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[Enka] Songs That Are Easy to Sing Even for the Tone-Deaf [Male Singer Edition]

I want to try singing at karaoke, but enka is for people who are good singers, right? There may be many of you who think you’re tone-deaf and worry about it like that.

Of course, enka is a genre that demands advanced technique, so if you try to sing it perfectly, it can be difficult even for people who are fairly confident in their singing ability.

So this time, we’ve put together songs that are easy to sing even for those who consider themselves tone-deaf—tracks that you can still enjoy and that will liven up a karaoke session even if you can’t sing them perfectly.

We’ve chosen not only songs that are easy to sing but also ones you can win over with energy and vibe.

For example, try singing just the famous chorus, or hand off the tricky parts to your friends—get creative and have fun!

[Enka] Songs That Are Easy to Sing Even for the Tone-Deaf [Male Singers Edition] (11–20)

Brother ShipsToba Ichirō

Ichiro Toba “Kyodai-bune (Brothers’ Boat)” (Official Audio)
Brother ShipsToba Ichirō

This work was sung as the debut song by Ichirō Toba, who was born and raised in a fisherman’s family.

With a powerful yet wistful voice, it expresses the bonds among men of the sea and their feelings for their families.

Released in August 1982, it became a million-seller and later was performed seven times on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen, making it a classic.

The overall pitch is on the lower side, making it approachable even for those who struggle with high notes.

If vibrato is difficult, try focusing on clear enunciation to convey the lyrics distinctly.

It’s a recommended song for livening up a karaoke session or for singing with heartfelt thoughts for someone special.

I’m going to Tokyo.Yoshi Ikuzo

Enka singer Ichi Ikuzō, known for his wide-ranging musicality from comic songs to songs in a female voice and heart-wrenching ballads.

Unusual for an enka singer, he also has the side of a singer-songwriter, and his original songs, for which he writes both lyrics and music, are full of creativity and have remained beloved across generations.

Speaking of Ikuzō Yoshii’s masterpieces, it has to be “Ora Tokyo sa Iguda,” doesn’t it? While it has elements typical of enka, it features many spoken-style parts, so the overall difficulty is on the lower side.

As a comic song, it really gets the crowd going, so be sure to add it to your repertoire.

Our town was green indeed.Sen Masao

Masao Sen’s classic “Waga Machi wa Midori Nariki” is notable for its gentle melody.

While it is nominally classified as enka, the vocal line strongly reflects the essence of Showa-era kayōkyoku, and the characteristic enka vocal melisma (kobushi) is scarcely present.

The few instances of kobushi are mostly limited to a single scale step up or down, so even those not adept at enka-style phrasing should be able to sing it without difficulty.

If you enjoy songs with a nostalgic, old-fashioned mood, consider adding this one to your repertoire.

Homeward Journey to the NorthKobayashi Akira

Hokkikō, a work that depicts the feelings of a man returning to his hometown.

This piece is characterized by a very gentle melody that perfectly matches its theme.

Above all, the tempo is extremely slow, allowing ample preparation before each entry in any part.

In addition, the vocal line itself is simple, and it does not feature the complex lines that often appeared in popular songs of that era using enka-style melismatic ornamentation.

With its narrow vocal range, it ranks among the easiest of Akira Kobayashi’s songs to sing.

old man teacherSen Masao

Masao Sen has left behind many great songs, but among them, Oyaji Sensei is especially known for its outstanding storytelling.

The spoken lines at the beginning draw you into the piece, and from there the world of the song unfolds all at once.

The depiction of sharing drinks with one’s former teacher is particularly memorable, and the whole piece is set to a warm, unhurried melody.

There’s hardly any kobushi (ornamental vibrato), so even those who find enka vocal stylings challenging can sing it comfortably.

Consider adding it to your repertoire.

Yaima (Yaeyama)Sen Masao

Among recent songs, Yaima (Yaeyama) is especially renowned as a masterpiece.

Originally released in 1999, it was recently re-released as a new version.

Compared to the original, it has a more relaxed atmosphere, and since it’s a song set in Okinawa, the essence of Ryukyuan music—most notably the sound of the sanshin—is emphasized.

As it incorporates many pop elements, there are hardly any demanding techniques such as kobushi (ornamental vocal turns).

It’s a song that beginners will find very easy to sing.

[Enka] Easy-to-sing songs even for the tone-deaf [Male singers edition] (21–30)

nostalgic personSen Masao

Among Masao Sen’s songs, “Natsukashi no Hito” is renowned as a particularly mood-rich piece.

While the arrangement prominently features traditional enka elements, the vocals lean closer to Showa-era kayōkyoku and folk, resulting in a simple, streamlined vocal line.

The range is somewhat wide, but there are no difficult techniques involved, and the tempo is relaxed, making it easier to sing than it might sound.

If you use the hiccup technique, where the voice flips, you can get even closer to the feel of the original, so give it a try for reference.