[Women in Their 40s] Even If You’re Tone-Deaf, You Can Sing! Karaoke Songs That Fit a Woman’s Vocal Range

dogwood (flowering dogwood)Yo Hitoto

Hitoto Yo – Hanamizuki

Her debut song Morai Naki became an unexpected hit, and this is the fifth single by Yo Hitoto, a singer who is active not only in music but also as an actress.

The song was born in response to the September 11 attacks that shocked the world in 2001, and it is one of Yo Hitoto’s signature songs, also known as the most sung song of the Heisei era in karaoke.

With its relaxed tempo, sparse instrumentation, and lack of sudden leaps in pitch, it’s easy to sing even for those who aren’t confident singers.

Because of the meaning of its lyrics, it’s a masterpiece that we hope will continue to be sung not only by women in their 40s—the artist’s own generation—but by people of all ages.

To the futureKiroro

To the Future – Kiroro (Full)

Released in June 1998 as Kiroro’s second single.

Since it became a staple song for graduation ceremonies, many people probably picture those scenes when they hear it.

The track came out toward the end of the 1990s, a period often called the J-pop bubble when million-sellers were coming out one after another.

While other artists were making their melodies and chord progressions increasingly complex to break new ground, Kiroro arrived with a simplicity in melody, chords, and arrangement that felt almost like an antithesis to that trend—and it was wonderfully refreshing.

Built on an extremely familiar, easy-to-hum melody, this song is highly recommended even for those who aren’t confident singers.

rainbow-coloredAyaka

Nijiiro – Ayaka (Full)

This is Ayaka’s 13th single overall.

It was released digitally first in April 2014, followed by a CD release in June of the same year.

The song has a lightly bouncing, brisk rhythm, but the overall feel is very calm.

It’s the kind of piece that would suit women in their 40s—not just that they can sing it, but it might actually feel even more fitting for those around that age.

Ayaka is often seen as an authentic singer with a bit of a black music flavor, so some people might hesitate to try her songs.

However, this track has a very cute and simple melody, making it relatively approachable even for those who aren’t confident in their singing.

As mentioned, the slightly bouncy rhythm is a signature of the song, so try to sing it with an overall cute vibe to keep it from feeling heavy.

Don't give upZARD

Don't Give Up – ZARD (Full)

This is the sixth single by ZARD, a representative Being-label artist that dominated the J-POP scene in the 1990s, centered around Izumi Sakai, who sadly passed away suddenly in 2007.

The song was used as the ending theme for the first season of the TV drama “Reiko Shiratori de Gozaimasu!” and remains a go-to motivational anthem that you still hear in many contexts today.

While the driving tempo and the intricate melody that appears at the start of the chorus can make it feel challenging, its catchiness makes it easy to remember and sing.

Women in their 40s who likely listened to it during their school days might find themselves reliving their youth when singing it at karaoke.

DiamondsPRINCESS PRINCESS

Princess Princess 'Diamonds <Diamond>'

This is the seventh single by Princess Princess, a band that became an iconic presence in the J-POP scene of the 1980s and 1990s and influenced countless other groups.

Known as one of the band’s signature songs—with another signature track, “M,” included as the B-side—it’s easy to see why this became their biggest hit, achieving million-selling status.

Its upbeat rhythm and catchy melody make it a joy to sing, and women in their 40s—the generation that grew up with it—will likely have a great time singing it with friends.

Although the tempo is fast, the melody is simple, so if you stay calm and focus on not drifting off the beat, you’ll be able to sing it well.

Tears aren’t just for show.Akina Nakamori

[Official] Akina Nakamori / “Tears Aren’t Just for Show” (Live in ’87: A HUNDRED days at Tokyo Kosei Nenkin Kaikan, 1987-10-17) AKINA NAKAMORI

Akina Nakamori’s 10th single overall, released in November 1984.

Lyrics and composition by Yosui Inoue.

Many people cite “not being able to hit high notes” as a reason they struggle with singing, but since this song was created for Nakamori—whose charm lies in her naturally lower voice—it doesn’t require extreme high notes.

That makes it an easy challenge even for those who aren’t good with high registers.

Reflecting the era in which it was released, the melody follows in the vein of Showa kayō and New Music, making it very easy to remember and sing.

It’s a great recommendation for people who feel they’re not good at singing!

Tomorrow as wellSHISHAMO

SHISHAMO “Tomorrow Too”

This is a song released in 2017 that was used in an NTT Docomo commercial.

The intro through to the lead-up to the chorus might not ring a bell at all, but once the chorus hits, most people will probably think, “I’ve heard this!” The overall vocal range is G3–D5, so most women should be able to sing it without changing the key.

Also, since it features a band × brass band arrangement, the song has a very light, upbeat feel that makes it easy to get into the rhythm! I think it would be plenty of fun and a real crowd-pleaser at karaoke, too.

That said, the chorus is longer than you might expect, so you’ll need some stamina, and there’s a risk it could start to feel repetitive.

It might be good to split the chorus into two big parts—front half and back half—so you can add contrast and keep things engaging!