A collection of easy-to-sing songs by ELLEGARDEN
ELLEGARDEN is a band that began in 1998 and led the Japanese rock scene throughout the 2000s.
Despite being at the height of their popularity, they went on hiatus in 2008, but returned in 2018 and once again became a driving force in the Japanese rock scene.
From among ELLEGARDEN’s songs—which are highly popular with Japanese rock fans—I’ll introduce tracks that are easy to sing at karaoke.
Some songs have more Japanese lyrics, some have simple melodies, and some aren’t too fast in tempo—each has its own easy-to-sing points, so try finding the ones that suit you.
Let’s dive right in!
A roundup of easy-to-sing ELLEGARDEN songs (1–10)
Santa ClausNEW!ELLEGARDEN
Released in 2002, “Santa Claus” is a track with ELLEGARDEN’s signature band rock and guitar-driven sound, layered with a touch of bittersweetness.
The melody is very simple and easy to remember, and it’s clear where the song peaks.
The overall vocal range is C#3 to B4, and in the chorus where the pitch rises a bit, if you move with the groove while listening to the drums, it feels great to sing! Also, the song begins with vocals over the guitar—almost a cappella.
After that it shifts fully into a powerful band sound, so singing clearly with strong contrast will really bring out the song’s appeal.
If you like band-oriented rock, definitely get pumped up with ELLEGARDEN!
JitterbugELLEGARDEN
The third single “Jitterbug,” chosen as the ending theme for the music program CDTV, is a track that won broad support with its positive lyrics and driving ensemble, earning the band their first No.
1 on the indie charts.
Since the lyrics are in Japanese, it’s easy to remember, and the catchy melody makes it a good choice to try at karaoke.
However, there’s a leap in pitch from the low notes in the pre-chorus (B-melody) to the chorus, so be careful not to go off pitch—especially if the key is at the edge of your range.
No.13ELLEGARDEN
The song “No.
13,” included on their second album BRING YOUR BOARD!!—which marked the band’s shift toward a stronger melodic hardcore sound—stands out for its striking contrast between a fast, driving beat and a subtly wistful melody.
You might feel a bit hesitant since the lyrics are entirely in English, but the melody itself is relatively simple, with no large interval jumps, making it quite approachable for karaoke.
The overall key is also on the lower side, so it’s a powerful rock tune I’d recommend even to those who aren’t confident singers.
Make a WishELLEGARDEN
ELLEGARDEN’s “Make a Wish” is a song that shifts from a slow, stripped-down intro to an exciting, high-energy climax, and among fans it has a strong image as the perfect track to close out a live show.
The acoustic guitar at the beginning resonates with the heart, and from there the tension shoots straight to the max—something that won’t change even when it’s a karaoke pick.
English lyrics often get avoided as hard to sing, but this one is short and simple, making it easy even for those who aren’t comfortable with English lyrics.
How about using it as the final song to wrap up your karaoke session?
MissingELLEGARDEN
The 4th single “Missing” opens with a lyrical guitar riff, making for a striking ensemble.
The arrangement, imbued with a wistful feel and layered with poignant lyrics, naturally puts you in a sentimental mood just by listening.
While there are points to watch out for—such as the leaps in pitch during the chorus—the overall key is low and the range isn’t wide, so it should be comfortable to sing calmly at karaoke.
Plus, because the melody is relaxed, it’s a number I’d recommend even to those who aren’t very confident in their singing.
VenusELLEGARDEN
The song Venus, included on the second album BRING YOUR BOARD!!, carries a message that reminds us of the importance of recognizing what truly matters deep in our hearts, rather than material things that will eventually fade away.
It may inspire many people to reflect on themselves.
With its low key and entirely Japanese lyrics, it’s easy to try singing at karaoke.
It’s an emotional rock tune with a relaxed shuffle beat that feels great.
starfishELLEGARDEN
Among ELLEGARDEN’s songs, “Starfish” is probably one of the easiest to sing thanks to its Japanese lyrics and high recognition.
The track is included on the 2004 album “Pepperoni Quattro” and is one of ELLE’s signature songs.
There’s a brief section with English lyrics, but it’s mostly in Japanese; even people who don’t know much about ELLEGARDEN will be moved by the poignant lyrics that contrast with the catchy melody.
The intro is distinctive, and fans get excited just from hearing it—if you’re at karaoke with fellow fans, it’s a guaranteed hit!