Lovely karaoke song

[2025] Japanese Karaoke Songs That Men in Their 50s Get Excited About

Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.
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!

For people in their 50s, social responsibilities tend to grow heavier, and many may be feeling stressed from everyday life at work and at home.

For those spending such demanding days, karaoke is one of the best ways to blow off steam!

Still, there are probably quite a few who think, “I’m not that familiar with songs, so I don’t know what to sing…”

In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of songs recommended by our editorial team for anyone with those concerns.

Since this is aimed at people in their 50s, we’ve selected mainly nostalgic tracks.

Why not get together with friends of the same generation once in a while and sing your heart out to songs from the good old days?

And for younger readers, feel free to use this as a reference when choosing songs for karaoke outings with your bosses in their 50s.

[2025] Japanese Karaoke Songs That Get Men in Their 50s Fired Up (81–90)

River of Ten Thousand MilesCHAGE and ASKA

[LIVE] The River of Ten Thousand Miles / CHAGE and ASKA / THE Summer Festival Osaka Castle LIVE

The River of Ten Thousand Miles CHAGE and ASKA

The 3rd single “Banri no Kawa,” which marked their first-ever entry into the Oricon Weekly Top 10.

Its lyrical words and melodically oriental atmosphere evoke a sense of nostalgia just by listening.

The melody line, reminiscent of folk songs and enka, is simple and easy to sing, but be careful—the fast melody in the chorus makes it tricky to keep pitch.

With an ensemble that conveys a wistful mood and feels pleasant to the ear, it’s a number that’s enjoyable to sing at karaoke as well.

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TokyoTakajin Yashiki

Tokyo

Tokyo Yashiki Takajin

This is a song by Takajin Yashiki, a host and singer remembered as a legendary figure in Kansai.

While it depicts episodes and emotions set in Tokyo, a major feature is that the lyrics are in the Kansai dialect.

From the lyrics, you can feel the hardship of struggling in a new place with a different culture, as well as the care he shows for the love he found there.

At Takajin Yashiki’s concerts, it was standard to replace the “Tokyo” part with the name of the venue’s city, so when you sing it at karaoke, it might be fun to swap in the name of your hometown or another place.

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YOUNG MANHideki Saijo

GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE / “Y.M.C.A.” Music Video – with lyrics

YOUNG MAN Hideki Saijo

This is the song that Hideki Saijo covered from the Village People’s American mega-hit “Y.

M.

C.

A.” and turned into a huge hit in Japan as well.

The choreography—boxing-style moves and poses that spell out the letters Y-M-C-A with your body—feels like it could instantly transport you back to your youth just by dancing it.

Be sure to sing and dance together with everyone and blow away your everyday stress!

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Season in the SunTUBE

Season in the Sun

Season in the Sun - TUBE

TUBE’s smash hit “Season in the Sun,” released in 1989, is a quintessential summer tune.

With its Latin flair, driving beat, and bright, refreshing vibe, it’s a fun track that makes you want to listen by the ocean under a blue sky.

A song that goes perfectly with jeans and a T-shirt, it has become a timeless summer classic.

It’s a recommended track to enjoy during the season with close friends at BBQs or karaoke.

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I-ke-na-i Rouge MagicKiyoshiro Imawano, Ryuichi Sakamoto

Forbidden Rouge Magic / Kiyoshiro Imawano + Ryuichi Sakamoto [))STEREO((]

I-ke-na-i Rouge Magic - Kiyoshiro Imawano, Ryuichi Sakamoto

This song, a collaboration between two Japanese icons of rock and techno, is glamorous and pop.

The chorus by Kiyoshiro Imawano sticks in your ear after just one listen, and Ryuichi Sakamoto’s synth intertwining with the guitar sound is absolutely superb.

Lately, Japanese city pop and rare groove have been popular in the record market, and I’m amazed by how rich Japan’s music industry was in the Showa era.

The lyrics use simple words to get straight to the heart of things, showcasing a brilliant sense of expression, and when you listen in times like these, certain lines really hit hard.

It’s a song I want people of all generations to hear.

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Sly womanSharam Q

Sharan Q – Sly Woman @TJJ

Sly Woman by Sharam Q

Here’s a song by Sharam Q with a striking opening horn section.

It was their seventh single, released in 1995.

It became a million-seller and the band’s biggest hit.

It’s a bit sad that the vocalist, Tsunku♂, lost his voice after having his vocal cords removed and we can no longer hear his singing, but his positive attitude continues to inspire us.

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[2025] Japanese Karaoke Songs That Get Men in Their 50s Fired Up (91–100)

fortissimoHOUND DOG

ff ~Fortissimo~ / HOUND DOG 1988 TV (Just Pop Up)

Fortissimo HOUND DOG

HOUND DOG is a rock band that set a legend by performing 15 consecutive days of live shows at the Nippon Budokan in 1989, and today continues activities with only the vocalist, Yasuhira Otomo.

Their 10th single, “ff (Fortissimo),” which was used in a Nissin Cup Noodles TV commercial, is still widely known among listeners as HOUND DOG’s signature song.

Its alluring low-register vocals and catchy melody are sure to evoke memories of youth for many in their 50s.

With its low key and relaxed tempo, it’s a rock tune that’s easy to sing even for men who aren’t confident at karaoke.

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