Lovely karaoke song

[Ringo Sheena] A roundup of karaoke songs that are easy to sing even for beginners

Vocal coachKubota Mami
After working as a voice trainer at a studio for seven years, I went independent in 2025. To date, I’ve taught more than 300 students. Honestly, I started teaching out of simple curiosity (lol). When I was job hunting, I stumbled across a listing for a “vocal instructor,” thought, “What is this?!” and applied on impulse. That’s how I became a teacher with zero prior knowledge—so I went through more training than anyone and studied a lot on my own. When I started teaching what I’d learned to my students, their responses were really positive, and that’s when I felt a real sense of purpose. As a teacher, I absolutely love those moments when I’m growing together with my students. As for my musical activities, I’ve been playing bass in a wind ensemble since high school and still do. I’ve also performed live in a band as a singing bassist, and sometimes I’m invited to sing as a vocalist only. Through vocal training, I want to keep using my voice and stay healthy and beautiful for years to come!
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

Ringo Sheena is a singer-songwriter with a one-of-a-kind personality and an original sensibility, who transformed Japan’s J-pop scene through her exceptional self-production skills.

Countless artists have been influenced by her, and even in the 2020s her presence remains overwhelming.

Many of her massive hits are also popular karaoke choices, but plenty of people struggle with her distinctive word choices, phrasing, and melodic lines.

In this article, we’ve picked out relatively easy-to-sing songs and compiled them across different eras.

We also share tips for singing them at karaoke, so take this opportunity to check it out!

[Shiina Ringo] A Roundup of Karaoke Songs Easy for Beginners to Sing (1–10)

Kiss me here.Shiina Ringo

Ringo Sheena – Kiss Me Here.

Kiss me here.Shiina Ringo

This song is striking for Ringo Sheena’s translucent vocals and its sultry melody.

The lyrics, which express aching love through skillful metaphors, pierce deeply into the listener’s heart.

Released in January 1999 as the title track of a single, it was also used as the ending theme for Yomiuri TV and Nippon TV’s “Downtown DX.” If you sing it at karaoke, the key is to pour your emotions into it just as the lyrics suggest.

If you can convey the complex feelings of a woman in love, you’re sure to captivate those around you.

It’s perfect both as everyday background music and for times when you’re carrying the pain of love—be sure to give it a listen.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

The Theory of HappinessShiina Ringo

Sheena Ringo – The Theory of Happiness

The Theory of HappinessShiina Ringo

This is a song that captures listeners’ hearts with its distinctive lyrics and melody.

The lyrics, which weave feelings for a loved one from a philosophical perspective, evoke a worldview that is quintessentially Sheena Ringo.

Released in May 1998 as an 8 cm single and later issued as a 12 cm single, it was also included on her debut album, Muzai Moratorium, making it a key track that marked the start of her musical career.

When singing it at karaoke, you need to pay attention to its unique rhythm and inflection, but that makes it all the more rewarding to practice.

It’s a song you’ll want to listen to when you want to think deeply about love and life.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

slideShiina Ringo

Slide

slideShiina Ringo

The B-side track of the debut single “Koufukuron” (Theory of Happiness).

A full-on bittersweet ballad, it’s a masterpiece that portrays an unstable romantic relationship with cool precision and lyricism, interwoven with everyday scenes.

It was later included on the 10th-anniversary album “Watashi to Houden.” There’s no shouting or anything like that; it’s a song that requires rhythmic feel in the chorus and good breath control.

Once the song starts, you’re singing almost the whole time, but the melody isn’t difficult, so it should be straightforward to sing.

If you tense up around your shoulders, you’ll shift to chest breathing and won’t be able to inhale properly, so relax and take deep breaths using diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing.

Making sure to project your voice and fully exhale is also key.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

[Ringo Sheena] A roundup of karaoke songs that are easy to sing even for beginners (11–20)

Dawn of SolitudeShiina Ringo

Kodoku No Akatsuki -La Solitude de l’aube-

Dawn of SolitudeShiina Ringo

A song used as the theme for NHK Educational TV’s “SWITCH Interview: Masters,” with lyrics by screenwriter Aya Watanabe and composition/arrangement by Ringo Sheena.

Released on May 27, 2013 as a double A-side on “Irohanihoheto / Kodoku no Akatsuki,” it’s characterized by a driving, pop sound and powerful lyrics.

The overall vocal range spans E3–F5, making the high notes fairly demanding, but the melody itself is straightforward and easy to latch onto.

Using falsetto for the high notes in the chorus is perfectly fine.

If you focus on resonating clearly in the head, the notes should come out smoothly—imagining a bright, ringing tone might help when you sing.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Sid and DaydreamsShiina Ringo

Sid To Hakuchuumu -Sid & Daydreams-

Sid and DaydreamsShiina Ringo

A swingy arrangement that served as the B-side to Ringo Sheena’s third single “Mayonaka wa Junketsu” and was also included on the 10th-anniversary edition “Watashi to Hoden.” It’s a jazz-tinged rock number featuring accordion.

Since the vibe shifts between the chorus and the other sections, it’s easy to speed up when singing, so be careful.

Rather than moving forward as you sing, I think a side-to-side sway will help you keep the rhythm.

It’s also recommended for those who want to enjoy strong dynamic contrasts! Especially the ad-libs around the very end as it fades out—you can sing them freely and still sound cool!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

carnationShiina Ringo

Sheena Ringo – Carnation

carnationShiina Ringo

This is a song written specifically as the theme for the NHK morning drama series “Carnation.” It’s a grand ballad featuring an orchestra of about 40 players, imbued with prayers for the strength of women, motherhood, and all living things.

You’ll likely find it far easier to sing than Ringo Sheena’s rock-oriented songs.

However, if the chorus doesn’t swell enough, the atmosphere can fall flat, so it’s recommended for those who want to sing out with full voice.

Throughout, make sure to lift your eyebrows and facial muscles firmly and maintain a resonant placement!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

an open secretShiina Ringo

Shiina Ringo – Public Secret

an open secretShiina Ringo

This is the theme song for the Friday Night Drama “Jikou Keisatsu Hajimemashita,” which began streaming on September 30, 2019.

The track itself features a driving ensemble, crafted to match the show’s surreal comedy-mystery vibe.

The music video too, but the song exudes a mature allure, and the rhythm and groove are crucial.

If you want to imitate Ringo-san, try singing with the corners of your mouth slightly raised and a subtly superior air.

That should give you just the right feel.

Don’t overdo it, but keeping the corners of your mouth up generally helps maintain a resonant placement, which should let you produce a stable voice.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem