Wonderful entertainment/performances

[2025] Classic Karaoke Songs That Hype Up Year-End and New Year Parties

Pop music writer/editorKEI
A style that keeps updating my favorites while loving mainstream and hit songs. I have experience writing articles for outlets like Utaten. Since I discovered music as a student, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. 2000s J-POP and 2010s K-POP were my youth, and I’m also loosely into jazz and R&B. I enjoy good music across genres with a “good is good” mindset. Thanks to my past work environment (and its influence), I listened to a lot of classic rock and kayōkyoku, which may have broadened my tastes. At RAG MUSIC, I mainly cover K-POP. I focus on reviews that emphasize feelings people can relate to, and on editing aligned with local pride and hit potential. Thank you!
Keyboard playerSAKI
I play Electone, piano, and piano with vocals, and I upload performance videos to social media like YouTube! I’ve loved Disney music since I was little and have played many pieces on the Electone. I’ve been a fan of GLAY since junior high, and from there I started listening to all kinds of music, both Japanese and international. In Western music, I like Avril Lavigne♫

Many of you probably go to karaoke for year-end or New Year parties, right?

At company gatherings, you might find yourself worried about song choices out of consideration for your boss or seniors.

You may become cautious, thinking, “What if I kill the mood…?”

But if you pick songs that are widely known across all ages and genders, or ones that get everyone involved with choreography or call-and-response, you’ll be fine!

Above all, it’s important to choose songs that everyone can enjoy together!

In this article, we’ll introduce go-to karaoke songs for year-end and New Year parties—popular picks that hit those key points—carefully selected by our editorial team!

We hope you find it helpful.

For men (51–60)

Magic CarpetTakaya Kawasaki

Takaya Kawasaki - Magic Carpet [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Magic Carpet Takaya Kawasaki

Takaya Kawasaki, whose fame and outstanding vocal ability spread rapidly through TikTok.

How about singing his viral hit “Mahou no Jutan” (Magic Carpet) at a year-end or New Year’s party? The song is included on his 2018 album “I believe in you.” While karaoke at year-end parties often leans toward upbeat, feel-good tracks, why not bring a tender, listen-and-savor type of song to capture everyone’s attention?

Raise the rankinglower

Choo Choo TRAINEXILE

EXILE / Choo Choo TRAIN (Short Ver.)

Choo Choo TRAINEXILE

A famous EXILE classic that everyone knows.

In the intro, you can all line up and enjoy doing that iconic dance together.

The difficulty might be a bit high, but if you sing it all the way through, it’s a really cool song.

Practice well and give it your best shot.

Raise the rankinglower

SaraiYuzo Kayama & Shinji Tanimura

Sarai: Yuzo Kayama / Shinji Tanimura

Sarai Kayama Yūzō & Tanimura Shinji

Released in 1992, this song is a gem of a masterpiece woven by Yuzo Kayama and Shinji Tanimura.

With lyrics themed around a “hometown of the heart,” it sings of distant homelands and cherished loved ones, resonating deeply with many.

It was created as the theme song for Nippon TV’s “24-Hour Television: Love Saves the Earth,” and has since continued to be traditionally performed during the program’s ending.

With its moving melody and lyrics, it’s perfect for farewells such as graduations or job transfers.

It’s also sure to unite participants and move hearts at year-end and New Year gatherings.

Raise the rankinglower

WOW WOR TONIGHT ~Sometimes Start a Movement~H Jungle with T

WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes You Gotta Start a Movement~

WOW WAR TONIGHT ~Sometimes Start a Movement~ H Jungle with T

A classic karaoke song guaranteed to get a big crowd going.

It’s the well-known 1995 mega-hit created through the collaboration of Masatoshi Hamada from Downtown and music producer Tetsuya Komuro.

It starts with a laid-back reggae-style groove, then gradually builds into a more rousing rhythm before exploding at the chorus—almost as if it’s designed to pull everyone in and hype up the room.

It’s an uplifting anthem that says, “Don’t worry, everything’s going to be fine,” a sing-along number that lets you feel a sense of unity with coworkers and friends.

Raise the rankinglower

Heroineback number

back number – Heroine (full)

Heroine back number

This is the 11th single by the three-piece rock band back number, whose bittersweet lyrics and vocals create a perfect atmosphere for the colder seasons.

The song was used in JR East’s “JR SKISKI” commercial and Kirin’s “Green Label” commercial.

With lyrics and a melody that evoke falling snow, it’s a love song that really hits home.

It’s also a great choice for karaoke at year-end or New Year’s parties in the heart of winter.

The overall key isn’t very high, so it’s easy to sing, but we recommend practicing thoroughly before performing so you can nail the band’s trademark, striking falsetto without going off pitch.

Raise the rankinglower

horizonback number

back number – Horizon

水平線back number

This song is perfect for those who want a piece that really showcases vocal power—one that captivates listeners.

Back number’s “Suiheisen” (Horizon) is a message song created for high school students whose Inter-High Championships were canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many people felt like nothing was going right and they couldn’t move as they wished.

It might be nice to sing this for those people.

And of course, you could sing it for yourself too, as a way to say, “I worked hard this year.”

Raise the rankinglower

Blue BenchSasuke

Blue Bench / Sasuke

Blue Bench Sasuke

When you think of Sasuke, it’s this song.

It’s about youthful love, so everyone reminisces about their own youth and the conversation really takes off.

Many people sang it in middle or high school music class, so another selling point is that lots of people can sing it from beginning to end.

Raise the rankinglower