Recommended cheering songs for men: classic and popular J-Pop tracks

Saints of MoonlightKuwata Keisuke

Keisuke Kuwata – Saints of Moonlight (Mr. Moonlight) (Short ver.)

A solo song by Keisuke Kuwata, the vocalist of Southern All Stars, one of Japan’s most iconic bands.

The lyrics express the fragility of adulthood.

It’s an empowering anthem for grown-ups, soothing the sense of loss over things left behind after growing up, as well as the bittersweet value and emptiness of what we’ve gained.

At any timeMakihara Noriyuki

[Official] Noriyuki Makihara “No Matter What” (Music Video) [3rd Single] (1991) Noriyuki Makihara/donnatokimo [No. 1]

A signature song by artist Noriyuki Makihara, who has many hit tracks, released on June 10, 1991 by WEA MUSIC as his third single.

Even many years after its release, it remains a go-to motivational anthem that many people sing at karaoke.

It is also known for having numerous artist covers.

Nihon no Mikata – I Came Because It’s NevadaYajima Biyōshitsu

Yajima Beauty Salon / Nihon no Mikata – We Came from Nevada

A hit song sung in skit costumes by the superstar comedy duo Tunnels and Show Ayanocozey of Kishidan, sparked by a variety show.

Tunnels, who have many hits as artists, deliver a cheer song that lifts your spirits and makes you realize things you might not notice while living in Japan.

crimsonX JAPAN

X Japan - Kurenai

This is a signature song by X JAPAN, one of Japan’s most iconic bands.

Toshi, their indisputable high-tenor vocalist… the pitch is so high that even some women, let alone men, might find it hard to sing.

But don’t worry—if you belt it out without overthinking it, the energy will naturally rise and everyone will get into it! The quiet intro is quite long—just under two minutes—so for large-group karaoke, choosing the intro-cut version will probably go over well.

Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā

Effeminate / Golden Bomber – Music Video

When it comes to hype songs, the first one that comes to mind is Golden Bomber’s “Memeshikute.” It’s a karaoke classic now, and as soon as it starts playing, everyone there gets cheerfully wild and starts moving around—it’s an amazing song that instantly changes the atmosphere of the place.

R.Y.U.S.E.ISandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu

Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE / “R.Y.U.S.E.I.” Music Video

A few years ago, Sandaime’s “R.Y.U.S.E.I” sparked a huge boom—not only for the song itself but also for the attention-grabbing Running Man dance.

Whenever it came up at karaoke, men everywhere would line up in formation and do the Running Man with their arms in the Bolt pose.

240 Million EyesGō Hiromi

240 Million Eyes_Hiromi Go

When it comes to songs everyone knows and can get hyped about, I guess it ends up being the classic Okusenman.

Only Hiromi Go can pull off a song like this, and it never fails to get the crowd going.

The lyrics are by the renowned lyricist Masao Urino, and I’m honestly impressed at how he managed to write something so delightfully nonsensical.