Recommended for women in their 50s! A curated selection of classic and popular karaoke hits that will get the crowd going

After all, I’m an idolKoizumi Kyoko

Kyoko Koizumi – NANTETTATTE IDOL (Live at Nakano Sunplaza Hall, 2022.3.21)

This is a masterpiece by Kyoko Koizumi that portrays the light and shadow of idols with a mix of irony and humor.

By confronting the very idea of an idol head-on and vividly expressing both its front and back sides without concealment, it overturned the conventional concept of idol songs.

The complex emotions embedded within its bright, catchy melody—self-affirmation and inner conflict, loneliness amid glamour—sparked a major response when it was released in 1985.

The song was used in a commercial for Fujifilm’s Caldia and topped the Oricon chart, selling 420,000 copies.

It’s a track that resonates with the feelings of wavering between the “ideal self” and the “real self,” something people of any age or gender can relate to.

a coquettish moodkawanaka miyuki

Miyuki Kawanaka “Enya na Kibun” Music Video (full ver.)

With its bouncy rhythm and Japanese-style arrangement, “Enya na Kibun” is the kind of song that makes you want to clap along and sway your body—you should definitely try singing it at karaoke.

Released in 2009 as a single by Miyuki Kawanaka, it’s a track that fills you with energy as you listen to her playful yet somehow gentle voice.

Kawanaka’s signature vibrato appears throughout, but there aren’t any intimidating high notes, and it’s a song you can enjoy even if you can’t do vibrato.

So first, try singing it without overthinking.

Once you get used to it, practice adding a bit of vibrato little by little!

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KOH-1

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Nancy of Summer ColorsHayami Yū

Yuka Hayami Nancy of Color

Amid the idol boom of the 1980s, Yū Hayami achieved especially remarkable success.

She has produced many classic songs, and among them, “Natsuiro no Nancy” garnered particularly great popularity.

Although the song stands out for its bright and refreshing melody, the vocal line is surprisingly gentle in its rises and falls, and the range isn’t very wide.

The pitch is easy to follow as well, making it a singable choice for women in their 50s who are familiar with the track.

Consider adding it to your repertoire.

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Ryo

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Oneway GenerationHonda Minako

Oneway Generation

Minako Honda, who made a dazzling transformation from idol singer to musical theater star.

Since her debut in 1985, she shone on the idol scene while also taking on classical music and musicals, showcasing activities that transcended genres.

She successfully held her first concert at the Nippon Budokan and, in 1988, formed the female rock band MINAKO with WILD CATS.

In her debut year, she won the Japan Record Awards’ Best New Artist, earning high acclaim for her talent.

Chosen from 12,000 candidates to play Kim in the musical Miss Saigon, she captivated audiences with her outstanding vocal ability and expressive power.

As a songstress who combines a powerful voice with graceful poise, she is highly recommended for those seeking music of the highest quality.

Heavenly KissMatsuda Seiko

Seiko Matsuda Heaven’s Kiss

Seiko Matsuda has many famous songs, but for women in their early 50s, “Heavenly Kiss” may be the one that left the strongest impression.

Among her tracks, this piece is especially characterized by its refreshing melody, yet surprisingly its vocal range isn’t particularly wide.

The English lyrics in the chorus might be a tricky part, but as long as you can pronounce them clearly, it’s quite a singable song.

If you were on Team Seiko back in the day and are now in your 50s, why not give this one a try?

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Ryo

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I’m proudKahara Tomomi

Tomomi Kahala - I’m Proud

It’s Tomomi Kahara’s third single, released in March 1996.

If you’re a Japanese woman in your 50s, you’ve probably heard this huge ’90s J-pop hit produced by Tetsuya Komuro at least once! In fact, it reportedly sold a million copies in just six weeks after its release.

The song uses fairly high notes, especially around the chorus melody, so if you’re not comfortable singing high, you might hesitate to pick it at karaoke.

However, the melody itself is very catchy, easy to remember, and singable, so please give it a try.

If you push too hard on the high parts, it can put a lot of strain on your throat, so try to relax your throat as much as possible and use falsetto as needed—don’t force it.

And of course, feel free to change the key!

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Kei Takahata

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You’re My Only Shinin’ StarNagayama Miho

You’re My Only Shinin’ Star - Miho Nakayama

Miho Nakayama now has the fully fledged aura of an actress.

Her role as a con artist in the popular drama Confidenceman JP Special: Fortune Edition also drew attention.

For people in their 50s, the idol-era Miho Nakayama might still feel more familiar.

This song was originally just an album track, but its growing popularity led to a single release, and it even went on to win a Gold Prize at the Japan Record Awards that year.

It’s a gentle, mellow song—perfect for singing while reminiscing about the old days.

Highly recommended for those who are good at ballads.