Ballad songs that are easy to sing at karaoke. Recommended classics and popular hits.

figure; appearance; form; shape;姿 (sugata) can mean a person’s figure/appearance, the shape/form of something, or a visible state/姿を見せる = to show oneselfAimyon

Figure

A masterpiece whose refined and calm musicality evokes the night, “Sugata.” In terms of genre, it’s an orthodox J-pop piece, and the vocal line is crafted simply to suit the Japanese vocal range.

While the melody is generally steady with few dramatic shifts, a slightly higher falsetto appears in the chorus, so take care there.

Singing higher is fine, but if the key is set too low, producing the falsetto becomes unnecessarily difficult.

Be sure to determine the appropriate key and sing accordingly.

My Best Of My LifeSuperfly

Superfly 『My Best Of My Life』Music Video

It’s a ballad that combines a grand scale with a powerful message.

While carrying loneliness, confusion, and anxiety, it portrays a woman’s determination to face forward and live strongly, with both power and delicacy.

Shiho Ochi’s soulful, soaring vocals resonate deeply with listeners.

Released in May 2009, it was used as the theme song for the drama “BOSS.” It is also included on the album “Box Emotions” and reached No.

11 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

Additionally, it was selected as the entrance march for the 82nd National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament.

Despite its runtime of over six minutes, it’s a compelling piece, making it perfect for karaoke to fully showcase your expressiveness.

It’s a song you’ll want to sing carefully and wholeheartedly as a cherished memory with someone important.

White LoversKeisuke Kuwata

Keisuke Kuwata – Shiroi Koibito-tachi (Short ver.)

A heartwarming ballad that delicately paints winter scenes, transforming the bittersweet memory of a lost love into a feeling of blessing.

While looking back on a past romance, it carries a positive message about cherishing the love that was shared, resonating through Keisuke Kuwata’s warm, soulful vocals.

Released in October 2001 as his seventh single, this gem won the Gold Prize at the 43rd Japan Record Awards that same year.

Also featured in Coca-Cola’s “No Reason” campaign commercial, the song won the hearts of listeners across generations.

It’s the perfect soundtrack for spending unhurried time with someone special in a relaxed lounge, or for quietly gazing at a winter nightscape alone with a glass in hand.

Until the day I can no longer rememberback number

back number – Until the Day It Becomes Unrememberable (full)

A masterpiece that beautifully portrays the inner landscape where the grief of losing a loved one intersects with the desire to hold on to their memories.

The gentle, humming-like melody, the understated guitar riff, and Iyori Shimizu’s wistful vocals all deepen the emotions of parting.

Released in October 2011, this song is included on the album “Superstar” and was also used as the ending theme for TV Tokyo’s music program “JAPAN COUNTDOWN.” Although the vocal range is fairly wide, the calm melodic line makes it a song you can sing while savoring the lyrics.

From our joined handsback number

back number – From the Hands We Held (full)

A poignant ballad that reflects on past romance and gradually realizes the value of a lost love.

It delicately portrays the warmth of happier days slowly cooling, as well as the magnitude of the other person’s presence that only becomes clear after the breakup.

Included on the 4th album “Love Story” released in March 2014, it was also used as the commercial song for JTB’s travel product “JTB Premium.” With a gentle, heart-touching melody and a relatable narrative, this song is relatively easy to sing at karaoke and is one you’ll want to try—especially if you’ve experienced heartbreak or parting.

ParadiseNiziU

NiziU(니쥬) 5th Single「Paradise」M/V

This is the fifth single overall by the idol group NiziU, released in March 2023.

It was chosen as the theme song for the Toho-distributed film Doraemon the Movie: Nobita’s Sky Utopia.

The song has a slightly mellow feel, and the vocal melody spans a somewhat higher range, so it might be a bit challenging to casually hum along.

However, the melody itself is very straightforward and easy to remember, and the lyrics fit the melody naturally without feeling forced.

In that sense, I thought it could be a recommended track even for those who aren’t confident singers.

If you pay attention to where the notes are held and stopped—that is, the placement of rests—and sing accordingly, it should sound nice.

If you’re interested, listen closely to the original and study it.

A Present for the FutureMiho Nakayama & MAYO

Nakayama Miho – Present for the Future

It was released in 1996 as a single by Miho Nakayama with MAYO.

The song was used as the theme for the Fuji TV drama Delicious Relationship, starring Miho Nakayama herself, and is a collaboration with singer-songwriter Mayo Okamoto.

It reached No.

6 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart, and Mayo Okamoto also self-covered it under the title “Will… ~A Present for the Future.”