[For Men in Their 40s] Easy-to-Sing Karaoke Songs and Guaranteed Crowd-Pleasers

Midnight ShuffleKondō Masahiko

Masahiko Kondo “MATCHY*” “Midnight Shuffle”

Known by the nickname “Match,” singer Masahiko Kondo dominated the idol scene of the 1980s while also thriving as a racing driver.

His 40th single, “Midnight Shuffle,” was used as the theme song for the TV drama “Silver Wolf: The Boy with Two Brains” and became a major hit.

The melody is laid-back against a driving beat, and the key is low, making it easy to sing at karaoke.

It’s a rock tune with a high-energy ensemble that livens up any karaoke session, and it’s recommended even for those who aren’t very confident in their singing.

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Hoshino Takashi

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bulbTHE YELLOW MONKEY

THE YELLOW MONKEY – Bulb

THE YELLOW MONKEY is a rock band that continues to thrive at the forefront of the scene even today.

They’ve produced many classic songs, but among them, “Kyūkon” is especially popular.

This track is a song where their worldview explodes, characterized by emotionally rich vocals.

It might seem difficult at first.

However, the vocal line in this piece is surprisingly simple, with a relatively narrow range.

Because the melodic rises and falls are gentle, it’s easy to keep your pitch steady.

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Ryo

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MiracleGReeeeN

GReeeeN – Kiseki

GReeeeN, who recently changed their name to “GRe4N BOYZ” from 2024 onward, are well known as a group whose members all have careers as dentists and continue their musical activities alongside their medical work.

Since the late 2000s, they have released one hit after another on the J-pop scene, and their songs are hugely popular at karaoke.

Among them, “Kiseki,” released in 2008, is one of their signature tracks and a Heisei-era classic covered by many artists.

Its melody line is simple and easy to sing, and the vocal range is narrow, so if you’re aiming for a high score, definitely give this song a try.

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KOH-1

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countrysideTamaki Kōji

Koji Tamaki “Rural Landscape” (HD)

For those now in their 40s who spent their youth in the 1990s, many probably think of Koji Tamaki more as an actor or solo singer than as a member of Anzen Chitai.

In particular, Den-en, released in 1996 as a solo single by Tamaki, was a massive hit that went double platinum and was frequently sung at karaoke back then.

Tamaki is a singer so highly regarded for his overwhelming vocal ability that he’s respected by fellow professionals, but Den-en is composed with a very singable melody and sits in a relatively low key overall, making it a song that can score high at karaoke regardless of vocal timbre.

The only caveat is that some parts are a bit fast-paced, so it’s a good idea to memorize the lyrics thoroughly and practice until you can sing it smoothly.

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KOH-1

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Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB

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

Songs that continue to be loved across generations often have melodies with a universal appeal that anyone can sing.

Kome Kome Club’s signature song “Roman Hikō” is truly a timeless classic passed down through the ages.

Released in 1990, it was a massive hit that boosted the band’s mainstream recognition, and for those now in their mid-to-late 40s, it’s likely a nostalgic tune that brings back memories of their elementary or middle school days.

When singing it at karaoke, be mindful of the contrast between the low notes in the verse and the soaring high notes in the chorus, and take care not to go off pitch when the key changes in the final chorus.

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KOH-1

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TRUE LOVEFujii Fumiya

TRUE LOVE / Fumiya Fujii

For those of you now in your 40s who spent your teenage years in the 1990s, you might associate Fumiya Fujii more with his work as a solo artist than with The Checkers.

Fujii is active in many fields beyond music, but his most famous song as a solo singer is TRUE LOVE, released in 1993 as his solo debut single.

It’s fascinating that there are many anecdotes surrounding the song’s creation—such as the fact that Fujii had no prior experience composing before writing it, and that the odd time signature in the intro came from a mistake he made while recording the demo, which was kept as is.

It’s a massive hit so iconic it appears in textbooks and remains a karaoke favorite, yet it’s based on classic chord progressions and features a straightforward melodic development, making it very easy to sing.

One point to note: in the first chorus he sings certain parts in falsetto, while in the second chorus he sings those parts in chest voice—so keep that in mind and deliver it with strength.

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KOH-1

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MARIONETTEBOØWY

BOOWY [Marionette] Music Video BOØWY Kyosuke Himuro

This was BOØWY’s sixth single, released in July 1987.

Speaking of 1987, it was right around the time the band boom that followed was just beginning, and perhaps thanks to that, it became a massive hit, earning the band their first No.

1 on the Oricon charts.

If you’re in your 40s, there’s a good chance you’ve heard it at least once.

It also checks the top box for hits of that era—the impact of the chorus—which is extremely strong in both the vocal melody and the lyrics, making it easy to sing and easy to remember.

Its bright, up-tempo feel makes it a song that’s simply fun to sing.

Be sure to pick it casually for karaoke and enjoy.

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Kei Takahata

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