A collection of nostalgic hits from the ’70s to 2000s that are perfect for livening up karaoke
When you go to karaoke with people from the same generation—like at class reunions, year-end parties, or New Year’s gatherings—nothing gets the energy up like nostalgic hits! The real charm of these retro tunes is that only those who lived through the same era can sing and listen while reminiscing about those days.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected hit songs from the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s—tracks that were beloved back then and are still cherished by many today.
Use this as a guide when choosing songs for karaoke with friends from your generation!
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Songs that get everyone excited. Songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke.
- Songs everyone knows across generations. A roundup of karaoke tracks anyone can sing, regardless of age.
- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Classic nostalgic hits: A collection of youth songs
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the Heisei era: Let’s look back at iconic songs from the 1990s and 2000s.
- From Showa-era kayōkyoku to J-POP! A nostalgia-packed roundup of karaoke crowd-pleasers
- [Karaoke] A roundup of songs that are easy for women to sing!
- Even karaoke beginners can relax! Easy-to-sing songs for men
- Karaoke Popularity Ranking by Generation [50s] [2026]
- Karaoke songs you’ll want to sing for men in their 70s: Enka and nostalgic Showa-era pop
- When you want to hype it up with your peers! Karaoke songs recommended for Gen Z
- [For People in Their 40s] Karaoke Songs That Are Easy to Sing: 2026 Ranking
- [Nostalgic Songs] A compilation of classic anime themes that hit home for those born in the Showa and Heisei eras
- Timeless classics only! Showa-era hit songs perfect for acoustic sing-alongs
1970s–1980s (ages 41–50)
Good-bye, My LoveAn Ruisu
Ann Lewis is strongly associated with intense songs like “Roppongi Shinju” and “Ah Mujou,” but when she debuted she followed an idol path and quickly rose to fame with “Good-bye My Love.” With lyrics by Rei Nakanishi and music by Masaaki Hirao, the song became widely known in Asia through Teresa Teng’s cover version.
SEVEN DAYS WARTM NETWORK
This is a 1998 work by TM Network that was used as the theme song for the film “Our Seven-Day War,” starring Rie Miyazawa.
Among TM Network’s songs, it has a relatively slow, medium tempo, so I think it’s easy to sing at karaoke, but it modulates suddenly in the chorus, so it’s important not to go off pitch.
GloriaZIGGY
This is one of ZIGGY’s signature songs, which became a major hit after being chosen as the theme for the TV drama “Dō-kyū-sei” (Classmates).
It has been covered by artists like EXILE’s TAKAHIRO and Mariko Takahashi, leading many to rediscover how good the song is.
It’s a track you’ll want to sing with full energy and momentum.
Mary Janetsunoda☆hiro
This is one of Hiro Tsunoda’s signature songs, depicting someone looking back on and mourning an unforgettable beloved.
The gentle, soulful sound strongly underscores the song’s lyrical worldview and the power of the vocals.
Since the title “Mary Jane” is sung powerfully right at the beginning, how compellingly you deliver that part is a crucial point for drawing listeners in.
Sing while vividly envisioning that unforgettable love, and cherish the mood and airy floating feel of the sound.
High School LullabyImokin Torio
This song was by a unit formed on Kinichi Hagimoto’s variety show “Kin-Don! Good Kids, Bad Kids, Ordinary Kids,” consisting of Kenji Nagae, Ryoichi Yamaguchi, and Koji Nishiyama.
As the show’s popularity grew, the track also became a major hit.
By today’s standards, it was the forerunner of those TV show tie-in novelty projects, but in reality it was created by an amazing duo—lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto and music by Haruomi Hosono.
Countless musicians were later influenced by it, and I consider it a classic of the 1980s.