A Must-Read for Men: Sing at Karaoke! A Showcase of Moving Masterpiece Ballads
Whenever something tough happens—like “I’m overwhelmed at work, both body and mind” or “I can’t get over the shock of a breakup”—many men may find themselves seeking solace in music.
In times like these, ballads that gently stay close to your heart are a perfect fit.
In this article, we introduce recommended ballad songs for men that are also great choices for karaoke.
We’ve picked everything from timeless classics loved across generations to the latest tracks from rising artists.
If you’re looking to be healed by the power of music, be sure to check them out.
[Men Must-See] Songs You’ll Want to Sing at Karaoke! A Roundup of Heart-Touching Classic Ballads (1–10)
Just… I want to see youNEW!EXILE
EXILE is a dance and vocal group that continues to lead Japan’s entertainment scene with overwhelming performance and vocal prowess.
This signature ballad of theirs was released in December 2005 as a campaign song for au.
The lyrics were written by SHUN, who was a vocalist at the time, and the heartrending words—expressing lingering attachment and regret toward a former lover—strike the heart, carried by a grand melody of piano and strings.
The dramatic build toward the chorus makes it perfect for singing with deep emotion.
It’s a masterpiece that men nursing the pain of heartbreak will especially want to pour their feelings into at karaoke.
Song of PointillismNEW!Mrs. GREEN APPLE
“Dempyo no Uta,” a piano ballad released in August 2018 as a duet by Motoki Ohmori and Sonoko Inoue from Mrs.
GREEN APPLE, is a celebrated piece written as an insert song for the film “Ao-Natsu: Kimi ni Koi Shita 30-Nichi” (Blue Summer: The 30 Days I Fell in Love with You).
Carried by gentle piano tones, it vividly portrays a bittersweet love that aches with unspoken feelings for one another.
Scenes of treasuring limited time come to life, tightening the chest.
It’s wonderful sung as a male–female duet with divided parts, but also moving when performed solo with heartfelt emotion.
Perfect for karaoke moments where you want a tender, intimate ballad that stays close to the heart.
evening primroseNEW!Novelbright
This is a single released digitally in December 2020 by Novelbright, a rock band from Osaka.
Later included on the album “Kaimaku Sengen,” the song is a poignant love ballad that foregrounds piano and strings.
Its unforgettable feelings for a lost partner and the wavering of emotion are delicately conveyed through vocalist Yudai Takenaka’s beautiful high-tone voice.
After debuting on the Streaming Songs chart in 2021, it became a long-running hit, surpassing 100 million streams and drawing major attention.
With its structure that builds emotion from a quiet intro, it’s a perfect choice when you want to deliver a gentle ballad at karaoke.
It carries a universal appeal that resonates with those who have experienced parting or loss.
Magic CarpetNEW!Kawasaki Takaya
A signature ballad by Takaya Kawasaki that skyrocketed in popularity after catching fire on TikTok.
Inspired by a Shiki Theatre Company musical, it was reportedly written in a short span of time.
Released in March 2018, it was later included on the album “I believe in you” and continues to enjoy enduring popularity.
It was also used as the theme song for a LINE drama.
Its appeal lies in lyrics that straightforwardly convey feelings for a loved one and a smoky singing voice that matches the sound of the acoustic guitar.
The vocal range isn’t too wide, which is a welcome point when choosing it for karaoke.
Brimming with qualities that make it a number men will want to sing—one to deliver with deep emotion and quiet poignancy—this is a highly recommended track.
Stand by me, Stand by you.NEW!Hirai Dai
A warm love song sung by Dai Hirai, “Stand by me, Stand by you.” Released as a digital single in September 2020, the track was also featured in a web commercial for a wedding information site.
The gentle tones of the acoustic guitar and the soothing melody overlap to calmly portray the joy of walking through life for a long time with the one you love.
His unadorned, understated vocals tenderly nestle close to the listener’s heart.
Celebrating the everyday moments shared with someone special, this song is a perfect classic ballad to sing at karaoke to express your feelings for your partner.
A melody instead of a bouquetNEW!Shimizu Shota
Shota Shimizu’s “Instead of a Bouquet, a Melody,” sung by the singer-songwriter himself, is a single released in October 2015.
Chosen as the theme song for NHK Drama 10 “Designer Baby: Detective Hayami’s Difficult Case Before Maternity Leave,” it generated significant buzz.
This love song conveys pure, universal affection by delivering a heartfelt melody to a loved one instead of a material gift.
Carried by warm sounds centered on piano and strings, Shimizu’s delicate vocals resonate throughout.
It’s a gem of a song highly recommended for moments when you want to convey your sincere feelings to someone important, or for those who want to sing a moving ballad at karaoke.
waxing; filling up; becoming full; growing (e.g., the moon growing fuller)NEW!Fuji Kaze
This work, whose quiet, introspective piano tones envelop the heart, is a ballad by singer-songwriter Fujii Kaze.
Released for streaming in March 2024, it was written as the theme song for the film “When April Comes, She Will,” which opened the same month.
While it deals with profound themes such as parting and loss, it carries a warmth that feels like quietly embracing sorrow and becoming gently fulfilled.
The smooth shifts in the vocals—from the lower register to a beautiful falsetto—are striking.
The arrangement, which cherishes a sense of spaciousness, is soothing and seems perfect for moments when you want to step away from the busyness of everyday life and calm your mind.
For men who want to sing it earnestly and with emotion at karaoke, why not give it a try?