Moving masterpieces and popular songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke

Have you ever been moved by a song you heard someone sing at karaoke?

From bittersweet love songs to anthems that cheer you on in life, to tracks that tell stories that resonate deeply—many songs can leave a lasting impression.

Of course, sometimes it’s the singer’s skill that makes it moving, but in this article, we’ll introduce a wealth of timeless songs that can move listeners no matter who’s singing them.

It’s a flood of emotionally powerful songs—so moving you might cry—when you think about the messages in the lyrics and the stories behind them!

Be sure to try singing them yourself and move everyone around you.

Playlist

Moving masterpieces and popular songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Letter to TomorrowTeshima Aoi		Aoi Teshima’s moving drama theme song, a masterpiece that resonates with the heart
2	366 daysHY		Popular breakup songs for karaoke
3	1.15 Million Kilometers of FilmOfisharu Higedan Dism		A moving song that depicts life like a movie
4	A Naked Heartaimyon		Aimyong’s first ballad, a cute love song
5	hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake		A moving masterpiece that portrays long-distance love
6	threadNakajima Miyuki		A classic song that likens human encounters to threads
7	Wherever you areONE OK ROCK		A love song by ONE OK ROCK that sings of eternal love
8	I long to see you now.MISIA		A moving ballad filled with the feelings we want to convey
9	Don’t give upZARD		Representative cheer song by ZARD
10	KanadeSukima Suichi		Hit songs by Sukima Switch, with moving lyrics and melodies
11	HANABIMr.Children		A masterpiece whose anguish and beautiful melodies resonate with the heart
12	StoryAI		Let's cherish the time we spend with our loved ones.
13	sasanqua (Camellia sasanqua)SEKAI NO OWARI		Pyeongchang Olympics NHK theme song, an inspiring anthem of support
14	If you call it loveUru		A moving song that portrays changes in relationships and their rebuilding
15	dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo		Hitoto Yo’s classic—a song of emotion and prayer
16	Only HumanK		The grand ballad theme song of 1 Litre of Tears
17	SoranjiMrs. GREEN APPLE		A film theme song that sings of hope, resonating in the heart
18	smileikimonogakari		A heartwarming theme song of smiles and bonds, happiness in circulation
19	spin; weave; compose (e.g., a story)tota		A moving work that heals the heart with its delicate singing voice
20	horizonback number		A cheer song by back number for high school students
21	AnswerIkuta Rira		Lila Ikuta’s Song of Challenge and Hope for the Future
22	Eine KleineYonezu Kenshi		A poignant song that mourns parting with the one you love
23	planetariumOtsuka Ai		The appeal of Ai Otsuka’s poignant heartbreak songs
24	If I had been living aloneSUPER BEAVER		A moving classic that sings of bonds between people
25	Endless JourneyMr.Children		Mr.Children’s classic song of courage and hope
26	cold; curt; blunt; unfriendlyRADWIMPS		A pure-love, moving RADWIMPS ballad
27	GIFTMr.Children		A gentle, warm love song about giving a gift in a color that suits the other person.
28	The Toilet GodUemura Kana		A moving masterpiece filled with love for my grandmother
29	Song of Eternal NightKami wa saikoro o furanai		A song that moves people with its heartrending lyrics and vocals
30	If I Had Never Met You ~Summer Snow Winter Flower~Aimer		A haunting song whose lingering regrets and aching sorrow resonate in the heart
31	the red threadKobukuro		The future of two people beyond love and jealousy
32	blinkback number		A heartwarming song that sings about the shapes of kindness and love.
33	MiracleGReeeeN		GReeeeN’s hit song, “The Miracle: A Love Song.”
34	crescent moonayaka		Ayaka's famous song about a long-distance relationship
35	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		A powerful classic that sings of the moving spirit of the Olympics
36	Someday Merry ChristmasB’z		A ballad that portrays a love swaying with the anxiety of loss
37	Close your eyesHirai Ken		Ken Hirai’s signature songs—masterpieces that showcase his outstanding vocal ability
38	Rainy BlueTokunaga Hideaki		Hidetoshi Tokunaga’s signature song that sings about the pain of heartbreak.
39	The Future Projection IIDREAMS COME TRUE		A classic love ballad, a melody that moves the heart
40	I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka		Yutaka Ozaki's Masterpieces: The Power of the Music He Left Behind
41	C.O.S.M.O.S. ~Cosmos (Autumn Cherry Blossoms)~Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu		A song by J Soul Brothers that depicts the conflict of love.
42	OrangeSMAP		The orange-hued twilight and the poignancy of farewell
43	era; age; time; periodNakajima Miyuki		Miyuki Nakajima’s timeless classic loved across generations
44	To Your TownASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION		Trust in your own growth and the support of others
45	You Go Your WayCHEMISTRY		A masterpiece that beautifully sings of the poignancy of parting
46	Goodbye, LipsHarureo		A movie theme song that sings of a heart-wrenching farewell.
47	Together foreverKobukuro		A classic wedding anthem and a major hit song by Kobukuro
48	When Someone’s Wish Comes TrueUtada Hikaru		A masterpiece that faces the cost of happiness and reality
49	Promise of SunflowersHata Motohiro		A classic movie theme song that portrays friendship and moving emotions
50	FanfareTamaki Kōji		Koji Tamaki’s moving cheer song conveys the courage to face forward.
51	Like the shining moonSuperfly		Superfly’s moving theme song, a voice that resonates with the heart
52	A Song For ××Hamasaki Ayumi		A song in which an adolescent passionately sings about the conflict between expectations and their own feelings.
53	As a personSUPER BEAVER		Cheering Song by SUPER BEAVER
54	Once more[ re: ]		An inspiring song that delivers hope through the power of music
55	Letter ~To You at Fifteen~Anjura Aki		A Letter Weaving the Thoughts of a 15-Year-Old and Hopes for the Future
56	Just… I want to see youEXILE		A poignant ballad, SHUN’s final song with lyrics written by himself
57	Peter Pan syndromeSound Schedule		A gentle rock tune that portrays nostalgia for youth and the acceptance of change.
58	TSUNAMISazan Ōrusutāzu		Southern All Stars' Kuwata's 'TSUNAMI' is a difficult song.
59	Unrequited loveAimer		Aimer’s captivating vocals and emotionally resonant songs
60	Night journeyYorushika		The insert song of “Yako wa Neko o Kaburu”
61	single bedSha ran Q		Sharam Q's first million-selling hit song
62	March 9Remioromen		A song for weddings became a graduation song.
63	Thank youikimonogakari		Ikimono-gakari 'YELL' — an emotional ballad
64	Just a little longer until graduationGLAY		A song that portrays the bittersweet feelings and memories of graduation
65	Smile and say goodbyeFujifaburikku		The bittersweet feeling of struggling, laughing, and parting
66	soap bubbleMōningu Musume.		Ephemeral love, walking while believing in my own path
67	One moreFUNKY MONKEY BABYS		A moving cheer song themed around baseball
68	rendezvousshaitoopu		A moving Schatulle song that portrays the pain of heartbreak
69	Black Boots ~oh my friend~SOPHIA		A moving song filled with memories of a friend
70	He was alive, wasn’t he?aimyon		A powerful song that satirizes society with striking lyrics
71	sea colorAKINO from bless4		Encouraged by the voices of those who believe, finding hope
72	Winter,againGLAY		The captivating charm of GLAY’s moving classic ballads
73	Theory of the Mindful HeartRADWIMPS		Deep emotions embedded in RADWIMPS' lyrics
74	LemonYonezu Kenshi		Kenshi Yonezu’s farewell song, a deeply moving piece that resonates with the heart
75	If you laugh at the skywacci		Wacci’s cheer song for those giving their all in club activities and competitions
76	Unfit to be a loverMiyuhan		A song about lingering feelings for an ex-lover
77	Untitled TodayHirai Dai		A song that cherishes the small joys of everyday life
78	SparkleRADWIMPS		Rock ballad theme song for a Makoto Shinkai film
79	to go on a rampage; to start acting violently; to run amokUrufuruzu		A song that stays close to a heart swaying with loneliness
80	El’s ParadiseSound Horizon		A famous song about a doll waiting for her father
81	nape (of the neck)aiko		A song of bittersweet memories about losing someone dear
82	The Curry Rice WomanSonin		A poignant song by a woman thinking about parting with curry
83	walnutMr.Children		Kurumi is a song that makes you want to chase after the dreams you once gave up on.
84	searchlightTamaki Kōji		A warm song characterized by Koji Tamaki’s strained, emotional vocals.
85	White lilies on my birthdayFukuyama Masaharu		Masaharu Fukuyama’s classic song “Tonbi” is a love song to parents.
86	Thank youOKAMOTO’S		A birthday song from OKAMOTO’S filled with gratitude and love
87	Moon CryingKōda Kumi		An inspiring song by Kumi Koda, the theme for a TV drama, singing of the moon.
88	Make it into a bouquet.wacci		A heartwarming song that expresses gratitude to one’s parents through music
89	All of the YouthFujifaburikku		A classic song that portrays the youthful summer of Fujifabric
90	wedgeOku Hanako		A celebrated ballad by Hanako Oku that delicately conveys the sense of loss after heartbreak
91	My Best Of My LifeSuperfly		A ballad that portrays the feelings of a woman who carries loneliness and looks ahead
92	Blue amberback number		back number's expression of poignancy
93	cherry blossomKetsumeishi		A masterpiece whose poignant memories of cherry blossoms and love resonate in the heart
94	AloneMayo Okamoto		A poignant song that tells the story of the pain of a broken heart
95	AliensKirinji		Kirinji’s song “Alien” portrays a lonely love
96	The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi		A gem-like ballad portraying rain and parting
97	White LoversKuwata Keisuke		A heartwarming ballad that turns the bittersweet love of winter into a blessing
98	Name of the FlowerBUMP OF CHICKEN		A BUMP OF CHICKEN masterpiece that weaves feelings for a loved one
99	Like the stars in that sky…EXILE		Image song for Fujitsu computers
100	DarlingMrs. GREEN APPLE		A heartwarming song that reflects the anxieties and hopes of youth
101	Fragments of an EncounterKetsumeishi		A movie theme song that grows through meetings and partings
102	Bright FutureOkonogi Mari, Hatanaka Hiroshi		A heartwarming ballad, a love song that echoes across the lake's surface
103	Boyfriend Part IICrystal Kay		Crystal Kay, an R&B song depicting memories of first love
104	Time goes byEvery Little Thing		A ballad that portrays the healing of the heart after a broken romance.
105	mirageTETSU69		A cry from the heart running between dreams and reality
106	The Red Diaryaka gumi 4		The subtle course of love, the blazing hues of passion
107	red trainkururi		Love for the red trains and the Keikyu Line
108	Miraclekepura		A heartwarming song depicting Kepla’s friendship and youth
109	heartPorunogurafiti		Scars of a lost heart and the hope of renewal
110	MissingKubota Toshinobu		Toshinobu Kubota’s famed ballad, an immortal classic
111	I’ll be by your side.Maeda Nobuteru		Toru Maeda’s famous ballad, singing of a lover’s heart
112	I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu		A moving song about holding back tears and walking with your head held high
113	You are my friend.Hirai Ken		A heartwarming song that celebrates the value of friendship
114	To all living thingsMoriyama Naotaro		Naotaro Moriyama’s classic that sings of the preciousness of life
115	Ariga juujuuHitoto Yo		A heartwarming song filled with gratitude and love for family
116	How gasoline sloshesBLANKEY JET CITY		A band’s signature song that portrays energy and loneliness
117	Snow SmileBUMP OF CHICKEN		Small joys spent with a lover in the cold season
118	Brand-New MyselfCharcoal Filter		A song of courage to love yourself and be reborn
119	far; distant; by farsupittsu		Popular songs by Spitz, with lyrics open to interpretation that are part of their appeal
120	Miniature GardenAmano Tsukiko		A straight, fragile, dangerous love song
121	Metro FilmHata Motohiro		Hata Motohiro’s lyrics are heartrending and resonate with the heart.
122	moratoriumRemioromen		Expressing life's confusion with a gentle singing voice
123	old diaryWada Akiko		A classic by Akiko Wada. It sings of the impulsive way of life in one’s youth and the passion of adolescence.
124	ColonyBUMP OF CHICKEN		BUMP's lyrics are profound and open to diverse interpretations.
125	Let’s Count Your Kisses ~You Were Mine~Koyanagi Yuki		Yuki Koyanagi’s classic song is popular for its moving, heartfelt vocals.
126	Ice RainKudō Shizuka		Shizuka Kudo’s classic ballad, a bittersweet song of farewell
127	SaraiKayama Yūzō & Tanimura Shinji		A moving classic that sings of longing for one’s hometown