[Men in Their 50s, Gather Up!] Classic Karaoke Crowd-Pleasers & Easy-to-Sing Hits

JAMTHE YELLOW MONKEY

THE YELLOW MONKEY – JAM

Released on the leap day of February 29, 1996, this was THE YELLOW MONKEY’s ninth single and the signature song that cemented their breakthrough.

It reached No.

6 on the Oricon Weekly Chart, sold approximately 600,000 copies in total, and earned Gold and Platinum certifications.

It’s a triplet ballad in C major; if you focus on the drums, it’s especially easy to feel the rhythm and get into the groove.

The overall vocal range is D3 to F#4, which seems very comfortable to sing.

To avoid sounding flat when you sing, try rocking your whole body back and forth and be mindful of accents!

SaraiYuzo Kayama & Shinji Tanimura

Yuzo Kayama, Shinji Tanimura – Sarai

Some of you reading this article may be a bit older.

For you, I recommend Sarai.

It’s a song well known even among younger generations thanks to its association with 24-Hour TV.

The real charm of this piece lies in its deep, mature vocal line.

Although the arrangement feels grand, the vocal range is very narrow—mid1 A to mid2 F—so men with lower voices should be able to sing it smoothly while making the most of their low tones.

Be sure to check it out.

B-BlueBOØWY

B-Blue

Among men in their early 50s, many probably listened to BOØWY quite a lot.

BOØWY left behind many memorable rock classics, and among them, the one I especially recommend as easy to sing is B-Blue.

While the song features a heartbeat-raising, striking melody, its vocal range is surprisingly narrow and the vocal line doesn’t fluctuate much.

It’s a song you can handle even when your throat is worn out after a second party, so be sure to add it to your repertoire.

Journey of the HeartTulip

TULIP “Kokoro no Tabi” (Lyric Video)

It’s a big hit by Tulip.

The melody line is gentle, the range isn’t very high, and I think it’s easy to sing.

By the way, “Kokoro no Tabi” has been covered by Masaharu Fukuyama and many others, so it’s fun to look for the version you like! Tulip’s songs have a choral feel with a relaxed tempo, and there are parts that really shine when sung, so I highly recommend them as easy-to-sing songs! It’s nice to have everyone join in for the chorus, and sing the non-chorus parts comfortably.

Since the range leans toward the lower, easier-to-produce notes, be careful not to strain your throat.

If you keep your eyebrows raised and project your voice into the distance, your vocal cords will resonate and you’ll be able to sing more easily!

outdatedEigo Kawashima

Jidai Okure (Behind the Times) Eigo Kawashima – Unofficial Video

A standout song by the exceptionally skilled singer-songwriter Eigo Kawashima.

“Jidai Okure” is a tasteful number that sings of a man who won’t be swept along by the times.

The lyrics by Yu Aku resonate with the idea of living true to one’s convictions.

Since its release on April 21, 1986, it has been loved for many years, and five years later, in 1991, Eigo Kawashima performed it solo with guitar at NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen.

For those in their 50s, it may be a nostalgic track that brings back memories of their youth.

With a modest vocal range and few long sustained notes, it’s an easy song to tackle even for those who aren’t confident singers.

It’s also a great choice to liven up a karaoke session with friends.

Let's be happyTsuyoshi Nagabuchi

Let's be happy

Artists from this generation tend to sing in their chest voice rather than relying on falsetto, so their vocal ranges aren’t that high.

Some of you might have even sung this song at weddings.

The backing piano and strings sound beautiful, and it feels great to sing along.

The tempo isn’t fast either, so you can sing calmly and with care.

The A melody has that signature Nagabuchi style, so if you focus on it too much, it might turn into an impression (lol).

I’d love for you to not worry too much about Nagabuchi’s trademark style and sing in your own voice.

In the chorus, if you sing with the confidence of “I’m a great singer!” you’ll project well and it’ll feel great.

In the end, it would be amazing if you could get everyone involved in a big sing-along!

Young manHideki Saijo

Hideki Saijo – Young Man (Y.M.C.A.)

“Y.M.C.A.” has become a staple cheer song at school events and sports competitions.

The arm-swinging choreography went viral—these days, it feels like there’s hardly anyone who doesn’t know it! With an intro that instantly lifts your spirits, doesn’t it just make you smile? That smiling expression is really important: when your facial muscles naturally lift, your voice comes out more easily, making it much easier to sing! Plus, doing the choreography helps your body relax, which also makes projecting your voice easier.

Above all, the best thing is to just have fun singing it!