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 (11–20)

Suddenly, SinbadSouthern All Stars

Sneaky Shindbad by Southern All Stars

Katte ni Sindbad Southern All Stars

It’s Southern All Stars’ debut song and one that represents the band.

The lively, fast-paced sound evokes the excitement of an event setting, and the playful shifts in phrasing are a fun highlight.

The call-and-response parts are also important—and since they’re simple, even people who don’t know the song can easily join in.

Keisuke Kuwata is a staple for impersonations, too, so you can enjoy singing it straight or perform it as a parody bit to get the crowd going.

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My Past Life, Many Lifetimes AgoRADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Zenzenzense [original ver.] [Official Music Video]

Zenzenzense RADWIMPS

This song, which gained popularity as the theme for the 2016 film Your Name that became a major sensation, is familiar to many since so many people saw the movie and it was widely talked about at the time.

Its upbeat tempo makes it easy to get into, so you can count on it to get the crowd going!

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PERFECT HUMANRADIO FISH

【MV】PERFECT HUMAN / RADIO FISH

PERFECT HUMANRADIO FISH

The signature song of RADIO FISH, a dance group centered around the comedy duo Oriental Radio.

If you perform that dance, it’s sure to be a hit at end-of-year or New Year’s parties, right? It also sounds fun to practice the dance with your coworkers.

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Goodbye ElegyMasaki Suda

Masaki Suda “Sayonara Elegy”

Goodbye Elegy Masaki Suda

This is the third single by Masaki Suda, a singer who continues to set himself apart with his exceptional talent both as an actor and as an artist.

Chosen as the theme song for the TV drama Todome no Kiss, it also drew attention for being written by singer-songwriter Huwie Ishizaki.

It marked Suda’s first-ever drama theme song.

With its catchy hook and driving energy, it’s the kind of track everyone can sing together at karaoke.

Since the key is relatively low, it’s a great pick for men looking to try a song at year-end or New Year parties.

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For men (21–30)

HANABIMr.Children

Mr.Children「HANABI」 Tour2015 REFLECTION Live

HANABIMr.Children

Mr.

Children has long led the J-pop scene and is loved by a wide range of listeners across generations! That’s why their songs are perfect for karaoke at year-end and New Year parties where people of various ages gather.

Among them, this song—which was also the theme for the drama Code Blue: Doctor Heli Emergency Lifesaving—has a relaxed tempo and is easy to sing.

The vocal range should be just within reach for men with a typical voice, so go ahead and give it a try!

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PerfumeEito

Perfume / Eito (Official Music Video)

Eito - Perfume

Eito’s “Perfume” is a song that became widely known and a huge hit in 2020 after many TikTok videos used it.

Starting with an opening about getting a message from an ex-girlfriend, it’s a ballad that portrays a man’s bittersweet feelings.

You might think a ballad isn’t right for a party, but this one is different! Despite its early popularity, it wasn’t initially available in karaoke, so many people were left saying they wanted to hear it.

And if you’re a man, you can’t help but relate to this song.

It’s sure to be a hit at year-end or New Year’s parties with lots of men!

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Is there still anything that love can do?RADWIMPS

RADWIMPS – Is There Still Anything That Love Can Do? [Official Music Video]

Is there still anything that love can do? RADWIMPS

RADWIMPS gained a broader fanbase—not just rock band fans—after being chosen to perform the theme song for Makoto Shinkai’s film Your Name.

Following that, they created this song as the theme for Weathering with You! It drew a lot of attention, so many of you probably know it.

The contrast between the simple melody leading up to the chorus and the grand, beautiful melody of the chorus makes it a dramatic piece.

If you can sing it with a deep, rich voice like Yojiro Noda’s, you’re guaranteed to be a crowd favorite!

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