Ballad songs that are easy to sing at karaoke. Recommended classics and popular hits.

Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)Yonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – Gray and Blue (+Masaki Suda)

As an advance release for Kenshi Yonezu’s fourth original album BOOTLEG, the song was made available on various music streaming services starting October 11, 2017, followed by the album’s release on November 1.

It features actor Masaki Suda as a guest vocalist, and it’s really interesting that his name appears not in the credits but as part of the song title: “Grey and Blue (+Masaki Suda).” Although this track is introduced as an “easy-to-sing ballad for karaoke,” its melodic range—especially on the higher end—is quite wide, so many typical male singers might struggle with it at karaoke.

On the other hand, it also goes fairly low, so when singing it at karaoke, it might be better to adjust the key to suit your lower range.

For the high parts, using falsetto is fine.

Keep in mind that doing so may change the feel of the song, but it should still work well as a performance.

The melody is relatively simple and easy to grasp, so definitely give it a try.

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Kei Takahata

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A Naked Heartaimyon

Aimyon – Naked Heart [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

This classic song by Aimyon was released in June 2020 and was used as the theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “My Housekeeper Nagisa-san.” The track portrays the conflicts and anxieties surrounding love, as well as the hope for a new romance.

The lyrics capture the unease and loneliness of being single for a long time, the reflections on past relationships, and the yearning to meet a destined partner.

With its relaxed tempo and a melody line that doesn’t fluctuate much in pitch, it’s notably easy to sing.

When performing it at karaoke, singing with emotion will allow for a deeper expression.

It’s a recommended song for those struggling with love or looking to start a new relationship.

Before you become a memorysupittsu

Before You Become a Memory / Spitz

Released in 1993 as Spitz’s seventh single overall.

It was a re-cut single from their fourth album, Crispy!, and was used as the theme song for TV Tokyo’s Motto Suteki ni!.

With this song, Spitz made their first appearance on the Oricon charts.

It’s a gentle, relaxed tune and a very easy-to-sing ballad.

Ballad of a SingerSaitō Kazuyoshi

Kazuyoshi Saito – Ballad of a Singer [Live ver.]

Here is one of Kazuyoshi Saito’s signature songs, released in 1997.

Written from the perspective of someone who sings, it’s a simple song, yet a masterpiece that has been covered by many of Japan’s most renowned artists.

Just following the lyrics as you listen is enough to move you.

The chorus is higher than you might expect, so be careful when setting the key, and make sure not to lose the pitch during the chorus.

If you do that and sing with heart, it will become a song that truly reaches the listener.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo

Hitoto Yo – Hanamizuki

It was Yo Hitoto’s fifth single, released in February 2004.

This may be something common to her songs, but the melody has a certain Japanese flavor to it, which makes it especially familiar and easy for us Japanese to hum along to.

Of course, her vocal skill and expressive power are very high, so singing it at a level close to hers is a tall order.

However, if you’re just tracing the melody and lyrics, it’s a relatively easy song for anyone to pick at karaoke.

I’ve heard it was written around the time of the September 11 attacks, and keeping that in mind makes the meaning of the lyrics feel very weighty.

Try singing it while taking in that gravity of the words.

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Kei Takahata

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