Recommended easy-to-sing karaoke. Popular band rankings [2026]

GLORIAZIGGY78rank/position

ZIGGY「GLORIA」

ZIGGY is one of the rock bands that sparked the band boom of the ’80s.

Their hallmark sound was influenced by LA metal and bad-boys rock, and they were especially known for their upbeat songs.

Speaking of ZIGGY’s classics, isn’t “GLORIA” the first that comes to mind? The vocal line in this song spans a fairly narrow range, from mid1 G to mid2 G, and the pitch movement isn’t very dramatic.

There’s a hi C used as a vocal embellishment, but since this is an ad-lib section that doesn’t earn extra points in karaoke scoring, you don’t need to stick to the original pitch there if the height is too demanding.

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Ryo

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Motherkariyushi 5879rank/position

Kariyushi58 “Anma”

This is one of the signature songs by Kariyushi58, an Okinawan band, in which they sing about their feelings toward their mother.

There are many words, but the tempo is relaxed, making it easy to sing.

The melody is more like speaking than a song with rising and falling pitches, so it’s easy to remember.

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Araki Jakkan

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Breath of DawnChekkāzu80rank/position

The Checkers “Breath of Dawn” MV

The 23rd single by the seven-member rock band The Checkers is a love ballad that sings of deep affection and a resolve for the future.

The lyrics, expressing a strong desire to protect the one you love, truly stir the heart.

Released in June 1990, it reached No.

2 on the Oricon weekly chart.

They also performed it at the 41st NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, marking their seventh consecutive appearance.

With its beautiful melody and not-too-high key, it’s also popular as an easy song to sing at karaoke.

It’s a recommended track for those who want to sing with feelings for someone special.

Shangri-LaChatto Monchī81rank/position

Chatmonchy “Shangri-La” Music Video

Chatmonchy is a girls’ band that gained popularity in the 2000s with a sound rooted in pop rock and indie rock.

If you’re a woman in your 30s who likes Japanese rock, you probably listened to their songs quite a bit.

Among Chatmonchy’s tracks, the one I especially recommend is Shangri-La.

The song’s lowest note is mid2 C and the highest note is hi D#, but the hi D# appears only once, and the main high phrases are built around hi C.

While it is a high-pitched song, the range isn’t wide, so if you lower the key appropriately, it should be quite singable.

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Heart Throbsnobobyknows̟+82rank/position

nobodyknows+ “Kokoro Odoru” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

nobodyknows+’s signature song is a gem that brilliantly fuses hip-hop and J-pop.

Released as a single in May 2004 and included on that year’s album “Do You Know?”, it also earned them a spot on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

The lyrics express the small joys found in everyday life and the positive energy that music brings.

With a chorus where a vivid melody line and rap intersect, it’s guaranteed to fire up any karaoke session.

In 2022, a one-take performance was released on the YouTube channel “THE FIRST TAKE,” racking up 10 million views in a month.

It’s a must-listen for anyone looking to free their heart through music.

One Night CarnivalKishidan83rank/position

Kishidan – One Night Carnival

That hook from the intro grabs you instantly, and the energetic performance in school uniforms leaves a vivid impression! This is truly a soul-stirring anthem that represents Kishidan.

You can feel the exhilaration of breaking free from dull everyday life and diving into a one-night-only carnival, along with the fiery bond between friends.

The indie version was released in June 2001, followed by the major-label version in May 2002, and it was performed at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in both 2004 and 2005.

Belt it out with your friends at karaoke, arms over shoulders, and it’s guaranteed to get the crowd going! Nail that signature choreography, too, and make it an unforgettable night!

rose flowerkururi84rank/position

Quruli – Rose Flower

Among men in their 40s who were into Japanese rock, Quruli likely left a strong impression.

Unlike other J-rock bands, many listeners were captivated by their music, which prioritizes a distinctive worldview.

Of all Quruli’s songs, the one I especially recommend is Bara no Hana (Rose Flower).

This track is characterized by an ennui-tinged musical style, with a vocal line that’s accordingly subdued.

While it does feature a fair number of long tones, it doesn’t demand powerful projection, so you don’t need to worry too much about that.

Definitely consider adding it to your repertoire.

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Ryo

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