Great for karaoke too! Jazz classics you’ll want to sing at least once
Listening to jazz is great, but singing it… that’s a bit much.
I bet quite a few people feel that way, right?
Jazz has a reputation for being a high hurdle, but among all music genres, it’s actually one of the easiest to sing.
Here’s why!
Jazz generally has slower tempos, which makes it easier to add your own arrangements.
That’s why it’s beginner-friendly to sing!
This time, I’ve picked out songs you might want to try at karaoke and songs you might want to sing at a jazz bar.
There are some lesser-known tracks in the mix too, so it’s also great for anyone looking to discover good songs!
- [Beginner] Start with this song! A collection of practice tunes for jazz beginners
- Classic swing jazz tunes. Recommended popular songs.
- Introduction! A collection of recommended masterpieces and standard numbers for jazz beginners
- Popular songs that are easy to sing at karaoke. Recommended classics and hit songs.
- Start here first! Classic jazz-rock masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks.
- Recommended picks for karaoke! Easy-to-sing songs recommended for Gen Z
- No worries even if you’re not confident in your singing! Simple, easy-to-sing songs for karaoke.
- Jazz commercial songs. Popular commercial songs.
- [2026] A Collection of Classic Japanese Ballads with a Jazz Flavor
- [For Beginners] Recommended Enka Classics for Karaoke — Women Singers Edition
- Recommended classic jazz songs for men
- Now karaoke isn’t scary! Easy-to-sing songs recommended for the Yutori generation
- Easy-to-sing songs recommended for women in their 20s with low voices | Also great for getting a good reaction at karaoke!
Also great for karaoke! Jazz classics you’ll want to sing at least once (1–10)
Autumn LeavesNat King Cole
It was originally a chanson, but since jazz artists often perform it, it has also become established as a jazz standard.
Nat King Cole’s version is especially famous, and because the lyrics are short and easy to remember, it’s a recommended song for beginners.
My Favourite ThingsBrigitte Mitchell
This piece is a song from the film The Sound of Music.
It’s also well known as the campaign song for JR Central’s “Yes, let’s go to Kyoto” (“Sou da, Kyoto, ikou”) campaign, so many of you may be familiar with it.
If you can sing this lively waltz (in 3/4 time) well, it looks really cool.
The lyrics are quite plentiful and need to be sung quickly, so you might need some practice.
A Woman Needs JazzJUJU
JUJU’s “A Woman Needs Jazz” is a jazz number characterized by simple lyrics and an easy-to-remember melody.
Since most of the lyrics are in Japanese, even those who aren’t confident in English can enjoy it without worry.
The English that appears partway through is also very repetitive, so it should be easy to memorize.
The melody is simple, reusing the main motif, which makes it a great recommendation for people who usually sing pop, too.
There is a distinctly jazz-like melodic line in the middle, so be careful not to go off pitch there!
Also great for karaoke! Jazz classics you should sing at least once (11–20)
SummertimeNorah Jones
Originally composed by George Gershwin for his 1935 opera Porgy and Bess, the song is performed in the production as a lullaby to soothe a child.
It is a piece often played in various arrangements, ranging from a slow ballad style to an up-tempo swing.
MistyJulie London
Misty, composed by Erroll Garner in 1954, has become a jazz standard covered by a wide range of artists including Johnny Mathis, Ray Stevens, and Julie London.
Because of that, it’s easy to choose a version that suits your own voice when singing it at karaoke—one of the reasons this song is highly recommended.
Its simple melody and clear structure make it accessible within the jazz genre, so even first-timers can sing it with confidence.
Consider choosing this song as your debut jazz number at karaoke!
Blue MoonBillie Holiday
“Blue Moon,” released in 1934 with lyrics by Lorenz Hart and music by Richard Rodgers.
The song remains highly popular today and is well known through covers by American jazz singers such as Billie Holiday.
With its simple lyrics and melody, it’s perfect for those who want to try singing jazz for the first time.
In addition, because the song repeats a straightforward harmonic progression known as a chord cycle, it’s also recommended for solo covers or singing with self-accompaniment on piano or guitar.
Be sure to make use of this song in a wide variety of settings!
Moon RiverAndy Williams
In the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, there’s a song performed by Audrey Hepburn.
Because her vocal range wasn’t very wide, Henry Mancini composed it to span about one octave so it would sound as beautiful as possible when she sang it.
Andy Williams’s 1962 cover version is also popular.
The lyrics don’t use particularly difficult words, and the song has a relaxed tempo, so it’s a great recommendation for beginners, and for both men and women.