[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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- 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
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- 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! Popular Showa-Era Kayōkyoku Hits (31–40)
FriendsREBECCA
The song became a massive hit after being selected as the ending theme for a TV drama.
When Rebecca reunited in 2015, they made their first appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen and performed this song.
Even in recent years, it has been used as a theme song for TV dramas, remaining timeless more than 30 years after its release.
Your eyes are 10,000 voltsTakao Horiuchi
This is a single released in 1978 by Takao Horiuchi of Alice as a solo artist.
It reached No.
1 on the Oricon singles chart and became a major hit.
The lyrics were written by Shinji Tanimura, and the music was composed by Horiuchi himself.
The song was created for Shiseido Cosmetics’ autumn campaign.
Life is full of ups and downs.Chiyoko Shimakura
Released in 1987, this song became popular among younger generations after Kuniko Yamada and Korokke performed it as impressions, leading to even greater success.
It was performed three times on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, and even after Chiyoko Shimakura passed away, it continued to be cherished—for example, it was adopted as the train approach chime at Keikyu Aomonoyokocho Station—remaining a timeless classic passed down through the years.
Love RadiantHibari Misora
This song, sung by Hibari Misora and created around the theme of familial love, was released in the year she marked the 40th anniversary of her debut.
Kei Ogura, who wrote and composed the piece, reportedly took part in the recording and even asked the venerable Hibari Misora to adjust her singing—an anecdote that reflects the depth of his feelings for the song.
EnchantedJudy Ong
It was released in 1979 as Judy Ongg’s 28th single.
According to Oricon’s tally, it sold 1.
23 million copies and became one of her signature songs.
It was used as a commercial song for the underwear maker Wacoal, and its distinctive costume also became a hot topic.
[2025] Songs I Want to Try Singing at Karaoke! A Collection of Popular Showa-Era Kayōkyoku Hits (41–50)
Love is overOuyang Feifei
It’s a song that could be considered one of Fifi Ouyang’s signature tracks about heartbreak.
Ouyang, who is from Taiwan, recalls that she wasn’t very proficient in Japanese at the time of the release and didn’t fully understand the lyrics.
In recent years, JUJU’s cover has made the song known among younger generations.
School HeavenFinger Five
A signature song by Finger 5 that sings of the bittersweet crushes of youth.
With lyrics by Yu Aku and music by Tadao Inoue, the song charmingly captures the pure feelings of student days.
Upon its release in March 1974, it became a major hit and catapulted Finger 5 to stardom.
The school-themed love song came to symbolize their musical style.
Fourteen years later, Kyoko Koizumi covered it, drawing renewed attention and ensuring its enduring popularity.
Sing it at karaoke, and it will surely bring back the sweet memories of school days that almost everyone has experienced at least once.