Songs with titles starting with 'O' [Great for karaoke and shiritori!]
Songs with titles starting with “O” often feature unique names—like those using characters meaning “dance” or “gold,” as well as Osaka-themed songs.
They also tend to be great for getting everyone fired up when singing! I can’t think of many off the top of my head, so I want to look some up…
This is a list that might come in handy at such times: songs with titles that start with “O.” Use it when you’re wondering, “What songs start with ‘O’?” and also as a prompt for shiritori or when choosing tracks at karaoke.
- Vocaloid songs that start with 'O'
- Masterpieces with titles that start with 'A'
- Songs with titles that start with “wo.” Useful as hints for karaoke and shiritori!
- 2000s: A Collection of Hit Karaoke Classics
- A roundup of songs with titles starting with 'Da' (Dai-〇〇, Diamond, etc.)
- Songs with titles that start with 'Ke'
- Songs Men Want Women to Sing at Karaoke: Irresistible Tracks [2026]
- A compilation of Vocaloid songs with titles that start with 'wo' (を)
- Songs by Yoshimi Tendo, the songstress born in Osaka, that are easy to sing
- Songs with titles starting with “No” (Perfect for karaoke and shiritori!)
- Songs with titles that start with a number. Useful for karaoke or playlist selection.
- Cool If You Can Sing! Popular Karaoke Songs Recommended for Women
- Songs with titles that start with 'de'. Perfect as hints for karaoke or shiritori!
Songs with Titles Starting with “O” [Great for Karaoke & Shiritori!] (231–240)
Male NadaTakigawa Maiko
This was the debut single released by Nippon Columbia in May 1989.
It’s a hard-hitting number with lyrics by Tetsurō Hoshino and music by Shōsuke Ichikawa.
The lyrics portray a man’s way of life through the figure of a fisherman tossed by the waves, interwoven with shouted call-and-response phrases that became a major talking point at the time.
Maiko Takigawa, who debuted with this work, went on to win the Bronze Prize at the Shinjuku Music Festival and the Newcomer Encouragement Award at the Yokohama Music Festival that same year.
She has since produced numerous hit songs and secured a firm place in the enka world.
Let yourself be moved by the powerful spirit that faces the raging seas and the deeply emotive vocals.
Memory HotelIshihara Yūjirō
You can almost picture a man standing alone at a seaside hotel, far from the bustle of the city.
He quietly reflects on a once-in-a-lifetime love with someone he can no longer see, the bittersweet scene unfolding through Yujiro Ishihara’s conversational singing voice—a style befitting a performer who also excelled as an actor.
Released in September 1984, the track is marked by an urban, sophisticated sound featuring saxophone and synthesizer.
Here, the melancholy of mood kayō and the refined timbres blend exquisitely, accentuating the protagonist’s loneliness.
It’s the perfect number for a night when you want to sip a drink in solitude and let your thoughts drift to days gone by.
A woman’s life waits for no one.Chō Hoyūki
A debut single released by Apollon in June 1985.
Through the figure of a woman clinging to the man she loves, it portrays the resolve and heartbreak of a woman who lives for love.
As the title suggests, the lyrics capture the urgency and passion of a fleeting chance at love within life’s limited time.
After making her debut with this song, Yuki Nagaho won the Newcomer Award at the All Japan Cable Broadcasting Awards in 1987.
She went on to produce hits such as “Shinobi-gawa” and “Ho no Ji-gasa,” and in 1994 she also performed at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
between menKoda Shin
After three years of apprenticeship as an in-house disciple of composer Toru Funamura, this was Shin Koda’s debut single, released in June 1989.
With lyrics by Tetsuro Hoshino and composition by his mentor Funamura, the piece is a hardboiled enka that portrays bonds between men and the spirit of duty and compassion.
It won the New Artist Award at the 31st Japan Record Awards.
With a warmly human vocal delivery, it powerfully sings of the resolve and friendship of working men.
While rooted in classic enka, its distinctive style also hints at a folk-like storytelling approach, leaving a strong impression at the time.
Highly recommended for those who want to feel the fervor of Showa-era enka.
Lead orga..adomiori
I can’t help but surrender my heart to the soothing electronic tones.
This track is by Vocaloid producer adomiori, featured on the EP “we search,” released in August 2025.
The whisper-soft, translucent vocals give voice to the protagonist’s aching longing as they search for light in a suffocating world.
You can almost see them reaching out beyond the overcast sky for a faint glimmer of hope—it’s heart-wrenching.
It’s perfect for when you’re feeling a little sentimental.
HONESTŌe Senri
An introspective ballad whose moist, tender piano timbre seeps into the heart.
Released as a single in July 1992, it was later included on the acclaimed album “Rokko Oroshi Fuita.” You can almost picture a room where time has stopped for two people, gazing at a stack of faded cassette tapes left piled against the wall.
The piece portrays the protagonist’s sincere resolve not to forget even the wounds of the past, but to use them as sustenance for a reunion in the future—an unwavering quiet determination that squeezes the heart.
Senri Oe’s characteristically delicate melodies seem to gently accompany those sentimental feelings.
On nights when you want to be alone with your thoughts, or when you wish to face the past and move forward, its gentle resonance will permeate your heart.
Oh, Pretty WomanRoy Orbison
Roy Orbison, who gained popularity with his black sunglasses and operatic, powerful vocals.
This piece is one of his signature songs, depicting the dramatic emotions of a man who is captivated by a beautiful woman he sees on the street.
He’s dejected when she initially walks away, but the movie-like twist of her finally turning back to him is irresistibly appealing.
Released in August 1964, the song topped the U.S.
charts for three consecutive weeks.
Later, it was chosen as the theme song for the 1990 blockbuster film “Pretty Woman,” allowing it to be loved across generations.
It opens with a guitar riff everyone knows, so it’s guaranteed to fire up any karaoke room.
Step into the protagonist’s shoes and sing it with passion.