Lovely karaoke song

[2025] Recommended Japanese songs for karaoke for men in their 50s

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!
lightercatnap
A person from the melodic hardcore boom generation who loves music, photography, and eating. I’ve been going to live houses for over 20 years. I’m at the age where summer festivals are starting to feel tough physically. I sometimes try shooting live photos and videos for MVs. I’m not great at English, so I often listen to straightforward Japanese rock that hits directly, but if someone recommends something, I’ll listen to anything—Western or Japanese—broadly and casually. I like cooking while listening to music; it’s a nice way to relieve stress.

Company parties, local class reunions, family gatherings… If you’re a man in your 50s, you probably get plenty of chances to go to karaoke, right?

At times like that, do you ever find yourself unsure what to sing?

“I can’t really sing recent songs…” “Even if I go with older songs, I don’t know which ones are good…” If that sounds like you, this article will introduce karaoke songs recommended for men in their 50s!

Focusing on hits from the ’80s to the early ’90s, we’ve carefully selected classic karaoke staples and songs that women will think, “I’d love to hear him sing this!”

Use this as a guide for choosing your next songs!

[2025] Recommended Japanese karaoke songs for men in their 50s (21–30)

First loveKozo Murashita

Kozo Murashita – First Love

First Love Kozo Murashita

Middle-aged singers often keep time with a gentle side-to-side sway, and this is a song that suits that motion perfectly.

For karaoke, the key might be not to push too hard at the very start.

In the chorus, try not to draw out the words—sing them a bit clipped.

It’s fine to belt the chorus out with a big, earnest voice.

Although “First Love” tended to get all the attention, it seems the artist didn’t mind that at all.

Their kind personality shines through in the music.

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Wandering Love SongTsuyoshi Nagabuchi

Wandering Love Song

Meguriko Uta - Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi

People in their early 40s belong to a generation for whom laid-back, Unicorn-style rock was trendy, while those in their late 40s grew up exposed to more masculine rock as well.

Many of you may even have listened to Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s songs.

With that in mind, I recommend “Junrenka.” This piece incorporates some folk elements and is arranged primarily in the lower-mid to mid vocal range throughout.

Although a slightly higher phrase appears toward the end of the chorus, it still sits around the mid-high range, so you should hardly encounter any issues from a vocal production standpoint.

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Rose of PassionTHE BLUE HEARTS

[Official] THE BLUE HEARTS 'Rose of Passion' [6th Single (1990/7/25)] THE BLUE HEARTS / Jyounetsu no Bara

The Rose of Passion THE BLUE HEARTS

THE BLUE HEARTS are the band that brought “punk rock bands” into the mainstream in Japan.

They have many songs that are also very popular for karaoke.

This song, “Jounetsu no Bara” (Rose of Passion), is one of their hits.

Since it was released in 1990, many people in their 50s probably think, “Of course I know it, and I can sing it!” One of the great things about THE BLUE HEARTS is that their music is known across generations—everyone can sing along and have fun together.

They also have many female fans, and this is a number that seems perfect for getting everyone excited together.

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Wine Red HeartSafe zone

A Wine-Red Heart (Wine Red no Kokoro) — Anzen Chitai

Wine Red Heart Anzen Chitai

For many people in their 50s, this is the song they think of when they hear Anzenchitai.

Released in 1983, Wine Red no Kokoro is one of the band’s signature tracks.

Composed by Koji Tamaki with lyrics by Yosui Inoue, there’s even a story that it didn’t make any waves at the time of its release.

The song has been covered by many female musicians and is also very popular as a karaoke staple.

It takes on a different kind of sensuality when sung by a woman, but it’s also a number where a man can really convey his own allure.

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ff (fortissimo)HOUND DOG

ff (fortissimo)

ff (fortissimo) HOUND DOG

HOUND DOG is a rock band that gained popularity with its masculine vocals.

The band’s vocalist, Kohei Otomo, continues to appear on variety shows and the like, so he’s fairly well known even among younger audiences.

The song I’d like to recommend is ff (Fortissimo).

It’s HOUND DOG’s biggest hit, featuring a powerful and straightforward melody.

While this track is often associated with belting, its highest note is hi A, so it’s not extremely high.

However, the lowest note is mid1 D, which can make it hard for people with higher voices to lower the key.

If you drop the key too much, the energy in the A-melody section can suffer, so it’s best to sing it in a way that allows you to hit the hi A parts as much as possible.

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While listening to a distant train whistleAlice

Shinji Tanimura and Takao Horiuchi, “While Listening to a Distant Train Whistle”

Alice, listening to a distant train whistle

It’s a masterpiece by Shinji Tanimura and Takao Horiuchi.

Both the melody and the lyrics are superb, making it a perfectly crafted song.

While many people choose Alice’s harder numbers at karaoke, ballads like this are of course fantastic as well.

If you avoid singing it half-heartedly and make it truly your own first, you’ll be able to perform it confidently as one of your signature songs!

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DEAR ALGERNONKyosuke Himuro

DEAR ALGERNON

DEAR ALGERNON Kyosuke Himuro

Kyosuke Himuro, a male singer who enjoyed charismatic popularity among men in their 50s.

He left many classic songs not only with BOØWY but also as a solo artist.

Among his masterpieces, the one I especially recommend is DEAR ALGERNON.

Although the song spans a slightly wide vocal range (mid1C to hiA), the BPM—that is, the tempo—is slow, making it generally easy to sing.

If you keep your volume in check and use a more muffled vocal tone like Himuro does, you can handle the high notes without much difficulty, so it’s a good approach to try and imitate.

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