Cool songs that will go over well at karaoke
Must-see for anyone who wants to wow friends or coworkers at karaoke with a cool song! In this article, we’ll introduce cool, crowd-pleasing tracks that work great at karaoke.
We’ve selected not only slick rock numbers but also ballads that really shine when you belt them out.
Sing the songs we’re about to introduce, and you might just have all eyes glued to you! Practice is key if you want to sound even cooler.
If you’ve got a bit of time before karaoke day, try practicing a little and show off your awesome vocals when the day comes!
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Cool songs that will be a hit at karaoke (81–90)
Negotiationyouen kingyo
With their ultra-unique name, the alluring goldfish is a standout unit formed in 2020 by a dancer and a DJ/artist duo.
Their track “Negotiation” was digitally released in November 2024, and after the music video dropped in April 2025, it’s been drawing renewed attention.
Over a groove that blends the tension and soulful vibe of a ’90s hip-hop-style track, they rap candidly about their values with an ennui-tinged allure, and the catchy, earworm chorus makes it a true banger.
Hip-hop can feel daunting, but in this song their rap leans close to melody, so once you get the hang of it, you should be able to recreate it just fine at karaoke.
Definitely try it as a duo with a friend!
MermaidYuka
In 2024, singer-songwriter Yuka—who is active globally beyond Japan, including a performance at the renowned American music festival SXSW Music Festival 2024—continues to expand her reach.
Having spent part of her childhood abroad and being bilingual, she creates music that effortlessly transcends the boundaries between Western and Japanese pop.
The song featured here, “Mermaid,” is exactly that kind of track.
Its minimal production, languid, wistful melody line, and distinctive word choices set it apart from typical J-pop.
If you can sing a song like this smoothly at karaoke, there’s no doubt people will think you’re good.
Because the song unfolds without major shifts, be sure to listen closely to the original and practice so you can add variation with your vocals and avoid sounding too monotonous.
rock starAdo
Ado, who rose to prominence in her teens as a masked singer who never shows her bare face, has been taking the scene by storm with unstoppable momentum since her major-label debut in 2020.
Her unforgettable voice is supported by overwhelming power and a wide expressive range; both her forceful shouts and her falsetto carry a distinctive allure.
In April 2025, she released a track that clearly reflects the influence of Ringo Sheena, whom she has said she respects.
Featured on her first best-of album, “Ado no Best Album,” the song “Rockstar” fully showcases Ado’s aggressive side, built around a hard rock sound befitting its straightforward title.
While the song’s structure is relatively simple hard rock and the melody line isn’t overly complex, delivering it from Ado’s growling lows to her lustrous, powerful falsetto seems extremely challenging.
If you don’t keep your vocal folds firmly closed and master diaphragmatic breathing before attempting the shouts, you’ll quickly strain your throat—so be careful on that front.
ROSEHANA
In 2025, HANA—a seven-member female group that could well be called one of the year’s most talked-about acts—burst onto the scene.
Produced by CHANMINA, their fluid movement between hip-hop and R&B, paired with world-class sound quality, made a powerful impact both in Japan and abroad.
Their debut track “ROSE,” released in April 2025, was an undeniable hit, racking up 15 million views on YouTube within three weeks and showcasing the immense potential of all seven members.
With a firm “no lip-syncing” policy, their talent is obvious from the official live performances available—though of course, attempting their songs at karaoke will demand a comparable level of vocal skill.
From robust, R&B-inflected vocals that soar across high and low registers to razor-sharp rap, if you and your confident singer friends can pull off a faithful recreation, you’ll undoubtedly be the stars of the night at karaoke!
BE CLASSICJO1
JO1 is a hugely popular group that can rightfully be called one of the driving forces of the music scene for Japanese boy groups from the 2020s onward.
Riding even more momentum with successful appearances at major festivals like SUMMER SONIC 2024 and overseas shows, they’re also known for their exceptional vocal and dance skills.
The title track of their best-of album released in 2025, “BE CLASSIC,” shocked listeners with its bold arrangement that quotes Beethoven’s Symphony No.
5, “Fate.” In recent years, there’s been a noticeable push to fuse classical music with pop, and this song blends elements of K-pop and hip-hop into a cool dance number that’s distinctly JO1.
It’s clearly very challenging to sing at karaoke—the rapid shifts between rap and melody make it hard for one person to cover—so we recommend trying it with multiple singers!
IS THIS LOVEXG
XG, whose all-Japanese lineup recently made history as the first to close out a stage at the world-renowned Coachella 2025, continue to prove their cross-genre “X-POP” with songs built entirely on English lyrics since their debut, showcasing exceptional rap, vocal, and dance skills across the board.
The track we’re highlighting, “IS THIS LOVE,” is included on their mini-album AWE released in November 2024; it was later released as a single with an accompanying music video.
It’s a standout song with a mellow yet cool beat that lets you fully savor their vocal prowess.
The melodious rap and the soaring beauty of the chorus are especially noteworthy, but to be honest, the fact that the lyrics are all in English makes it quite a high bar for karaoke.
The catchy chorus might not be too difficult if you stick to the main melody, but if you want to recreate XG’s signature harmonies and backing vocals, try singing with multiple people and divide the parts according to each person’s strengths.
Cool songs that will be a hit at karaoke (91–100)
false faceyama
Yama is an unconventional musician known for blue hair and a signature mask, keeping their identity private.
Their singing voice pairs a soft tone with a striking presence, leaving a lasting impression, and their vocal prowess is recognized both in and outside Japan.
Yama’s 2024 release “Nisegao” is a standout track: over a cool, Y2K-tinged production crafted by Matt Cab, Yama’s expressive vocals and melody really shine.
The overall pitch is quite high, so if that’s challenging, consider lowering the key and aim to sing in a way that stays close to the original without sounding flat or monotone.