Recommended karaoke crowd-pleasers: Popular artist rankings [2026]

LOVE＆JOYKimura Yuki78rank/position

Yuki Kimura / LOVE & JOY (Official Lyric Video)

A single packed with the exhilarating appeal of Eurobeat! Yuki Kimura’s clear, soaring vocals fuse perfectly with Daisuke Asakura’s energetic production to create a high-speed dance track.

Riding a BPM of 173, its bright, forward-looking message evokes a moving sensation, as if a rainbow were arcing across the listener’s heart.

Released in July 2000, the song captured many hearts as the theme for the TV drama “Daisuke Hanamura.” It reached No.

24 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and achieved total sales of 116,000 copies.

Perfect as BGM for highway or mountain-pass drives, it’s also ideal when you need a boost for a tired spirit.

Grip the wheel and set off on a special musical journey to this rhythm.

KINGKanaria79rank/position

【GUMI】KING【Kanaria】

A slightly dark, high-energy EDM tune that’s perfect for hyping up the venue! It’s a track by the popular Vocaloid producer Kanaria, who drew attention with their debut song “Hyakki Matsuri,” released in 2020.

It’s also the title track of the album released the same year.

The powerful, hard-hitting sound and sense of speed really get you pumped! As you listen, you’ll find yourself wanting to clap along to the beat.

It’s great as a karaoke pick, and I think it also works well as a selection for a dance performance.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Araki Jakkan

Report a problem

Joyfulikimonogakari80rank/position

Ikimonogakari 'Joyful' Music Video

If you want to hype up the crowd at karaoke, this song is a great pick.

Released in September 2009 as a double A-side single, it became a massive hit after being featured in a Pocky commercial.

Its upbeat sound, lifted by a lively horn section, pairs perfectly with Kiyoe Yoshioka’s bright vocals, making it a feel-good track that brings a smile just by listening.

If everyone shouts the chorus together with handclaps, the whole room will feel united.

Despite its compact length, the danceable beat and highly repetitive melody are satisfying, and since it’s not too difficult to sing, it’s easy to enjoy.

It’s the perfect song when you want to let loose at a girls’ night or a party!

The Theory of HappinessShiina Ringo81rank/position

Sheena Ringo – The Theory of Happiness

Released in May 1998 as Ringo Sheena’s debut single, this song was chosen as the ending theme for the variety show “Ai no Hinadan.” It combines a lightness that evokes the breath of youth with a striking edge tinged with a hint of poison, carrying the message that happiness is actually right in front of us.

An alternate arrangement appears on the album Muzai Moratorium as “Koufukuron (Etsuraku-hen),” and the track was also used in a commercial for Suntory Cocktail Bar.

Capturing a unique worldview that expresses cuteness and darkness at the same time, this work is highly recommended for anyone who wants to savor Sheena’s signature style.

Butter-FlyWada Kōji82rank/position

Butterfly Full Version-Digimon Adventure Opening

The anime Digimon Adventure, based on the game Digital Monster that gained popularity in the 1990s, is a rare long-running hit among anime works derived from toys and games, and it still enjoys a strong following today.

Butter-Fly is known as its theme song and continues to be loved by many fans, frequently ranking high in anime song charts at karaoke.

Although the song spans a wide range from mid1 C# to hi B, only some of the falsetto notes are high, and the chest voice stays within mid2 G#.

Therefore, as long as you can handle the falsetto parts, you likely won’t find the vocal range particularly challenging.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Ryo

Report a problem

CAN YOU CELEBRATE?Amuro Namie83rank/position

CAN YOU CELEBRATE? – Namie Amuro (Full)

The 9th single “CAN YOU CELEBRATE?” was written as the theme song for the TV drama Virgin Road.

It’s Namie Amuro’s biggest hit and a double-million seller beloved as a wedding staple.

With minimal melodic movement, it’s easy to sing, but since it shifts between a lively shuffle beat and a ballad, be careful not to get left behind by the rhythmic changes.

As a universally known hit, it’s a pop tune guaranteed to fire up any karaoke session.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

Hoshino Takashi

Report a problem

GO!!!FLOW84rank/position

FLOW “GO!!!” Music Video (TV Anime “NARUTO” Opening Theme)

FLOW’s signature song, which took the world by storm as an opening theme for the anime NARUTO, is also a guaranteed hit at drinking parties.

Released in April 2004, the track caused a major stir at the time, entering the Oricon Top 10 for three consecutive weeks.

Its energetic message to dream-chasers and its irresistibly uptempo sound are the big draw.

The shout-and-response in the chorus is perfect for call-and-response—raise your voices together and you’ll feel instant unity! If you keep the original groove but tweak the chorus into a parody, it makes for a great party sing-along.

It’s widely known across generations, so it’s highly recommended for gatherings with a diverse crowd.