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

lilacMrs. GREEN APPLE36rank/position

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Lilac” Official Music Video

A popular song by Mrs.

GREEN APPLE that captures the bittersweetness and brilliance of youth over catchy guitar rock.

Released in April 2024, it was selected as the opening theme for the anime Oblivion Battery.

This work marked the band’s first anime tie-in in about five years, and it became their fastest track to surpass 100 million total streams.

It also won the Grand Prize at the 66th Japan Record Awards—an unprecedented achievement as the first back-to-back win by a band.

The lyrics carefully portray the fleeting passage of days and the emotions swaying between anxiety and hope, conveying the importance of loving yourself, including your past pains.

Its sprightly rhythm and powerful melody make it perfect for party scenes.

It’s easy for people of all generations to hum along to, and it’s a song that brightens the atmosphere and lifts the mood.

Yes, with pleasure.kocchi no kento37rank/position

Sure thing / Kocchino Kento MV

Released in 2024, this song became a social phenomenon: the “Giri-Giri Dance” went viral on social media, and it even broke into the top 20 on the Billboard Japan charts.

Kocchino Kento’s sensibility shines through in lyrics born from his own struggles with mental health—spoken head-on yet wrapped in just the right touch of humor and a pop sound that keeps things from getting too dark.

The message embedded in the lyrics—“If you feel at your limit, it’s okay to ask for help”—feels like an anthem for all of us living in the present day.

For karaoke, there are a few slightly fast-paced parts, but with a bit of practice you’ll get the hang of it quickly, and since it’s a song everyone knows, it’s guaranteed to get the crowd going.

If you sing it while copying the dance with your friends, it’s even more fun!

cherrysupittsu38rank/position

Spitz / Cherry

It’s a masterpiece whose clear, beautiful melody resonates deep in the heart.

It weaves together memories of a faint romance and the resolve to move forward after overcoming them.

Released in April 1996 as one of Spitz’s signature songs, it topped the Oricon charts and became a million-seller.

It’s also very popular for karaoke and is sure to liven up drinking parties and school reunions.

It’s the perfect song for men in their 40s who feel nostalgic about their youth.

Crimson Lotus FlowerLiSA39rank/position

LiSA – Gurenge / THE FIRST TAKE

This is the song that was chosen as the opening theme for the anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and sparked a social phenomenon.

It’s LiSA’s 15th single, released in 2019.

The song’s structure, which exquisitely weaves together intense rock sounds with quiet sections, is captivating.

The lyrics, which sing of the protagonist facing a harsh fate and an unyielding will that won’t bend to any hardship, are sure to stir listeners’ hearts.

The chorus, where her high-tone vocals explode, is nothing short of breathtaking.

It’s guaranteed to get everyone pumped if you sing it at karaoke.

One Night CarnivalKishidan40rank/position

Kishidan – One Night Carnival

The major-label debut from Kishidan, a rock band hailing from Chiba, fuses a fiery heartbeat with a catchy pop melody line.

With their unique style of school uniforms and pompadours, and high-energy tunes packed with passionate messages, they powerfully express the rebellious spirit of youth and a yearning for freedom.

Originally released independently in June 2001, the work sold 80,000 copies, and its major-label edition in May 2002 reached No.

7 on the Oricon chart.

With relatable, down-to-earth lyrics and an exhilarating sound, it’s perfect for when you need a boost or a refreshing change of pace.

Shut up.Ado41rank/position

[Ado] Shut Up

A song I highly recommend for anyone feeling stressed by daily busyness or relationships.

It’s Ado’s landmark work that marked her major-label debut in October 2020, with lyrics and composition by Vocaloid producer syudou.

The lyrics, which vent frustration toward society and conformity and blurt out the words you couldn’t say back, resonated with the feelings of younger generations trapped by the pandemic’s sense of stagnation and became an explosive hit.

In March 2021, the music video surpassed 100 million views, making headlines as a record-breaking achievement by the youngest solo artist to do so.

When you want to blow off everyday frustration, it’s a fierce rock tune that feels exhilarating to belt out at karaoke like a scream.

Ms. Hanako on a high pedestalback number42rank/position

back number – Takane no Hanako-san (full)

Released in June 2013, back number’s eighth single is a popular song that portrays a bittersweet unrequited love for someone out of reach.

The protagonist is nothing more than a “friend of a friend” to the person they like, and feels frustrated by that distance.

Its charm lies in how realistically it captures the all-too-familiar psychology of unrequited love—imagining what the other person’s ideal partner might be like and sinking into gloom.

In 2019, it was featured in a Kirin Tanrei Green Label commercial, where vocalist Iyori Shimizu performed an acoustic rendition.

A fun way to enjoy this song at a drinking party is to swap the chorus line “aitai” (I want to see you) with “nomitai” (I want to drink)! Turning it into a playful parody over the wistful melody is sure to get laughs from the contrast.

Sing it after some lively love talk or when there’s a friend nursing a crush, and it’ll warm up the mood even more!