The strong and fleeting onesCocco1rank/position

Cocco “The Strong and Ephemeral Ones” Music Video

Cocco is a female singer-songwriter who was active from the late 1990s to the 2000s.

She is known for a style that incorporates alternative rock and grunge into J-pop, and she excelled at soft, delicate vocals.

Among Cocco’s songs, the one I especially recommend is “Tsuyoku Hakanai Monotachi” (“The Strong and the Fragile”).

The vocal line has gentle rises and falls, and the range isn’t very wide, so even women in their 30s with lower voices can sing it without any trouble.

Consider adding it to your repertoire.

scene of carnage; chaotic situation; crisis (literally: battlefield of asuras)Tokyo Incidents2rank/position

Tokyo Incidents – The Battlefield (Shuraba)

Tokyo Jihen is a band that has consistently produced hit numbers and classic songs up to the present day.

Their single ‘Shuraba’ is their third release, and unlike their earlier rock-leaning sound, it features a jazzy, decadent melody with a kayōkyoku-like flavor that aligns more closely with their current musical style.

Although the vocal range is fairly wide (mid1F to hiF), the piece is relatively easy to sing because the vocal line is simple and the lyrics are sparse.

The impassive, mechanical vocal delivery also means it doesn’t demand much expressive nuance, which further contributes to its singability.

Song of LoveKumi Koda3rank/position

Kumi Koda – Ai no Uta

Kumi Koda’s classic song “Ai no Uta.” Since it was released in 2007, some people might not know it, but many have likely heard it through TV dramas and the like.

The piece is crafted as an emotionally rich ballad.

While it calls for a bit of expressiveness, its vocal range is narrow—mid1 G# to hi C—and the melodic rises and falls are gentle.

If you track the pitch carefully, it’s a song with which you can definitely aim for a high karaoke score.

instinctRingo Sheena4rank/position

Ringo Sheena – Instinct

Shiina Ringo’s signature song “Honnō.” These days, “Marunouchi Sadistic” is often cited as her representative work, but for women in their 30s, this piece might be considered Shiina Ringo’s flagship song.

Although her vocal timbre can make it less obvious, this song actually has a fairly narrow range.

As a result, it’s arranged in a way that’s easy to sing even for women with lower voices.

If you want to make it sound even better, try singing it in a key where your edge voice comes out most naturally.

planetariumAi Otsuka5rank/position

Ai Otsuka / Planetarium

Ai Otsuka’s song, which portrays a heartrending love, is striking for its beautiful wording and clear, pure vocals.

Garnering attention as an insert song for the TBS drama “Boys Over Flowers,” it was released in September 2005 and reached No.

2 on the Oricon charts.

It is also included on the album “LOVE COOK” and the best-of album “Ai am BEST,” and is beloved by many as one of Ai Otsuka’s signature tracks.

The lyrics convey the determination to look forward even while carrying the pain of heartbreak, making it a song that gently supports those troubled by love.

It’s also a great recommendation for anyone looking for an easy-to-sing track for karaoke.

StoryAI6rank/position

Story – AI (Full)

This is AI’s 12th single overall, released on May 18, 2005.

Because AI is highly acclaimed for her vocal ability—and on top of that, this is a slow ballad—many people who aren’t confident singers might hesitate to choose it at karaoke.

However, the melody itself isn’t difficult at all; it’s actually quite easy to sing, so there’s no need to be afraid of it.

That said, what’s important for making this song sound good is to thoroughly understand the piece, including the lyrics, before you sing.

I believe the most crucial point of expression in this song is conveying emotion through the lyrics and valuing the rests—the spaces between phrases and between words—as part of your singing.

Shangri-LaChatmonchy7rank/position

Chatmonchy “Shangri-La” Music Video

Chatmonchy is a girls’ band that gained popularity in the 2000s with a sound rooted in pop rock and indie rock.

If you’re a woman in your 30s who likes Japanese rock, you probably listened to their songs quite a bit.

Among Chatmonchy’s tracks, the one I especially recommend is Shangri-La.

The song’s lowest note is mid2 C and the highest note is hi D#, but the hi D# appears only once, and the main high phrases are built around hi C.

While it is a high-pitched song, the range isn’t wide, so if you lower the key appropriately, it should be quite singable.