Classic and popular blues songs to sing at karaoke
The blues—a music genre whose charm lies in its deeply melancholic sound.
In fact, Japanese blues is surprisingly known for its high quality.
The underground scene is home to some incredible singers, and it’s overflowing with great songs.
This time, we’ve selected tracks we especially recommend for karaoke.
We’ve also included vocal technique tips from a vocal coach, so if you want to sing the blues with a cool, rugged edge, this is a must-see.
- Ranking of popular blues songs
- A classic of Japanese blues. Japanese blues that lets you get drunk on the sound and vocals.
- A collection of enka songs with “Blues” in the title: masterpieces that sing of sorrow
- Even karaoke beginners can relax! Easy-to-sing songs for men
- Must-see for men: Songs that look cool if you can sing them at karaoke—numbers that women can’t help but be captivated by.
- [Karaoke] A roundup of songs that are easy for women to sing!
- Hidden karaoke gems you might not know: a collection of easy-to-sing, crowd-pleasing tracks
- Gentle songs you want to sing at karaoke. Recommended classics and popular hits.
- Ballad songs that are easy to sing at karaoke. Recommended classics and popular hits.
- Blues masterpieces—from prewar blues to blues rock
- Karaoke songs recommended for men with low voices or who are good at singing in a low register
- Great for karaoke too! Jazz classics you’ll want to sing at least once
- A lineup of classic hits! Karaoke songs recommended for the yutori generation
Blues classics and popular songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke (11–20)
perfectAzuma Mitsuyoshi & The Swinging Boppers
Azuma Mitsuyoshi & The Swinging Boppers is a group led by Mitsuyoshi Azuma, known as a highly skilled blues singer.
They’re renowned for an authentic sound that rivals blues from overseas and are held in very high regard within the blues community.
Among their songs, the one I especially recommend is Batchigoo.
It’s a track packed with everything great about jump blues, the genre they excel at most.
Since coming out to OsakaUeda Masaki
Masaki Ueda is one of Japan’s leading soul singers.
I think everyone has heard his signature song, “Kanashii Iro Yane,” at least once.
Though he’s known as a soul singer, he also actively works on blues numbers, which share many similarities with soul.
Among them, one track I especially recommend is “Osaka e Dete Kite Kara.” It features a melody reminiscent of the late Ray Charles, blending jazz, blues, and soul.
Since it’s a quiet song, it’s also recommended for those who aren’t confident in their vocal power.
Yokohama Honky-Tonk BluesIshiguro Kei
Kay Ishiguro is a female singer who gained popularity in the 1970s with her genre-defying musical style.
Though she has explored many genres, her blues recordings are especially well-regarded.
Among her songs, the one I particularly recommend is Yokohama Honky-Tonk Blues.
It’s a blues number with a touch of kayōkyoku (Japanese pop) flavor, characterized by a gentle, wistful mood.
I think it sounds especially alluring when sung by a woman with a lower voice, so it’s a great pick for singers like that.
I miss youBEGIN
BEGIN is a band from Okinawa that has been active for many years.
This song, which was also used in a Nissan Motor commercial, is their debut single released in March 1990.
The lyrics portray lost dreams and memories of the past, as well as bittersweet feelings of love, expressing the climate and emotions of Okinawa while singing of universal romantic emotions.
The gently flowing melody sometimes aches the heart and at other times offers warm comfort.
It’s a track that showcases BEGIN’s flexible musicality, blending elements of blues, Hawaiian, and Okinawan music.
For karaoke, it’s recommended as a song that brings quiet emotion and evokes nostalgia for past memories and a bygone era.
It’s a sad color, isn’t it?Ueda Masaki
A classic where wistfulness meets soul, this is one of Masaki Ueda’s signature songs.
Released in October 1982, it initially struggled, but its popularity on cable radio grew, and by the following year it had become a major hit, reaching No.
5 on the Oricon chart.
The unusual combination of Kansai-dialect lyrics with a melody that evokes English-language songwriting creates a uniquely captivating charm.
The bittersweet lyrics, depicting a farewell by the sea, resonate deeply with listeners.
Ueda’s distinctive husky voice further elevates the song’s appeal.
If you sing it at karaoke, the key is to pour your emotions into the performance.
In conclusion
This time, we introduced some of Japan’s finest homegrown blues.
While Japan has many great blues singers in the underground scene, the mainstream still has a long way to go.
We’d love to see a blues boom arrive in Japan.
Rag Music also has other articles themed around the blues—be sure to check them out!