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!
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- [For Men] Cool, Popular Songs That Impress at Karaoke
- Easy-to-sing karaoke songs recommended for men in their 50s
- Classic Showa-era songs that are easy to sing at karaoke
- Karaoke songs for men in their 40s: a curated selection of hit tracks women want to hear!
- A lineup of classics! Easy-to-sing Heisei-era songs, perfect for karaoke picks
- [For Men in Their 40s] A Collection of Songs That Score High at Karaoke [2025]
- Karaoke songs popular with women that they want men to sing
- [2025] Songs I Want to Try Singing at Karaoke! A Roundup of Popular Showa-Era Kayōkyoku
- Even karaoke beginners can relax! Easy-to-sing songs for men
- [Popular and Crowd-Pleasing!] Stylish Song Selections and Karaoke Tracks
- A lineup of classic hits! Karaoke songs recommended for the yutori generation
- [50s] Karaoke Popularity Rankings by Generation [2025]
From Showa-era kayōkyoku to pop: Cool songs to master (81–90)
FOR YOUR LOVEShigeru Matsuzaki
Shigeru Matsuzaki is a singer with overwhelming vocal prowess.
In fact, he’s a Japanese artist who’s recognized worldwide—he took second place at the Mallorca Music Festival, a competition where top singers from around the globe vie for vocal supremacy.
One of his signature songs is “FOR YOUR LOVE.” Among his works, this track stands out for its especially soulful melody.
While the sweet lyrics are memorable, it also carries a rugged depth, so if you’re confident in your singing ability, definitely give it a try.
TokyoTakajin Yashiki
Released in March 1993, this mood-kayō song fuses tearful enka with sophisticated urban pop.
Through Kansai-dialect lyrics, it movingly portrays a romance and breakup with a man she met in Tokyo, along with her complex feelings toward the city.
Takajin Yashiki was an artist who was active mainly in the Kansai region, also serving as a host of the popular program “Sei! Young.” This piece became a hit as requests on cable radio surged, ultimately selling a total of 600,000 copies.
In live performances, he would sometimes change the place name in the chorus to match the concert location, valuing a sense of unity with the audience.
When singing it at karaoke, it’s recommended to sing at an easy, relaxed pace while thinking of your hometown and the special people you’ve met.
Stop the clockCarmen Maki
Jacks’ classic song “Tokei o Tomete” (“Stop the Clock”).
Released in 1969, it has since been covered by many artists.
Among those, the cover I recommend is Carmen Maki’s version.
The song has a strong connection to Hokkaido: it was used as the ending theme for the film The Detective Is in the Bar and as background music for a local Hokkaido weather forecast.
With its deeply moving, gritty melody, it’s definitely a great song to try singing yourself.
Don't go.Koji Tamaki
A singer-songwriter who seems like a bundle of musical sensibilities—with overwhelming vocal prowess praised even by professional musicians as “the best singer in Japan,” countless hit songs, and multi-instrumental talent—Koji Tamaki’s fifth single.
The track was chosen as the theme song for Fuji TV’s 30th anniversary drama “Goodbye, Ri Kouran,” and it’s a number he often performs live.
Featuring piano and strings while carrying a subtly oriental atmosphere, the arrangement draws listeners deeply into its world.
With its dreamlike melody that’s sure to turn heads at karaoke, this is a refined track I’d recommend to anyone looking for something cool and understated.
Broken RadioHidemasa Tokunaga
As another song that blends a cool, subdued vibe with tenderness, I recommend “Kowarekake no Radio” as well.
It’s a track released by Hideaki Tokunaga in 1990.
The chorus line that features the title phrase is extremely famous, isn’t it? You might already know it, but the lyrics portray the struggles of growing up.
Try singing it while reminiscing about your youth.
The trick is to slightly raise the intonation at the end of each phrase.
Listen closely and try to imitate it.
Mary JaneHiro Tsunoda
This is one of Hiro Tsunoda’s signature songs, depicting someone looking back on and mourning an unforgettable beloved.
The gentle, soulful sound strongly underscores the song’s lyrical worldview and the power of the vocals.
Since the title “Mary Jane” is sung powerfully right at the beginning, how compellingly you deliver that part is a crucial point for drawing listeners in.
Sing while vividly envisioning that unforgettable love, and cherish the mood and airy floating feel of the sound.
From Showa Kayō to Pop: Cool Songs to Master (91–100)
Limit LoversSHOW-YA
As a pioneering all-female metal band that remains highly active today, Show-Ya released this as their eighth single.
Used in a commercial for Showa Shell Sekiyu, the song’s aggressive metal sound made a major impact on the J-pop scene at the time.
Its fast-paced arrangement feels great to sing and is perfect for blowing off stress.
It’s a timeless classic in the history of girl bands that’s sure to get any crowd fired up at karaoke, no matter the generation.