From Showa-era kayōkyoku to J-POP! A nostalgia-packed roundup of karaoke crowd-pleasers

Timeless classics are passed down and sung across generations, aren’t they?

From grand ballads to upbeat numbers that feel like a fresh breeze.

Still, when it comes to songs loved by every generation—those that nearly everyone, young and old, knows—surprisingly few come to mind, don’t they?

So! We’ve gathered a collection of nostalgic yet never-fading masterpieces, focusing on Showa-era kayōkyoku and up through mid-’90s J-POP!

There are lots of songs you can enjoy together at karaoke despite any generation gap, so be sure to check them out!

Playlist

From Showa-era kayōkyoku to J-POP! A nostalgia-packed roundup of karaoke crowd-pleasers
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	DESIRENakamori Akina		A top idol of the Showa era, popular for a deep voice
2	A Cruel Angel’s ThesisTakahashi Yoko		A famous song from Evangelion that is still sung today
3	Let’s count your kissesKoyanagi Yuki		The chorus is moving and it’s popular as a love song.
4	A Member of the Fire BrigadeRATS&STAR		Rats & Star: a popular dance number from the Showa era
5	FriendsRebekka		Rebecca's 1985 signature song
6	Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko		A famous song representing the Showa era by Seiko Matsuda
7	GET WILDTM NETWORK		TM NETWORK's 10th single.
8	I LOVE YOUOzaki Yutaka		A signature song by Yutaka Ozaki, a beloved classic cherished by the nation
9	Falling in LoveKobayashi Akiko		Masterpieces of Showa-era kayōkyoku with themes of adultery
10	Sailor Suit and Machine GunYakushimaru Hiroko		Hiromi Yakushimaru’s classic song captivates young people as well
11	foreignerKUBOTA Saki		A Showa-era classic with a mystical singing voice
12	TouchIwasaki Yoshimi		A high-velocity main theme song with Yoshimi Iwasaki’s dynamic touch
13	Stardust StageChekkāzu		The Checkers’ classic Showa-era songs: timeless kayōkyoku that haven’t faded even today
14	Azusa No. 2karyūdō		A poignant Showa-era kayōkyoku sung by a male duo
15	The Last RainYasushi Nakanishi		Masterpieces of Showa-era love ballads are still cherished today
16	Full of memoriesH₂O		A smash hit from 1983 loved across generations
17	Crossing Amagi PassIshikawa Sayuri		A Shōwa-era classic that sings of the tenacity and beauty of Japanese women
18	Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri		Enka masterpieces are loved for their powerful vocals.
19	If I’m wrapped in kindnessArai Yumi		Yumi’s gentle song from Kiki’s Delivery Service
20	SOMEDAYSano Motoharu		A classic song from the Showa era that gives courage and hope
21	Wine Red Heartanzenchitai		Masterpieces by Yosui Inoue and Koji Tamaki
22	Best friendKiroro		Kiroro’s moving farewell song
23	PRIDEImai Miki		A classic song with a relaxed tempo and a clear, translucent voice that captivates listeners.
24	School HeavenFingā 5		A poppy, upbeat song with distinctive choreography
25	Sora-buneTOKIO		Miyuki Nakajima song from a drama starring Tomoya Nagase
26	Stars on EarthNakajima Miyuki		A song with a deep, powerful, wonderful singing voice
27	ultra soulB’z		A classic pop song that gets the crowd hyped
28	swallowtail butterflyPorunogurafiti		Popular for its distinctive tune from a cosmetics commercial
29	BoyhoodInoue Yosui		Inoue Yosui’s nostalgic summer classic
30	I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu		Sakamoto Kyu’s songs that make you feel positive
31	UFOpinku redii		A classic song by a two-member idol group with distinctive choreography
32	Don’t take off my sailor uniformo nyanko kurabu		It's a bright, poppy song that really gets a girls' night going, especially when you dance to it with choreography.
33	Don’t give upZARD		Historically encouraging cheer song
34	Bridge of Gloryyuzu		The moving theme song of the Athens Olympics
35	You Are the One Who Rings That BellWada Akiko		Introduction to Akiko Wada’s Powerful Signature Songs
36	The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP		The One and Only Flower in the World
37	HOWEVERGLAY		A thrilling buildup from calm to action
38	Lingering Snowiruka		A poignant hit by Iruka, showcasing remarkable vocal prowess
39	Tokyo Boogie-WoogieKasaogi Shizuko		The classic boogie-woogie hit released in 1947 by Shizuko Kasagi
40	CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie		Namie Amuro’s wedding song is moving and a great track.
41	Love MemoryMatsuzaki Shigeru		A deeply moving piece with the themes of love and death
42	Banzai — I’m glad I loved you.Urufuruzu		A catchy pop song that gets the crowd going at karaoke
43	Love Revolution 21Mōningu Musume.		A popular Morning Musume song that’s an uptempo track with distinctive choreography.
44	Like the flow of a riverMisora Hibari		Hibari Misora’s final single, a masterpiece
45	CheersNagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi's powerful singing voice is still loved today.
46	You’re Kiwi, Papaya, and Mango, aren’t you?Nakahara Meiko		Masterpieces of Showa-era kayōkyoku: the origins of their distinctive titles and the background of their production
47	Between the Sky and YouNakajima Miyuki		The Appeal of Miyuki Nakajima’s “Between the Sky and You”
48	The Day Love Was BornFujitani Miwako, Ouchi Yoshiaki		The duet song by Miwako Fujitani and Yoshiaki Ouchi
49	Love Story Comes SuddenlyOda Kazumasa		Kazumasa Oda's Love Story Suddenly
50	240 Million Eyes – Exotic JapanGō Hiromi		Hiromi Go's classic songs have a narrow vocal range and are easy to sing.
51	Red Sweet PeaMatsuda Seiko		The singing ability of Showa-era idols has a good reputation.
52	cosmos (flower)Yamaguchi Momoe		A classic ballad that delivers a profound emotional impact
53	Lonely ChaplinSuzuki Masayuki & Suzuki Kiyomi		A classic duet song, featuring soulful vocals as its charm
54	Yoko of the Port, Yokohama, YokosukaDaun Taun Bugiugi Bando		A classic Showa-era song about looking for a woman in a port town
55	MasqueradeShonentai		Shonentai’s debut single became a big hit.
56	Subtly flashy (bling-bling, but nonchalant)Kondō Masahiko		Masahiko Kondo’s signature songs and the allure of 1980s idols
57	Mary Janetsunoda☆hiro		A classic song depicting an unforgettable love
58	It’s nothing good.Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi		Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s classic song “Rokuna Mon ja Nee”
59	Refrain of SoulsTakahashi Yoko		Evangelion movie theme songs: crowd-pleasing karaoke classics
60	Slow motionNakamori Akina		Akina Nakamori’s debut song, “Slow Motion”
61	White LoveSPEED		SPEED is popular among female students, and their singing and dancing are excellent.
62	Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Ten		A heartwarming song loved across generations