Popular 80s hits for karaoke. Sing kayōkyoku and pop songs!
What kind of songs do you sing when you go to karaoke?
Some people like to sing the latest hits, but 80s Japanese pop still enjoys strong popularity at karaoke.
Songs from that era are often either easy to sing or really satisfying to belt out, so they’re popular even among younger generations.
In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of recommended karaoke tracks from the biggest hits of the 80s.
We’ve focused on timeless classics that almost everyone has heard before and gathered songs perfect for karaoke, so use this as a guide when choosing what to sing.
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the ’70s to 2000s that are perfect for livening up karaoke
- Songs that get women in their 80s excited: A roundup of tracks also great for karaoke
- Moving masterpieces and popular songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke
- Karaoke songs that were hits in the ’90s. Classic and popular tracks from Japanese music.
- A lineup of classic hits! Karaoke songs recommended for the yutori generation
- [2025] Songs I Want to Try Singing at Karaoke! A Roundup of Popular Showa-Era Kayōkyoku
- Recommended picks for karaoke! Easy-to-sing songs recommended for Gen Z
- Recommended for great singers! A collection of impressive songs if you can sing them
- Songs everyone knows across generations. A roundup of karaoke tracks anyone can sing, regardless of age.
- Classic Showa-era songs that are easy to sing at karaoke
- [In Their 50s] Ranking of Easy-to-Sing Karaoke Songs [2025]
- Cool songs that will go over well at karaoke
- Songs that get people in their 30s pumped up: a roundup of nostalgic tracks that are also great for karaoke
80s hit songs popular at karaoke. Sing kayōkyoku and pop tunes! (41–50)
Sentimental JourneyIyo Matsumoto
Iyo Matsumoto—well known from variety shows as Hiromi’s wife—made her idol-era debut with the classic song “Sentimental Journey,” which swept all the newcomer awards at the time.
Used in a Lotte Ghana Chocolate commercial, the track became her signature song and, despite being her debut, remains her best-selling single.
At karaoke, it’s always fun to hype things up by parodying the song’s distinctive “XX years old” line with your own age! Try singing it cutely, just like an idol!
Yankee High School Rock ’n’ Roll (Going-to-School Version)Yokohama Ginbae
Yokohama Ginbae, a rock ’n’ roll band known for their so-called tsuppari fashion—pompadours, baggy “dokan” pants, and sunglasses—burst onto the scene with this style.
This is their second single, released on January 12, 1981.
The song has often been used in commercials and elsewhere, so many people have probably heard it.
In the hit drama series Today’s My Turn!!, the movie version features the Kyo-ore band performing it as the ending theme, which helped it gain widespread recognition.
Whether you know the song or not, once you hear it your body starts moving and you’ll want to sing along! It’s also a great pick for karaoke.
In conclusion
We’ve introduced a whole lineup of 80s Japanese hits that are perfect for karaoke.
For those who remember that era, it was probably a wonderfully nostalgic selection.
Some of you might be thinking, “I haven’t listened to 80s hits in a while,” but why not take this opportunity to belt out those classic tunes and relive your youthful days?