Even if you’re tone-deaf, it’s okay! Easy karaoke songs for men in their 40s

Hide-and-seekYuuri

Yuuri “Kakurenbo” Official Music Video

For men in their 40s looking for an easy-to-sing recent hit, I recommend Yuuri’s “Kakurenbo.” Yuuri originally made his major debut as the frontman of a rock band, which later disbanded.

His street performances drew attention, and in 2020 he re-debuted as a singer-songwriter.

While he’s especially popular among Gen Z, his diary-like lyrics and carefully woven melodies resonate deeply with listeners in their 40s as well.

“Kakurenbo” is one of his signature songs, and among his works it’s set in a relatively lower key.

Although the chorus reaches slightly higher notes, the overall range is narrower, making it easier to sing.

The more powerful passages carry a sultry quality characteristic of a singer with rock roots, and it’s a great pick for ballad lovers to try.

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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.

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!

Surfing JohnnyKuwata Keisuke

Keisuke Kuwata – Surfin' Johnny (Short ver.)

Just hearing that light, tinkling piano intro instantly brings back memories of those summers… It’s a Heisei-era masterpiece that colored the early 2000s! No explanation needed: “Naminori Johnny,” the smash hit released in 2001 under the solo name of Keisuke Kuwata, vocalist of Southern All Stars, is a karaoke staple and has been sung across generations.

With Kuwata’s signature style in full bloom and a wide vocal range, the melody darts busily between low and high notes, which might feel surprisingly challenging when you actually try to sing it.

At the same time, it’s so catchy you can memorize it right away just by listening.

If you sing it with clear contrast—keeping the soaring parts and the rhythmic parts in mind—you can aim for a high score at karaoke!

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TELL MEhide

hide – TELL ME

hide from X JAPAN.

He was also active as a solo artist, and at the time he was wildly popular—not only among women but also among men.

I imagine many men in their 40s were fans.

Among hide’s songs, the one I especially recommend is TELL ME.

It’s a straightforward rock track, but the vocal line is simple without complex pitch changes.

The range is narrow too, so even those who can’t sing very high should be able to handle it without any trouble.

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Ryo

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Make-up ShadowInoue Yosui

Yosui Inoue - Make-up Shadow

When you think of Yosui Inoue, you might picture him as being more popular with people in their 50s and older rather than those in their 40s.

Surprisingly, though, he had many hits in the ’90s, so he actually enjoys popularity among some in their 40s as well.

A hidden gem by Yosui Inoue that I’d like to recommend is “Make-up Shadow.” The vocal line is sharp and cool, yet the range is narrow and there are no falsetto parts, making it exceptionally easy to sing.

If you like music with a strong Showa-era vibe, be sure to check it out.

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Ryo

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I’ve just gotta polish my heartTOKIO

When you think of TOKIO, a rock-flavored, masculine sound probably comes to mind.

“Hāto o Migakuccyanai” is a song where you can savor those rugged TOKIO vocals, but it was made before their band elements were fully developed, and overall it’s wrapped in an older, Showa-era idol-style melody.

As a result, the overall range is relatively narrow, and there aren’t any sections that require complex pitch jumps.

It’s easy to sing for people with any vocal timbre, so consider adding it to your repertoire.

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Ryo

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