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 (21–30)
Rose music boxMaekawa Kiyoshi
One of Kiyoshi Maekawa’s signature solo songs, also performed at the 1997 NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, is “Bara no Orugōru” (The Rose Music Box).
With its moody guitar phrases, an instantly catchy chorus, and Maekawa’s irresistibly masculine delivery that poignantly conveys a woman’s heartache, it’s the kind of classic that makes you want to sing it at karaoke.
The production straddles enka and mood kayō, and the overall melody line is easy to sing, so even beginners who struggle with straight enka should find it approachable.
That said, clearly projecting the low notes and adding vibrato like Maekawa does is surprisingly difficult, making this a great practice piece for those who aren’t confident with their lower register.
Heart RainŌe Yutaka
Kokoro Ame, a masterpiece by Hiroshi Oe, is notable for his piercingly emotive singing voice.
While Oe is often associated with a powerful, dynamic singing style, he is actually skilled at female-voiced songs as well.
Among his female-voiced repertoire, this piece is particularly easy to sing.
The melody is pure enka, but the vocal line, somewhat unexpectedly, leans strongly toward kayōkyoku (Japanese popular song), and it doesn’t demand any complex rises and falls in pitch.
There aren’t many instances of kobushi (melismatic ornamentation), but dynamic contrast is crucial, so be mindful of that.
Shigure Moon in KinosakiŌe Yutaka
While Hiroshi Oe has released pop songs, many people who want to sing his work probably prefer to perform authentic enka, even if the songs are said to be easy to sing.
In that case, I recommend Kinosaki Shigure-zuki.
It’s an orthodox enka piece, but the kobushi (melismatic turns) are very easy, mostly consisting of two-step pitch changes.
Even those who struggle with intricate kobushi can sing it without trouble, so consider adding it to your repertoire.
I want loveMaekawa Kiyoshi
In the world of enka and kayōkyoku, it’s quite common for male singers to perform lyrics that portray a woman’s feelings, and Kiyoshi Maekawa’s 1988 single “Ai ga Hoshii” is one such example.
It’s no exaggeration to call Maekawa a master of songs that express a woman’s heart; using keywords like a rainy night or alcohol, he vividly sings lyrics that, through skillful scene-setting, depict the loneliness and emptiness of a woman who seems to have just suffered a heartbreak.
The song leans more toward mood kayō than pure enka, with a fairly average vocal range and no difficult kobushi ornamentation, so even beginners to enka should definitely try it at karaoke.
Fragments of Men and WomenMaekawa Kiyoshi
A standout hit from the early Heisei era with a strong Showa kayō vibe, this song showcases lyricist Toyohisa Araki’s flair—having the title read as “kakera” instead of “hahen.” ‘Otoko to Onna no Kakera’ was released in 1991 as a single by Kiyoshi Maekawa and is one of his signature songs, beloved in karaoke.
As mentioned, it leans more toward classic Showa pop than straight enka.
While techniques like kobushi appear, the overall difficulty is relatively modest, making it approachable even for beginners to enka.
Don’t be shy—channel Maekawa himself and try expressing your own take on this “cool, grown-up song”!
Elegy of a Port TownYoshi Ikuzo
Ikuzo Yoshi’s classic “Minato-machi Banka” is marked by a melancholy, lingering melody.
It’s a women’s song depicting a woman in a port town, beautifully expressing her feelings as she dotes on her husband who’s returned from fishing after a long time away.
Despite its powerful melody, the piece surprisingly features few advanced kobushi (melismatic turns).
They do appear, but when they do, the kobushi only span one or two scale steps, so the difficulty level as enka is quite low.
Consider adding it to your repertoire.
Song of FarewellKobayashi Akira
Akira Kobayashi’s atypical work “Sekibetsu no Uta.” This piece is a cover song with a few minor arrangements; the original is a Chuo University student song.
Perhaps because it was composed in the early Showa era, it has very little pop influence, and its melody lands somewhere between a military march and enka.
Even so, the song is sung throughout in the low to low-mid range, with no sudden rises or drops in pitch.
While the monotony of the vocal line can make it harder to convey intensity, it’s extremely easy to sing—so consider adding it to your repertoire.
a desperate gambleYamauchi Keisuke
The single “Ichikabachika,” used as the ending theme for the TV anime Hanakappa, is a lively track packed with a flashy rock vibe.
Hearing Keisuke Yamauchi’s signature vibrato delivered through a rock-style song—radiating a power distinct from enka—feels fresh and undeniably cool.
The melody is easy to remember, and since it unexpectedly retains an enka-like atmosphere, it’s a great challenge both for beginners to enka and for those who already count enka as a mainstay of their karaoke repertoire.
The final high-pitched shout is tough, but if you start by projecting powerfully from your diaphragm and let it out, it’s also a great stress reliever!
Sake, Tears, Men, and WomenKawashima Eigo
This is a socially conscious masterpiece that portrays the subtle miscommunications between men and women and the nuances of emotional expression with deep insight.
It warmly observes how men open up through drinking and women through tears, each revealing their inner feelings.
Born from impressions Eigo Kawashima had at age 18 during a family memorial gathering, the song was included on the November 1975 album “Jinrui” (Humanity) and released as a single in June 1976.
Also known as the jingle for the sake brand Kizakura, it became a major hit, reaching No.
9 on the Oricon weekly chart.
It is a gem I recommend to anyone who wants to face their heart honestly when confronted with life’s sorrow and poignancy.
The Makioka SistersItsuki Hiroshi
This is a celebrated song by Hiroshi Itsuki that tenderly sings of a woman’s complex, shifting heart as she single-mindedly longs for a man, set against a snowy backdrop.
Released as a single in 1983, it’s one of his signature tracks, ranking fourth in lifetime sales within his discography.
Because it’s a beloved classic, many people have it as their go-to karaoke number, and many others may be eager to give it a try.
As for singing tips, while the overall pitch sits slightly on the low side, the range spans widely—as if mirroring the protagonist’s emotional shifts—so the key is to sing with clear contrasts and dynamic shading.
Avoid sounding too flat; aim to deliver the climactic moments with dramatic, heartfelt emotion.