[60s] Karaoke Crowd-Pleasers Ranking [2025]

Subtly flashy (bling-bling, but nonchalant)Masahiko Kondo29rank/position

Gingiragin ni Sarigenaku by Masahiko Kondo

A savior for people who aren’t good at singing: that would be Matchy’s early numbers.

Their vocal range is extremely narrow and the melodies are simple, yet they’re flashy enough to work as proper pop songs, so they don’t bore listeners.

If you’re tone-deaf, you should sing Matchy’s early songs.

His later work is harder because his singing improved and his range expanded, but Kondo Masahiko’s songs in general are great for karaoke.

TokyoTakajin Yashiki30rank/position

Tokyo

Released in March 1993, this mood-kayō song fuses tearful enka with sophisticated urban pop.

Through Kansai-dialect lyrics, it movingly portrays a romance and breakup with a man she met in Tokyo, along with her complex feelings toward the city.

Takajin Yashiki was an artist who was active mainly in the Kansai region, also serving as a host of the popular program “Sei! Young.” This piece became a hit as requests on cable radio surged, ultimately selling a total of 600,000 copies.

In live performances, he would sometimes change the place name in the chorus to match the concert location, valuing a sense of unity with the audience.

When singing it at karaoke, it’s recommended to sing at an easy, relaxed pace while thinking of your hometown and the special people you’ve met.

North WingAkina Nakamori31rank/position

[Official] Akina Nakamori / Kita Wing (~Yume~ ’91 Akina Nakamori Special Live at Makuhari Messe, 1991.7.28 & 29) Kita Wing

Akina Nakamori’s song, which portrays the resolve and inner conflict of a woman in love, was released in January 1984 and reached No.

2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

On The Best Ten, it soared to No.

1 on January 19 and went on to hold the top spot for five consecutive weeks, becoming a major hit.

With a clear, transparent voice, it conveys the delicate emotions of a woman departing from Narita Airport for a foreign land.

Though there is anxiety in her decision to leave everything behind and fly off to follow her lover, her determination to move forward while holding onto hope for the future is striking.

The distinctive vocal style later known as the “Akina Vibrato” is also part of its appeal.

It’s the perfect song to sing at karaoke with friends while reminiscing about old times.

Forever with youYuzo Kayama32rank/position

Yuzo Kayama – Forever With You

Yuzo Kayama, affectionately known as Wakadaisho, is best known for his signature song “Kimi to Itsumademo” (“Forever with You”).

Released in 1965, the song is still used in various media today.

Its pure lyrics, which vow eternal love, are widely supported by both men and women.

It’s sure to get the crowd going if you sing it at karaoke.

12th graderKazuo Funaki33rank/position

Kazuo Funaki / High School Senior

This is Kazuo Funaki’s debut song, which became famous after his first appearance on the Kohaku Uta Gassen.

If you sing this song—hugely popular among women—at karaoke, it’s sure to delight women of the same generation.

Enjoy reminiscing about those pure feelings from back then.

You don’t have to go as far as wearing a school uniform, but if you stand tall and sing loudly and youthfully, it will definitely get the crowd going!

You are more beautiful than a rose.Akira Fuse34rank/position

You are more beautiful than a rose.

I bet even people in their twenties have heard the chorus.

Akira Fuse’s “Kimi wa Bara yori Utsukushii” is one of his signature songs, known for its soaring, glamorous melody.

It’s sure to liven up any karaoke session, but it’s also a very challenging song to sing.

Your eyes are 10,000 voltsTakao Horiuchi35rank/position

Your Eyes Are 10,000 Volts — Takao Horiuchi

This song is Takao Horiuchi’s first solo single, and since it was used in a cosmetics company’s autumn 1978 campaign commercial, many people may already be familiar with it.

Originally, the request came to Alice, but because Shinji Tanimura was unable to sing at the time due to illness, Tanimura wrote the lyrics, Horiuchi composed the music, and it became Horiuchi’s solo single.

It’s the kind of song that would really get everyone going at karaoke, especially when everyone sings the chorus together.