[50s] Karaoke Songs That Get the Crowd Going: 2025 Rankings

Full of memoriesH₂O22rank/position

Miyuki ending theme song: Omoide ga Ippai by H2O (Mokkyun)

A gem-like ballad filled with memories of youth.

Its melody gently embraces bittersweet first love and the journey of growing up, resonating deep in the heart.

Released in March 1983, it was also used as the ending theme for the anime “Miyuki.” After being featured on TBS’s “The Best Ten,” it became a major hit, reaching No.

7 on the Oricon chart.

This song marked a turning point for H2O and greatly influenced their subsequent musical career.

Beloved as a graduation song, it’s a popular choice for music classes and choir competitions.

It’s especially recommended for times when you want to look back on nostalgic memories or before parting with someone important.

Go for it!Ulfuls23rank/position

Ulfuls Gatsu Daze

This is a fantastic track that gives you confidence and energy.

Its disco-style rhythm, catchy guitar lines, and positive message are compelling, giving you the courage to try without fearing failure.

Released by Ulfuls in December 1995, the song’s exposure on TV and in the media at the time rapidly boosted the band’s popularity.

Included on the album “Banzai,” it led to their first appearance on NHK’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1996, and that same year they also won the Golden Arrow Music Award.

It’s the perfect song for when you need courage to keep facing challenges or want to fire yourself up.

It’s also great for getting hyped together with friends and uniting your hearts as one!

That's important.Daiji MAN Brothers Band24rank/position

Daiji MAN Brothers Band – That's Important

A song by Dai-Ji MAN Brothers Band released in August 1991, their third single.

Thanks in part to securing tie-ins with several TV programs at the time, it became a massive hit, selling over 1.

6 million copies in total.

Perhaps reflecting the spirit of that era, the “let’s just do our best” type of lyrics might feel a bit out of step with today’s trends, but let’s not sweat the small stuff—just enjoy this upbeat melody and catchy rhythm to the fullest!

Suddenly, SinbadSouthern All Stars25rank/position

[Live] Southern All Stars 'My Forplay Music ~ Katteni Shindobaddo' 2013

This song is the debut single by Southern All Stars, who have now become a truly legendary band, and it was released in 1978.

The title and the lyrics are largely unrelated; it’s said to quote the phrase “Katte ni Shinbad” from a Ken Shimura comedy bit that mashed up Kenji Sawada’s then-popular song ‘Katte ni Shiyagare’ and Pink Lady’s ‘Nagisa no Sindbad.

’ It’s a real crowd-pleaser, so singing it at karaoke will never bring the mood down.

Highly recommended.

dragonflyTsuyoshi Nagabuchi26rank/position

Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi – Tonbo / THE FIRST TAKE

It’s one of Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi’s signature songs, and you can feel a straightforward emotion of powerful determination coming through.

It drew attention as the theme song for the drama “Tonbo,” starring Nagabuchi himself, and it’s also well known that Kazuhiro Kiyohara used it as his entrance theme during his pro baseball days.

Centered on acoustic guitar, it’s a robust piece of folk rock whose raw, gritty sound evokes the image of a man’s clumsy way of life.

The lyrics, which seem to depict the struggles of a young person who has come to Tokyo from the countryside, are memorable, and the song conveys a sense of someone steeling their heart to overcome setbacks and keep moving forward.

It’s a nostalgic track that at the same time powerfully brings back the desperate determination of youth.

single bedSharam Q27rank/position

Sharam Q “Single Bed” (Music Video)

This is a wistful ballad that poignantly sings of lingering feelings for a former lover, a classic that gently teaches the preciousness of love.

As the protagonist looks back on memories left behind on a single bed, they realize that a romance once taken for granted was in fact more valuable than jewels, weaving a moving drama.

Released by Sharam Q in October 1994, the song became a major hit, ranking 24th on the year-end charts.

It was also used as the ending theme for the anime D.

N.

A²: They Were Once a Thing, and included on the album Inferiority Complex.

It’s the perfect track for reminiscing about youthful love while sharing memories with friends.

Pink sighMariko Takahashi28rank/position

Pink sigh

It is a masterpiece that fuses an exotic, Mediterranean-like atmosphere with an urban, sophisticated sound.

The song dreamily portrays a woman who blossoms like a flower when embraced by her lover, expressing both the beauty and the fragility of love.

Mariko Takahashi’s delicate yet powerful vocals further deepen the work’s unique world.

Released in May 1984 as the commercial song for Sanki’s “Camellia Diamond,” it was also included on the album Triad.

Highly acclaimed—including winning the Lyrics Award at the 26th Japan Record Awards—it became a long-running hit.

With a quiet mood that hints at hidden passion, this is a perfect track for spending peaceful moments with someone special.