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!
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- [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
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2000s (years 11–20)
Lifetime RespectMiki Dōsan
The signature song of Japanese reggae, “Lifetime Respect.” It was released in 2001, but it’s still popular among reggae fans today.
Miki Dōzan’s husky voice and Kansai-dialect lyrics are striking.
The lyrics pledge eternal love to a partner, yet they avoid sounding fantastical and remain grounded and real—another point worth noting.
Choo Choo TRAINEXILE
This is a song that brings back memories of my youth.
EXILE is a flagship dance and vocal group, and this track is packed with their charm.
Through the motif of a train journey, it expresses a longing for freedom and the bonds between friends.
Released in November 2003, it made waves as the first of four consecutive weekly singles from EXILE.
It’s also widely loved, having been featured in the video game Taiko no Tatsujin.
It’s the perfect song when you want to liven things up at karaoke.
If everyone forms a circle and dances, smiles are sure to follow.
The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP
This is a globally famous song by SMAP, the five-member group that’s becoming legendary now.
If you remember the choreography—which even incorporates sign language—you’ll probably look cool when you sing it.
With an easy-to-groove rhythm for all ages and a tune everyone’s heard, it’s sure to liven up any karaoke session.
Youthful AmigoShūji to Akira
“Seishun Amigo” is a song that gets the crowd even more excited when sung as a duet.
It’s a single from the collaboration unit of Kazuya Kamenashi and Tomohisa Yamashita, released in 2005.
Sung by the two who played Shuji and Akira in the tie-in drama “Nobuta wo Produce,” it delivers a message about the pains and dreams of youth.
Its somewhat nostalgic, emotionally stirring melody really hits home, too.
Many people have probably sung it at year-end parties and similar occasions.
The choreography where you raise your fists and bump them together is fun as well, making it a great pick for deepening bonds.
Kiyoshi’s Zundoko SongHikawa Kiyoshi
If you’re looking for a song to get everyone hyped together, “Kiyoshi no Zundoko-bushi” is a great pick.
It’s a track released in 2002 by enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa.
Although it’s relatively recent, it was a huge hit, so most people have probably heard it.
The song’s biggest draw is the chorus, where everyone can join in with call-and-response and clapping.
I’d love for you to try it together with a group.
It also sounds fun to listen to it alongside other versions of Zundoko-bushi.
2000s (ages 21–30)
WekapipoSOUL’d OUT
SOUL’d OUT, a legendary Japanese hip-hop group, made their debut with the single Wekapipo.
Released in 2003, the title comes from how Wake Up People sounds when pronounced like a native.
The track is known for the groove-filled rap and polished production by Diggy-MO’, who serves as the main MC and lead vocalist.
In 2019, Diggy-MO’ contributed a song to the voice-actor-driven character rap project Hypnosis Mic, which trended on Twitter and brought renewed attention to him.
I wonder if it will be sunny tomorrow.Kuwata Keisuke
It’s a 2007 work by Keisuke Kuwata that was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Operation Love,” starring Tomohisa Yamashita and Masami Nagasawa.
It was Kuwata’s first solo single in four years, a ballad featuring falsetto in the chorus—quintessential Kuwata, and a beautiful song that showcases him at his best.