![[Songs from the Showa Era] Introducing classic tracks that are easy to sing at karaoke.](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/nxG7Mw6X3nU/maxresdefault.webp)
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)
Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko
An early signature song that instantly made Seiko-chan famous nationwide! It’s a classic uptempo summer idol track bursting with tropical vibes.
The overall vocal range is F3–D5, and as you’d expect from an idol song, the chorus stays in the high register.
Endurance is crucial, so it might feel tough if you’re not used to singing.
Since the song starts right off with the high chorus, the key is how well you can project there.
When I did vocal training, I said clearly, “If you can’t nail the opening, it’s going to be hard!” Breathe in, get your voice ready, time it right, and project it far.
Just that should make it much easier to sing.
Cheer up!Takeuchi Mariya
Released in 1984.
It’s well-known as a song provided to Hiroko Yakushimaru, and Mariya Takeuchi’s own self-cover is also popular.
The overall melody is simple and centered in the mid-range, making it a relatively accessible key for most people to sing.
Since the song starts on the “na” sound, it can be hard to come in casually, so preparing your voice is very important! Hum along from the intro as if you’re already singing, and then, the moment the melody begins, project your voice with a quick burst of energy.
If the opening note comes out cleanly, you can keep singing with that momentum.
In general, singing with stronger accents might suit the mood of the song well.
Until we meet againOzaki Kiyohiko
A smash hit released on March 5, 1971.
When you think of Kiyohiko Ozaki, doesn’t this song come to mind? When singing it, if you focus on the resonance of the low notes in the verse (A-melody) and the sense of release in the chorus, it becomes a real crowd-pleaser and feels great to sing.
Kiyohiko Ozaki’s low register has a very deep resonance—what you might call an “ikebo” (a cool, attractive voice).
To produce this kind of sound, try to resonate the inside of your mouth fully and imagine the voice coming from your entire mouth; you’ll get a deeper tone.
Also, for high notes on the vowel “i,” keep the shape of your mouth the same and increase the speed of your breath.
Try to stay relaxed as you sing.
foreignerKUBOTA Saki
A massive hit that can’t be left out of the Showa-era kayōkyoku genre, it topped the Oricon weekly chart and ranked second for the year in 1980.
I’ve heard the title was originally “Shiroi Asa” (White Morning) and was changed to “Ihōjin” (Stranger) at the producer’s request.
The verse sits low and the chorus is high, but if you sing with a breathy, relaxed tone, you’ll capture the mood and hit the highs without strain.
Basically, focus on head resonance and keep it light.
It might work to add a spoken quality to the chorus.
The key is to avoid forcing and make good use of your breath!
Silhouette RomanceOhashi Junko
A classic ballad that portrays a mature romance with a hint of jazz.
Its standout feature is, above all, the sigh-like vocal delivery.
The way you ease off the voice and blend in breath defines the song’s atmosphere.
The overall range is F3 to C#5; while the chorus reaches some higher notes, you can generally sing it at a relaxed tempo in a composed manner.
If you sing too strongly from the start, you’ll lose contrast with the chorus, so keep the volume around 60% for the first verse.
In the chorus, you might feel tense, but prepare your voice and project it forward with clarity.
When hitting the high notes, think of climbing stairs step by step—this mindful approach helps you build momentum and reach them more easily!
Subtly flashy (bling-bling, but nonchalant)Kondō Masahiko
A quintessentially cool song representing Showa-era idols, composed by Kyohei Tsutsumi.
Matchi’s singing style is charmingly mischievous without overexertion, and he powers through the high notes in chest voice without using falsetto.
If your tone gets too nasal, it becomes harder to hit the high notes, so aim for a clear, projecting voice.
Facial expression is also crucial for idol songs, so try lifting your facial muscles and raising your eyebrows—think of singing with your face.
You’ll be surprised how easily the high notes come out; keeping this in mind makes it much easier to sing!
Cotton HandkerchiefŌta Hiromi
This song, created by the golden duo of lyrics by Takashi Matsumoto and music by Kyohei Tsutsumi, was a massive hit, ranking 4th for the year in 1976.
It’s basically sung with a cute, charming tone—if you sing it in that classic “burikko” cutesy style, it’ll really get the crowd going! The overall vocal range is G#3 to E5, which is on the higher side, but it’s easier to sing if you use a light, airy head voice.
Keeping an idol-like smile with a slightly bashful expression will help you use your breath more effectively and sing more comfortably.
Take a breath, and when you release your voice, try to imagine it coming out from just in front of your eyebrows.
That should help you capture that adorable vocal vibe!