[For College Students] Recommended Karaoke Songs That Get the Crowd Going [2025]

Racing into the NightYOASOBI

YOASOBI “Racing into the Night” Official Music Video

YOASOBI is a musical duo that has garnered support both in Japan and abroad for their modern arrangements and the consistent concept they’ve maintained since their formation.

Their first digital-only single, Yoru ni Kakeru, based on Mayo Hoshino’s novel Thanatos no Yuuwaku (The Temptation of Thanatos), made a powerful impression on listeners as their debut track and became a hit tune.

With its dizzyingly rising and falling melodies, wide interval leaps, and exquisite key changes, it’s clear that the song is quite challenging even for karaoke.

It’s a catchy pop tune with a dramatic arrangement and a sense of speed—one that college students, right in the heart of this generation, should definitely try taking on.

A Cruel Angel's ThesisYoko Takahashi

“Cruel Angel’s Thesis” MUSIC VIDEO (HD ver.) / Zankoku na Tenshi no Te-ze “The Cruel Angel’s Thesis”

Before her major-label debut, singer Yoko Takahashi had experience performing as a backing vocalist for renowned artists such as Toshinobu Kubota and Yumi Matsutoya.

Her 11th single, A Cruel Angel’s Thesis, written as the opening theme for the TV anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, is a track that many listeners know even if they haven’t seen the show.

Its powerful yet somehow divine melody also feels great to sing at karaoke.

Widely recognized as a go-to karaoke classic across generations, it’s a masterpiece we’d love to see college students belt out, too.

APT.ROSÉ & Bruno Mars

ROSÉ & Bruno Mars – APT. (Official Music Video)

This ambitious work effectively combines the essences of pop and rock, fusing Korean youth culture with a global sound.

The distinctive vocals of Rosé and Bruno Mars blend beautifully, skillfully conveying the exhilaration of a party and the anticipation of romance.

Released in October 2024, it held the top spot on the Billboard Global 200 for nine consecutive weeks.

In November of the same year, it had its first live performance at the 2024 MAMA Awards held in Osaka, captivating the audience.

With a rhythm that makes you want to move and a chant-like chorus, this track is perfect for dance performances.

If you’re looking to create choreography with friends or seeking a song to present at an event, this is a great pick.

HabitSEKAI NO OWARI

SEKAI NO OWARI「Habit」

SEKAI NO OWARI is a four-member co-ed band whose unique expressive power—perfectly described by the adjective “fantastical”—has earned them widespread popularity.

Their 16th major single, Habit, written as the theme song for the film xxxHOLiC, sticks in your head with its catchy melody and cynical lyrics.

The members’ quirky dance showcased in the music video is guaranteed to hype everyone up when you all dance to it at karaoke.

With its cool yet comical choreography that’s totally addictive, it’s a karaoke song especially recommended for college students.

Bitter VacationMrs. GREEN APPLE

Mrs. GREEN APPLE “Bitter Vacation” Official Music Video

Mrs.

GREEN APPLE, who can fairly be called the reigning champions of the Reiwa-era J-POP charts.

Every song they release becomes a hit, they boast an overwhelming number of listeners, and they’re wildly popular at karaoke.

That said, given their exceptional songwriting sense, meticulously crafted ensemble, and melodies spanning a wide vocal range delivered by Mr.

Omori’s incredible vocals, it’s honestly not easy to sing their songs well.

With that in mind, Bitter Vacation, released in November 2024, falls into the relatively easy-to-sing category.

Its lyrics—also serving as the theme song for the film Saint Young Men THE MOVIE: Holy Men vs.

the Demon Army—are highly relatable and are sure to get the crowd going at karaoke.

Just be aware that there’s a brief section of irregular meter in the middle, but once you’ve got the overall flow down, you’ll be able to sing it smoothly.

Until the world ends...WANDS

Until the World Ends... / Tetsurō Oda & Noboru Uesugi [Animelo Summer Live 2012 -INFINITY∞- Day 2]

WANDS is a three-piece rock band that led the Being-kei artists dominating the J-POP scene in the 1990s and remains highly active today.

Their 8th single, “Sekai ga Owaru made wa…”—used as the ending theme for the TV anime SLAM DUNK—will likely make anyone of that generation instantly recall iconic scenes from the show the moment they hear it.

Its dramatic chorus melody brims with a timeless charm that perfectly captures the atmosphere of the 1990s.

It’s an enduring classic that university students who were moved by the 2022 film THE FIRST SLAM DUNK should also (re)discover.

Yes, with pleasure.Kent on this side

Sure thing / Kocchino Kento MV

Rather than gravely lamenting how hard it is to live in modern society, Hai Yorokonde packs in a humorous sensibility and a string of irresistibly catchy, TikTok-ready phrases, making it one of 2024’s defining hits.

The multitalented Kocchino Kento also performed this song at that year’s NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, cementing his nationwide recognition—a fresh memory for many.

While showcasing the vocal prowess he honed through a cappella, the distinctive humor and the melodies and lyrics that stick in your head after a single listen, as mentioned above, make the song a surefire crowd-pleaser at karaoke across generations.

The rapid-fire passages do take some getting used to, but if you struggle to keep up, focus on practicing the tricky parts and memorize them well enough to sing without looking at the lyrics—you may be surprised how smoothly it comes together.