Hidden karaoke gems you might not know: a collection of easy-to-sing, crowd-pleasing tracks
Have you ever had the experience of getting the crowd going at karaoke with an unexpected song when you’re out with friends or coworkers? The classic hits are great, but there are actually lots of hidden gems that are even more fun to sing at karaoke than you’d expect! You might discover songs everyone knows but rarely picks at karaoke, or tunes that turn out to be surprisingly easy to sing.
In this article, we’ll introduce some special tracks that will make your next karaoke session even more fun!
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Hidden karaoke gems you might not know. A roundup of easy-to-sing, crowd-pleasing tracks (1–10)
catDISH//
This is a song by the dance-rock band DISH//, written and composed by singer-songwriter Aimyon.
The lyrics, which liken a dearly loved person who has left to a cat and portray a desperate longing that won’t fade despite wanting to forget, captivate listeners and won’t let go.
The track was included on the single “Bokutachi ga Yarimashita,” released in August 2017, and was later used as an insert song in the TV drama “Neko.” Warm yet powerful vocals combined with a beautiful melody make it a work so moving it could bring you to tears.
Although it’s a gentle ballad, it’s also a karaoke favorite, which is why it can create a sense of unity as everyone listens together.
Why not sing it with care and heartfelt emotion?
Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number
Contrary to the desire to meet, this back number song vividly evokes a man fretting over the distance between him and the person he likes.
Many people relate to the earnest lyrics that, while self-deprecatingly assuming he doesn’t stand a chance, still wish for a miraculous encounter.
Released in June 2013, the track is captivating for its contrast between a sense of driving speed and an awkward, tender love.
It was later used in a Kirin Beer commercial, so the melody should be familiar to everyone.
Sing it at karaoke and listeners will be drawn in by its straightforward emotion.
Why not win over the heart of someone you’re interested in with a choice that’s a little different from the usual standards?
mayflyONE OK ROCK
A ONE OK ROCK number that portrays the inability to be honest about the feeling of love—saying “I like you.” Featured on the album Zeitakubyō, the song likens this self who can’t be straightforward to a wavering “kagerō” (a heat haze or mirage), an existence so unsteady it’s hard to tell if it’s really there.
You truly like them so much, and somewhere inside you already know it, yet you can’t quite admit it because you’re afraid of the reality that awaits once you do.
The lyrics, which capture those unstable emotions precisely because of how deeply you care, are heart-wrenching.
Hidden karaoke gems you might not know: A collection of easy-to-sing, crowd-pleasing tracks (11–20)
Make it into a bouquet.wacci
“How should I express gratitude to my parents?” This heartwarming song by the five-member band wacci offers one answer to that bashful dilemma.
It sings about the struggles our parents faced that we didn’t recognize until we grew up, and the deep love that accepted and forgave us unconditionally no matter what.
It expresses an overflowing “thank you” in song, like presenting a beautiful bouquet.
The track is included on the album Gunjō Refrain, released in November 2018.
In 2020, a music video made from about 400 fan-submitted photos was produced, moving many people.
Sing it at a wedding or a family celebration, and it will warmly embrace listeners’ hearts and bring the whole venue together.
Why not sing it with all your heart, thinking of the people you hold dear?
dissonanceKeyakizaka46
It was released in 2017 as Keyakizaka46’s fourth single.
The song features Yurina Hirate in the center position, and its questioning lyrics ride the melody to create the feel of multiple people having a conversation.
The choreography is deliberately dynamic to express a sense of dissonance, making it a song you’ll want to focus on the dance for as well.
Rainbow-Colored WarSEKAI NO OWARI
In contrast to its poppy, bouncing melody, this song carries a profound message and is included on SEKAI NO OWARI’s landmark 2010 April release, EARTH.
Told from the perspective of small lives like flowers and insects, it’s a sharply satirical take on the deceit behind the human chants of “peace” and “freedom.” It really hits you with the question: if they could speak, what would they cry out? The album featuring this track won the Runner-up Grand Prize at the CD Shop Awards, earning high praise for its musicality.
It’s catchy and easy to sing—perfect for getting hyped with friends—yet its deep worldview will make people take notice.
Why not shake up the karaoke mood with this surprising pick?
Shangri-LaChatto Monchī
This is a song packed with a complex kind of love—the desire to accept and cherish a partner wholly, including their weaknesses and imperfections.
Released in November 2006 as Chatmonchy’s third single, it was also used as the ending theme for the Fuji TV anime Hataraki Man.
The highlight of this track is undoubtedly the irregular meter used in the chorus! Its distinctive rhythm brilliantly captures the wavering of a love that won’t go smoothly, giving the song an unforgettable, addictive quality after just one listen.
It might be tricky to catch the groove at first, but once you lock into it, a powerful sense of unity emerges and the energy soars.
Why not surprise everyone with a pick that’s a little different from the usual crowd-pleasers?