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[Eternal Idol] A roundup of Seiko Matsuda’s easy-to-sing songs

Since her debut in 1980 with the classic hit “Hadashi no Kisetsu,” Seiko Matsuda—an eternal idol whose outstanding vocal ability and instantly recognizable, soaring high notes have been her signature—has continued to influence Japanese women’s fashion and lifestyle.

It’s amazing not only that she released a string of masterpieces during her 1980s heyday, but that she has also continued to produce hits as a singer-songwriter from the 1990s onward.

Seiko-chan’s songs are perennial favorites at karaoke, but as mentioned at the start, many people struggle with those expansive high notes.

This time, we’ve picked out some relatively easy-to-sing tracks and included tips for performing them at karaoke—so don’t miss it!

[Eternal Idol] A Collection of Easy-to-Sing Seiko Matsuda Songs (1–10)

Seaside BalconyMatsuda Seiko

Seiko Matsuda - Balcony of the Seashore
Seaside BalconyMatsuda Seiko

Seiko Matsuda has many classic summer songs, but isn’t The Balcony by the Beach (Nagisa no Balcony) the one that many people love most? With Takashi Matsumoto’s striking, masterful lyrics, a composition provided by Yumi Matsutoya—aka Yuming—under the pseudonym Kureta Keiko, and arrangement by Masataka Matsutoya, this golden trio crafted a gem that Seiko Matsuda elevates to the fullest with her charming yet undeniably skilled vocals and expressive power—truly impressive.

The main hurdle when singing this song is, as expected, the relatively high average vocal range.

That said, there are some slightly lower notes in the A section, and if you adjust the key and focus on the crucial points, the melody itself is very singable.

So even if high notes aren’t your strong suit, don’t hesitate to give it a try.

The Wind RisesMatsuda Seiko

“Kaze Tachinu” is an important song that drew Seiko Matsuda’s artistry to new heights, with a gorgeous string arrangement by Kan Inoue that immediately catches the ear.

It’s a classic that showcases Matsuda’s assured ability to fully make Takashi Matsumoto’s literary lyrics and Eiichi Ohtaki’s meticulously crafted sound world her own.

The melody isn’t especially difficult—there aren’t drastic jumps in pitch and it stays within a fairly consistent range—but the sustained high notes throughout can be tough if you struggle with higher registers.

The soaring high note at the end of the chorus is where you really want to shine with a beautiful vibrato.

First, adjust the key to suit your vocal range, and if possible, master diaphragmatic breathing; that will make it much easier to produce Matsuda’s signature long tones!

Hold me…Matsuda Seiko

Hold Me... (new version) / Seiko Matsuda
Hold me...Matsuda Seiko

Embracing…,” included on Seiko Matsuda’s 15th album Citron, released in 1988 with top American producer David Foster, is known among fans as a popular track even though it was never released as a single.

It was also used in a commercial, so many people beyond her fanbase have likely heard it.

While it’s hard to fully recreate Matsuda’s commanding vocals as she grew from idol to singer, the melody itself is very straightforward and easy to sing.

In the chorus where the emotion bursts forth, pour in all your feelings and sing it freely in your own way!

SWEET MEMORIESMatsuda Seiko

Among the many wonderful ballads sung by Seiko Matsuda, this one stands out for its exceptional popularity and recognition.

It is a timeless masterpiece that has been loved across generations as one of the most iconic ballads in J-POP history.

Released in August 1983 as the B-side to “Glass no Ringo” (Glass Apple), it gained significant attention after being featured in a Suntory CAN Beer commercial known for its penguin character.

This led to an interesting turn of events where it was re-released that October as a double A-side single.

As an unfading classic continually covered by many artists, it’s a song that people of all ages want to try singing at karaoke.

For a Seiko Matsuda song, the vocal range is fairly average, and the English lyrics in the second verse aren’t difficult, so men should definitely give it a try too!

I Want to See You ~Missing You~Matsuda Seiko

Matsuda Seiko – I Want to See You ~Missing You~
I Want to See You ~Missing You~Matsuda Seiko

For those who didn’t grow up knowing Seiko Matsuda at the height of her idol career in the 1980s, many likely first discovered her through “Anata ni Aitakute ~Missing You~.” This signature ballad of her 1990s era is also one of the best-selling songs of her entire career.

With lyrics written by Matsuda herself and composition co-written with Ryo Ogura, the song also showcases her abilities as a songwriter.

Hugely popular at karaoke when it was released, it remains a beloved song that people still sing even in the Reiwa era.

While expressing the emotions of a ballad can be challenging, the melody line is very straightforward and the pitch is easy to follow, so why not focus on singing it with heartfelt feeling?