[Songs from the Showa Era] Introducing classic tracks that are easy to sing at karaoke.
Have you ever wanted to sing classic Showa-era hits to match the mood of the moment? In fact, many songs from the Showa period have simple, easy-to-remember melodies and are comfortable to sing without straining your voice! In this article, we introduce a wide range of Showa songs that feel great to sing at karaoke.
From nostalgic favorites to timeless classics loved across generations, you’re sure to find a song that becomes your go-to number!
- When you can’t decide what to sing at karaoke: Easy-to-sing classic hits from the Showa era
- A collection of iconic, cool Showa-era kayōkyoku classics sung by male vocalists
- [Karaoke] A roundup of songs that are easy for women to sing!
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the ’70s to 2000s that are perfect for livening up karaoke
- Recommended for women in their 60s! Easy-to-sing Japanese karaoke songs
- [Classic Showa Kayō Hits] The captivating Showa-era pop songs beloved even by younger generations
- Easy-to-sing songs recommended for men in their 80s: Showa-era classics to perform at karaoke
- [For People in Their 50s] Ranking of Easy-to-Sing Karaoke Songs [2026]
- Cool songs from the Showa era. Masterpieces from Showa that shine with sensuality, passion, and rugged charm.
- [Nostalgic Hits] Smash Hits with the Showa Generation! Classic and Popular Songs Sung by Female Vocalists
- Timeless classics only! Showa-era hit songs perfect for acoustic sing-alongs
- [Revisited] A roundup of popular and classic Showa-era songs that are trending now [2026]
- Evokes the charm of the good old days. Showa-era inspirational songs that are still loved today.
Songs from the Showa Era: Introducing easy-to-sing karaoke classics (1–10)
First loveMurashita Kōzō
Kozo Murashita’s signature song “Hatsukoi” (“First Love”).
Even among Showa-era folk, it’s a masterpiece with top-tier scenic imagery.
The overall vocal range is D#3–G4, which makes it an easy key for women to sing as well, so it’s recommended for everyone regardless of gender.
Interestingly, the song doesn’t use any katakana loanwords at all, and it’s famous for evoking the beauty of Japan.
When you sing it, stay relaxed throughout; if you nail the rhythm at the start of the chorus, it will sound very cool.
The verses (A-melo) are important too, so don’t rush—take your time.
DESIRE -Passion-Nakamori Akina
The “DESIRE style,” combining traditional Japanese attire, a short bob, and distinctive choreography, became a social phenomenon.
It’s a song where you can really feel Akina’s bold side.
Singing with a slightly lower, cool tone should match the atmosphere very well.
The range doesn’t venture much into high notes, and the A-melody is quite low for many female singers.
If you imagine pushing out a mass of breath in front of you and release your voice slowly, your body will resonate and it becomes easier to produce the sound.
For the chorus, open up your voice with a stylish, confident flair! It always gets the crowd going, so it’s highly recommended.
A long nightMatsuyama Chiharu
A smash hit released in 1981.
One of Chiharu Matsuyama’s signature songs, this classic Showa-era ballad straightforwardly conveys the “ache of a man’s heart.” The overall vocal range spans D3 to D5, and it’s a song most people can handle if they sing the talk-like phrasing in the verses and release fully in the chorus for contrast.
However, since the chorus jumps up into higher notes, be careful not to strain your throat.
Like Matsuyama himself, keeping your eyebrows raised while singing makes the high notes much easier to hit—highly recommended! When you project your voice, don’t hesitate—use instant power and send it far.
[Songs from the Showa Era] Introducing easy-to-sing karaoke classics (11–20)
Subaru -Subaru-Tanimura Shinji
Singer Shinji Tanimura, who left behind many classic songs.
Although he passed away in 2023, the music he left continues to give strength to many listeners.
Speaking of Shinji Tanimura’s works, this “Subaru” comes to mind.
It’s so famous that even people in China know it, and it gained popularity for its profound message.
The song is also very easy to sing.
Its vocal range is neither especially wide nor narrow, but above all, the tempo is slow.
The entry is easy to grasp as well, making it one of the most singable songs among the great hits of the Showa era.
GLORIAZIGGY
ZIGGY is a rock band that was hugely active in the ’80s.
Although the term didn’t exist back then, they drew popularity with a look similar to what we now call visual-kei rock bands.
Among ZIGGY’s works, the song I especially recommend as easy to sing is GLORIA.
It’s a standard rock tune by today’s measures, but in the Japanese music scene at the time, this kind of classic rock felt fresh.
It might sound like a high-range song, but the vocal line is extremely catchy and the range isn’t that wide.
Definitely give it a try.
atonementTeresa Ten
Singer Teresa Teng, who drew attention after winning a singing contest at the age of ten and was called the “Diva of Asia,” left behind many beloved songs that are still covered by numerous musicians today.
Her 14th single, Tsugunai, is known as one of her signature songs alongside her 16th single, Toki no Nagare ni Mi wo Makase.
Because the melody’s rhythm is simple and there aren’t many wide pitch changes, it’s an easy song to try even for those who don’t consider themselves strong singers.
If you sing it with a slightly delicate, ephemeral touch, you can capture the feel of the original—so once you’re comfortable, try keeping that in mind.
Goodbye to sorrowanzenchitai
Anzen Chitai is a band that has built an era with a uniquely Japanese sound brimming with originality, fusing kayōkyoku, pop music, and rock.
They have so many hit songs that whatever you sing will likely get the crowd going, but this time I’d like to introduce “Kanashimi ni Sayonara,” which is especially easy to sing among their repertoire.
This work is a major-key ballad that, despite its sorrowful lyrics, somehow retains a refreshing tone.
The vocal range is quite narrow at mid1B to mid2F#, so if you adjust it to your optimal key, you should be able to sing it without difficulty.