I Want to Sing at Karaoke! A Roundup of Recommended Oldies Classics and Popular Songs
Nostalgic oldies! How about singing a host of classic tunes that resonate in your heart along with memories of those days at karaoke? The Western masterpieces born mainly in the 1950s and ’60s have never faded with time and continue to captivate countless people even today.
In this article, we’ll introduce must-sing oldies for karaoke—from rock ’n’ roll to pop and ballads—beloved across generations.
Oldies often have simple melodies and are easy to sing.
From songs everyone knows to unexpected hidden gems, we’ve got a lineup guaranteed to get the karaoke crowd going!
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the ’70s to 2000s that are perfect for livening up karaoke
- [For Men] Cool, Popular Songs That Impress at Karaoke
- Even karaoke beginners can relax! Easy-to-sing songs for men
- When you can’t decide what to sing at karaoke: Easy-to-sing classic hits from the Showa era
- [Karaoke] A roundup of songs that are easy for women to sing!
- Popular songs that are easy to sing at karaoke. Recommended classics and hit songs.
- Easy-to-sing youth songs for karaoke: recommended classics and popular hits
- A lineup of classic hits! Karaoke songs recommended for the yutori generation
- Songs everyone knows across generations. A roundup of karaoke tracks anyone can sing, regardless of age.
- Karaoke songs popular with women that they want men to sing
- Gentle songs you want to sing at karaoke. Recommended classics and popular hits.
- [I want to sing out loud] Songs that feel great to belt and are fun for karaoke
- Packed with masterpieces! Karaoke songs recommended for women of the Yutori generation
I want to sing at karaoke! A roundup of recommended oldies classics and popular songs (31–40)
Save the Last Dance for MeThe Drifters
Titled “Save the Last Dance for Me” in Japan, this song was released by The Drifters in 1960.
And by The Drifters, we don’t mean the Japanese comedy group.
The lead vocalist at the time was the legendary Ben E.
King.
In Japan, it became a hit when covered by Fubuki Koshiji.
It’s a moving song said to have been written by a lyricist who couldn’t dance due to a bad leg, expressing his own feelings in the lyrics.
La BambaThe Real Ritchie Valens
This song was originally sung in Mexico for over 300 years, but in 1958, Mexican-American singer Ritchie Valens arranged it in a rock ’n’ roll style, performed it, and made it a hit.
In 1987, as the theme song for Valens’s biographical film “La Bamba,” Los Lobos covered it, bringing it back into the spotlight.
Jailhouse RockElvis Presley
With its striking intro, this song—known in Japan as “Kangoku Rock”—was the theme song for the Presley-starring film and was released in 1957.
Rather than the typical oldies love song, its lyrics make it a party tune themed around a state prison band.
When you sing it at karaoke, go all-in with energy!
Mr SandmanThe Chordettes
This song became the first major hit for the American female vocal quartet The Chordettes in 1954, reaching number one on the Billboard chart that same year.
In the film Back to the Future, a version by a group called The Four Aces is used, arranged with a swingy feel.
Rhythm Of The RainThe Cascades
Here is a song by The Cascades released in 1962.
It’s about a man who, after breaking up with his lover, thinks of her while getting soaked in the rain, yet the overall mood of the song is surprisingly bright and gentle.
In the arrangement, the opening features rain sound effects, and the celesta resonates throughout like the sound of rain, enhancing the atmosphere.
It’s a classic that has been covered in many different languages.
I want to sing at karaoke! A roundup of recommended oldies classics and popular songs (41–50)
Who’s Sorry Now?Connie Francis
On a solitary night, you’ll feel like listening with a glass in hand.
This song is by Connie Francis, a U.
S.
-born singer who also had a successful career as an actress.
Released in 1958, it became a huge hit.
It’s a poignant heartbreak song that portrays the sorrow of parting with a lover.
Love Me TenderElvis Presley
This song was released by Elvis Presley in 1956.
When he sang it on a TV show before the single came out, orders reportedly flooded in.
The original tune was the American popular song Aura Lee, published in 1861, and it had completely different lyrics.
It’s a short song with an easy-to-remember melody, so it’s also great for karaoke.