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Lovely enka

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!

Easy-to-sing enka recommended for men: a roundup of songs to try at karaoke (51–60)

Homeward Journey to the NorthKobayashi Akira

Hokkikō, a work that depicts the feelings of a man returning to his hometown.

This piece is characterized by a very gentle melody that perfectly matches its theme.

Above all, the tempo is extremely slow, allowing ample preparation before each entry in any part.

In addition, the vocal line itself is simple, and it does not feature the complex lines that often appeared in popular songs of that era using enka-style melismatic ornamentation.

With its narrow vocal range, it ranks among the easiest of Akira Kobayashi’s songs to sing.

With a fiery heartKobayashi Akira

With a Fiery Heart ☆ Akira Kobayashi
With a fiery heartKobayashi Akira

A work notable for its distinctive sound featuring strings, “Atsuki Kokoro ni.” This piece includes few of Akira Kobayashi’s trademark upward-climbing long tones.

Since most of the long tones occur while the melody descends, even those who struggle with upward vibrato can sing it without issue.

It’s a kayōkyoku with a strong pop flavor, and advanced vocal techniques like kobushi do not appear at all.

However, the rhythm at the beginning of the chorus is somewhat irregular, so you’ll need to practice that part thoroughly.

a desperate gambleYamauchi Keisuke

Keisuke Yamauchi “All-or-Nothing” [Official Audio]
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!

AfterglowYamauchi Keisuke

Keisuke Yamauchi “Zansho” Music Video
AfterglowYamauchi Keisuke

It’s a moody masterpiece of kayōkyoku built on a 6/8 rhythm, with an impactful drum sound in the intro and an impressive slap bass line.

For Keisuke Yamauchi, it’s also a song commemorating his 20th debut anniversary, and it fully showcases the charm of his distinctive voice—powerful, sensual, and uniquely his.

He does use the characteristic kobushi of an enka singer, of course, but since the song leans more toward kayōkyoku, the kobushi itself is restrained, making it a great choice even for those not used to straight-up enka.

The A melody section is also good practice for singing low notes carefully, so try performing it while being mindful of the contrast with the soaring chorus!

Easy-to-sing enka recommended for men: A roundup of songs to try at karaoke (61–70)

Crimson ButterflyYamauchi Keisuke

Keisuke Yamauchi “Crimson Butterfly” [YouTube Edit]
Crimson ButterflyYamauchi Keisuke

A single released in the same year by Keisuke Yamauchi, whose name recognition among the general public rose even further after he performed it at the 75th NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 2024.

Blending genres like Latin and jazz while retaining a distinctly Japanese flavor, it embodies a Reiwa-era kayōkyoku vibe.

Yamauchi’s commanding vocals carry the grand scale of the piece—truly impressive.

That said, it’s also the kind of song that really heats up at karaoke, and since Yamauchi approaches it with a J-pop-leaning delivery without enka-style vibrato flourishes, you might find it surprisingly singable if you lock into the rhythm.

New York StoriesYamakawa Yutaka

Yutaka Yamakawa is known for actively singing pop songs, but he has also released tracks that mix pop, Showa-era kayōkyoku, and enka.

One such example is New York Monogatari.

Its structure is distinctive: it starts as pop, shifts to Showa-style kayōkyoku in the chorus, and weaves in enka nuances at key moments.

Because the foundation is pop and Showa kayōkyoku, advanced vocal techniques like kobushi aren’t required.

Despite its powerful feel, the song has a narrow vocal range, so even those who aren’t confident in their singing ability should be able to handle it without trouble.

Big brotherYamakawa Yutaka

Yutaka Yamakawa “Aniki” Music Video
Big brotherYamakawa Yutaka

A work that leaves a strong impression of masculinity and sincerity, “Aniki” honors an older brother and is known for its moving lyrics.

While the piece firmly inherits elements of enka, the vocal line is surprisingly understated, with none of the intricate kobushi runs typical of the genre.

If the presence of kobushi is used to define enka, this work would be classified as kayōkyoku, as every part features a simple vocal line.

As a result, even those who are not confident in their singing ability should be able to perform it without difficulty.