[Karaoke] Guaranteed to get the crowd going! A collection of up-tempo Japanese songs
There are plenty of chances to go to karaoke with school friends or coworkers, right?
What often trips people up at times like that is, of course, picking songs.
A lot of people probably feel like, “If I’m going to sing, I want a crowd-pleaser, but I don’t know what to choose.”
There are all kinds of hype songs, but in this article we’ll focus on up-tempo tracks and recommend lots of great picks!
They’re all guaranteed crowd-pleasers for karaoke, so if you’re ever stuck choosing, definitely use this as a reference.
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the ’70s to 2000s that are perfect for livening up karaoke
- This is a sure hit! Hype songs men will want to sing as the first track at karaoke
- Karaoke songs everyone can sing: Japanese tracks that are easy to enjoy with a group.
- [I want to sing out loud] Songs that feel great to belt and are fun for karaoke
- [For Men] This song is perfect for hyping up the crowd at karaoke!
- [For Men] Want to Hype Up the Karaoke? A Roundup of Recommended High-Energy J-Pop/Rock
- Get the Laughs! Funny Karaoke Songs That Hype Up the Crowd
- [2025 Edition] Songs You Can Scream at Karaoke: Recommended Japanese Tracks for Stress Relief
- Hype Level Maxed! Party Anthems Recommended for the Yutori Generation
- Cool songs that will go over well at karaoke
- [For Women] Easy-to-Sing and Crowd-Pleasing Karaoke Songs
- Recommended for high school students! Fun, crowd-pleasing songs for karaoke
- Perfect for karaoke song choices too! Hype tracks recommended for Gen Z.
[Karaoke] Guaranteed to Get the Crowd Going! A Collection of Upbeat Japanese Songs (21–30)
kawa-E (cute)Yabai T-Shirts Yasan
Yabai T-Shirts Yasan have delivered lyrics full of relatable, everyday “aruaru” moments set to sharp, edgy melodic hardcore.
That hilarious mismatch between the chuckle-inducing lyrics and cool performance is the best, and it’s brought a lot of joy to their fans! In this particular song, the pun-like lyrics really stand out.
The bright, catchy vibe and the briskly woven lines feel incredibly pleasant, don’t they? Plus, the back-and-forth vocals between Koyama on guitar and Shibata on bass make it a fun track—so when you sing it at karaoke, be sure to try it as a duet!
LOVE MachineMorning Musume
When it comes to upbeat songs that fire up a karaoke crowd, you just can’t leave this one out! A massive hit from the ’90s that also became the group’s first million-seller.
This is the song everyone in Japan can sing and dance to, and it dramatically accelerated the Morning Musume boom.
The best-of album released in 2013 includes an EDM arrangement of this track sung by the lineup at the time, and it continues to be loved across generations.
Above all, this is a song that gets way more exciting when sung together with a group rather than solo!
[Karaoke] Guaranteed to Get the Crowd Going! A Collection of Upbeat Japanese Songs (31–40)
FateOfficial HIGE DANDism
Official HIGE DANDism has many songs that really “draw you in,” but this one stands out for its catchy groove and cool vibe.
The same phrase is repeated with power, and the almost shouted, spoken style makes it perfect for belting out at karaoke.
Start with this track and then try tackling more songs by Official HIGE DANDism.
Sugar Song and Bitter StepUNISON SQUARE GARDEN
Released in 2015, this song was written as the ending theme for the anime Blood Blockade Battlefront.
It’s also popular as a karaoke pick, and even though some time has passed since its release, people still sing it a lot! The sound has a fresh, breezy feel that evokes spring and summer, and the brisk, fast-paced melody is guaranteed to liven up the room when you sing it.
The key might be a bit high for men, but that could make it easier for women to sing.
Try singing it together as a couple or with friends and get the party going!
NO MONEY DANCEYabai T-Shirts Yasan
Even when your wallet’s feeling tight, this track will get your body moving before you know it! It’s a super upbeat song by Yabai T-Shirts Yasan, with lyrics that are a raw cry of “I want money,” delivered over an insanely catchy rock sound—honestly, it’s the best.
It’s included on the album “You need the Tank-top,” released in September 2020.
Perfect for those times when you’re broke but still want to get hyped at karaoke!
SHAMROCKUVERworld
An upbeat UVERworld track that livens up any karaoke session.
It was chosen as the theme song for the drama “Dandori ~Dance☆Drill~” starring Nana Eikura.
While UVERworld often has a cool image, this pop and refreshing number is accessible to both singers and listeners alike.
That said, it still retains UVERworld’s signature style—pay attention to the rap-like sections and TAKUYA∞’s raspy vocal parts! One of UVERworld’s charms is how their songs show many different facets within a single track, so it might feel challenging at karaoke, but this is a song you can just have fun singing and forget all that!
Sora-buneTOKIO
Released in 2006 as TOKIO’s 35th single, it debuted at number one on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and became a major hit.
Written and composed by Miyuki Nakajima, its powerful rock sound and characteristically Nakajima-style lyrics make it a crowd-pleaser at karaoke.