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

RPGSEKAI NO OWARI22rank/position

SEKAI NO OWARI「RPG」

With its fantastical atmosphere and marching rhythm, this song gives a gentle push to new adults stepping into a new world.

Released in May 2013, SEKAI NO OWARI’s single “RPG” is a cheer anthem themed around friendship and adventure.

Written by Fukase and Saori, the lyrics portray the strength to face forward and overcome hardship, drawn from their own experiences.

The song also became beloved as the theme for the film “Crayon Shin-chan: Very Tasty! B-Class Gourmet Survival!!”.

Even if you feel lost on the adventure called life, listening to this track will give you the courage to believe you’ll be okay.

Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB23rank/position

JAL Okinawa Campaign Summer Rikyu 1990 Theme Song: "Kome Kome Club - Roman Hikou"

Known as one of Kome Kome Club’s signature songs, this piece captivates with its refreshing, upbeat melody and heartfelt lyrics.

Released in 1987, it became a popular track after being featured in a JAL commercial.

Included on the album “KOMEGUNY,” it’s praised as a work brimming with the talents of Carl Smoky Ishii.

Singing of passion for love and dreams, and the pursuit of life’s romance, the song continues to resonate with many.

It’s a tune that brings back fond memories while giving you the courage to look ahead—perfect for getting the crowd going at karaoke, too.

Yi-Er Fan ClubMikito P24rank/position

Mikito-P “Yi-er Fan Club” MV

This is a song called “Ii Aru Fanclub,” sung by GUMI and Kagamine Rin.

It was released in 2012 by Mikito-P, who is well known for representative tracks like “Roki.” The funky bassline and aggressive, rhythmic guitar give it a cool, band-oriented sound! It’s included on the album “Vocalo Danshi Vocalo Joshi.” The key is easy to sing, so it’s a great pick for karaoke!

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Yoimachi Jēn

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My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS25rank/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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Telecaster B-Boysurii26rank/position

Telecaster B-Boy (long ver.) / Surii feat. Kagamine Len

That crisp guitar sound feels great! This track is by Surii, also known for “Junky Night Town Orchestra,” with a short version released in April 2019.

Its bouncy rhythm and memorable phrases are packed into 60 seconds—truly a quintessential “one-minute Vocaloid” piece.

In 2020, a long version was included on the album Pandemic, and it was also added to the rhythm game Project SEKAI COLORFUL STAGE! feat.

Hatsune Miku.

Highly recommended when you want to get pumped up!

HOWEVERGLAY27rank/position

GLAY / HOWEVER

GLAY is a four-member rock band that dominated the J-POP scene in the 1990s as a leading visual kei act, establishing numerous milestones.

Their 12th single, HOWEVER, used as the theme song for the TV drama Ryakudatsuai: Abunai Onna, became GLAY’s first million-selling hit.

Because the melody features increasingly higher tones toward the latter half, you’ll need to pace yourself when singing it at karaoke.

For those in their 30s, just listening to it will likely bring back memories of their youth; it’s one of GLAY’s signature songs.

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Hoshino Takashi

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Marigoldaimyon28rank/position

Aimyon – Marigold [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Singer-songwriter Aimyon is loved by a wide range of generations for her nostalgic melodies and lyrics that resonate with the heart.

Released in August 2018 as her fifth single, this song has become one of her signature tracks, surpassing 300 million streams.

The fact that it achieved such popularity without any tie-in is a testament to the song’s universal appeal.

Layering the peaceful everyday moments with a loved one over radiant memories of summers past, it expresses a powerful desire to never be apart.

The sound is catchy yet tinged with nostalgia, making it an easy crowd-pleaser at karaoke.

It’s a perfect classic for those who cherish time with their partners and for people in their twenties who want to bask in the memories of their youth.