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
2000s (years 11–20)
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)
dogwood (flowering dogwood)Hitoto Yo
This is one of Yo Hitoto’s signature songs.
The lyrics were written in about a week, inspired by an email she received from a friend who was in New York at the time of the September 11 attacks.
It has been used as a tie-in for various dramas, commercials, and anime.
Premium salted grilled Kuroge Wagyu tongue 680 yenOtsuka Ai
When this song’s title first came out, it became a big topic simply because it was so novel.
And it wasn’t just the distinctive title—people praised the actual music and lyrics as being very Ai Otsuka-like.
The way you understand the meaning and feel of the lyrics changes quite a bit between listening to it as a child and listening to it as an adult.
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.