[Harmony Songs for Duets] Songs that feel great to harmonize

Let me cry.Yoshimotozaka46

Yoshimotozaka46 'Let Me Cry' Music Video / YOSHIMOTOZAKA46 - Nakasetekureyo

Yoshimotozaka46 is a mixed-gender group formed as the third installment of Yasushi Akimoto’s Sakamichi Series, following Nogizaka46 and Keyakizaka46 (now Sakurazaka46).

What sets them apart from the other Sakamichi groups produced by Akimoto is that all members belong to Yoshimoto Kogyo and each is active as a comedian.

The song I’m introducing here is their debut single, released on December 26, 2018.

Since it’s a chorus of 46 members, the harmony parts may be a bit hard to pick out, but the choral arrangement itself is very simple and not at all difficult.

Please listen closely to the original and enjoy singing the harmonies together.

It’s a song you can have fun with even just singing in unison with a large group!

Two People's Love IslandYuko Ishikawa & Chage

[MV] Our Love Island / Yuko Ishikawa and Chage

A collaboration single by Yuko Ishikawa and Chage from CHAGE and ASKA, released in April 1984.

It was also used in a JAL commercial.

In this song—in fact, in male-female twin vocal songs in general—the feel is less “lead plus backing vocals” and more of a dual lead vocal by a man and a woman.

So when you sing it at karaoke, you don’t really need to focus on a distinct “chorus part.” With male-female harmonies, the vocal timbres are completely different, which actually makes both parts easier to pick out.

That said, this song has some fairly intricate chorus arrangements in places—starting with the B-melody—so if you’re going to sing it, it’s a good idea to check with the karaoke guide melody function beforehand.

If it’s still too difficult, when a man and a woman sing it together you can both just sing the main vocal in unison; since your voice qualities are totally different, it surprisingly tends to work out okay (haha).

Dreaming SupermanSaucy Dog

Saucy Dog “Dreaming Superman” Music Video (Theme song for the drama “I’m Curious About What’s in People’s Shopping Baskets”)

This is a track from “But Really,” the seventh album (fifth major-label release) by the Japanese three-piece rock band Saucy Dog.

The album was released in July 2023.

The song was chosen as the theme for the drama “I’m Curious About What’s in People’s Shopping Baskets.” It’s an uptempo, very simple rock tune, but if you listen closely, the vocal arrangement is quite elaborate.

Because of that, many listeners might feel it’s a bit challenging to harmonize with at karaoke after just one listen.

However, most of the harmonies are likely built by layering parts a perfect fifth above and an octave above the lead vocal, so try approaching it that way.

If someone can also take an octave below the lead, you might get even closer to the sound of the original recording.

Kokoro Uchuu feat. imase, “Yuika”Nyan-chu All Stars

Nyan-chu All Stars – Kokorouchu feat. imase, “Yuika” (Official Music Video)

“Kokoro-Uchu feat.

imase, Yuika” is a piece with a light yet slightly downbeat vibe that leaves a strong impression.

This track is a collaboration by popular singer-songwriters imase and Yuika.

imase is known for his distinctive falsetto, but in this song he sings the lower harmony.

That makes the harmonies easy even for those who can’t hit high notes.

On the other hand, Yuika’s part is slightly higher, so be sure to set keys that are comfortable for both you and your partner.

Consider adding it to your repertoire.

Together foreverKobukuro

Kobukuro “Together for Eternity”

“Eien ni Tomo ni,” a song that’s also beloved as a wedding classic.

Released in 2004 as a double A-side single alongside “Million Films,” this track was written for the wedding of Kentaro Kobuchi’s friend.

Its simple, easy-to-remember melody makes it very singable—even those who aren’t confident at karaoke can give it a try! The harmony line is clear and not difficult, so it could be great to practice as a duo and perform as entertainment at a wedding.

Dream FlowerHiroshi Madoka

Dream Flower

This was Hiroshi En’s debut single, released on November 21, 1978.

The chorus, which repeats the same word multiple times, is very striking, and the chorus arrangement is also quite simple: it just sings a lower harmony against the main melody.

That makes it perfect for group harmonizing at karaoke.

If harmonizing is difficult, singing in unison can still be a lot of fun! In a good way, its “simplicity” feels like exactly what led to its massive hit status—surely one of the classic songs of the Showa era.

Forever LoveTVXQ (also known as Tohoshinki; literally “Rising Gods of the East”)

TVXQ / Forever Love

This song is TVXQ’s 14th single for the Japanese market, released in November 2007.

Since around the mid-1990s, when PC-based HDR with virtually unlimited tracks became mainstream instead of traditional multitrack tape recorders, it has become common to layer multiple takes of the same part to create chorus sections and add thickness to the sound.

This song is no exception, built by stacking a great many “voices.” However, in terms of harmony, it essentially relies on a two-part chorus, adding a line a third above the main melody.

So if you listen closely to the original, learn the main melody and the harmony part, you should be able to sing beautifully in harmony.

To better recreate the original feel, having two to three people sing each harmony part might bring you closer to the original atmosphere.