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.
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- [Recommended for people in their 70s] Classic nostalgic hits: A collection of youth songs
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- 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!
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- 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)
Rest of the WarriorMachida Yoshito
This is the song known as the theme for the classic Kadokawa film Proof of the Wild, starring Hiroko Yakushimaru and Ken Takakura.
Its popularity soared and it became a hit after being used in a commercial featuring a striking, unforgettable line.
It has since become a beloved classic covered by many musicians.
Smitten with youYellow Magic Orchestra
Released in 1983 by YMO, this song features all three members on vocals.
While the trio may have approached parts of it playfully, it became a hit through a cosmetics commercial tie-in.
The lyrics were written by their close collaborator Takashi Matsumoto, and as a pop song it was exceptionally well crafted.
Give Up on SummerNaoko Ken
She effortlessly delivers a slightly dark song with her vocal prowess.
The melancholy of a heartbroken woman—resigned to giving up on this summer—is woven throughout, making it a track quintessentially Naoko Ken.
The song was written by Keisuke Kuwata.
Kuwata himself also performs it live, but when he does, it takes on his signature style and sounds like a completely different piece.
Heartbroken over JuliaChekkāzu
This is The Checkers’ fifth single, a massive hit that also reached No.
1 on the Oricon chart.
The lyrics were written by Masao Urino and the music composed by Hiroaki Serizawa.
It features buoyant beats, vocals with a soaring quality that blend harmoniously with the chorus.
It’s a song you’ll want to sing out with ease and feeling.
City LightsSakai Masaaki
Masakazu Sakai’s 1973 work, with lyrics by Yū Aku and music by Keisuke Hama.
While Sakai has excellent solo songs like “Saraba Koibito” and “Kitakaze Kozō no Kantarō,” I personally think his greatest masterpiece is “Kono Machi no Akari.” It was also used as an insert song in the drama “Jikan Desu yo,” in which Sakai himself appeared.