I Want to Sing at Karaoke! A Roundup of Recommended Oldies Classics and Popular Songs
Nostalgic oldies! How about singing a host of classic tunes that resonate in your heart along with memories of those days at karaoke? The Western masterpieces born mainly in the 1950s and ’60s have never faded with time and continue to captivate countless people even today.
In this article, we’ll introduce must-sing oldies for karaoke—from rock ’n’ roll to pop and ballads—beloved across generations.
Oldies often have simple melodies and are easy to sing.
From songs everyone knows to unexpected hidden gems, we’ve got a lineup guaranteed to get the karaoke crowd going!
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the ’70s to 2000s that are perfect for livening up karaoke
- Must-see for men: Songs that look cool if you can sing them at karaoke—numbers that women can’t help but be captivated by.
- Even karaoke beginners can relax! Easy-to-sing songs for men
- When you can’t decide what to sing at karaoke: Easy-to-sing classic hits from the Showa era
- [Karaoke] A roundup of songs that are easy for women to sing!
- Popular songs that are easy to sing at karaoke. Recommended classics and hit songs.
- Easy-to-sing youth songs for karaoke: recommended classics and popular hits
- A lineup of classic hits! Karaoke songs recommended for the yutori generation
- Feel-Good Songs: Belt Them Out at Karaoke! A Roundup of Popular Numbers
- Songs Everyone Knows: A Popular Karaoke Collection You Can Sing Regardless of Age
- Songs Women Want Men to Sing: Popular Karaoke Picks Chosen by Girls
- Gentle songs you want to sing at karaoke. Recommended classics and popular hits.
- Packed with masterpieces! Karaoke songs recommended for women of the Yutori generation
I want to sing at karaoke! A roundup of recommended oldies classics and popular songs (1–10)
I’m SorryBrenda Lee
Brenda Lee, a powerhouse singer nicknamed “Little Miss Dynamite.” This piece is one of her signature ballads, which she delivered at the young age of 15.
With a mature voice, it expresses pure regret for hurting the one she loves and a heartfelt desire to be forgiven.
The sophisticated, string-laden sound and the spoken interlude in the middle are particularly striking.
The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1960 and was included on the classic album “Brenda Lee.” Sung with deep emotion and a gentle touch, it’s a perfect choice for anyone looking to add a poignant ballad to their karaoke repertoire.
You Send MeSam Cooke
The artist known as the “King of Soul,” Sam Cooke—once you hear his sweet, velvety voice, it’s hard not to be captivated.
This gem of a ballad celebrates the exhilaration of falling in love, delivered with his elegant tenor.
His gospel-honed expressiveness lends profound feeling to simple words of love.
Released in September 1957, the song spent three consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the U.S.
pop chart.
It was included on his debut album, Sam Cooke, and featured in the film Sweet Dreams.
With its simple, catchy melody, it’s a great choice for creating a smooth, intimate mood at karaoke.
Can’t take my eyes off youBoys Town Gang
This song, which the Boys Town Gang rearranged in a disco style in 1982 and which became a big hit in Japan, the UK, and elsewhere, was originally a solo hit in 1967 by the Four Seasons’ Frankie Valli, known for songs like “Sherry.” It’s also extremely popular in Japan’s oldies scene and is considered one of the top five classics.
I want to sing at karaoke! Recommended Oldies Classics and Popular Songs (11–20)
Johnny B. GoodeChuck Berry
A signature song by legendary guitarist Chuck Berry, who laid the foundation of rock ’n’ roll.
It was released in March 1958.
The story portrays a young boy trying to rocket into stardom with his guitar talent, and the way his mother cheers him on is truly moving.
The track is also well-known for its performance scene in the film Back to the Future.
What’s more, there’s an epic anecdote that it was included as part of the Sounds of Earth on the Voyager spacecraft launched in 1977.
The moment that intro starts, your heart just races! Seeing someone seize their dreams with a guitar is so inspiring—it makes them feel like a hero.
It’s just incredibly cool and gets you totally pumped up!
Stand By MeBen E. King
If you want to try a classic Western song at karaoke but aren’t sure what to sing, I recommend Ben E.
King’s timeless masterpiece.
The song expresses deep and pure trust: even if the darkness of night covers the world and hardships shake the earth, there’s nothing to fear as long as a loved one is by your side.
Released in 1961 and included on the album “Don’t Play That Song!,” it became beloved across generations after being chosen as the theme song for the 1986 film Stand by Me.
With its simple, easy-to-remember melody, anyone can sing it comfortably.
How about singing it from the heart on a night when you want to reaffirm the bonds with your friends?
Tutti FruttiLittle Richard
It’s a truly historic number, often hailed as “the sound of rock ’n’ roll being born”! Surely there’s hardly anyone who hasn’t heard Little Richard’s explosive opening shout, as if an inexpressible impulse were bursting forth.
That cry doesn’t just sound fun—it also seems to express a yearning for liberation from deep within.
The anecdote that the track was recorded in October 1955 in just three takes over about 15 minutes speaks volumes about its ferocious energy.
Included on the classic album “Here’s Little Richard,” it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.
Belt it out at karaoke and you’re guaranteed a pure, exhilarating rush—no explanation needed!
RunawayDel Shannon
This song is a single released by Del Shannon in February 1961, and it became a hit, topping the U.S.
charts for four consecutive weeks.
There are plenty of highlights, such as modulating from a minor key to a major key in the chorus and showcasing falsetto.
Among oldies, it’s on the more difficult side, but it’s such a lovely song that it’s worth the challenge.
The Japanese version was also a hit.