Lovely karaoke song

Idol Songs from the Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa Eras: Classic and Latest Hits That Light Up Karaoke

Accompanist / Piano InstructorYuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICKeisuke Hane
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. After working at a music studio and in wedding sound engineering, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with various instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in middle school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on personal music activities and professional experience, produces daily articles, including song introductions, features on music festivals around Japan, and live reports. Enjoys a wide range of music, from domestic and international rock to, more recently, a broad spectrum of J-pop.

We’ve picked out songs from a wide range of idols—male and female alike—from classic Showa and Heisei-era idol hits to idols thriving in the Reiwa era!

Alongside the all-time staples, we’ve gathered insider-favorite tracks that idol enthusiasts will appreciate, while still being easy for a broad audience to enjoy.

Use this list as a reference for your next playlist.

Many of the melodies are simple, so everyone can sing, dance, and get hyped together!

Go all out with the latest tracks bursting with idol charm, or bask in nostalgia with old favorites—enjoy idol songs in whatever way suits you best!

[Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa Idol Songs] Classic and Latest Hits That Hype Up Karaoke (41–50)

Why not? / Who cares? / It’s all good.Johnny's WEST

Ee ja nai ka / Johnny's WEST

Ee ja nai ka Johnny's WEST

As a classic festival song, “Ee Janai ka” might make you wonder for a moment whether those lyrics even work as a song, but no, it’s got a level of energy that rivals Hibari Misora’s “Omatsuri Mambo.” If you’re looking to amp things up at karaoke, picking this track will at least guarantee everyone’s excitement.

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[Showa, Heisei, and Reiwa Idol Songs] Classic and Latest Hits That Heat Up Karaoke (51–60)

Youthful AmigoShuji and Akira

Seishun Amigo – Shuuji and Akira

Seishun Amigo Shuuji and Akira

This song goes beyond a typical idol tune—it’s packed with a charm that captivates everyone, in the sound, the lyrics, and the dance.

From the minor-key melody, there’s a moment when a sunbeam peeks through the clouds.

Then there are those punchy lyrics used in the chorus.

Every element is brimming with hype.

You can almost hear the crowd erupt the moment the intro starts.

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Cinderella GirlKing&Prince

King & Prince “Cinderella Girl” Music Video

Cinderella Girl King & Prince

A prince-like idol who burst onto the scene at the end of the Heisei era.

They became popular in no time.

There’s even a rumor that guys at karaoke sing their songs while acting like prince characters! Well, that just shows how hype this track is.

If a guy picks a song like this, any girl is bound to get excited!

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UFOPink Lady

UFO

UFO Pink Lady

This is a smash hit by Pink Lady, distinguished by its innovative sense of rhythm and catchy melody.

Released as a single in December 1977, it held the No.

1 spot on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart for 10 consecutive weeks and achieved an astonishing sales total of over 1.

95 million copies.

It was also used in a Nissin Foods commercial and covered in the anime Crayon Shin-chan, making it beloved across generations.

Their performances in glittering silver costumes, combined with distinctive choreography, became a social phenomenon mimicked by children and adults alike.

If everyone joins in to sing its well-known phrases, it’s guaranteed to get the crowd fired up in an instant.

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Sentimental JourneyIyo Matsumoto

Sentimental Journey

Sentimental Journey Iyo Matsumoto

A song sung by a 16-year-old girl, whose pure feelings come through straight and clear.

Released in October 1981, this debut work is a masterpiece of idol pop crafted by hitmakers Reiko Yukawa and Kyohei Tsutsumi.

Chosen as the tie-in track for Lotte’s “Ghana Chocolate” commercial, the song brought Iyo Matsumoto to wide public attention, reaching No.

9 on the Oricon charts and selling 343,000 copies.

Its lyrics, which candidly express the authentic emotions of a teenager, resonate across generations and remain etched in many people’s hearts even today.

Hum it with friends who remember those days at reunions or karaoke, and the nostalgia is sure to come flooding back.

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Cinderella of the Provisional ContractShiritsu Ebisu Junior High School

[Live] Provisional-Contract Cinderella Live at New Year University Arts Festival ~ebichu pride~ 2018.1.4

Cinderella of a Provisional Contract, Shiritsu Ebisu Junior High School

A song depicting a girl in glass slippers who wishes to be chosen by the prince.

Its lively melody, which samples Beethoven’s Für Elise, is especially striking.

Released in May 2012, the track drew attention as Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku’s major-label debut single.

Around the summer of 2020, a sped-up version went viral on TikTok.

It’s often used as background music for “oshi” introduction videos, gaining fresh popularity on social media.

It’s a great pick for anyone looking to get the party going at karaoke.

The choreography is simple and easy to learn, so dancing together is sure to double the fun!

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weeeekNEWS

NEWS – weeeek [Official Music Video]

weeeekNEWS

Johnny’s members who have started to go beyond the idol mold.

These days, NEWS has become that kind of presence too, hasn’t it? Still, their upbeat songs are so much fun to listen to.

This track will lift your spirits at the start of the week! And of course, it’s best for getting everyone hyped at karaoke on Saturday.

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