atonementTeresa Teng

atonement

Teresa Teng is a female singer who enjoys legendary popularity in Taiwan.

She became famous for her heartrending songs, and among them, “Tsunugai” (Atonement) is especially known for its melancholic tone.

This piece leans more toward kayōkyoku (Japanese pop ballad) than enka, and it doesn’t feature kobushi, the vocal ornament that often poses a challenge in enka.

The melody’s pitch movement is also gentle, making the vocal line less prone to intonation slips.

From every perspective, it’s a song that’s easy to sing.

Consider adding it to your repertoire.

applauseNaomi Chiaki

Naomi Chiaki / Applause [Official Audio]

Kassai is a classic song that represents the Showa era.

It’s one of Naomi Chiaki’s signature numbers, known for its poignant lyrics about a woman who lost her lover in the war.

Rather than enka, this piece leans strongly toward kayōkyoku, and it contains very little of the intricate kobushi ornamentation typical of enka.

There is a slightly stronger kobushi at the end of the chorus, but that’s about the only real challenge, making it a relatively easy piece.

Among the songs introduced here, this one is especially simple, so why not add it to your repertoire?

Let yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa Teng

Let yourself go with the flow of time

Teresa Teng, the legendary singer from Taiwan.

If you’re in your late 40s or older, you probably know her.

Among her songs, the one I especially recommend is “Toki no Nagare ni Mi o Makase” (I Only Care About You).

The trickiest part of this piece is probably the falsetto near the end of the chorus.

I think many people struggle there.

In that case, instead of lowering the key, I actually recommend trying to raise it.

Falsetto can sometimes be harder to produce at lower pitches, so give it a try.

Tsugaru Strait – Winter SceneSayuri Ishikawa

Tsugaru Strait – Winter Scene

Sayuri Ishikawa’s classic “Tsugaru Strait – Winter Scene.” It’s a song known nationwide, and its popularity is such that even today—when enka has waned—you’ll occasionally hear younger people sing it.

Because the song features falsetto, many may think it’s difficult.

While falsetto itself can indeed be challenging, the song’s overall range is actually surprisingly narrow.

So if you adjust the key to suit your voice, anyone can sing it without using falsetto.

It also has a slight kayōkyoku flavor, making it relatively easy to sing even for those who aren’t comfortable with vocal ornaments like kobushi.

From the northern innHarumi Miyako

Harumi Miyako / From the Northern Inn (Full with Lyrics) Harumi Miyako / Kita no Yado Kara

Harumi Miyako is a female enka singer who has gained popularity for her exceptional vocal ability.

She has many famous songs, but the one I especially recommend as easy to sing is Kita no Yado Kara (“From an Inn in the North”).

This piece is notable for its passionate melody and, for enka, it has a relatively wide vocal range.

Therefore, first make sure to adjust the key so you don’t slip into falsetto.

Fortunately, compared to many of Harumi Miyako’s songs, this one uses fewer kobushi (ornamental bends), so even those who struggle with kobushi can sing it with confidence.

Blue Light YokohamaAyumi Ishida

Blue Light Yokohama

From the late 1960s to the 1970s, Ayumi Ishida was a singer who enjoyed nationwide popularity.

She has many classic hits, but the one I especially recommend is Blue Light Yokohama.

It’s a kayōkyoku-style song with strong blues elements, characterized by a narrow vocal range throughout.

Since it doesn’t feature the kobushi ornamentation that often poses a challenge in enka, if you keep your pitch steady and add vibrato at the end of the long notes to rack up points, it’s a song that anyone can aim for a high score with.

Purple Rain SentimentAyako Fuji

Ayako Fuji “Murasaki Ujō (Purple Rain Sentiment)” Music Video (1 Chorus)

Aya Fuji, a leading female enka singer from Wakayama.

She has many famous songs, but the one I especially recommend is “Murasaki Ujō.” Since it was a nationwide hit, many of you may already know it.

It’s solid, classic enka, so you’ll encounter a fair amount of kobushi (ornamental vocal turns).

However, the tempo is very slow, so there’s less risk of going off pitch.

Because the slow tempo makes it harder to sustain your breath, be sure to take a good breath before you start singing.