[2026] Classic Karaoke Songs That Liven Up Year-End and New Year Parties
Many of you probably go to karaoke for year-end or New Year parties, right? At company gatherings, there are times when you might struggle with song choices because you’re mindful of your boss or senior colleagues.
You can’t help but be cautious when you think, “What if I kill the mood…?” But if you pick songs that are widely known across ages and genders, or ones that everyone can join in on with choreography or call-and-response, you’ll be fine! Above all, it’s important to choose songs that everyone can enjoy together.
In this article, we’ll introduce foolproof karaoke songs for year-end and New Year parties—ranging from popular tracks that hit those key points, to the latest hits that drew attention this year, all carefully selected by our editorial team.
Be sure to use it as a reference!
- Funny songs that will be a hit at year-end parties [2026]
- Ranking of popular songs for year-end and New Year parties
- [2026] Liven Up Your Party! A Roundup of the Latest and All-Time Favorite J-Pop Hits
- Funny crowd-pleaser songs for year-end and New Year parties [2026]
- [2026] The latest Japanese pop songs that liven up parties and performances: surefire crowd favorites
- [2026] Funny Songs to Liven Up a Party
- [2026] Songs You Can Add Call-and-Response Chants to at Karaoke: A Collection of Crowd-Pleasers
- [2026] Crowd-Pleasing Songs Recommended for People in Their 50s: A Collection of Nostalgic Classics
- [2026] Japanese karaoke songs that get men in their 50s pumped up
- [40s] Karaoke Crowd-Pleasers Ranking [2026]
- [Easy] A Collection of Party Dances to Liven Up Year-End and New Year Parties
- [For Skits and Parties] A Collection of Funny Songs That Kill at the Office [2026]
- [Recommended for women in their 30s] Japanese hit songs that hype up karaoke
For men (31–40)
metropoliskurisutaru kingu
This is the debut single by the rock band Crystal King, who gained popularity for their distinctive combination of dual vocals—one low and one high—and their high-quality songs strongly influenced by Western-style hard rock.
Despite being a debut single, it became a million-seller.
True to its title, the lyrics and composition evoke the feeling of a sprawling metropolis, creating a strong impact, and it’s widely known as Crystal King’s signature song.
Because it’s such a famous track, it’s guaranteed to hype up any year-end or New Year party if you sing it.
However, the key is quite high, and considering the low-vocal part as well, it’s hard to simply lower the key on karaoke machines.
So it’s recommended to sing it with a male vocalist who can handle the high notes.
Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS
This was the major-label debut single by THE BLUE HEARTS, the legendary punk rock band that set middle and high schoolers across Japan on fire from the late 1980s to the early 1990s and whose influence still hasn’t waned.
It’s a rock number that seems to capture the band’s momentum as-is, with a powerful impact, breakneck energy, and catchy lyrics and melodies.
Interestingly, the word “Linda” doesn’t appear anywhere in the lyrics, and Hiroto Kōmoto, who wrote and composed the song, has said, “It’s not even registered, so feel free to sing it however you like,” which means it could be fun to sing it at karaoke using whatever words you prefer.
It’s a recommended track for men to sing when you want to get the crowd going at year-end or New Year parties.
Dried flowersYuuri
This is the second major-label digital-only single by singer-songwriter Yuuri, who made his major debut as the vocalist of the rock band THE BUGZY and has been active as a solo artist since the band disbanded in 2019.
The heartrending lyrics, which depict the story of his debut song “Kakurenbo” from a female perspective, really tug at your heartstrings.
It’s a hugely popular track with over 300 million streams, so it’s sure to be a hit at karaoke.
Since it features high notes using falsetto, it’s a number you’ll want to practice and master in time for the year-end and New Year party season.
At all times.Makihara Noriyuki
This is the third single by singer-songwriter Noriyuki Makihara, who is known not only for his own original songs but also for many hit tracks he has written for others, and who made headlines in 2021 for announcing his return to music.
Although it’s an early number among the many hits Makihara has produced, its high-quality melody remains pleasing and never feels dated.
It’s a famous song that represents the J-pop scene of the 1990s, so it’s sure to get everyone excited when sung at year-end or New Year parties.
The simple melody makes it easy to remember, but since higher notes appear in the chorus and elsewhere, men who aren’t confident in their range should consider lowering the key on the karaoke machine.
Runnerbakufū suranpu
An upbeat tune that lifts your spirits right from the opening guitar riff.
It’s a hit song by Bakufu Slump released in 1988.
Listening to this track makes you want to break into a run! The lyrics, beloved as a classic fight song, and the powerful presence of Mr.
Sunplaza Nakano’s vocals give you strength, too.
This song is moving—capturing the grit of giving your all and the image of passing the baton.
It would be fun to sing it in a relay style at a year-end or New Year’s karaoke party, with everyone taking turns like a relay team!
Seesaw Game: A Song of Brave LoveMr.Children
This is the ninth single by Mr.Children, a four-piece rock band now recognized in both name and substance as a monster band.
Created with the concept of being a “song that hypes up a live show,” it’s a catchy number whose lyrics—ones many men will likely relate to—and pop arrangement stick in your head.
With its bright, uplifting vibe inspired by British musician Elvis Costello, it’s perfect for livening up year-end or New Year parties.
It’s a karaoke song you’ll want everyone to sing along to in the chorus to boost the energy—especially one you’ll want men to sing.
For men (41–50)
SHAKESMAP
This is a song by SMAP, a national superstar group in Japan, and hardly anyone doesn’t know it.
People of all ages are familiar with it, so it’s great for company karaoke, too.
You can all sing together or take turns—there are lots of ways to enjoy it.