[2026] Recommended Japanese karaoke songs for men in their 50s

It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki

Masaki Ueda - Kanashii Iro Yane ~ Osaka Bay Blues.mp4

It’s such a masterpiece that listeners can’t help but fall silent and listen.

It’s a song for grown-ups.

You shouldn’t tackle it half-heartedly; you should practice until you’re fully satisfied before performing it.

It’s the perfect masterpiece to close out a karaoke session, and an essential piece for your repertoire.

a bright red sunMisora Hibari

Crimson Sun

Needless to say, it’s one of Hibari Misora’s hit songs, but if you punch this in at karaoke right when the vibe is at its peak, it absolutely kills.

Don’t be shy—go all in and sing it with a bit of over-the-top dancing for the best effect.

Give it a try and see for yourself.

metropoliskurisutaru kingu

Daitokai – Crystal King

Speaking of Crystal King, it’s all about the high notes.

Vocalist Masayuki Tanaka’s high-tone voice was very striking.

In the song “Daitokai,” the high-pitched hook right at the start is crucial.

In fact, if you can get through that opening high hook, the rest should be fine.

But suddenly belting out high notes can strain your throat, so it’s better to warm it up beforehand.

I think it’s best to sing a few songs first and then tackle this one.

If you’re confident in your high range, definitely give it a try!

My Dear EllieSazan Ōrusutāzu

Beloved Ellie [2024 Remaster]

This is Southern All Stars’ third single, following the raucous, festival-like songs “Katte ni Sindbad” and “Kibun Shidai de Semenaide,” which made them popular.

With a dramatic change in musical style, this track showcased the breadth of their sound to the world.

Releasing a ballad at a time when their momentum was in full swing felt like a kind of venture for the band.

Later, when Ray Charles covered it, the song’s popularity surged again—truly a landmark in Japanese pop music.

If you’re a man in his 50s, you might find yourself humming it without thinking.

It’s nothing good.Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi

It's nothing good.

Hit songs and TV dramas are inseparable, aren’t they? This track was also used as the theme song for the TBS drama Oyako Zigzag, starring Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi.

I think everyone in their 50s watched it.

The supporting cast was full of fun personalities too, including Saburo Ishikura and Shigeru Muroi.

The somewhat wistful lyrics—about how life goes on even as we’re betrayed, deceived, and hurt—fit the drama perfectly.

I imagine many people of that generation still sing it at karaoke.

From folk to rock, and from rock to songs that embody the Japanese spirit, Nagabuchi has evolved with the times.

I’m excited to see what he does next!

I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka

SOLIDEMO / I LOVE YOU (Yutaka Ozaki Cover)

It’s a monumental love song that anyone in their 50s would know.

Even though it’s a mellow tune, it lifts your spirits somehow.

For karaoke, the key is to hold back your emotions in the first half so the chorus can soar effectively—start by singing the first phrase softly, almost like a whisper.

Since it’s such a popular song, it would be fun for everyone to belt out the chorus together.

Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB

JAL Okinawa Campaign Summer Rikyu 1990 Theme Song: "Kome Kome Club - Roman Hikou"

This is Kome Kome Club’s 10th single, released in April 1990.

It was used as the CM song for JAL’s Okinawa travel “JAL STORY Summer Rikyu Campaign” in 1990.

Just by listening, you can picture the beautiful summer scenery of Okinawa—it’s a track brimming with a refreshing vibe! As of November 2023, many people in their 50s likely heard this song in real time.

The vocal melody sits in a range that’s easy for most people to sing, so you can hum along casually.

For the higher notes in the chorus, try placing the sound toward the upper palate inside your mouth; it gives your tone a bit of sparkle, which I think helps recreate the original song’s freshness in karaoke.

Give it a try!

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Kei Takahata

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