Songs that make you sound good at karaoke
Since the 2020s, the vocal skills demanded in Japan’s music scene have advanced dramatically, and most hit songs have become quite challenging.
Many people may feel that even if they want to sound good at karaoke, it’s hard to find the right songs.
So this time, we’ve picked out songs that make you sound great at karaoke!
Focusing mainly on Japanese music, we’ve selected a wide range from timeless classics to the latest hits.
Because these are songs that tend to “sound good,” we’ve centered our picks on tracks that are easy to sing—perfect even if you’re not confident in your vocal ability.
Songs that make you sound good at karaoke (1–10)
LemonYonezu Kenshi
Kenshi Yonezu’s smash hit “Lemon.” If you’re in your teens to thirties, chances are you’ve heard it.
It’s a song that tends to sound especially good at karaoke.
The reason, above all, is the wide range of vocal expression.
The opening is set in the mid-to-low to low range, giving a slightly cool impression.
When the chorus hits, the voltage spikes and you catch a glimpse of intensity.
On top of that, a falsetto appears midway through the chorus, so the song lets you showcase a variety of vocal expressions in just one track.
Bunny GirlAKASAKI
As one of the songs that went viral in 2024, many people will surely remember “Bunny Girl.” The talent of AKASAKI, who created this track at the young age of a high school student, is truly remarkable, and I’m sure there are people practicing it to add this masterpiece by a young artist to their karaoke repertoire.
The use of 7th chords that pops up throughout is stylish, and while it may sound understated at first, the melody line is actually very catchy and easy to remember, with no extreme high notes—so even those who struggle with high pitches should find it easy to sing.
Try approaching it at karaoke with a slightly cool, playfully suave vibe, and you’ll do great!
KanadeSukima Suichi
Sukima Switch’s classic song “Kanade.” It’s a quintessential J-pop ballad, but don’t you feel there are lots of parts that sound unusually good? The reason is a technique called “feiku” (vocal runs/ad-libs).
It’s similar to the enka “kobushi” and is frequently used in genres like R&B and soul, and this song incorporates it effectively.
Unlike full-fledged Western music, there aren’t any highly complex runs here, but brief ad-libs appear in every section—the first verse, pre-chorus, chorus, and bridge.
If you can sing these spots properly, you’ll tend to sound good even without advanced fundamental technique, so try paying attention to them.
kaiju (giant monster)Sakanakushon
Kaijū, which drew attention as the opening theme for Chi: About the Movement of the Earth and was released in February 2025 as Sakanaction’s first new song in about three years, topped the Oricon chart and already feels like it has cemented its place as one of 2025’s defining tracks.
While it has a straightforward, classic J-pop structure, the clever arrangement gives it a dramatic and even complex feel, showcasing advanced technique.
That said, the melody line itself isn’t particularly difficult, and there aren’t any extreme high notes, so it seems relatively easy to sing.
If you pay attention to the contrast between the rhythmic sections and the more sustained, expansive parts, you can highlight your “singing skill” even more!
Deceptive Lovetuki.
With the smash hit Ban-san-ka (“Banquet Song”) breaking various records, tuki., who cemented her status as a popular singer-songwriter at the young age of 15, has become one of those contemporary artists who keep their real face out of the public eye.
That very choice makes you feel the power of her work—her music and voice alone are more than enough to stand out.
Released in April 2025, her song Damashi Ai (“Deceptive Love”) drew attention as her first-ever TV drama theme.
Its progression from a subdued A-melody into a hook that lingers in your ears is classic J-pop.
While the vocal range is relatively wide, the melody line isn’t complicated, so listeners in their 30s and 40s should find it familiar and easy to sing.
Try singing it with crisp articulation while keeping a buoyant, syncopated rhythm in mind!
APT.ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
When it comes to the global smash hit that represents 2024, it has to be “APT.” by BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars.
The moment you hear that unforgettable phrase that sticks in your head, you instantly think, “Oh, that song,” and it feels like the first Western pop hit in a while to spread across many generations in Japan.
I’m sure plenty of people sing it at karaoke, and the only part to watch out for is the section with that characteristically Bruno Mars–style melodic line.
Since there aren’t any high notes, once you memorize the lyrics, it’s guaranteed to get the crowd going at karaoke!
Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro
Motohiro Hata’s masterpiece “Himawari no Yakusoku.” It gained widespread popularity as the theme song for the nationwide hit film “STAND BY ME Doraemon,” and to this day it remains a karaoke staple.
The song is not only catchy but also one that makes it easy to showcase vocal skill.
The reasons are, above all, the high notes in the chorus and the opening lines.
The song begins with an immediately emotive atmosphere that draws listeners into its world at once.
Just as the listener’s immersion deepens, the chorus enters with its soaring high notes, delivering outstanding musical impact.
Furthermore, because the chorus’s high notes are just shy of falsetto, singers can highlight the upper range of their chest voice—another factor that makes the performance sound impressive.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moeHirate Yurina
Since leaving Keyakizaka46, Yurina Hirate has been forging her own path as a solo artist, active in music and acting, with every move she makes drawing attention.
Released in March 2025, “Eeny Meeny Miny Moe” puts tech-house elements front and center, blending coolness and pop sensibility to superb effect, and the striking visual image Hirate presents in the music video also drew a lot of buzz.
Melodically, it isn’t particularly difficult and sits in a range that men can sing as well, but with this kind of track, simply singing it can feel too flat.
It’s best to immerse yourself in the song’s world and perform with the mindset of becoming Hirate herself.
false faceyama
Yama is an unconventional musician known for blue hair and a signature mask, keeping their identity private.
Their singing voice pairs a soft tone with a striking presence, leaving a lasting impression, and their vocal prowess is recognized both in and outside Japan.
Yama’s 2024 release “Nisegao” is a standout track: over a cool, Y2K-tinged production crafted by Matt Cab, Yama’s expressive vocals and melody really shine.
The overall pitch is quite high, so if that’s challenging, consider lowering the key and aim to sing in a way that stays close to the original without sounding flat or monotone.
CinderellaTomei
We’re in an era where talented musicians born in the 2000s are leading the scene, and TOMEI—born in 2003 and discovered by director Makoto Shinkai and RADWIMPS—is certainly one of them.
The song we’re introducing here, “Haikaburi,” is her debut track, produced by RADWIMPS’ Yojiro Noda and released in July 2023.
Written and composed by TOMEI herself, it fully showcases her gifts as a singer-songwriter.
“Haikaburi” carries a dark pop vibe reminiscent of Billie Eilish, and its word choice stands out, resulting in a track that highlights her individuality.
Once you grasp the song’s atmosphere and get past the recurring falsetto parts, even those who aren’t completely confident in their vocal skills should be able to sing it well.
The chorus is surprisingly easy to sing, too, so I’d encourage anyone looking to try a song with a different feel than usual to give it a shot.