Aim for a high score! Karaoke songs for men to achieve top scores
If you’re simply aiming for a high score at karaoke, the key points for song selection will naturally be to choose songs with “easy-to-sing melodies,” “easy-to-understand lyrics,” and “clear, straightforward rhythms.”
That being the case, your picks will tend to come from the ’90s and earlier—so-called Showa-era and early Heisei kayōkyoku, new music, and J-pop.
Many recent songs have complex melodies and rhythms, and plenty of people think “This is hard!” after just one listen.
In this article, aimed at men who want to score high at karaoke, I’ve also proactively selected relatively singable tracks even from among more recent songs.
Compared to older hits, these are a bit more challenging to sing, but each song’s write-up includes tips and points to watch for to help you boost your score, so please use this as a guide and give them a try!
It feels great when you nail a high score!
Aim for a high score! Karaoke songs for men to achieve top marks (1–10)
Bunny GirlAKASAKI
The song “Bunny Girl,” which is frequently used on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts, is a signature track by the young singer-songwriter AKASAKI.
It features a light, cohesive rhythm and melody throughout.
While its catchy vibe tends to grab the spotlight, the truth is… this piece boasts one of the narrowest vocal ranges in all of J-pop.
On top of that, the pitch movement is very gentle, so as long as you stay in tune, anyone can aim for a high score.
Be sure to add it to your repertoire.
ACTORSora Tomonari
Sora Tomonari is a singer-songwriter with overwhelming support from teens.
His downbeat vocals and musical style are popular, and his songs frequently appear not only on social media like TikTok and Instagram, but also in TV and other media.
Among his tracks, the one I particularly recommend for aiming at a high score is “ACTOR.” While its dynamic progression is striking, the vocal line itself is simple, without complex pitch jumps.
There aren’t many long sustained notes either, so I imagine many people have found it surprisingly easy to rack up a high score.
AzaleaKenshi Yonezu
Kenshi Yonezu is a singer-songwriter who commands tremendous support from the general public with a wide-ranging musicality—from catchy ballads to downbeat dance tunes.
Recently, his sound has become more refined, and there’s been an increase in songs that aren’t particularly catchy for singers to perform.
However, Azalea is different.
Aside from a single falsetto that appears near the end, this piece is sung within a narrow range and doesn’t feature complex melodic rises and falls.
As long as you can nail that final falsetto, it’s definitely a song you can aim for a high score with.
Sakura, flutterSouthern All Stars
Southern All Stars, a band that has energized Japan’s music scene for decades.
No matter how young you are, you’ve probably heard one of their songs at least once.
Their new track is Sakura, Hirari.
Crafted as a pop ballad steeped in the wistful atmosphere of the ’80s, the song features a gently undulating melody line throughout, making it easy to sing.
A falsetto comes in near the end of the chorus, so take care with that part when you sing.
Goodbye ElegyMasaki Suda
This is actor Masaki Suda’s third single, released in February 2018.
It also served as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “Kiss that Kills,” in which Suda himself appears.
The song was composed by Huwie Ishizaki.
While Suda is well-regarded for his vocal ability, Ishizaki—known for the distinctive melodies in his own songs—seems to have kept the melody here less complex and difficult than the ones he sings himself, perhaps taking into account that Suda isn’t a full-time singer.
So if you pay attention to pitch and rhythm when singing it at karaoke, I think it’s relatively easy to score a high mark.
Above all, what matters most when singing Masaki Suda’s songs is “passion!” Go all out and aim for that high score!
Voice of the SeaKenta Kiritani
This is a single sung by actor Kenta Kiritani, released in July 2015 under the name “Urashima Taro,” familiar from the au commercials.
If you’re going to sing this song at karaoke, it shouldn’t be too difficult, since Kiritani himself sings it in a very simple, unaffected way and the melody is gently crafted.
Even the high notes that can sound a bit strained when you listen to him aren’t actually an unreasonable range when you try singing them yourself, so I think many men will be able to manage it in the original key.
If you sing it plainly and sincerely, scoring a high mark might not be just a dream!
SHUJINKOWhale at Night in the City
Under the concept of creating fantasy, the rock band Kujira Yoru no Machi has been churning out catchy songs and gaining popularity among young people.
Many of you may already know them, as their recent momentum has been tremendous.
From their catalog, the track I especially recommend is SHUJINKO.
It’s a sharp, rock-driven number, but the vocal range is relatively narrow and there aren’t complex melodic jumps.
As long as you pay attention to dynamics and pitch, it’s a song anyone can aim for a high score with.