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.

Songs that Liven Up Year-End and New Year Parties [1st–20th] (21–30)

FriendsREBECCA

REBECCA “Friends” (Shibuya Public Hall, Dec 25, 1985)

Friends REBECCA

The fourth single by the rock band Rebecca.

The female vocals riding on its hard rock sound captivated countless listeners.

With a trendy vibe to its world-building, it’s a song that many who spent their youth in that era feel deeply attached to.

The chorus is quite powerful—one you’ll want to belt out with all your strength.

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rainbowMasaki Suda

Masaki Suda 'Niji' (Rainbow)

Rainbow Suda Masaki

Masaki Suda’s pure, gentle vocals are moving in “Niji.” It’s a masterpiece written and composed by Huwie Ishizaki in 2020 as the theme song for the film STAND BY ME Doraemon.

The song is filled with gratitude for the people who are always by your side—partners, family, friends—and listening to it makes you feel happy.

It’s a number loved across generations, leaving a gentle warmth in your heart.

Please try to lighten the mood by singing it earnestly and unpretentiously, just like Suda does!

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Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48

[MV full] Koi Suru Fortune Cookie / AKB48 [Official]

Koisuru Fortune Cookie AKB48

The music video featuring everyday people dancing the choreography left a strong impression, and many people posted dance cover videos on social media, making the song a huge topic of conversation.

The dance, often called the “onigiri dance,” is really cute.

If the women sing and dance to it, the men are sure to be smitten!

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My Dear EllieSouthern All Stars

Southern All Stars – Itoshi no Ellie [Live at Southern All Stars Kickoff Live 2018 “A Slightly Naughty La-La Old Man”, 2018]

My Beloved Ellie - Southern All Stars

When it comes to karaoke, you can’t leave out Southern All Stars.

Their humor- and joke-filled songs are, of course, guaranteed crowd-pleasers, but how about going for a cool ballad here? If you’re a gentleman, sing it with a rugged, cool, and hot vibe.

For year-end or New Year parties, it’s also perfect for creating a peak moment by doing a “Keisuke Kuwata impersonation.”

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A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly

Superfly “A Bouquet With Love” Music Video

A bouquet with love Superfly

This is a signature song by Superfly, the solo project of Shiho Ochi.

It’s a grand, moving ballad with soaring strings, and Ochi’s powerful vocals convey a strong sense of determination toward the future.

While depicting the joy and happiness of being able to spend time with a loved one, it also expresses a heartfelt wish for that happiness to continue.

Because the track is notable for its powerful vocals, it’s important to sing in a way that conveys the message embedded in the song.

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For men (21–30)

We all sing our hearts out and feel the bond between men!

We’ve introduced our carefully selected 20 songs so far. You probably found at least one track that made you think, “This one could really hype things up!” But we’ve still got more recommendations from our editorial team, so from here, we’ll introduce our picks by gender. Let’s start with songs for men! In situations with a lot of guys, powerful sing-along anthems are especially recommended. You might even forge a bond between men that goes beyond the boss-subordinate relationship. We also have an article that rounds up recommended karaoke songs for men by decade, so if you’re interested, be sure to check that out! Related article:

For men (1–10)

PretenderOfficial HIGE DANDism

Official HIGE DANDism – Pretender [Official Video]

Pretender Official Hige Dandism

In 2019, the band Official HIGE DANDism had a massive breakthrough thanks to this song.

They’ve continued to release a string of hits since then, but when it comes to karaoke staples, this track still holds strong popularity! It’s a mid-tempo love ballad about unrequited love, and one of the best parts is how easy it is to get emotionally immersed in the heartbreaking lyrics and really sing your heart out.

However, if you’re a man singing it, the vocal range is extremely high, so it’s a good idea to lower the key by a few steps.

In fact, if you can sing it in the original key, people might be seriously impressed!

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LemonKenshi Yonezu

Kenshi Yonezu – Lemon

Lemon Kenshi Yonezu

A single by Kenshi Yonezu—the new-generation singer-songwriter who has dominated J-pop and enjoyed immense popularity since his days working under the Vocaloid producer name Hachi—this is his eighth major-label release.

Written as the theme song for the TV drama “Unnatural,” its poignant lyrics that evoke parting with a loved one and its superb melody made it one of the defining songs of 2019.

Because it’s a well-known hit, it’s perfect for karaoke at year-end and New Year parties, and since the overall key is low, it’s also easy to sing for men who aren’t comfortable with high-key songs.

However, the high notes in the chorus combine with melodic leaps and are easy to miss, so be sure to focus when singing.

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