![[2026] Songs I Want to Try at Karaoke! A Roundup of Popular Showa-Era Kayōkyoku](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/YLaa0blANu8/maxresdefault.webp)
Even in the 2020s, the songs that still enjoy unwavering popularity at karaoke are the kayōkyoku hits that colored the Showa era.
The term “Showa kayō” is well known even among younger generations, partly thanks to the global popularity of city pop and more.
Above all, there are simply so many timeless classics—these are beloved tracks that keep getting sung at karaoke across all ages.
For those of you who are eager to try singing Showa-era kayōkyoku, this article rounds up recommended popular karaoke picks, focusing mainly on hits from the 1970s and 1980s.
Every song is a famous tune you’ve likely heard at least once, so teens and people in their 20s—feel free to use this as inspiration for your karaoke repertoire!
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- [Songs from the Showa Era] Introducing classic tracks that are easy to sing at karaoke.
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- When you can’t decide what to sing at karaoke: Easy-to-sing classic hits from the Showa era
- From Showa-era kayōkyoku to pop: songs that sound cool when you can really sing them
- Popular 80s hits for karaoke. Sing kayōkyoku and pop songs!
- [Karaoke] A roundup of songs that are easy for women to sing!
- Timeless classics only! Showa-era hit songs perfect for acoustic sing-alongs
- [Showa Era] A roundup of nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks you’ll want to sing at karaoke
- Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
- Even karaoke beginners can relax! Easy-to-sing songs for men
- [2026] Easy Enka Songs for Karaoke: Recommended Picks — Women Singers Edition
- Songs Men Want Women to Sing at Karaoke: Irresistible Tracks [2026]
[2026] Songs I Want to Try Singing at Karaoke! Popular Showa-Era Kayōkyoku Hits (1–10)
Do whatever the hell you want.sawada kenji
A song portraying the complex emotions of a heartbroken man remains one of Julie—Kenji Sawada’s—signature hits, still beloved today.
Released in May 1977, it spent five consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the Oricon weekly chart and ranked fourth on the year-end chart, becoming a massive hit with sales of 890,000 copies.
Its bold structure, shifting from a ballad to a hard rock style, strongly reflects the influence of arranger Motoki Funayama.
The lyrics, which evoke the refined sorrow of adulthood, paired with Sawada’s distinctive vocal delivery, make it perfect for those who want to fire up a karaoke session.
Rather than singing it with composure, it’s best to go all-in and pour your emotions into it!
Boat SongYashiro Aki
It is one of Aki Yashiro’s signature songs, released in 1979.
It was her first song from a male perspective, with lyrics written by Yū Aku.
The song won the Gold Prize at the 21st Japan Record Awards and has been performed three times on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, making it one of Yashiro’s hallmark numbers.
Distance of the Starry SkyTHE ALFEE
This is a song that has been performed frequently at THE ALFEE’s concerts and has become a staple.
Although it was released in 1984, the song was actually written back in 1974 around their debut.
They have collaborated multiple times with younger artists at music festivals using this song.
Listening to OliviaAnri
Anri’s debut song interweaves the ache of heartbreak with the strength to move forward.
With a refined composition and a delicate vocal that hardly seems like that of a 17-year-old, it became a pioneering track in city pop.
Released in November 1978, it later became a standard number covered by many artists.
The lyrics by Ami Ozaki include an homage to Olivia Newton-John.
This work will resonate with those who’ve experienced heartbreak or are trying to take a new step.
It’s also recommended for karaoke when you want to create a quiet, late-night mood.
Playback Part 2Yamaguchi Momoe
This is a song that became popular with parody versions after a certain confectionery company had the lyric “bright red Porsche” sung as “bright red tomato” in its commercial.
The reason it’s titled Playback Part 2 is that it was remade once; that version is also included on the album.