Popular Karaoke. Band Rankings [2026]

PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism1rank/position

Official HIGE DANDism – Pretender [Official Video]

This is the second single by Official HIGE DANDism, released in 2019.

It was written as the theme song for the film The Confidence Man JP: Episode of the Romance and has become widely recognized as a signature song for the band.

The lyrics portray the sorrow of an unrequited love, realistically expressing the pain of a relationship that cannot come true despite deep affection for the other person.

The protagonist’s yearning for a different meeting under different circumstances—and the struggle to accept the reality that it won’t happen—really hits home.

The beautiful piano melody and dramatic sound further amplify those emotions.

It’s the perfect song for anyone who’s experienced heartbreak in love or wants to sing with real feeling.

Belt it out at karaoke and it’s guaranteed to get the crowd going.

bouquetback number2rank/position

back number – Bouquet (full)

A gem of a mid-tempo ballad by back number that portrays a young couple’s unstable relationship and deep affection.

The down-to-earth dialogue between the two reveals the subtle emotional shifts that occur in love.

Released in June 2011, the track is included on the album “Superstar” and was used as the ending theme for TBS’s COUNT DOWN TV.

Conveying the desire to keep caring for one another despite anxieties about the future, it’s a song you’ll want to take your time singing at karaoke.

KusushikiMrs. GREEN APPLE3rank/position

The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Cour 2 Non-Credit Opening Video | Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Kusushiki”

This song was chosen as the opening theme for the second cour of season 2 of the TV anime The Apothecary Diaries.

Just as medicine can be both poison and remedy, the lyrics convey a profound message that words and love also have two sides of the same coin.

Layering conflicting feelings onto the stars in the sky, it paints a bittersweet yet beautiful worldview that resonates deeply.

It’s perfect for when you’re carrying complex emotions you can’t put into words.

It will surely help you transcend them.

HANABIMr.Children4rank/position

Mr.Children 「HANABI」 MUSIC VIDEO

Mr.Children is a band that arguably the Heisei generation listened to the most.

Whether you’re in your 30s born in the Showa era or in your 30s born in the Heisei era, you’ve probably sung one of their songs at least once.

Among their tracks, the one I especially recommend is HANABI.

It features a chorus full of excitement, yet the pitch movement is relatively steady, so you can sing it at an after-party karaoke without pushing yourself too hard.

However, it does include quite a few low G-sharp notes, so a certain depth in vocal range is required.

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Ryo

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A Little Love SongMONGOL8005rank/position

A Little Love Song

There must be plenty of people who’ve already decided, “If I go to karaoke, I’m definitely singing this.” It’s a signature song by MONGOL800, a rock band from Okinawa.

Included on their 2001 album MESSAGE, it wasn’t even released as a single, yet it became the first indie track in history to sell over 2.8 million copies.

Its appeal lies in the driving rock sound and straightforward lyrics that honestly express feelings for someone special.

In 2019, a film inspired by the song was released, and it continues to be loved across generations.

With a relatively low key and a simple melody, it’s an easy pick even for those who aren’t confident at karaoke.

If everyone belts out the chorus together, it’s sure to make any drinking party even more lively!

astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN6rank/position

BUMP OF CHICKEN “Stargazing”

Despite having nearly 30 years of activity, the rock band BUMP OF CHICKEN is still at the forefront.

They have many famous songs, but among them, the most well-known is probably Tentai Kansoku.

The song’s vocal range spans from low G# to mid2 G#, with the lower register being quite deep.

Since a mid2 F appears in the final chorus, if you adjust the key so that you can sing that part solidly, it shouldn’t feel particularly difficult.

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Ryo

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My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS7rank/position

RADWIMPS – Zenzenzense [original ver.] [Official Music Video]

It became a huge hit with the film Your Name, and I also discovered RADWIMPS through this song.

Its driving rock sound and lyrics depicting a “fateful encounter” are iconic; alongside the film’s explosive success, it became a social phenomenon, and the moment the intro plays, the atmosphere instantly brightens—an absolute crowd-pleaser.

The overall vocal range is F#3–F#4, which I think is comfortable for male singers.

In the verse (A-melo), sing as if you’re speaking, phrase by phrase, and in the pre-chorus (B-melo), make sure to ride the drums firmly.

Since the chorus sustains higher notes, be careful not to force it; try lifting your eyebrows and aim your voice into the distance to avoid pushing.

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Kubota Mami

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