Easy-to-sing karaoke songs: Classic picks for women in their 40s

My pager doesn’t beep anymoreKunitake Mari

Mariko Kunitake “Pokeberu ga Naranakute” MV

Mari Kunitake, who was active as a singer and model.

She’s what you might call a one-hit wonder, but many people probably still remember her.

Speaking of her hit song, of course it has to be “Pokeberu ga Naranakute” (“My Pager Doesn’t Ring”).

Released as the theme song for a drama of the same name, this piece is arranged as a ballad, with a vocal line that has little fluctuation and is very easy to sing.

Many of you likely watched the drama at the time, so consider adding this song to your repertoire.

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Ryo

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IT’S ALL RIGHTDaikoku Maki

IT’S ALL RIGHT

For women in their 40s, when it comes to singer-songwriters who give you courage and energy, isn’t Maki Ohguro the first name that comes to mind? She’s released many classic songs, but among them, the one I especially recommend as easy to sing is “IT’S ALL RIGHT.” It’s renowned as a hidden gem: despite its sharp, powerful vocals, the vocal line has a narrow range and relatively few ups and downs.

Many people may find it surprisingly easy to sing.

Definitely consider adding it to your repertoire.

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Ryo

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Study SongMoritaka Chisato

Chisato Moritaka 'Study Song' (Music Video)

Actress Chisato Moritaka, who gained popularity from the 1980s to the 1990s.

She has left behind many classic songs as a singer as well, but among them, the one I especially recommend to women in their 40s is Study Song.

As the title suggests, it’s literally a song that encourages studying, and for women in their 40s who were students back then, it may be particularly memorable.

Since this piece isn’t a song performed by a professional singer, the vocal line is calm and relatively even, without many ups and downs.

The vocal range is also quite narrow, so it should be easy enough to sing even at a third-round after-party.

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Ryo

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Green Que Sera SeraOka Midori

Midori Oka “Midori no Que Sera Sera” MV <Full Ver.>

It’s a fun, upbeat Reiwa-era rhythm kayō masterpiece that makes any Japanese person want to clap along and start dancing! “Midori no Que Sera Sera” is a song released by Midori Oka in 2021, and as the title suggests, you can sing it comfortably with a carefree “que sera sera—whatever will be, will be” feeling.

The instantly catchy chorus sticks after one listen, and if everyone in your karaoke group sings it together, it’ll definitely liven up the room.

The signature enka vocal flourishes—like heavy kobushi and wide vibrato—are kept modest, and the more natural delivery makes it approachable even for those who feel unsure about singing traditional enka.

First and foremost, have fun and sing along to the cheerful rhythm!

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KOH-1

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Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE

DREAMS COME TRUE – Future Prediction Map II ~VERSION '07~ (from Live from DWL 2015 Live Ver.)

Known by the nickname DoriKamu, DREAMS COME TRUE has long been at the forefront of the J-POP scene, delivering melodious songs favored by Japanese listeners while showing influences from funk and soul.

It’s a famous track that almost everyone has heard at least once—even non-fans—but did you know it has never actually been released as an A-side single? Among DCT’s many challenging songs, this one has a relatively simple melody, making it easy to sing even for those who aren’t confident singers.

It’s especially a crowd-pleaser at karaoke for women in their 40s, the generation that grew up with it, regardless of singing ability.

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Hoshino Takashi

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GoodbyeGAO

GAO – Sayonara [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

GAO is a singer with a memorable husky voice and an androgynous presence.

After the 2000s, she made a surprising shift to gangsta rap and even released a full-fledged hip-hop album, and she continues to be active in music under the name GAO today.

Many people probably think of her 1992 smash hit “Sayonara” when they hear her name.

The song has since been covered by many singers and remains a classic of early Heisei-era J-pop that continues to be sung today.

Featuring a very singable melody built on a simple chord progression with restrained leaps in pitch, it’s also a great choice for those aiming for a high karaoke score.

For the high notes in the chorus, be sure to project strongly from your diaphragm so you can deliver them with power.

Hello, my friendMatsutōya Yumi

Yumi Matsutoya – Hello, my friend

As one of the most important artists in Japanese music history, Yuming—Yumi Matsutoya—is a name that invariably comes up.

Each generation has songs by Yuming that hold special meaning, but many women in their 40s today will likely think of her hits from the 1990s.

From the standpoint of being easy to sing at karaoke, I recommend Hello, my friend.

Released in 1994 as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama Kimi to Ita Natsu (A Summer with You), it was a massive hit that sold over a million copies.

While it’s packed with that quintessential Yuming flavor, the melody unfolds very straightforwardly and is easy to sing.

There are no particularly challenging high notes or sustained long notes, so with a bit of practice, you can probably expect a high score at karaoke.