From Showa-era kayōkyoku to pop: songs that sound cool when you can really sing them
Many of you probably want to sing cool, deep tracks at karaoke with style.
In particular, Showa-era kayōkyoku and New Music, as well as early-to-mid Heisei J-POP, are packed with timeless masterpieces that still sound fresh decades after their release—a real treasure trove of cool, mature songs.
It’s precisely because of that universal appeal that these songs continue to be sung by today’s younger generation.
In this article, I’ll introduce plenty of those songs that, if you can pull them off, will give you that sophisticated edge.
I’ve picked selections mainly from Japanese music of the ’70s through the ’90s, with some of the latest J-POP mixed in, so use this as a reference when choosing songs for karaoke!
From Showa-era kayōkyoku to pop: cool songs to master (1–10)
PrimalOriginal Love
Original Love’s classic “Primal.” Their most famous song is “Kiss,” but if we’re talking about cool, understated vibes, this one fits perfectly.
Its soft melody and relaxed tempo are captivating, giving the whole track an exceptionally smooth feel.
There are parts that resemble Tatsuro Yamashita’s work, too.
And of course, true to Original Love’s style, you can catch glimpses of Black music influences throughout, so if you can sing it well, it’ll undoubtedly come off as effortlessly cool.
ReminiscenceStardust☆Revue
Stardust☆Review is a band that has won popularity for its unique vocals by Kaname Nemoto and its consistent musical style.
Even today, they continue to receive steady recognition from younger listeners through YouTube reaction videos and the like.
Among their songs, the one I especially recommend is Tsuioku (Reminiscence).
If you want to savor Starebi’s delicate musical sensibilities, there’s hardly a better track—throughout, it’s woven into a deeply emotional and heartrending melody.
The difficulty level is on the higher side, but if you can pull it off, it will undoubtedly leave a cool, mature impression.
Fake Love and HighballLET ME KNOW
Contrary to their polished looks, LET ME KNOW is a three-piece rock band that has won popularity not only in Japan but also in Korea with their gritty performances and consistent musicality.
Though they could be mistaken for idols thanks to their striking appearance, their razor-sharp sound is overwhelming, and despite being a young act, their style is already firmly established.
Their signature track, “Fake Love and Highball,” carries an overall synth-pop atmosphere.
Its nostalgic tone will undoubtedly leave a distinctly mature, cool impression.
ArcadiaKirinji
One of Kirinji’s signature songs is Aliens.
It’s a wonderfully downbeat yet sexy track, but because it’s so well-known, you often end up overlapping with others when you sing it at karaoke, right? That’s why I recommend Arcadia.
While it exudes the same kind of downbeat vibe as Aliens, it also features sections with a distinctly rock-flavored sound.
If you deliberately choose to sing this song, long-time music aficionados will surely be impressed by your taste.
No more tears are neededMasayuki Suzuki
Sex appeal and cool sophistication are closely related.
That’s why I recommend “Mou Namida wa Iranai” (“No More Tears”).
It’s a hit by Masayuki Suzuki that became a nationwide sensation in the 1990s.
The biggest draw of this song is its expansive vocal line.
The smooth vocal parts, firmly rooted in Black music, exude an adult allure.
While the melody itself isn’t particularly difficult, the singer’s vocal timbre is crucial.
If you can pull it off, you’ll definitely leave a strong impression of refined coolness.
Tears aren't just for show.King Gnu
Included on the 2019 release Inoue Yosui Tribute Album, “Kazarijanai no yo Namida wa” as sung by King Gnu.
While it’s also one of Akina Nakamori’s signature songs, originally released in 1984, hearing King Gnu’s version gives it a completely different vibe—and you can really feel the allure of a male vocal.
Since many artists have covered it, it’s widely known across generations, which also makes it an easy pick.
Having a man sing it adds a certain depth and maturity, offering a charm distinct from versions sung by women.
Forbidden taleBAND-MAID
If a woman wants to project a cool, mature edge, BAND-MAID’s songs are indispensable.
BAND-MAID started out as a strongly concept-driven girls’ rock band, but as their career has progressed, their performance level has risen, and today they reign as one of Japan’s leading all-female rock bands.
Their track “Forbidden tale” is their latest song—primarily hard rock—and in the latter half it even features advanced vocal techniques like ad-libbed “feints.” If you can sing it well, even people well-versed in music will likely see you as having serious coolness.