Karaoke songs that are easy to sing even if you’re not confident in your pitch (for women in their 50s)

Crimson Japanese lantern (plant)Midori Oka

Crimson Japanese lantern (plant)

It’s a hidden gem that, while reminiscing about the Hozuki Market held in Asakusa, highlights its intense passion even more by choosing a calm, beautiful delivery instead of putting overt resentment over betrayal front and center.

Although it’s positioned as the coupling track to the single “Namidauta,” released in February 2024, it’s sure to be irresistible for those who love Midori Oka’s mysterious side.

The melody doesn’t demand particularly difficult techniques and is relatively easy to sing, so I encourage you to give it a try at karaoke.

With songs like this, it’s harder to express the simmering, uncontrollable emotions in a restrained way than to showcase technique, so be sure to read the lyrics carefully before you sing!

Return to MyselfMari Hamada

Return to Myself

Mari Hamada, the female artist who sparked a pop-rock boom in Japan.

Known for her vibrant vocals, she has produced numerous classics with her upbeat rock sound.

Among her songs, the one I especially recommend is Return to Myself.

It’s a powerful track, yet the vocal range isn’t very wide, and the melodic leaps aren’t extreme.

For women in their 50s, whose lower to mid register tends to gain richness, it’s an especially singable song.

MPRINCESS PRINCESS

M – PRINCESS PRINCESS (Princess Princess) (Full)

This was the seventh single by the original girls’ rock band Princess Princess, released in April 1989.

As a hit by Puri-Puri, who were active right at the end of the ’80s band boom, many women now in their 50s may have sung this song in school festival bands back in the day, as of 2020.

It’s a very straightforwardly crafted ballad, so please try singing it and relive those times.

It might even bring back some bittersweet memories.

First loveKozo Murashita

Kozo Murashita “Hatsukoi” Music Video

Kozo Murashita is a singer-songwriter who has left behind numerous masterpieces with his melancholic lyrics and catchy melodies.

Thanks to the recent revival boom, he’s become fairly well known among younger listeners too.

Among his songs, the one I especially recommend to women in their 50s as an easy-to-sing number is Hatsukoi (First Love).

It features long tones, but they’re not the kind that require you to belt, so even people who aren’t confident singers should find it easy to sing.

Time goes byEvery Little Thing

「Time goes by」MUSIC VIDEO / Every Little Thing

When it comes to karaoke with coworkers or friends, a great song for women in their 50s is “Time goes by.” The music duo Every Little Thing released it in 1998, and it’s known as one of their signature tracks.

It was used as the theme song for the TV drama “Amai Kekkon” (“Sweet Marriage”), so some people may feel a sense of nostalgia.

The key to singing it well is to keep your delivery calm in the first verse, then gradually add volume and intensity from the pre-chorus into the chorus, all over a beautiful, piano-centered melody.

Since the tempo is slow, it’s easy even for those who aren’t confident at karaoke.

It has been covered by many artists across eras, making it a great pick for karaoke gatherings with a wide range of ages.

Lucky Man's SongAki Yashiro

Aki Yashiro / Song of Lucky Man / TV anime 'Tottemo! Luckyman' opening theme / 1994

Aki Yashiro has left behind many classic songs, but among them, an unusually distinctive masterpiece that continues to be talked about is The Lucky Man Song.

This piece was released as the theme song for the popular anime Tottemo! Luckyman.

It’s fundamentally structured as a pop song, so it doesn’t have the difficulty of enka.

However, in the middle of the track there’s a section that pays homage to part of the famous song Funauta, which does require techniques like kobushi (ornamental vocal turns).

That said, the kobushi and vocal lines aren’t particularly difficult, so if you’re accustomed to singing enka or kayōkyoku, you should be able to handle it without any trouble.

lover; mistress; extramarital partnerTeresa Teng

Aijin

Teresa Teng left us with many timeless songs.

For women in their late 50s, many of her hits are likely cherished memories of their youth.

Among them, the one I especially recommend is Lover.

Many people may have resonated with its lyrics, which poignantly depict a mature romance.

What makes this song particularly easy to sing is its kayōkyoku-style vocal line.

The range is neither too wide nor too narrow, and the rhythm is easy to follow, so for those who find melodies common in enka and kayōkyoku easy to sing, this can be considered a low-difficulty song.

If the mid-to-high notes in the chorus feel challenging, try lowering the key by one semitone.