Enka songs that are easy for men to sing: a roundup of tracks to try at karaoke
You might be surprised by how many people want to try singing enka at karaoke.
Of course, there are those who love enka, but even among those who don’t, some people think, “I want to sing enka well and liven up the mood,” or “I often go to karaoke with older people, so I’d like to add some enka to my repertoire.”
In this article, we’ll introduce easy-to-sing songs for men who want to sing enka at karaoke.
Songs with a not-too-wide vocal range and simple melodies are considered easier to sing.
That said, what suits you can vary, so try singing a variety of songs first to see what works for you!
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Easy-to-sing enka recommended for men: A roundup of songs to try at karaoke (71–80)
Oh, sake!Yoshi Ikuzo
A signature song by Ikuzo Yoshi that movingly portrays the feelings of a man drinking alone.
Released in September 1988, it won the Grand Prix at the All Japan Cable Broadcasting Awards and has long been cherished as a classic enka number.
Yoshi’s deep vocals blend perfectly with the wistful melody, creating a piece that resonates with listeners.
It has also been performed twice on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, earning wide popularity.
When trying it at karaoke, pay attention to Yoshi’s distinctive vocal projection and emotive expression.
It’s recommended to sing it gently while imagining a scene of reflecting on life over a drink.
Beloved DaysHoriuchi Takao
This is one of Takao Horiuchi’s signature songs.
It was used as the theme song for the year-end period drama Byakkotai, broadcast on Nippon TV in 1986.
The lyrics penned by singer-songwriter Kei Ogura leave a lasting impression.
In terms of vocals, Horiuchi is also a member and songwriter of the rock group Alice, so many parts don’t conform to enka conventions.
He changes the melody and vocal phrasing between the first and second verses, and there are shout-like phrases as well.
Even so, the song doesn’t suddenly jump in pitch or introduce radically different phrasing.
If you can produce the low range clearly and distinctly, and pay attention to how you cut off notes, you’ll likely score higher.
The Camellia Sasanqua InnŌkawa Eisaku
Eisaku Okawa’s signature song, whose passionate vocals move listeners to the core.
The lyrics depict a heartrending love story with the theme of an affair, beautifully harmonized with an emotive melody.
Released in August 1982, it became a massive hit with total sales of 1.8 million copies.
At the 1983 Japan Record Awards, it won the Long-Seller Award, and in the same year he made his first appearance on NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen.
Even those new to enka are likely familiar with this song, though it does require a certain level of vocal technique.
It’s recommended to start by carefully listening to Okawa’s delivery and studying elements like breathing timing.
Easy-to-sing enka recommended for men: A roundup of songs to try at karaoke (81–90)
Sake of TearsŌki Nobuo
It continues to resonate with many people as a masterpiece that portrays a man trying to drown his heartbreak in alcohol.
The 7-5 rhythm of the lyrics pairs exquisitely with the wistful melody, creating an emotionally rich world that could be called the essence of enka.
Since its release in 1964, it has been covered by singers across generations, attesting to the song’s timeless appeal.
When singing it at karaoke, focusing on delicately expressing the barroom scenes and the protagonist’s emotions will give your performance greater depth.
It’s a song I recommend not only to those who have experienced heartbreak, but also to anyone who wants to savor life’s bittersweet melancholy.
In a dreamKobayashi Akira
Akira Kobayashi, beloved by people of all ages for his strikingly memorable singing voice and acting, recorded this song with lyrics by Yu Aku and music by Koichi Morita.
Released in 1978, it was used as the theme song for TV dramas such as “Edo Professional: Hissatsu Shōbainin.” Its appeal lies in lyrics that delicately depict the transience of life and the love between men and women, paired with a wistful melody.
When tackling it at karaoke, it’s good to channel Kobayashi’s powerful yet deeply expressive singing style.
This is a classic that even beginners to enka will find approachable, so why not give it a try?
I’m appearing under my former name.Kobayashi Akira
A signature song by Akira Kobayashi, released in 1975, which became a long-selling hit with over two million copies sold over more than two years.
It remains a classic that is still sung today.
Because of its bright timbre it can feel high in key, but it’s actually not that high.
Once you memorize the first chorus, the rest is mostly repetition of the same melody, making it easy to practice.
Try to clearly differentiate the volume and emotional intensity between the verse and the chorus.
If you sustain the long notes well and master the slightly wider melodic intervals, a high score won’t be just a dream.
A street corner in loveYamauchi Keisuke
This is Keisuke Yamauchi’s 2008 hit song about romances between men and women unfolding in bars across bustling districts like Sapporo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.
Although he’s from Fukuoka Prefecture, his career has an interesting twist in that his popularity first took off from Hokkaido.
The song doesn’t demand a particularly wide vocal range, nor does it feature extremely high or low notes.
The classic path to improvement is to grasp the melody and sing so the lyrics come across clearly and crisply.
If you sing while taking a bird’s-eye view of the song’s world—approaching it with the mindset of a narrator—you’ll likely be able to perform without overloading it with emotion, in just the right way.