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A collection of nostalgic hits from the ’70s to 2000s that are perfect for livening up karaoke

When you go to karaoke with people from the same generation—like at class reunions, year-end parties, or New Year’s gatherings—nothing gets the energy up like nostalgic hits! The real charm of these retro tunes is that only those who lived through the same era can sing and listen while reminiscing about those days.

In this article, we’ve carefully selected hit songs from the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s—tracks that were beloved back then and are still cherished by many today.

Use this as a guide when choosing songs for karaoke with friends from your generation!

Playlist

20 Classic Oldies to Sing at Karaoke
show_chartTitlePlaylistOne point
1eastUntil the World Ends…WANDSIn the J-pop scene of the 1990s, one…
2eastBlue Coral ReefSeiko MatsudaIt became the spark that ignited the so-called idol boom...
3eastLOVE MachineMorning MusumeProducer Tsunku♂ provided the song and…
4eastNight of 15Yutaka OzakiIt influenced many young people at the time, and even now...
5eastSaudadePorno GraffittiA pleasant melody tinged with a Latin flair…
6eastLinda LindaThe Blue HeartsDespite having a relatively short activity period of ten years, the entire…
7eastI can’t stay a daydreaming girlNanae AikawaAs her debut single, it went on to symbolize her career…
8eastboyfriendaikoReleased in September 2000, this work is sweet…
9eastSOMEDAYMotoharu SanoIts mysterious worldview and poetic universe remain uniquely unmatched even now...
10eastGod of RomanceKohmi HiroseKohmi Hirose explains her signature song as the Queen of Winter
11eastSchool HeavenFinger FiveOkinawa-born and known as the Japanese Jackson 5…
12eastEt cetera related to the seashorePUFFYA female artist who symbolizes late-90s J-pop...
13eastMy RevolutionMisato WatanabeComedian Tomochika has repeatedly Watanabe Mi...
14eastcherry (cherry fruit; sakuranbo)Ai OtsukaThis song, one of Ai Otsuka’s signature tracks, is a J-P...
15eastCrossing Amagi PassSayuri IshikawaIshikawa Sayuri’s work that portrays burning passion and heartrending love...
16eastThe Maiden with Flaxen HairHitomi ShimataniA nostalgic melody that brings back memories of my youth...
17eastA Cruel Angel’s ThesisYoko TakahashiFrom childhood, I have been involved in various musical activities such as choirs and bands...
18eastSuddenly, SinbadSouthern All StarsAgainst a summer seaside backdrop, a light rhythm carries a youthful romance...
19eastOjamajo Carnival!!MAHO-doA magical song that captured the children’s hearts. M…
20eastNorth TavernTakashi HosokawaOne of Takashi Hosokawa’s signature songs, from 1982…
1970s–1980s
21eastFriendsREBECCA
FriendsREBECCA
NOKKO, who continues her energetic musical activities, ...
22eastMasqueradeShonentaiShonentai’s debut single became a big hit.
23eastRoppongi HeartbreakAnn LewisLyrics depicting urban loneliness and complex love, and t…
24eastSake, Tears, Men, and WomenEigo KawashimaHe sadly passed away young in 2001, and...
25eastYou are more beautiful than a rose.Akira FuseSpeaking of Akira Fuse, it’s “The Scent of Cyclamen”...
26eastYoko of the Port, Yokohama, YokosukaDown Town Boogie Woogie BandSet in the port towns of Yokohama and Yokosuka, searching for a certain woman…
27eastSubtly flashy (bling-bling, but nonchalant)Masahiko KondoMasahiko Kondo’s signature songs and the allure of 1980s idols
28eastUFOPink LadyPink Lady's smash hit song
29eastDo whatever the hell you want.Kenji Sawada
Do whatever the hell you want.Kenji Sawada
Known by the nickname Julie, and with vocal prowess that is...
30eastMARIONETTEBOØWYNumerous rock ba… in the J-pop scene
31eastSentimental JourneyIyo MatsumotoIyo Matsumoto's pure singing voice resonates in the heart.
32eastcrimsonX JAPANTheir appearance at the 2017 Kohaku Uta Gassen brought them back into the spotlight…
33eastDESIRE -Passion-Akina NakamoriWearing an eccentric outfit that could be seen as either traditional Japanese clothing or Western attire…
34eastMPRINCESS PRINCESSIf the karaoke has entered a laid-back (relaxed) time, …
35eastA long nightChiharu MatsuyamaKnown as a legend in the new music scene...
36eastYOUNG MAN (Y.M.C.A.)Hideki SaijoIn 1978, the American group Village People...
37east240 Million Eyes -Exotic Japan-Hiromi GoHiromi Go, who could be called a towering figure of Showa-era kayōkyoku...
38eastmetropolisCrystal KingFormed in 1971, they brought Western hard rock to...
39eastLonely Tropical FishWinkActive from the late 1980s through the 1990s…
40eastGo for it!Miyuki NakajimaA song known as one of Miyuki Nakajima’s signature works...
41eastDancing HeroYoko OginomeIt was a hit when it was released in 1985, and Fuji…
42eastFall in LoveAkiko KobayashiTV drama “To Friday’s Wives III: Love…”
43eastLove will winKANReleased as a quintessential example of Japanese cheer songs…
44eastRuby RingAkira TeraoWearing sunglasses with a blank expression, and in this footage, the ca...
45eastFull of memoriesH₂OIt became the theme song for the TV anime Miyuki, and it...
46eastSword DanceHikaru GenjiIt’s the fifth single by Hikaru GENJI, titled “Sta…”
47eastsummer festivalTsuyoshi NagabuchiThe guitar played by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi moves everyone who listens...
48eastRIDE ON TIMETatsuro YamashitaProbably the most famous among Tatsuro Yamashita’s works…
49eastapplauseNaomi ChiakiThe song that won the Japan Record Award in 1972, Chiaki...
50eastDream GuideMomoe YamaguchiThe 17th ... released in April 1977
51eastWords of FarewellKaientaiA wide range of fees for dramas, variety shows, and more...
52eastdragonflyTsuyoshi NagabuchiTsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s 20th single overall, “1…”
53eastLet yourself go with the flow of timeTeresa TengEnjoying immense popularity in Japan and other Asian countries…
54eastHigh School LullabyImo Kin TrioThis song is from Kinichi Hagimoto’s variety show Kin-Don!…
55easthuge nuisanceUnicornUniCorn’s albu… released in 1989
56eastGood-bye, My LoveAnn LewisIntense songs like “Roppongi Shinju” and “Aa Mujou”…
57eastMidnight DoorMiki MatsubaraCity pop from Japan, which has been gaining popularity mainly overseas…
58eastRest of the WarriorYoshito MachidaA Kadokawa Films classic, starring Hiroko Yakushimaru and Ken Takakura...
59eastRainy BlueHidemasa TokunagaTheir androgynous singing voice captivates fans, and in recent years...
60eastSEVEN DAYS WARTM NETWORKA 1998 work by TM Network, Miya...
61eastGloriaZIGGYChosen as the theme song for the TV drama “Dōkyūsei”...
62eastLove is overOuyang FeifeiWith its impactful looks and profound...
63eastUnder the big onionBakufū SlumpRunners, Rizo Rubber, and other intense up-tempo…
64eastHeartbroken over JuliaThe CheckersIt’s the Checkers’ fifth single, and on the Oricon…
65eastGive Up on SummerNaoko KenThey casually breeze through a slightly dark song with their own vocal prowess…
66eastAoba Castle Love SongMuneyuki SatoSato Muneyuki’s debut, released in 1978…
67eastMary JaneHiro TsunodaReflecting on my feelings for the beloved person I can never forget, sad...
68eastHarmony at Summer’s EndYosui Inoue & Anzen ChitaiHe served as the backing band for Yosui Inoue and…
69eastTouchYoshimi IwasakiTouch OP, Iwasaki’s smash-hit song
70eastStar Love LetterTHE BOOMThe Boom’s second release, issued in 1989...
71eastUntil we meet againKiyohiko OzakiHe made his debut as a solo singer in 1970…
72eastSmitten with youYellow Magic OrchestraA work released by YMO in 1983, in which the three members…
73eastBroken-winged angelAyumi NakamuraAyumi Nakamura, known for her powerful husky voice...
74eastCity LightsMasaaki SakaiFrom Masakazu Sakai’s 1973 work, with lyrics by Yū Aku, …
75eastTheme of A Proof of the HumanJoe YamanakaThe theme song of Kadokawa Pictures’ classic “Proof of the Man” and…
76eastCarmen ’77Pink LadyA hit song from 1977, a passionate love song
77eastDiamondsPRINCESS PRINCESSWhen it comes to Princess Princess’s signature songs, it has to be…
78eastOtomi-sanKasuga HachirōKasuga Hachiro’s breakout hit “Otomi-san” became a smash success.
79eastDream-Chasing SakeJiro AtsumiAtsumi Jiro’s signature song, which lyrically depicts lost love...
80eastBrother ShipsIchiro TobaIt’s a masterpiece that powerfully sings of the bond between fisherman brothers.…
81eastEquator Girl, Heart-Pounding!Kumiko Yamashita80s techno, Kumiko Yamashita's 'Equator Girl'
82eastIt’s nothing good.Tsuyoshi NagabuchiTsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s classic hit is a fiery song that's hugely popular among men.
83eastCAT’S EYEAnriThe opening of the TV anime “Cat’s Eye”…
84eastBoy in the back alleyShogo HamadaShogo Hamada’s classic song resonates with young people
85eastBurn, you fine womanTwistIt was The Twist’s fifth single, in 1979…
86eastTokyo Boogie-WoogieShizuko KasagiThe Allure of the Postwar Hit Song “Tokyo Boogie-Woogie”
87eastPremonition of PartingTeresa TengThe 1987 of Teresa Teng, known as the Diva of Asia...
88eastThe Bride of SetoRumiko KoyanagiThe hi… by Rumiko Koyanagi released in 1972
89eastSorry, tears.Toshihiko Tahara
Sorry, tears.Toshihiko Tahara
Together with Yoshio Nomura and Masahiko Kondo, "Tano..."
90eastCotton HandkerchiefHiromi OhtaHe is currently serving as Kasukabe City’s Public Relations Ambassador, the “Kasukabe Goodwill A…
91eastSwim, Taiyaki-kunMasato ShimonThe Great Adventure of Taiyaki-kun, a heartwarming classic song
92eastSnow CountryIkuzo Yoshi
Snow CountryIkuzo Yoshi
When it comes to timeless songs that evoke the winter season, ...
93eastRainy MidosujiOuyang Feifei
Rainy MidosujiOuyang Feifei
Set in Osaka in 1971, in pursuit of a lost love…
the 1990s
94eastfrecklesJUDY AND MARYFuji TV’s anime “Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji…”
95eastErotica SevenSouthern All StarsSensual, provocative lyrics and a Latin-flavored sound...
96eastRose of PassionTHE BLUE HEARTSA rock sound sung with fiery passion…
97eastsurvival dAnce 〜no no cry more〜TRFA signature song by TRF, a dance-pop mega-hit.
98eastSurely more than anyone else in the worldMiho Nakayama & WANDSMiho Nakayama and WANDS’s classic that sings of love and reunion
99eastLA LA LA Love SongToshinobu Kubota with Naomi CampbellA bittersweet classic song of carousel-like love
100eastJust by you being hereKome Kome ClubThe mere existence of a loved one is enough to make you happy...
101eastAt all times.Noriyuki MakiharaA melody and heart that bring back memories of my youth.
102eastLonging, poignancy, and strength of heartRyoko Shinohara with Tetsuya KomuroRyoko Shinohara’s moving Street Fighter theme song
103eastPure AsiaPUFFYJust from listening to the intro before the lyrics begin, this…
104eastGo for it!!UlfulsA hit song from the ’90s. It debuted at a low position…
105eastLike a white cloudSaru Iwa IshiHe’s in such high demand that there’s hardly a day you don’t see him on TV…
106north_eastcountrysideKoji TamakiStrength to overcome troubles in relationships and the hardships of everyday life...
107south_eastLOVE YOU ONLYTOKIOTOKIO's 1994 debut single. It sings of pure romantic feelings and gained support as an anime theme song. Fastest appearance at the Kōhaku Uta Gassen. (20 characters)
108eastApolloPorno GraffittiPorno Graffitti’s major-label debut sing…
109eastBambinaTomoyasu HoteiBest-of album “GREATEST HIT…”
110eastYAH YAH YAHCHAGE and ASKAOne of CHAGE and ASKA’s signature songs…
111eastRomantic FlightKome Kome ClubOverwhelming vocal ability, catchy songs, gorgeo...
112eastSly womanSharam QA song about the feelings of a man betrayed by a cunning woman…
113eastinnocent worldMr.ChildrenEveryone in the J-POP scene of the 1990s...
114eastsingle bedSharam QAmazingly, this song made it into the Oricon Top 100...
115eastMarunouchi SadisticRingo SheenaShe has also been active as a central figure of Tokyo Jihen, and her unique...
116eastI’ll walk home.Kazuyoshi SaitoIt’s an early masterpiece by Kazuyoshi Saito. The intro guitar...
117eastSummer Days of 1993classEven now, it keeps playing on TV and radio…
118eastMelty loveSHAZNASHAZNA’s major-label debut single…
119eastDon’t give upZARDThe biggest hit that raised ZARD’s profile and popularity…
120eastHONEYL’Arc〜en〜CielAmong L'Arc~en~Ciel's songs, “HON…” is one of the most popular.
121eastI want to take only you away just like this.DEENI kind of want to sing with a bit of echo at karaoke, sob...
122eastThe rattlesnake is comingTunnelsA comedian who represents Japan and still to this day...
123eastEven when I become an old ladyChisato MoritakaChisato Moritaka’s song released in 1992…
124eastbeetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aikoUsed a jazzy chord progression with a hook…
125eastGlass BoyKinKi KidsKinKi Kids, released in 1997…
126eastI should be able to fly (in the sky).SpitzOne of Spitz’s signature songs, and in music textbooks…
127eastWOW WAR TONIGHTH Jungle with TA collaboration between Downtown’s Masatoshi Hamada and Tetsuya Komuro...
128eastLa La LaMaki OhguroWith powerful vocals and passionate lyrics, people...
129eastinstinctRingo SheenaThe ending theme of NTV’s program “FUN.”
130eastPassionUAThis song is UA’s ultra-long-running hit, and U…
131eastOver the TroubleYuji OdaSpeaking of Yuji Oda, it’s got to be Bayside Shakedown—Bayside Shaked...
132eastcherrySpitzA quintessential Spitz classic that needs no introduction. Acousti...
133eastKiss me hereRingo SheenaThere are many masterpieces by Ringo Sheena, but this…
134eastNo, that’s not it.Masayuki SuzukiKnown by the nickname Martin and famous for love songs...
135eastOdoru Pompoko RinB.B. QueensA smash hit that defined the 1990s, ani…
136eastIsland SongTHE BOOMIt’s a very Okinawan-sounding song, with shamisen and Ryukyuan music...
137eastI’m proudTomomi KahalaIf I were to sing at karaoke, I’d go with a song produced by Tetsuya Komuro…
138eastSwaying feelingsZARDZard’s Izumi Sakai: “Yureru Omoi” is a masterpiece.
139eastFor loveTamio OkudaThis song is by Okuda, who performs as part of Unicorn...
140eastHOWEVERGLAYHOW..., GLAY's first million-selling release
141eastBecause I want to dreamAccessThe unit Access, consisting of Daisuke Asakura and Hiroyuki Takami...
142eastSAY YESCHAGE and ASKAFrom the late 1980s to the early 1990s, abso…
143eastTomorrow never knowsMr.ChildrenReleased in November 1994, Mr....
144eastWhite LoveSPEEDA four-woman vocal and dance group from Okinawa...
145eastI want to see you.Chikaco Sawada‘Aitai’ is a super hit song that recorded over a million sales...
146eastSummer ColorsyuzuA song that vividly captures the youth of summer. Refreshing…
147eastOn the night I fell in loveYosuke EguchiWhen it comes to classic songs that portray a bittersweet love, this one...
148eastBOY MEETS GIRLTRFA high so-and-so that could turn the entire venue into a disco...
149eastRefrain of SoulsYoko TakahashiThis is Yoko Takahashi’s 14th single in total, and…
150eastA Little LovePucchi MoniOne of the songs that can really hype you up with tons of energy is, well…
151eastI won’t fall in love anymore.Noriyuki MakiharaFrom the Nippon TV drama, “After the Children Go to Sleep,” …
152eastLOVE LOVE LOVEDREAMS COME TRUEIf you look at the karaoke history, there's a high chance the person before you...
153eastCHA-CHA-CHAAkemi IshiiAkemi Ishii makes her debut as a club singer
154eastThe road where the morning sun shines AS TIME GOES BYOriginal LoveOriginal Love, led by Takao Tajima, in 1994...
155eastBetween the Sky and YouMiyuki NakajimaBetween the sky and you, a moving masterpiece
156eastUntil the world endsWANDSSwept through the J-POP scene in the 1990s...
157eastTOMORROWMayo OkamotoShe is also active as a pianist under the name mayo, and…
158eastwinter fallL’Arc〜en〜CielAll members are the main composers, and...
159eastpresentJITTERINl’ JINA nostalgic breakup song that was popular on Ikaten
160eastBeyond the Night SkySMAPAnticipation for SMAP’s Reunion and the Appeal of the Classic Song “Yozora no Mukō”
161eastA town where it snowsUnicornA 1992 work by Unicorn, themed around the year’s end…
162eastChronic LoveMiki NakataniThe theme song of the TBS drama “Keizoku,” and the main…
163eastFRIENDSHIPH Jungle with TMasatoshi Hamada of Downtown and Tetsuya Komuro are doing a project where...
164eastPrecious JunkKen HiraiThis “Precious Junk” is Ken Hirai’s debut…
165eastI want to see you.Seiko MatsudaSeiko Matsuda’s … released in 1996
166eastAutomaticHikaru UtadaThey took the J-pop scene by storm in their teens, and even now…
167eastMrs. MermaidThe CheckersA classic hit by The Checkers released in 1991...
the 2000s
168eastPink Unrequited LoveAya MatsuuraPeople who aren’t from that generation have a different image of the artist…
169eastMelissaPorno GraffittiThe opening theme of the anime Fullmetal Alchemist...
170eastBLUE BIRDAyumi HamasakiOne of Ayumi Hamasaki’s signature songs, it has a bright and po...
171eastChocolate DiscoPerfumeWith its distinctive tone color and catchy refrain, it—
172eastOne Night CarnivalKishidanSpeaking of Kishidan’s hit songs, “Carnival Night”…
173eastOn the hill where the moon is visible tonightB’zEven if you’re not a B’z fan, if you’re a man, at least once you’ve probab…
174eastsummer festivalWhiteberryIt's a famous song that captures the bittersweetness of youth. At the summer festival...
175eastJupiterAyaka HiraharaA grand melody that evokes the greatness of the universe...
176eastMiracleGReeeeNThis song by GReeeeN conveys warm feelings of love and gratitude…
177eastShanghai HoneyORANGE RANGEAmong the songs that get everyone hyped at karaoke, the ones that are easy to sing…
178eastfireworksaikoA piece themed around the fleeting lights that color the summer night sky...
179eastFull-Power BoySukima SwitchAn inspiring song that brings back memories of youth...
180eastTSUNAMISouthern All StarsThe famous work by Southern All Stars released in 2000…
181eastcherry blossomKetsumeishiIt portrays the bittersweet ache of love that I remember when cherry blossom season comes...
182eastChoo Choo TRAINEXILEThis is a song that brings back memories of my youth. EXI…
183eastLifetime RespectMiki DōsanA representative song of Japanese reggae, ‘Lifet…’
184eastThe One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAPThe five-member group, now on its way to becoming legendary...
185eastLIFEKimagurenA refreshing scene of a midsummer sandy beach with a blue sky and the sea...
186eastYouthful AmigoShuji and AkiraSinging it as a duet will make it even more exciting...
187eastKiyoshi’s Zundoko SongKiyoshi HikawaA popular sing-along song that gets everyone excited
188eastLOVE 2000hitomihitomi's signature song 'LOVE 2000' is easy to sing.
189eastPremium salted grilled Kuroge Wagyu tongue 680 yenAi OtsukaWhen this song’s title first came out, out of sheer novelty...
190eastI wonder if it will be sunny tomorrow.Keisuke KuwataIn Keisuke Kuwata’s 2007 work, with Tomohisa Yamashita and…
191eastdogwood (flowering dogwood)Yo HitotoThis is one of Yo Hitoto’s signature songs. The September 11 attacks in the United States…
192eastMini Moni. Janken Pyon!Mini Moni.With members of Morning Musume and a new female singer...
193eastSnow BlossomMika NakashimaMika Nakashima herself appeared in Meiji Seika’s “boda…”.
194eastIn the Morning of DeterminationAqua TimezThe theme song of the animated film Brave Story...
195eastEverythingMISIAThe theme song of the Fuji TV drama “Yamato Nadeshiko”…
196easttravelingHikaru UtadaProduced based on the concept of an uplifting song...
197eastFlowerORANGE RANGEThe most famous song by ORANGE RANGE is...
198eastastronomical observationBUMP OF CHICKENBUMP OF CHICKEN's single...
199eastWekapipoSOUL’d OUTS…, a legendary Japanese hip-hop group,
200eastPreciousYuna ItoOne of Yuna Ito’s signature songs, featured in the film “LI…”
201eastI’ll be by your side.Thelma AoyamaIt's a love song filled with nostalgia and wistfulness...
202eastLife goes onDragon AshDragon, released in 2002 ...
203eastpowder snowRemioromenThe Fuji TV drama series “1 Litre of Tears…”