Karaoke That Gets the Crowd Going: Latest Rankings [2026]

water lily blossomShonan no Kaze15rank/position

Shonan no Kaze “Suirenka” MUSIC VIDEO

Men born in the late ’80s to early ’90s might feel a strong sense of nostalgia—this was the go-to song whenever you wanted to hype things up at karaoke, right? “Suirenka” has plenty of moments to get everyone going, like the chorus parts and the towel-spinning! If you’ve got both the main vocalist and the rapper covered, you can enjoy the song with a nice balance.

HAN-KUN, the main vocalist, sings in a relatively high key, so if you’re comfortable with high notes, definitely give it a try.

If you’re not used to high notes but still want to sing it, start by focusing on resonating in your head.

Practicing falsetto and airy tones uses a lot of breath.

It also helps to sing all the lyrics as “hi,” which makes head resonance easier.

Master those high notes and give it a shot!

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Kubota Mami

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Bridge of Gloryyuzu16rank/position

Eikou no Kakehashi – Yuzu (Full)

A gem of a ballad by Yuzu, etched in memory alongside the moving scenes of the Athens Olympics.

Released as a single in 2004, it served as NHK’s theme song for its Athens Olympics broadcasts and wrapped all of Japan in emotion.

Its warm message—honoring the unseen struggles and tears, and the days of perseverance that overcame countless hardships—resonates deeply with anyone single-mindedly striving toward a dream.

Belt it out at karaoke, and you’ll not only lift your own spirits but also gently encourage your friends beside you.

A true anthem for life.

My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS17rank/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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astronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKEN18rank/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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Romantic Flightkome kome CLUB19rank/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.

Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā20rank/position

Golden Bomber “Memeshikute” Music Video

A dynamic track by Golden Bomber that expresses the ache and regret of heartbreak set to a catchy, kayōkyoku-style melody.

While retaining elements of visual kei, the song—shaped by influences from 1970s kayōkyoku and Eurobeat—comically portrays a man’s lingering attachment.

Released as a single in October 2009, it was also featured in a commercial tie-in for House Foods’ “Megashaki.” The group performed at NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen for four consecutive years from 2012 to 2015, and the song topped the Oricon Weekly Karaoke Rankings for 51 straight weeks.

It’s a tune that lifts your spirits with refreshing energy and humor, making your body move almost involuntarily when you’re feeling down or need a change of pace.

MUSIC VIDEOOkazaki Taiiku21rank/position

Okazaki Taiiku 'MUSIC VIDEO' Music Video

When it comes to Okazaki Taiiku’s songs, they’re full of a charm that makes listeners smile without even realizing it.

This track features lyrics that poke fun at common tropes in music videos, paired with a catchy melody.

Included on his major-label debut album “BASIN TECHNO,” released in May 2016, its promo video—shot on a shoestring budget of just 60,000 yen—became a hot topic and even won the New Face Award at the Japan Media Arts Festival in March 2017.

It’s perfect for livening up an after-party and has cross-generational appeal.

Link arms and dance together, and it’s sure to be the highlight of the party.