercial, it had many other tie-ins and became a long-running hit.
The song has a laid-back vibe and evokes a sense of masculine romance.
It’s a piece you’ll want to sing with a voice that conveys a man’s ruggedness and depth.