[Karaoke] Guaranteed to get the crowd going! A collection of up-tempo Japanese songs
There are plenty of chances to go to karaoke with school friends or coworkers, right?
What often trips people up at times like that is, of course, picking songs.
A lot of people probably feel like, “If I’m going to sing, I want a crowd-pleaser, but I don’t know what to choose.”
There are all kinds of hype songs, but in this article we’ll focus on up-tempo tracks and recommend lots of great picks!
They’re all guaranteed crowd-pleasers for karaoke, so if you’re ever stuck choosing, definitely use this as a reference.
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[Karaoke] Guaranteed to Get the Crowd Going! A Collection of Upbeat Japanese Songs (31–40)
cherry (sweet cherry; cherry fruit)Otsuka Ai
One of the go-to karaoke songs is Ai Otsuka’s “Sakuranbo.” With its high-energy vibe right from the intro, it’s perfect for instantly amping up the crowd.
The catchy lyrics—likening a romantic relationship to cherries—are another reason it’s become a beloved classic.
Of course, singing it well matters, but this is a song you should first let loose and belt out to your heart’s content.
By the way, it’s been trending on social media in recent years, so even people who didn’t grow up with it are sure to get excited.
peace signYonezu Kenshi
Although it was released in 2017, Peace Sign has long been loved as a popular karaoke song.
It’s a track by singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu and was used as the opening theme for the anime My Hero Academia.
Above all, the song’s driving energy is really cool, and it feels amazing if you can power through it at karaoke! It might seem difficult, but this is Kenshi Yonezu we’re talking about—thanks to its catchy melody, it’s actually quite easy to learn! It’s a recommended song for both men and women.
frecklesJUDY AND MARY
It’s one of JUDY AND MARY’s signature songs and also served as the theme for the anime Rurouni Kenshin -Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story-.
It’s really memorable for its JUDY AND MARY-esque brightness, crisp guitar sound, and YUKI’s lively vocals.
The tempo isn’t ridiculously fast; it’s a comfortably upbeat pace that’s easy to sing along to.
It’s definitely a song I’d recommend trying at karaoke, especially when you’re with people who listened to it in real time back in the day!
Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN
Released in 2015, this song was written as the ending theme for the anime Blood Blockade Battlefront.
It’s also popular as a karaoke pick, and even though some time has passed since its release, people still sing it a lot! The sound has a fresh, breezy feel that evokes spring and summer, and the brisk, fast-paced melody is guaranteed to liven up the room when you sing it.
The key might be a bit high for men, but that could make it easier for women to sing.
Try singing it together as a couple or with friends and get the party going!
LOVE MachineMōningu Musume.
When it comes to upbeat songs that fire up a karaoke crowd, you just can’t leave this one out! A massive hit from the ’90s that also became the group’s first million-seller.
This is the song everyone in Japan can sing and dance to, and it dramatically accelerated the Morning Musume boom.
The best-of album released in 2013 includes an EDM arrangement of this track sung by the lineup at the time, and it continues to be loved across generations.
Above all, this is a song that gets way more exciting when sung together with a group rather than solo!
[Karaoke] Guaranteed to Get the Crowd Going! A Collection of Upbeat J-Pop Songs (41–50)
Linda LindaTHE BLUE HEARTS
One of The Blue Hearts’ signature songs, and the kind you can just scream and have fun with—whether live or at karaoke! For the quiet intro, sing carefully and with feeling, then for the chorus don’t worry about pitch—just belt it out and it’ll always get everyone hyped! Momentum is important, of course, but if you just shout recklessly you’ll hurt your throat, so focus on engaging your vocal cords and resonating in your chest.
Even just placing a hand on your chest while you sing helps you feel the resonance and hear your own voice better! You might get caught up in the intensity, but don’t forget to breathe—and enjoy singing!
together; along with; bothWANIMA
You can’t leave out WANIMA’s songs for this theme! It’s “Tomoni,” the track they also performed when they appeared on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
I bet many people feel empowered to move forward when they listen to this song.
It’s often played at school sports days and other events, making it one of those popular tunes everyone knows, from kids to adults! Sing this song at karaoke—its power and the sense of light leading you toward the future are sure to get the crowd going.
Let’s all sing along and boost our spirits together!