[Women in Their 40s] Even If You’re Tone-Deaf, You Can Sing! Karaoke Songs That Fit a Woman’s Vocal Range

Become the windtsuji ayano

Ayano Tsuji – Become the Wind (Music Video)

Ayano Tsuji is a popular singer-songwriter who made her major debut in 1999 with a style that’s instantly recognizable: a gentle singing voice accompanied by ukulele.

Since the 2000s, she has maintained a unique position in the J-pop scene by releasing a number of heartwarming classics.

Tsuji’s music is comforting just to listen to, and one of her signature songs, Kaze ni Naru, which was used as the theme song for the Studio Ghibli film The Cat Returns, is widely known and a great pick for karaoke where people of all ages gather.

Its very straightforward melody makes it easy to sing, so it’s recommended both for aiming at a high karaoke score and for having fun singing together as a parent and child!

Melody for TomorrowOka Midori

"Melody for Tomorrow" MV full ver

Tomorrow’s Melody is a pop ballad that steps beyond the realms of enka and kayōkyoku.

Released in 2021, it became a landmark song that opened a new chapter for Midori Oka.

The composer is Minoru Komorita—credited as “Komorita Minoru”—who has crafted many classics, including SMAP’s massive hits like Dynamite and Lion Heart.

Its poignant yet powerful melody will feel familiar to anyone who often sings J-pop at karaoke.

Among Oka’s songs, the vocal range here is relatively narrow, and there aren’t dramatic jumps in pitch, so once you learn the melody, it should be easy to sing.

After that, try focusing on conveying the emotional nuances, just like Oka does!

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Crimson Japanese lantern (plant)Oka Midori

Crimson Japanese lantern (plant)

It’s a hidden gem that, while reminiscing about the Hozuki Market held in Asakusa, doesn’t foreground the bitterness of betrayal but instead highlights its intense passion even more by delivering the song beautifully with a calm vocal approach.

Although it’s positioned as the coupling track to the single Namidauta released in February 2024, it seems like an irresistible piece for those who love Midori Oka’s more mysterious side.

The melody doesn’t demand especially difficult techniques and is relatively easy to sing, so I’d love for you to give it a try at karaoke.

With songs like this, it’s harder to steadily convey emotions that can’t be contained than to show off technique, so read the lyrics carefully before you sing!

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Kiyamachi in the RainOka Midori

Kiyamachi in the Rain

Composed by Tetsuya Gen, who is said to have helped establish Midori Oka’s signature style, Ameno Kiyamachi was released in 2017 as a double A-side single with Sado no Yuubue, one of the three works in the “Mysterious Enka Trilogy.” It’s a classic, heart-wrenching enka song where vivid scenes of falling rain are artfully interwoven with the psychology of a love that has ended.

Overall, the pitch sits on the higher side, so it may be challenging for those who struggle with high notes.

However, the melody is straightforward and easy to remember, and the intonation is easy to grasp, so lowering the key should make it quite singable.

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To my belovedkawanaka miyuki

To my beloved

Listening to the chorus of this song, many people who know the ’90s well probably recalled the TV commercial for House Foods’ instant ramen “Umaissho.” Released in 1994 as a single by Miyuki Kawanaka, it’s packed with J-pop flavor and sits a bit apart from classic enka, making it an approachable choice for karaoke even if you’re not into full-on enka.

Of course, techniques honed in enka—like vibrato—appear throughout, but it’s nice that the melody still feels great to sing even without vibrato.

Once you’re comfortable, listen closely to Kawanaka’s original performance and try gradually incorporating some vibrato.

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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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I won’t forgetFuji Ayako

I won't forget

“Wasurenai,” released in 2012, is a single that showcases Ayako Fuji’s appeal as a singer of pop music distinct from her enka persona.

It served as the theme song for the Tohoku arc of NHK’s popular anime Little Charo, and the lyrics—imbued with hopes for Tohoku’s recovery—were written by Fuji herself, who hails from Akita.

As mentioned at the outset, it’s not enka but a fully pop medium-tempo ballad, with a straightforward melodic progression that’s very easy to sing—perfect for karaoke with kids!

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