Songs that make you sound good at karaoke

HeavenRei

Rei – “Heaven” (Official Music Video)

Rei, who combines exceptional skill as a guitarist with talent as a singer-songwriter, is carving out a unique place for herself.

Released in August 2024, “Heaven” is a brand-new killer tune where blistering, freewheeling guitar work—complete with tapping—coexists in perfect balance with an earworm of a catchy melody and a danceable groove.

When singing it at karaoke and the like, don’t rely on the sense of the chords; instead, listen closely to the bass and drum rhythms, and try singing with a different image in mind than the typical J-pop-style division between vocals and accompaniment.

bergamotSora Tomonari

Tomonari Sora – “Bergamot” [Lyric Video]

Singer-songwriter Sora Tomonari, born in 2002, has been immersed in music since childhood, started writing songs at an early elementary-school age, and made her debut at 18.

It’s still fresh in our minds that Oni no Utage became a massive hit in 2023 and brought her name to a wide audience.

Her February 2025 release, Bergamot, is a stylish city pop-inspired track featuring playful lyrics—an exceptionally chic song overall.

While you might assume this kind of song is tricky to sing, the melody sits relatively low, and once you learn it—including the rap-like delivery in the middle—it’s surprisingly singable.

On the other hand, if you struggle with low notes, especially in the A-melody sections, consider adjusting the key to a comfortable range before tackling it at karaoke.

Negotiationbewitching goldfish

Yoen Kingyo – Negotiation [Official Music Video]

With their ultra-unique name, the alluring goldfish is a standout unit formed in 2020 by a dancer and a DJ/artist duo.

Their track “Negotiation” was digitally released in November 2024, and after the music video dropped in April 2025, it’s been drawing renewed attention.

Over a groove that blends the tension and soulful vibe of a ’90s hip-hop-style track, they rap candidly about their values with an ennui-tinged allure, and the catchy, earworm chorus makes it a true banger.

Hip-hop can feel daunting, but in this song their rap leans close to melody, so once you get the hang of it, you should be able to recreate it just fine at karaoke.

Definitely try it as a duo with a friend!

MermaidYuka

YU-KA – Mermaid (Official Music Video)

In 2024, singer-songwriter Yuka—who is active globally beyond Japan, including a performance at the renowned American music festival SXSW Music Festival 2024—continues to expand her reach.

Having spent part of her childhood abroad and being bilingual, she creates music that effortlessly transcends the boundaries between Western and Japanese pop.

The song featured here, “Mermaid,” is exactly that kind of track.

Its minimal production, languid, wistful melody line, and distinctive word choices set it apart from typical J-pop.

If you can sing a song like this smoothly at karaoke, there’s no doubt people will think you’re good.

Because the song unfolds without major shifts, be sure to listen closely to the original and practice so you can add variation with your vocals and avoid sounding too monotonous.

coloring; color scheme; hues; decoration; embellishment; added flair (figurative)Ikimonogakari

Ikimono-gakari “Irodori” Music Video (Odakyu Group corporate commercial song)

Ikimono-gakari’s “Irodori” is set for release in April 2025 and will be used as a commercial song for the Odakyu Group.

Some of you may already find it familiar.

One of the song’s features is that it builds steadily from the A verse to the B verse to the chorus, making it easy for anyone to grasp the flow and imagine how to sing it.

In classic Ikimono-gakari fashion, it’s bright and energetic, with long tones that feel great to listen to.

When singing, pay attention to the swung rhythm.

From the B section into the chorus, the way you feel the beat shifts little by little, so rather than counting in 4/4, it may be easier to lock into the melody by feeling it in 2/4 as “1, 2, 1, 2.” The phrases aren’t heavily connected, so it’s also easy to take breaths.

Don’t forget to inhale, and project your voice clearly!

The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP

SMAP – The Only Flower in the World

SMAP’s classic hit “The One and Only Flower in the World.” Composed by Noriyuki Makihara, it was used as the theme song for the popular drama “The Way I Live.” This song is easy to sing and works well for impressing at karaoke.

It follows a standard J-pop progression and features a very singable vocal line.

Plus, its narrow vocal range means it suits many different voice types.

In addition, Takuya Kimura’s parts are sung with strength, allowing you to express both gentleness and power at the same time.

that bandcable tie

[Lyric Video] Kessoku Band “That Band” / In-episode song from TV anime “Bocchi the Rock!” Episode 8

This is a download-only single performed by Kessoku Band, which appears within the 2022 TV anime “Bocchi the Rock!” I love Kessoku Band’s rock songs too and often sing “Guitar, Loneliness and Blue Planet,” but “That Band” is really tough—the tempo is fast and the rhythm is very distinctive! I recommend listening closely to the track before trying to sing it.

The timing to cut off words in the verse, the timing to hold notes in the chorus—once the melody starts there’s no place to rest, so rather than memorizing the whole song at once, I think it’s easier to understand and organize in your head if you learn it bit by bit, melody by melody.

Also, for the high notes like D5 and C5 in the last chorus, don’t pull the sound back—project your voice forward firmly! It’s like throwing with a burst of power.

Keep that in mind when you sing.