Ballad songs that are easy to sing at karaoke. Recommended classics and popular hits.
Are there many of you thinking, “I want to sing a ballad at karaoke, but I’m not very confident in my singing…”?
Actually, ballads are great for people who aren’t confident singers!
That’s because slower-tempo songs let you check your pitch and rhythm as you sing.
In other words, if you choose ballads with less pitch movement and an easy-to-follow rhythm, even those who struggle with singing should find them easier to sing!
In this article, we’ll introduce recommended ballad songs that are easy to sing at karaoke.
Use the songs we introduce as a reference to find one that’s comfortable for you to sing!
Ballad songs that are easy to sing at karaoke. Recommended classics and popular tracks (1–10)
Wherever you areNEW!ONE OK ROCK
ONE OK ROCK’s signature song “Wherever you are.” Since it’s sung as a love song that vows eternity, you’ll want to use falsetto to really bring out the song’s appeal.
That said, the falsetto in “Wherever you are” appears mainly at the beginning.
The song builds toward the latter half, so about two-thirds is sung in chest voice.
If you sing the initial guitar-backed section firmly in falsetto to create contrast, it lands stylishly.
Many people who like rock and band music seem to want to sing ONE OK ROCK.
The high range can be a hurdle, but ballads let you cover the high notes with falsetto, so they’re recommended.
Open your throat and keep the breath flowing steadily!
FlowerNEW!Kousuke Atari
Takao Nakashima, known for his distinctive musical style that blends island-music elements with pop, has a unique sound.
It’s said that “Hana” was written by Naotaro Moriyama with Nakashima’s vocal timbre and worldview in mind.
My students practice this song too, and every time I listen, I think, “What a beautiful piece!” Nakashima’s voice has an airy openness, and his transitions into falsetto are completely seamless—so beautiful.
The overall range of Hana is E3 to B4, which is quite singable even in chest voice, but since we have the chance, let’s also use falsetto to bring out the bittersweet emotion.
If falsetto is difficult for you, start by singing gently without tensing up.
Take a full breath and sing with the image of projecting your voice right in front of you.
To make the switch to falsetto in the chorus smoother, it also helps to keep your facial muscles lifted throughout.
Before our feelings overlap…NEW!Ken Hirai
From the very beginning, Ken Hirai’s beautiful singing voice resonates in this song.
It’s a 2004 track that was used in a TOYOTA Corolla Fielder commercial and also served as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “The Truth of Tsugumi Kuzushi.” The lyrics make it a ballad that feels both like singing and like speaking to someone, so it’s a song you can really get into and sing calmly.
I often point out Ken Hirai’s singing characteristics to my students, so please use them as a reference! First, while it’s memorable that he sings with his eyes closed, in reality, closing your eyes can cause unnecessary tension and make it harder to stay on pitch.
However, Hirai raises his eyebrows and uses his hand to track the pitch while he sings.
He compensates in other ways so that singing becomes more natural and easier.
This gesture also makes it much easier to produce falsetto, so definitely give it a try!
StoryAI
Released in 2005 as AI’s 12th single, this track became her biggest hit, spending 73 weeks on the Oricon charts.
With a relatively simple key structure, it’s easy to sing not only for women but also for men, making it a popular choice at karaoke.
KanadeSukima Switch
One of the songs often sung at karaoke is Kanade.
Its popularity comes from its moderate level of difficulty.
The tempo is relaxed, but there are many parts that use long tones and vibrato, and the pitch changes frequently.
Still, with practice, even beginners can handle it.
If you’d like to try a song that uses a bit of technique, definitely give it a go.
Also, because it’s such a classic that everyone knows, it’s easy to get the crowd excited—another strong point in its favor.
Love Song in DecemberNEW!GACKT(Gackt)
When it comes to GACKT’s Christmas songs, many fans probably think of “12gatsu no Love song,” don’t they? Released in 2001, while it is a love song, its lyrics are framed like a prayer for peace, and it remains enduringly popular today.
Its vocal range is extremely wide—from mid1 A to high G-sharp—with very dramatic jumps in pitch.
Because the low notes are quite low, adjusting the key can be challenging; however, the tempo itself is relaxed, making it a song that’s relatively easy to keep in tune.
366 daysHY
HY is a rock band that represents Okinawa, and one of their signature songs is “366 Days.” The lyrics portray the feelings of a woman in unrequited love, so many people will find it easy to sing along with empathy.
While it’s a gentle ballad, the chorus calls for a powerful vocal delivery—that contrast is a hallmark of the song.
Conversely, because it’s easy to add dynamics, it’s recommended even for those who struggle with precise pitch control.
If you want to analyze the vocals in detail, try listening to the version they performed on THE FIRST TAKE.