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

I’m only gazing at you.Daikoku Maki

Only Looking at You (2019 Remastered)

Maki Ohguro, an artist born in Sapporo, Hokkaido, has captivated many fans with her powerful vocals and compelling performances.

She began playing in bands during high school and made her debut in 1992.

Since then, she has enlivened the music scene with songs rooted in pop while incorporating a wide range of genres such as rock and R&B.

Known for her strong vocals and catchy melodies, she received the Excellent Work Award at the Japan Record Awards and was named one of the Best 5 Artists at the Japan Gold Disc Awards in 1995.

After overcoming a period of hiatus, she continues to be highly active today.

Her worldview—expressed through powerful singing and lyrics that resonate with the heart—is a perfect match for listeners seeking both the vigor and warmth that music can offer.

The Maiden with Flaxen HairShimatani Hitomi

Hitomi Shimatani / "A Maiden with Flaxen Hair" [OFFICIAL MV FULL SIZE]

Released by Hitomi Shimatani in May 2002, this song is a celebrated piece that portrays a refreshing romance.

It expresses a young girl’s feelings of love through dreamlike imagery, beautifully harmonizing with scenes of landscape and nature.

The lyrics, imbued with youth and purity, are complemented by her clear, translucent vocals, capturing the brilliance of innocent love in full.

Featured in a commercial for Kao Essential Damage Care Shampoo, it became a major hit, peaking at No.

4 on the Oricon Weekly Chart.

With its broad, expansive melody and an elegant tone that sways like hair in the wind, it carries a familiar charm that invites everyone to hum along.

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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Desert of the Moonkawanaka miyuki

Desert of the Moon

It’s a famous 1990s song by Miyuki Kawanaka, notable for its graceful strings and a hint of kayōkyoku flavor.

Kawanaka also holds back on overt enka-style techniques in her vocals, so it might be an easy entry point for those who don’t yet feel confident singing full-on enka.

The overall vocal range is relatively narrow, the pitch isn’t very high, and the melody is easy to remember, so many people will likely find it comfortable to sing at karaoke.

One point to watch: be careful not to let it become too flat or monotonous—focus on clearly articulating the lyrics as you sing.

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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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