Lovely karaoke song

Karaoke songs in Japanese that are easy for men in their 40s to sing

Former vocal coach specializing in Western musicRyo
Under the theme of “vocal skills that stand up on the world stage,” I have experience teaching as an online vocal coach specializing in Western music, and I usually listen to genres like nuevo flamenco, bolero, canzone, and R&B. In my teens, I questioned the idea that “foreign music equals English,” and started exploring songs from around the world. My commentary is characterized by a unique perspective shaped by listening to music of every genre, in every language, from every country. I mainly cover world music, so be sure to check it out!
Music producer, composer, vocal coach, keyboard playerKei Takahata
From around 1995 to 2000, I built experience with a major label as a composer and producer. I then moved to the United States and studied voice and singing under Elizabeth Sabine, one of Los Angeles’s top vocal coaches, mastering the so-called Hollywood vocal technique advocated by Sabine. After returning to Japan, I have been involved in training and producing a variety of singers. My direction, which brings out the full appeal of both the music and the vocalist, is highly regarded. In the collaboration video with Vo. ryuichi of the band Guild below, I handled keyboards, vocal direction, and sound production. For inquiries and requests regarding voice training and music production, please contact me via the website below. SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-402518821

If you’re a man in your 40s, you probably often find yourself heading to karaoke after work-related drinking parties or reunions with old friends, where you can’t really avoid singing, right?

But don’t you sometimes struggle with what to sing in those moments?

A lot of people feel unsure about what to pick—maybe you don’t know the latest hits well enough to sing them, or you’re not confident in your singing to begin with.

So in this feature, we’ll introduce songs that are easy to sing and well-known across generations, focusing mainly on classic hits from the 1990s to the early 2000s—exactly the era when today’s forty-something men spent their youth.

That period was truly the golden age of J-pop, and getting songs widely sung at karaoke was one of the absolute requirements for boosting sales.

In other words, it’s a treasure trove of easy-to-sing tracks!

We hope this article helps you relive the fun of your younger days and rediscover the joy of singing.

Japanese karaoke songs that are easy for men in their 40s to sing (111–120)

Christmas songback number

back number – “Christmas Song” Music Video

Christmas song back number

This “Christmas Song” was used as the theme song for the 2015 drama “From Five to Nine: The Monk Who Fell in Love with Me.” Their songs are easy to sing and listen to, and many of the lyrics are relatable, so I think they’re easy to sing even for people in their 40s.

Raise the rankinglower

Don't avert your eyes.DEEN

DEEN – Don’t Look Away

Don't avert your eyes, DEEN

This is DEEN’s fifth single in total, released in June 1994.

With lyrics by Izumi Sakai from ZARD and production by Tetsuro Oda—an iconic hit-making duo of the time—it became a million-selling hit.

It’s truly one of the masterpieces from J-pop’s golden era! The vocal melody is crafted to be very simple, easy to remember, and easy to sing, so most people should be able to sing it in the original key without needing to change it.

The tempo is medium, making it comfortable for anyone to sing.

Just be aware that the key goes up in the final chorus when you actually perform it.

Raise the rankinglower

UmbrellaUnder Graph

Umbrella

Umbrella Undergraph

A band with a unique melodic sense, Under Graph’s hidden masterpiece.

I really hope you’ll sing it on a rainy day—and for your wife or partner.

Its uniqueness makes it tough at first, but with practice you’ll definitely be able to sing it.

The flow from the final section into the chorus feels incredibly satisfying.

Raise the rankinglower

Give it some guts!!Ulfuls

Ulfuls – Guts da ze!!

Guts da ze!! Ulfuls

Released in 1995, this was a massive hit and the song that put Ulfuls on the map.

With its disco-esque sound, instantly memorable chorus, and a period-drama-style music video, it’s a track that just fills you with energy.

It’s great to belt out solo all the way to the end, but it really goes off when everyone at karaoke sings it together!

Raise the rankinglower

Voice of the SeaKenta Kiritani

"The Voice of the Sea" Full ver. / Urashima Taro (Kenta Kiritani) [Official]

Kenta Kiritani, “Umi no Koe” (The Voice of the Sea)

The original song used in the au “Santaro Series” commercial, the au feature phone “Voice of the Sea” version, was released simultaneously across digital platforms in December 2015 under the name “Urashima Taro.” It has been certified Million in the single-track category by the Recording Industry Association of Japan.

With its easy-to-sing melody, it’s also very popular for karaoke.

Raise the rankinglower

At all times.Noriyuki Makihara

[Official] Noriyuki Makihara “No Matter What” (Music Video) [3rd Single] (1991) Noriyuki Makihara/donnatokimo [No. 1]

Always, by Noriyuki Makihara

This is one of the iconic J-pop songs from the Heisei era that virtually everyone, young and old, has heard at least once.

A cover of this song is currently being used in a commercial, so I think it will go over well at karaoke with friends, family, or coworkers.

The same singer’s breakup song “Mou Koi Nante Shinai” was also a huge hit, but this one is easier to relate to, and both the melody and lyrics are excellent.

It’s especially recommended for men in their 40s, as it’s right in their generation.

Raise the rankinglower

blue skyTHE BLUE HEARTS

[Official] THE BLUE HEARTS “Aozora (Blue Sky)” [5th Single (1989/6/21)] THE BLUE HEARTS / Aozora

Blue Sky THE BLUE HEARTS

Aozora, their eighth single, also drew attention when miwa’s 2010 cover was used as the ending theme for the film Colorful.

Its cynical lyrics over a laid-back beat still carry a thought-provoking message even today.

With its simple, repetitive melody and a relatively narrow vocal range, it’s easy to sing at karaoke.

It’s a recommended karaoke number that conveys the depth of the band THE BLUE HEARTS.

Raise the rankinglower