[Men in Their 50s, Gather Up!] Classic Karaoke Crowd-Pleasers & Easy-to-Sing Hits

Kiyoshi’s Zundoko SongHikawa Kiyoshi

Kiyoshi Hikawa / Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi [Official]

A heartwarming, approachable song that makes the most of rhythms found in folk songs and enka.

This masterpiece fully showcases Kiyoshi Hikawa’s charm, beautifully expressing the bittersweetness of love, masculine strength, and longing for one’s hometown.

With his natural vocal talent and refreshing appeal, Hikawa presents a uniquely modern take on the traditional enka worldview.

It was released by Nippon Columbia in February 2002.

The song won the Gold Prize at the 44th Japan Record Awards and is known as one of Hikawa’s signature tracks.

With its relaxed tempo and narrow melodic range, it’s a piece you can sing with a calm mindset.

During the chorus, it’s also nice to have listeners add call-and-response interjections!

homeKiyama Yusaku

Yusaku Kiyama - Home

An inspiring ballad filled with a father’s warm love and his hopes for his child’s growth has been delivered by Yusaku Kiyama.

His gentle, soothing vocals convey deep affection for family, and though the storytelling is simple, it leaves a lasting resonance in the listener’s heart.

Released in February 2008, the song was selected as the ending theme for Nippon TV’s “UtaSta!!” and Yomiuri TV’s “Joho Live Miyane-ya,” and it also earned a spot in the 59th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen that same year.

It’s a great choice for karaoke when you want to reflect on family memories or express gratitude to someone special.

Like softly returning a handclasp under a bright sky, it’s a song wrapped in kindness.

Speak not of lifeyoshida takurou

Takuro Yoshida - Don’t Speak of Life (lyrics)Don’t speak of life like you know it allDon’t speak of love like you’ve got it downDon’t speak of dreams the way someone else doesDon’t speak of life, don’t speak of lifeIf you’re gonna talk, then sing it outIf you’re gonna love, then give it allIf you’re gonna dream, then stake your lifeDon’t speak of life, don’t speak of lifeWhen the wind blows through the town at duskI stop and listen to my heartI remember someone I used to loveAnd I feel like I can almost see them nowDon’t speak of life like you know it allDon’t speak of love like you’ve got it downDon’t speak of dreams the way someone else doesDon’t speak of life, don’t speak of lifeIf you’re gonna cry, then cry it outIf you’re gonna laugh, then laugh out loudIf you’re gonna live, then live it throughDon’t speak of life, don’t speak of lifeOn a night when the rain won’t seem to stopI walk with my collar turned upI hum a tune that no one knowsAnd I feel like I can almost flyDon’t speak of life like you know it allDon’t speak of love like you’ve got it downDon’t speak of dreams the way someone else doesDon’t speak of life, don’t speak of lifeIf you’re gonna talk, then sing it outIf you’re gonna love, then give it allIf you’re gonna dream, then stake your lifeDon’t speak of life, don’t speak of life

It’s a song whose powerful vocals, singing of the doubts and inner struggles we face in life, are deeply moving.

It was included on the 1974 album “Ima wa Mada Jinsei o Katarazu,” whose title is said to have been taken from this song’s lyrics.

While the rhythm is calm yet strong—making the tempo approachable even for beginners—the melody is also simple and easy to sing.

However, to convey the atmosphere of the piece, passionate, heartfelt singing is essential.

It’s important to imagine how to flow the words and where in each phrase to apply emphasis.

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Until today and from tomorrowyoshida takurou

“Until Today and From Tomorrow” by Takuro Yoshida

It’s one of Takuro Yoshida’s signature songs, depicting someone looking back on their life and connections with others while pondering the road ahead.

Its popularity is evident from its use in various works, such as the 1972 film “Tabi no Omosa” and the 2001 film “Crayon Shin-chan: The Storm Called: The Adult Empire Strikes Back.” Centered on acoustic guitar—the hallmark of folk music—the simple sound enhances the clarity of the lyrics’ message.

The repeated, straightforward melody makes it easy to sing, and performing it in a relaxed, almost murmuring tone helps bring out the song’s atmosphere.

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SignalSaitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – Signal (Full Length Ver.) [Music Video]

Although it sings of lingering attachment to a finished romance and a farewell, the piece somehow feels refreshingly light.

“Signal” is a track from the 21st album, “55 STONES,” released in 2021.

The easy-on-the-ears band sound meshes beautifully with the lyrical world.

You can feel the sadness and loneliness, yet by the end it leaves you with a dry, clear aftertaste.

This holds true for many of Saito’s other songs as well, but since there are almost no parts that require belting, it’s very easy to sing.

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Araki Jakkan

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How many good faces?Gō Hiromi

How Many Good Faces / Hiromi Go

The 35th single, released in July 1980, is “How many Ii Kao.” The song portrays someone thrilled by a woman whose expressions change from moment to moment, conjuring images of a flirtatious, playful romance.

Its rhythmic groove and somewhat innocent-sounding vocals are such a perfect match.

It’s catchy, so it’s a great pick when you want to warm up the mood at karaoke.

The melodic range isn’t very wide, so try not to get thrown off by the tempo—focus on singing it steadily.

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Because I like youGō Hiromi

Hiromi Go - Because I Love You - Karaoke - Hiromi Go - Part 19

The pure feelings woven into the lyrics make my chest tighten.

“Suki Dakara,” released in 2017 as their 102nd single, is a cover of a song originally released by Ruriko Kubo in 2000.

It’s a love song where the bright melody pairs perfectly with the straightforward vocals.

The sentiment of “I really love you” comes through directly and just makes you feel happy.

It might be a good one to sing at karaoke as a couple, don’t you think?

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