Songs that liven up group mixers: a curated list of easy-to-sing, crowd-pleasing hits and classics!

Goodbye ElegyNEW!Masaki Suda

Masaki Suda “Sayonara Elegy”

This is the third single by Masaki Suda, who is active not only as an actor but also as a singer.

Released in February 2018, it was chosen as the theme song for the Nippon TV drama “Kiss That Kills” starring Kento Yamazaki.

With a relatively narrow vocal range and a simple, easy-to-remember melody line, it’s a song that’s easy to sing at karaoke.

Its catchy sense of speed and memorable chorus are packed with elements that will get everyone hyped.

It’s a popular track known across generations, so it’s a safe bet even for group hangouts.

Having someone you likeNEW!JY

JY 'Have Someone You Like' Music Video Short Ver.

This is the second single released in August 2016 by Jiyoung, a former member of KARA.

It was also chosen as the theme song for Fuji TV’s Monday 9 p.

m.

drama “Suki na Hito ga Iru Koto,” and it left a lasting impression on many viewers.

Set to lively guitar tones and an up-tempo melody, it portrays the emotions at the very moment one realizes they’re in love.

The music video directed by Mika Ninagawa also became a hot topic.

At group mixers with karaoke, its catchy melody and approachable lyrics make it a great song to liven up the mood.

If you sing honestly about the feeling of being in love, you’re sure to leave a good impression.

FlowerNEW!ORANGE RANGE

ORANGE RANGE “Hana” MV

This is the eighth major single by the five-member rock band ORANGE RANGE from Okinawa, released in October 2004.

As the theme song for the film “Be With You,” it deeply moved many people, delivering a heartfelt message to a cherished loved one.

The single topped the Oricon Weekly Chart for four consecutive weeks and also claimed the No.

1 spot in the 2005 annual karaoke rankings.

In karaoke, it’s even enjoyed as part of a drinking game where the person who sings the lyric “hana” (flower) has to take a drink.

Although the song has a gentle, mellow tone, it has a curious charm that lets everyone get energized together—making it a perfect choice when you want to stir emotions at a group date.

Old-fashionedNEW!back number

back number – Old Fashion (full)

Released in November 2018 as the 19th single, this song was newly written as the theme for the TBS Friday drama “A Big Love: With You Who Forget Me.” It’s a gem of a love song that layers the miracle of an unexpected encounter and the memories that remain after parting with a lover onto the small, everyday motif of a donut.

The lyrics heighten the poignancy as they shift from a complementary relationship—“you had everything I was missing”—to a sense of loss recounted in the past tense.

Set at a mid-tempo pace, the melody should be easy to sing at karaoke!

Last sceneNEW!Ikimonogakari

Ikimono-gakari “Last Scene” Music Video

One of the double A-side singles by Ikimono-gakari, written in 2016 as the theme song for the film Your Lie in April.

It’s a ballad centered on themes of “death” and “parting,” and the bittersweet longing for someone dear in the spring light resonates in the heart through Yoshioka’s tender, embracing vocals.

With its beautiful melody that stays close to your feelings, it’s a song you can pour your emotions into as you sing.

Recommended when you want to perform with a calm, gentle atmosphere or create a reflective mood.

Be sure to showcase this acclaimed classic, which was selected for the Excellence Award at the 58th Japan Record Awards.

KanadeNEW!Sukima Switch

Sukima Switch – “Kanade” Music Video : SUKIMASWITCH / KANADE Music Video

This is the second single by Sukima Switch, released in March 2004.

Featured as an insert song in the film “Rough,” among many other tie-ins, this gem of a ballad portrays parting, growth, and the bonds that continue through music.

In 2006, it was also used as the ending theme for the final day of “Nettou Koshien,” and is widely known as a song symbolizing youthful farewells.

With its relaxed tempo, it’s easy to sing and is a classic that almost everyone has heard, making it perfect for humming along with others at karaoke.

If you can handle the leaps in pitch and the falsetto in the chorus, there are plenty of satisfying moments—an evergreen crowd-pleaser that’s sure to be a hit even at group hangouts.

SaudadeNEW!Porno Graffitti

Pornograffitti “Saudade” MUSIC VIDEO

This song, whose title means “nostalgia” in Portuguese, is a heartrending love ballad that deliberately uses feminine speech to depict the protagonist’s complex feelings at the end of a romance.

While accepting the breakup, it poignantly sings of lingering attachment and memories that remain deep in the heart, expressing down-to-earth emotions anyone can relate to.

Released in 2000, it reached a personal best of No.

1 on the weekly Oricon chart and became Porno Graffitti’s first million seller.

It features some slightly rapid-fire sections and a key change in the latter half, but its Latin-flavored sound is easy to groove to and makes it a crowd-pleaser for karaoke.