Easy-to-sing Japanese karaoke songs recommended for women in their 50s

Let's go home, my sweet home.Mariya Takeuchi

Mariya Takeuchi “Let’s Go Home (My Sweet Home)”

No matter what age of women’s love she sings about, Mariya Takeuchi’s songs always make you nod and say, “Exactly, that’s so true,” and you can sing along with deep empathy.

I want to sing them with a clear voice—sweetly and gently.

Even when you’re married and sometimes feel you’ve grown tired of your partner, women still want to keep on being in love.

stationMariya Takeuchi

Mariya Takeuchi – Station [Live Version / 2000 @ Nippon Budokan]

Set to a minor key, this song paints a poignant scene of a woman who happens to catch sight of her former lover at a train station.

Originally written for Akina Nakamori, it was later self-covered by Mariya Takeuchi herself.

Rich with the essence of Showa-era kayōkyoku and set in a key that’s easy for anyone to sing, it’s friendly even for those who aren’t confident at karaoke.

As an aside, the heartrending sax solo by Hideshi Toki in the latter half of “Eki,” performed at Takeuchi’s first concert in 18 years in 2000, is also a must-hear.

atonementTeresa Teng

Atonement – Teresa Teng (Full)

Teresa Teng, who sadly passed away in 1995 at the young age of 42.

This song, Tsugunai, composed by Takashi Miki, marked her re-debut.

Brimming with the poignant, nostalgic sensuality of Showa-era pop, it’s a track that still grips the heart even today.

At the time of her re-debut, now in her thirties, the song’s sultriness and the character of her voice matched perfectly.

BLONDEAkina Nakamori

BLONDE (2012 Remastered)

“BLONDE” is Akina Nakamori’s 18th single, a song that highlights the stylishness of romance in the bubble era.

In particular, the cool vibrato that rings out in the chorus accentuates her elegance.

Many of her songs are inherently difficult to sing due to her superb vocal technique, but this one seems relatively easier to sing among them.

The melody stays within a range that’s manageable even for male singers, so it’s a recommended choice for men who want to try singing one of Akina’s songs.

CandyNaoko Gushima

Candy / Naoko Gushima Official Lyric Video

Recently, thanks in part to the revival boom, there’s been an increase in songs that incorporate the musical sensibilities of the 1980s.

Contemporary songs tend to be densely packed with lyrics, making them harder to sing, whereas older music generally avoids that and includes many songs that are easier to sing.

Naoko Gushima’s “Candy” is one such track.

Although it’s a recent release, it’s crafted with a musical style reminiscent of 1980s female idols, and throughout the song there’s little lyrical crowding, resulting in a structure that’s very easy to sing.

Single AgainMariya Takeuchi

Single Again – Mariya Takeuchi

Released in 1989 as the 18th single, it was used as the theme song for the TV drama “Tuesday Suspense Theater.” The song portrays the wavering emotions of a woman who hears rumors that her ex-boyfriend, after marrying another woman, has divorced and become “single” again.

It has been covered by many artists, including Hideaki Tokunaga, Yasushi Nakanishi, and JUJU.

With a moderate tempo and manageable melodic range, its singability is one of its appeals, making it approachable even for karaoke beginners.

Gypsy QueenAkina Nakamori

[With Lyrics] Gypsy Queen / Akina Nakamori

Akina Nakamori’s 1986 release “Gypsy Queen” features a distinctive, exotic-sounding arrangement and is easy to tackle at karaoke.

With a clear, translucent voice, the progression from the A verse to the B verse settles while evoking a poignant ache that stirs the heart.

Nakamori’s singing and expressive power are on full display, creating an exceptional melody, and the enveloping chorus is truly breathtaking.

The vocal range is comfortable for men as well, so if you’ve been wanting to try singing Nakamori’s songs, this is a great one to start with.