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!

Playlist

From Showa-era kayōkyoku to pop: songs that sound cool when you can really sing them
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Primalorijinarurabu		Original Love’s cool classic “Primal”
2	ReminiscenceSutādasuto☆Rebyū		The Stardust☆Review classic “Reminiscence”
3	Fake Love and HighballLET ME KNOW		A standout band with stunning looks and high musicality
4	Tears aren’t just for show.King Gnu		The appeal of King Gnu’s tribute song to Yosui Inoue
5	Forbidden taleBAND-MAID		BAND-MAID’s gritty rock song
6	ArcadiaKirinji		Recommend the classic Kirinji song “Arcadia.”
7	No more tears are neededSuzuki Masayuki		Masayuki Suzuki’s classic: mature allure and suave sophistication
8	Stop the night once moreSakiya Kenjirō		Ballad classic “Stop the Night Once More”
9	HyperNova (m-flo loves Maya)maya		An up-and-coming R&B singer, renowned for powerful vocals
10	Server Downmurasaki ima		The current “Server Down” by Murasaki is popular.
11	The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi		The melancholy ballad of Yasushi Nakanishi, who was scouted
12	Wine Red Heartanzenchitai		A classic by Anzen Chitai, featuring distinctive and captivating vocals.
13	single bedSha ran Q		Sharam Q’s heartbreak song, a moving classic that resonates with the heart
14	I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN		DEEN’s debut single, pager commercial song
15	Professionalism feat. HannyaAli		The cool ALI’s “Professionalism” intense music
16	Ruby RingTerao Akira		A signature song by Akira Terao, captivating with his deep bass voice.
17	Like tonight’s moonElefanto Kashimashi		A popular Elekashi song that became a big hit as a TV drama theme song.
18	MissingKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s classic, a heartrending love song
19	globeYonezu Kenshi		An inspiring theme song that sings about Kenshi Yonezu’s life
20	death anniversarychanmina		A song that depicts a resolve to live fully in the present
21	I can’t say it.Gō Hiromi		Hiromi Go’s hit ballad song
22	99LANA		LANA’s unwavering vocal prowess in authentic R&B
23	One more time,One more chanceYamazaki Masayoshi		Be captivated by Masayoshi Yamazaki’s beautiful singing voice.
24	AiHata Motohiro		Hata Motohiro’s popular single, known for its gentle lyrics
25	My sincere heartAina ji Endo		A female artist with an alluring husky voice
26	Lovely FreakASOUND		ASOUND with a distinctive musicality, a masterpiece
27	Faster than meiri		iri, a cool, understated female R&B singer
28	Not Drunkyouen kingyo		Seductive goldfish, the appeal lies in its moody R&B track.
29	Days in rosy huesTHE YELLOW MONKEY		Enchanted by The Yellow Monkey’s deep, husky vocals and their timeless songs
30	Maplesupittsu		A classic by Spitz, known for its poignant, melancholic atmosphere.
31	cherry blossomKawaguchi Kyogo		Kyogo Kawaguchi’s cherry blossom song, a voice that resonates with the heart
32	After the FestivalKuwata Keisuke		Masayoshi Kuwata’s drama theme songs: tracks popular among men
33	Forever with youKayama Yūzō		Yuzo Kayama’s smash hit “Wakadaisho,” a song of youth
34	Last sceneHotei Tomoyasu		Tomoyasu Hotei’s gentle ballad song
35	Morning silhouetteHamada Shogo		The appeal of Shogo Hamada’s lyrical and smoky-toned solo songs
36	milk teaFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama's deep voice is captivating.
37	Stardust StageChekkāzu		The Checkers' classic song 'Stardust Stage'
38	GIFTMr.Children		Olympic theme song tops the charts at No. 1
39	No, that’s not it.Suzuki Masayuki		Masayuki Suzuki’s cool classic—funky and exciting.
40	ON THE ROADTakehara Pisutoru		Be captivated by Takahara Pistol’s guitar and singing
41	Sorrow like snowHamada Shogo		Shogo Hamada’s classic: a song of love and sorrow for his mother
42	loadTHE toraburyū		Classic karaoke songs about heartbreak—timeless hits that resonate with the heart
43	I’ll walk home.Saitō Kazuyoshi		The appeal of straightforward music and the mastery of performance
44	Ti AmoEXILE		EXILE’s smash-hit commercial song wins the grand prize
45	Easy★RiderOkuda Tamio		Okuda Tamio's hit song, Wingroad commercial
46	A long nightMatsuyama Chiharu		Chiharu Matsuyama’s famous ballad, a poignant song of a man
47	Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi		Popular songs by Kazuyoshi Saito, timeless hits loved by many
48	Farewell, my loverSakai Masaaki		Masakazu Sakai’s signature song “Saraba Koibito,” a hit single.
49	Indigo WaltzKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s soulful R&B slow ballad
50	Farewell, Ari.Yazawa Eikichi		Eikichi Yazawa 'Ari yo Saraba' hit song
51	Together forever…GLAY		Early ballad songs by GLAY that are popular at weddings
52	The Scent of CyclamenFuse Akira		Akira Fuse’s classic song “The Scent of Cyclamen”
53	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s classic “Kanpai,” a voice that resonates with the heart
54	North Wind ~May It Reach You~Makihara Noriyuki		Noriyuki Makihara's 6th single 'Kitakaze' (North Wind)
55	mountains and riversItsuki Hiroshi		A moving classic that likens life to mountains and rivers
56	Tsubasaandāgurafu		A debut song: a cold tale of meetings and farewells
57	JUST BECAUSETHE JAYWALK		J-WALK’s signature song, a moving classic
58	ParadiseHirai Ken		Ken Hirai’s breakout hit, with adult allure
59	SubaruTanimura Shinji		Shinji Tanimura’s “Subaru” is a timeless masterpiece.
60	I knew it—I love you.yashiki takajin		Yashiki Takajin’s famous Kansai-dialect song
61	It’s nothing good.Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s classic song “Rokuna Mon ja Nee”
62	MPurinsesu Purinsesu		Princess Princess’s classic song “M”
63	Listening to OliviaAnri		Anri’s classic song “Listening to Olivia” is a great ballad.
64	Goddess (Eros)Fujii Fumiya		Fumiya Fujii’s hit song, composed by Sakurai
65	LOVE ~I Want to Hold You~sawada kenji		A classic hit by Kenji Sawada that sings of the pain of heartbreak
66	You’re My Only Shinin’ StarNagayama Miho		Miho Nakayama, who is also active as an actress. …
67	outdatedKawashima Eigo		Gritty, hyper-masculine music with the ultimate no-nonsense, tough-guy vocals
68	With a fiery heartKobayashi Akira		Akira Kobayashi’s smash-hit commercial jingle “Maxim”
69	AliensKirinji		Kirinji’s beautiful mellow classic
70	Tiger & DragonCRAZY KEN BAND		Crazy Ken Band, popular for their gritty rock numbers
71	Time, stop.Yazawa Eikichi		An explanation of Eikichi Yazawa’s classic song “Time, Please Stop”
72	Imperial Regent Declarationsadamasashi		A classic song portraying a domineering husband-to-be before marriage
73	HEAVENFukuyama Masaharu		A sexy song that portrays fleeting desires
74	My Dear EllieSazan Ōrusutāzu		Introduction to Southern All Stars’ classic song “Itoshi no Ellie”
75	As time goes bysawada kenji		Kenji Sawada's big hit song, 'A Devil-like Guy'
76	Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo		A poignant masterpiece infused with Eigo Kawashima’s heartfelt emotions.
77	Hold my soulHimuro Kyosuke		Theme song of Kaze no Keiji, a track that reached No. 2 on the Oricon chart
78	Shibuya Loner’s Kayōkyokuokayu		A masterpiece that captures Shibuya’s scenery and the loneliness of the city
79	ReminiscenceSutādasuto☆Rebyū		Stardust Revue’s soul-stirring masterpiece
80	brandy glassIshihara Yūjirō		Yujiro Ishihara’s “Seibu Keisatsu” hit song(s)
81	Love MemoryMatsuzaki Shigeru		Japan's Unknown European Music Festival
82	Azusa No. 2karyūdō		Harmony Singing Techniques of Azusa No. 2
83	DON’T TRY SO HARDWANDS		An inspiring rock ballad from the golden age of J-pop
84	Stop the clockKarumen Maki		Jacks “Stop the Clock” classic cover
85	SomedayYazawa Eikichi		Eikichi Yazawa’s moving drama song, cool and captivating
86	Take It BackReiko		Discovered by SKY-HI, REIKO is active with tracks that revive New Jack Swing in a modern way.
87	LaughobiaMINAKEKKE		MINAKEKKE's new song showcases diverse musicality
88	Asakusa KidBīto Takeshi		Beat Takeshi's classic song that sings of the melancholy of life
89	FOR YOUR LOVEMatsuzaki Shigeru		Shigeru Matsuzaki, a skilled singer who was the runner-up at a world competition
90	Tokyoyashiki takajin		An enka ballad that sings of love and heartbreak in Kansai dialect
91	Limit LoversSHOW-YA		Show-Ya’s masterpiece shocks J-pop
92	Don’t go.Tamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s masterpiece, with enchanting, ethereal vocals that captivate.
93	Broken RadioTokunaga Hideaki		The classic song that portrays the struggles of youth, 'A Broken Radio'
94	triggerSera Masanori		The famous song by Masanori Sera & Twist, with its unique charm
95	Is it okay if I cry?yashiki takajin		Takajin Yashiki sings of a man's feelings.
96	It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki		Masaki Ueda’s “Kanashii Iro Yane” is a love song in Kansai dialect.
97	hairy chestSaijō Hideki		Hideki Saijo’s classic hit—catchy and timeless across generations
98	Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji		Kenji Sawada’s famous song, a heart-stirring love ballad
99	Mary Janetsunoda☆hiro		A classic song depicting an unforgettable love
100	Pink sighTakahashi Mariko		A soulful song that sings of a grown woman’s romantic feelings