A Showa-era duet song. A timeless karaoke/snack-bar classic!
Do you like duet songs?
Some of you may have sung together with friends or even other customers at karaoke or in a snack bar.
Singing your favorite song solo is certainly fun, but duet songs—where two people weave harmonies—have a unique charm all their own.
In this article, we’ve gathered classic Showa-era duet songs that just about everyone has heard at least once.
Even if you’ve never tried a duet, take this chance to learn one and try singing it with a friend.
Duet classics (1–10)
Lonely ChaplinSuzuki Masayuki & Suzuki Kiyomi
Released in 1987.
It became a hot topic after being used as the CM song for Ginza Jewelry Maki.
Although it only peaked at No.
18 on the Oricon chart, it turned into a long seller and sold 100,000 copies.
It’s a track that blends the best of soul music and kayōkyoku—cool yet easy to sing—making it perfect for karaoke.
The Day Love Was BornFujitani Miwako, Ouchi Yoshiaki
This song is a staple of duets.
Although it’s supposed to be a happy song about love being born, its minor-key melody gives it a touch of melancholy.
The man and woman sing alternately, but since the key isn’t too high or too low and the tempo isn’t fast, it works well for same-gender pairs too.
Adding harmonies in the chorus will really elevate the mood!
A Love Game Between a Man and a WomanAoi Shirō & Hino Mika
A classic duet song known for its playful back-and-forth between a man and a woman.
The version sung by Shiro Aoi and Mika Hino is particularly famous as a song, but it originally began as a commercial jingle for Takeda Pharmaceutical’s “Takeda Gastrointestinal Medicine 21,” performed by Tetsuya Takeda and Yoshimi Ashikawa.
The song evokes the atmosphere of a man and woman duetting at a snack bar—moody yet comedic.
Perhaps because it started as a commercial jingle, the concept of a snack-bar duet comes through especially strongly.
The third-year affairHiroshi & Kībō
When it comes to male-female duets, this is probably the first song that comes to mind for many people.
It’s a classic duet with conversational lyrics that vividly depict episodes of a man and woman living under the same roof.
The song unfolds with a man who has cheated and a woman who confronts him.
Although it should be a serious situation, the man’s excuses somehow come across as a bit comical.
While it’s typically sung as a male-female duet, it’s also a fun song to perform as a same-gender duet.
A Love Game Between a Man and a WomanNEW!Hino Mika, Niinuma Kenji
Otoko to Onna no Love Game, featuring an enticing duet by Mika Hino and Kenji Niinuma.
The song originally gained attention in 1986 when it was used in a commercial sung by Tetsuya Takeda and Yoshimi Ashikawa, and it became widely known in 1987 through performances by Mika Hino and Shiro Aoi.
This version was re-recorded in 2014 with Kenji Niinuma as a new partner.
The love story unfolds in a conversational, back-and-forth style, drawing listeners into its intimacy and dramatic flair.
The mature, seasoned vocals suggest a sophisticated battle of wits between adults, making it perfect for those who want to sing and enjoy it at karaoke or in a snack bar setting.
In a corner of the Tokyo desertKurosawa Toshio / Kano Wakiko
A gem of a duet by Toshio Kurosawa and Wakiko Kano that beautifully portrays urban loneliness and the warmth of people.
Released by Nippon Columbia in January 1984, this work was crafted by the powerhouse duo of lyricist Rei Nakanishi and composer Keisuke Hama.
Its innovative metaphor of comparing the solitude and desolation of city life to a desert continues to resonate across generations.
The seamless harmony between Kurosawa’s captivating low voice and Kano’s delicate vocals shines like a single beam of light piercing the darkness.
It’s a song you’ll want to sing with someone dear at a late-night snack bar or karaoke, letting your hearts connect.
Maybe PART 2Kobayashi Sachiko & Miki Katsuhiko
When it comes to classic hits by a legendary Showa-era duo, this is the one! “Moshikashite PART II,” the duet by Sachiko Kobayashi and Katsuhiko Miki, became a hot topic.
The lyrics delicately portray a psychological battle between a man and a woman—for example, the man explains, “She’s a work colleague”—leaving a strong impression.
Released in July 1984, the song peaked at No.
11 on the Oricon charts and sold about 300,000 copies.
Its simple yet memorable melody and the duo’s exquisite harmony are its main charms.
It’s perfect for singing at karaoke or in a snack bar.
It’s fun to split parts between a man and a woman, but it’s also a classic you can fully enjoy solo.
Be sure to try singing it with someone!