Lovely karaoke song

[Karaoke] Guaranteed to get the crowd going! A collection of up-tempo Japanese songs

DancerFukkun:)Tatsuki Fukuda
Primarily active in Tokyo, I have experience as a backup dancer for artists, a music video dancer, and a commercial dancer. I continue to work as a dancer while also engaging in article production. After discovering Michael Jackson in junior high school, I began dancing in my second year of high school. Since starting dance, in addition to the J-Pop and Japanese rock I had been listening to, I began exploring Western R&B, rap, alternative music, and other tracks commonly used for dance. In elementary school, I spent three years in a choir, and because I love singing, I often go to karaoke for fun. These days, I enjoy a wide range of music, from Japanese rock and rap to K-pop.
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerWakachan Araki
I started playing guitar in middle school and focused on band activities during my student years. I’ve been a hobbyist Vocaloid producer for over 15 years. After entering the workforce, I gained experience in various roles, including event sound engineering and videography/photography. As a writer, I’ve contributed introduction articles for music and manga websites, and in 2022 I had the opportunity to write the bonus liner notes for IA SUPER BEST. My specialties are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

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.

[Karaoke] Guaranteed to Get the Crowd Going! Upbeat Japanese Songs (51–60)

SenbonzakuraWhiteFlame feat. Hatsune Miku

"MV" Senbonzakura WhiteFlame feat. Hatsune Miku

Senbonzakura WhiteFlame feat. Hatsune Miku

Even if they don’t know about Vocaloid or Hatsune Miku, there are probably people who still know this song.

With an MV that evokes the Taisho romantic style, lyrics that are provocative yet build a unique worldview, and a melody that brilliantly fuses vivid piano with flashy rock sounds, its charms are countless.

As a karaoke song, it’s easy to sing, cool, and enjoyable for anyone.

Released in 2011, it went on to become a new karaoke staple.

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FlenjerAi Otsuka

Ai Otsuka / Frienger (Short Ver.)

Franger Ai Otsuka

Released in 2006 as Ai Otsuka’s 11th single.

It was featured in a commercial for Toshiba’s “au CDMA 1X WIN MUSIC-HDD W41T.” “Frienger” is a coined word that refers to wonderful friends.

The song itself is a happy tune you can listen to with an easygoing, upbeat smile, and it’s a relaxed, fun song to sing.

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Driver’s HighL’Arc〜en〜Ciel

L’Arc en Ciel_Driver’s High_20th L’Anniversary Live day2

Driver's HighL'Arc〜en〜Ciel

L’Arc-en-Ciel, who also made headlines with their 30th-anniversary live show in 2022, are known for producing many high-tempo tracks.

Among them, one particularly exhilarating song is “Driver’s High.” It captures the feeling of getting pumped up while driving.

With its classic rock melody, it’s sure to liven up the crowd when you sing it.

The vocals by hyde feature plenty of signature techniques like kobushi (vocal trills) and shakuri (slide-ins), so try to consciously imitate them.

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Banzai VenusSKE48

Banzai Venus SKE48 Banzai Venus

Banzai Venus SKE48

SKE48 is an idol group based in Aichi Prefecture.

Their fifth single is “Banzai Venus.” It’s a cheer song for women who have a hard time confessing their feelings.

With its pop melody and powerful vocals, it’s an energizing track.

When you sing it at karaoke, try performing it brightly and powerfully like the original.

There are chorus parts and shout-along phrases, so having your friends join in will definitely liven things up.

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[Karaoke] Guaranteed to Get the Crowd Going! A Collection of Up-Tempo Japanese Songs (61–70)

Happy surpriseNaniwa Danshi

Naniwa Danshi – Happy Surprise [Official Music Video] YouTube ver.

Happy Surprise Naniwa Danshi

If you want to make your karaoke session super lively and exciting, I recommend Naniwa Danshi’s “Happy Surprise”! Released in 2022, this song is all about planning a surprise for someone you like.

It’s perfect to sing as a surprise for the birthday of someone special—whether it’s your crush, your partner, or a friend! With its sparkling, happy vibe, it’s sure to fill the room with warmth.

Why not gift your special someone a song, complete with the cute choreography?

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NostalgiaNanae Aikawa

Nostalgia

Nostalgia Nanase Aikawa

It was released in 1998 as Nanase Aikawa’s 10th single.

The song was used in the Hitachi Maxell “Maxell MD” commercial and became a hit, selling over 200,000 copies.

The lyrics were written by Nanase Aikawa and Tetsuro Oda, with composition and arrangement by Tetsuro Oda, resulting in an up-tempo rock number characteristic of her style.

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MintNamie Amuro

Mint / (Lyric Video)

Mint Namie Amuro

Released in 2016 as Namie Amuro’s 44th single.

The song was used as the theme for the Fuji TV drama “Boku no Yabai Tsuma,” starring Hideaki Ito, and it reached No.

4 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

It’s a dance-rock number featuring cool vocals that deliver provocative lyrics with striking impact.

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