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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 (21–30)

If you call it loveUru

[Official] Uru “If You Call That Love” — Theme song for the TBS Sunday Theater drama “My Family”
If you call it loveUru

Uru, who has been drawing attention on THE FIRST TAKE, a YouTube channel known for one-take recordings.

She made her major debut in 2016 with the single “Hoshi no Naka no Kimi,” and her exceptional vocal ability has been steadily gaining popularity.

Among her songs, “Sore wo Ai to Yobu nara,” which she also performed on THE FIRST TAKE, is perfect when you want to deliver a gentle ballad.

It’s not the kind of song where you belt out, but that’s exactly why managing vocal dynamics well is the challenging part.

Also, there aren’t many places to take a breath, so be sure to focus your practice there!

coloring; color scheme; hues; decoration; embellishment; added flair (figurative)ikimonogakari

Ikimono-gakari “Irodori” Music Video (Odakyu Group corporate commercial song)
coloring; color scheme; hues; decoration; embellishment; added flair (figurative)ikimonogakari

Ikimono-gakari’s “Irodori” is set for release in April 2025 and will be used as a commercial song for the Odakyu Group.

Some of you may already find it familiar.

One of the song’s features is that it builds steadily from the A verse to the B verse to the chorus, making it easy for anyone to grasp the flow and imagine how to sing it.

In classic Ikimono-gakari fashion, it’s bright and energetic, with long tones that feel great to listen to.

When singing, pay attention to the swung rhythm.

From the B section into the chorus, the way you feel the beat shifts little by little, so rather than counting in 4/4, it may be easier to lock into the melody by feeling it in 2/4 as “1, 2, 1, 2.” The phrases aren’t heavily connected, so it’s also easy to take breaths.

Don’t forget to inhale, and project your voice clearly!

Songs that make you sound good at karaoke (31–40)

FlowerNaka Kousuke

Koji Nakamura “Hana” Music Video 2016 ver.
FlowerNaka Kousuke

Takao Nakashima, known for his distinctive musical style that blends island-music elements with pop, has a unique sound.

It’s said that “Hana” was written by Naotaro Moriyama with Nakashima’s vocal timbre and worldview in mind.

My students practice this song too, and every time I listen, I think, “What a beautiful piece!” Nakashima’s voice has an airy openness, and his transitions into falsetto are completely seamless—so beautiful.

The overall range of Hana is E3 to B4, which is quite singable even in chest voice, but since we have the chance, let’s also use falsetto to bring out the bittersweet emotion.

If falsetto is difficult for you, start by singing gently without tensing up.

Take a full breath and sing with the image of projecting your voice right in front of you.

To make the switch to falsetto in the chorus smoother, it also helps to keep your facial muscles lifted throughout.

Charisma of ArroganceUNISON SQUARE GARDEN

UNISON SQUARE GARDEN “Bojyaku no Charisma” Music Video
Charisma of ArroganceUNISON SQUARE GARDEN

The opening theme song for the anime “Blue Lock VS.

U-20 JAPAN”! It’s an aggressive track with blistering rock and provocative lyrics that really shine at karaoke.

Speaking of UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, it’s all about Saito’s high tones, right? The key is how effortlessly you can hit those highs and how much you can enjoy singing them.

Since it’s the fast-tempo “Boujaku no Charisma,” breath timing is tricky and your ability to keep steady rhythm will be tested.

There are parts that don’t follow a standard rhythm, so it’s probably best to memorize each melody section.

Make sure to listen closely to the backing instruments and lock in the rhythm!

366 daysHY

HY – 366 Days (Official Music Video)
366 daysHY

HY’s classic song “366 Days.” This track is beloved across a wide range of ages, from younger listeners up to people in their 40s.

It’s a karaoke staple, so many of you have probably sung it at least once.

Its vocal range spans from mid1 E to hi G#, which is very wide, making it a bit challenging to sing without adjusting the key.

However, apart from the extremely high falsetto ad-libs in the final chorus, if you can handle the light falsetto in the B section, you can try arranging the ad-lib part in your own way.

Doing so will significantly narrow the required range, which is recommended.

That’s enough already.Fuji Kaze

Fujii Kaze – Mo-Eh-Wa (Official Video)
That's enough already.Fuji Kaze

Singer-songwriter Fujii Kaze from Okayama Prefecture is an artist known for his stylish sound and distinctive lyrics and titles.

As you can tell from the title, his song “Mou Eewa” also features highly unique lyrics.

The vocals are generally delivered with a laid-back, ennui-like feel, so I think the difficulty level is low.

There aren’t many root-note parts either, so be sure to check it out! I’m sure you’ll be able to sing it smoothly!

Heralding springyama

yama – Harbinger of Spring (Official Video)
Heralding springyama

This song, Haru wo Tsugeru, is what suddenly brought yama into the spotlight.

Some of you might recognize the opening phrase.

That said, when you actually try singing it, it’s famous for being difficult because of the drastic ups and downs in pitch.

The rhythm is crucial and the tempo is on the faster side, so it’s best to learn it slowly, piece by piece, at first.

YouTube lets you change the playback speed, so I highly recommend using that! When you sing, try not to push on the high notes; if you stay relaxed, you’ll be able to make good use of your falsetto.

It might help to practice singing lightly, with a bouncy feel.

As you get a feel for the melody line, you’ll naturally figure out where to add accents and where to cut the sound.

Once you’re comfortable, try using a bit more breath; that should help you switch smoothly between chest voice and falsetto.