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!
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the ’70s to 2000s that are perfect for livening up karaoke
- [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 singing (11–20)
globeKenshi Yonezu
It’s a song in which Kenshi Yonezu sings boldly while reflecting deeply on the path he’s walked and the life he’s lived.
It also drew attention for being chosen as the theme song for Studio Ghibli’s film “The Boy and the Heron.” The gentle vocals layered over a calm, piano-centered sound and the words that evoke fantastical scenery help heighten a tender emotion.
When singing it, clearly emphasizing the rests where the vocal line breaks may convey the act of looking back on life more vividly.
It’s recommended to sing as if speaking to the listener—or to yourself.
Like tonight's moonElephant Kashimashi
Released in 1997 as Elephant Kashimashi’s 15th single.
It was used as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “Because the Moon Shines at Night,” became the band’s first entry into the Oricon Top 10, and turned into their biggest hit.
Thanks to this song’s success, Elephant Kashimashi gained nationwide recognition.
It is a beloved classic with many fans, even among fellow artists.
99LANA
In Japan’s recent R&B scene, songs with very strong pop elements—far removed from true R&B—have become the mainstream.
Some tracks don’t even use “feints,” one of the most important vocal techniques in R&B.
But LANA is different.
With vocal technique, timbre, and musicality that rival the very best of authentic R&B, she’s an artist operating at a high level in every respect.
Her track “99” is a signature piece.
It’s packed with challenging vocal parts, so if you can pull it off, you’ll definitely come across as seriously cool.
I want to take only you away just like this.DEEN
Released in March 1993 as DEEN’s debut single, this song was also used in NTT DoCoMo’s “Pocket Bell” commercial and became a million-selling hit right from their debut.
The mid-1990s, when this track came out, was truly the golden age of J-pop, and major labels were very conscious of releasing singles that would be widely sung at karaoke.
Even among those, this one stands out as a top recommendation for being easy to sing.
The tempo and vocal melody are crafted to be very catchy and familiar.
It’s perfect when you want to enjoy an emotive ballad at karaoke.
Ruby RingAkira Terao
Triggered by his acting debut, singer Akira Terao quickly became a promising young member of Yujiro Ishihara’s “Ishihara Gundan,” gaining popularity for his cool smile and nuanced performances.
This is his sixth single, widely known as one of his signature songs, where his deep voice intertwines perfectly with an emotional guitar riff.
It was a massive hit that sold over a million copies, making it a karaoke favorite across generations.
With its low key, it’s also recommended for those who aren’t confident singers—a cool number that looks great if you can pull it off.
MissingToshinobu Kubota
It’s a song included on Toshinobu Kubota’s first album, “SHAKE IT PARADISE,” released in 1986.
Although it wasn’t a single, it’s cherished as one of his most popular tracks.
The lyrics poignantly depict a man’s unrequited love, and the song has become a classic covered by many artists.
From Showa-era kayōkyoku to pop: Cool songs to master (21–30)
Faster than meiri
iri is a female singer-songwriter energizing Japan’s contemporary R&B scene.
She’s a rare female artist in J-pop with a low-register voice, and combined with her high-caliber musical sensibility, she’s earned strong acclaim among R&B aficionados.
Her new track, “Faster than me,” is a deeply cool, understated piece.
It carries a downcast vibe, and while it features advanced techniques like vocal runs, there’s no gratuitous flashiness whatsoever.
If you want to be seen as having refined R&B taste, this is a track worth remembering.