[2025] Songs I Want to Try Singing at Karaoke! A Roundup of Popular Showa-Era Kayōkyoku
Even in the 2020s, the songs that still enjoy unwavering popularity at karaoke are the kayōkyoku hits that colored the Showa era.
The term “Showa kayō” is well known even among younger generations, partly thanks to the global popularity of city pop and more.
Above all, there are simply so many timeless classics—these are beloved tracks that keep getting sung at karaoke across all ages.
For those of you who are eager to try singing Showa-era kayōkyoku, this article rounds up recommended popular karaoke picks, focusing mainly on hits from the 1970s and 1980s.
Every song is a famous tune you’ve likely heard at least once, so teens and people in their 20s—feel free to use this as inspiration for your karaoke repertoire!
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- From Showa-era kayōkyoku to pop: songs that sound cool when you can really sing them
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- Popular 80s hits for karaoke. Sing kayōkyoku and pop songs!
- [Karaoke] A roundup of songs that are easy for women to sing!
- [Showa Era] A roundup of nostalgic folk song classics and popular tracks you’ll want to sing at karaoke
- Classic enka songs you’ll want to sing at karaoke: recommended popular tracks
- Even karaoke beginners can relax! Easy-to-sing songs for men
- Songs that make you sound good at karaoke
- Songs I want men in their 70s to sing: a roundup of tracks I'd like to hear at karaoke
[2025] Songs I Want to Try Singing at Karaoke! A Compilation of Popular Showa-Era Kayōkyoku Hits (21–30)
Falling in LoveAkiko Kobayashi
Released in 1985 as Akiko Kobayashi’s debut single, it was used as the theme song for the TBS drama “Friday Wives III: Fall in Love.” It won the Newcomer’s Award at the 27th Japan Record Awards and remains a classic that is still widely covered by many artists and sung at karaoke.
Good-bye, My LoveAnn Lewis
This was Ann Lewis’s first hit song.
Although she’s known for her striking rock style, she was still following an idol route at the time, so this song is sung in a cute, charming manner.
It has been covered by many artists, but the version sung by Teresa Teng has been especially beloved across Asia for many years.
[2025] Songs I Want to Try Singing at Karaoke! Popular Showa-Era Kayōkyoku Hits (31–40)
UFOPink Lady
This song, arguably Pink Lady’s signature track, is their biggest hit single.
In recent years, even a DVD where the duo teaches the choreography has been released, leading to more people performing it with the dance moves.
Some karaoke models even feature a Pink Lady “choreography master” version, which is quite popular.
Northern SpringMasao Sen
Released in 1977, this song’s lyrics depict a man living in the city who receives a parcel from his family home and reminisces about his hometown in early spring, his family, and a past love.
It became a million-seller and won the Long-Seller Award at the 21st Japan Record Awards.
celebratory sakeFuyumi Sakamoto
Released in 1988 as Fuyumi Sakamoto’s third single, it became a long-running hit.
It won the Gold Prize at the 30th Japan Record Awards, and with this song she made her first appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
Even today, it’s loved as a celebratory song often sung at weddings.
From the northern innHarumi Miyako
It was Harumi Miyako’s 66th single, released in 1975.
It became a million seller and won the 18th Japan Record Award.
At the 27th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, on the strength of this song’s hit status and the many music awards it received, she served for the first time as the Red Team’s closing act and the overall finale in her 12th appearance.
Snow TrainKiyoshi Maekawa
Yuki Ressha (Snow Train) was Kiyoshi Maekawa’s solo debut single, released in 1982, and it marked a memorable starting point for him as a solo singer.
Looking back now, it’s somewhat surprising that the lyrics were written by Shigesato Itoi and the lyrics and music were by none other than Ryuichi Sakamoto.
It’s one of the quintessential Showa-era kayōkyoku classics themed around snow and is extremely popular in karaoke, so many younger people have likely heard it at some point.
Rather than enka, the production leans more toward pop, and its poignant, melancholy melody sits on the lower side pitch-wise, making it easy to sing.
Try practicing so it doesn’t become too flat—like Maekawa does, aim to deliver each word with care and a touch of sultriness.