Yumi Matsutoya’s Most Popular Karaoke Songs Ranking [2025]

Late Summer (A Season for One)Yumi Matsutoya15rank/position

Late Summer (A Season for One)

Yumi Matsutoya’s “Late Summer (A Season Alone)” evokes a poignant feeling through images of the sky and flowers gradually changing.

Included on the 1976 album The 14th Moon, released when she was still known as Yumi Arai, the song was used as the theme for NHK dramas Summer Hometown and The Phantom Vineyard.

It’s in the natural scenery—the sky and plants—that we first sense the shift from summer to autumn.

The seasons change surprisingly quickly, and as the scenery transforms, the sense of wistfulness deepens.

Leaving various memories behind in summer, the song ultimately encourages a forward-looking heart—ready to embrace autumn’s own beautiful landscapes.

The last spring breakYumi Matsutoya16rank/position

The Last Spring Break / Saigo No Haru Yasumi (2022 Ｍix)

A beautiful ballad by Yumi Matsutoya that gently embraces the transience of the season when spring arrives and the milestone of graduation.

With tender emotion, it portrays the feelings of saying goodbye to student life while carrying a faint crush and lingering attachment, set against quiet scenes of the school.

Included on the album “OLIVE” and released in July 1979, this piece features Matsutoya’s delicate vocals and soft piano melody that resonate deeply.

It gently depicts moments that evoke nostalgic memories—such as classrooms bathed in spring sunlight and the sound of footsteps along long corridors—and is a song that, when listened to with older adults, can spark lively reminiscences of each person’s youthful days.

Sweet premonitionYumi Matsutoya17rank/position

Sweet Premonition / Ann Lewis

This is a track from the seventh album, OLIVE, released in 1979.

It was written for Ann Lewis, and later covered by Yosui Inoue.

With a very cute, bouncy feel, it sings about the feelings of a pure girl who’s just fallen in love.

The Beach Boys even make an appearance in the lyrics.

ronde (also rendered as rondo or round dance)Yumi Matsutoya18rank/position

Yumi Matsutoya – Rondo

“Messages from Yuming: Songs of Love” was released in April 2018.

Yumi Matsutoya continues to captivate many fans no matter how many years have passed since her debut.

“Rondo,” which is also included on this album, is a song released in 1995.

It was used in the TV drama “Tatakau Oyomesama” (The Fighting Bride).

The intro that begins with a Spanish-style guitar makes you want to dance as soon as you hear it.

With the same phrases repeating, it’s an easy song to sing.

Many people probably choose “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at karaoke, but why not change things up once in a while and try singing this one too?

If I'm wrapped in kindnessYumi Arai (Yumi Matsutoya)19rank/position

Wrapped in Gentleness – Yumi Arai (Yumi Matsutoya)

“Wrapped in Gentleness,” also famous as the theme song for the Studio Ghibli film Kiki’s Delivery Service.

It’s a classic from Yumi Matsutoya—affectionately known as Yuming—during the period when she performed under the name Yumi Arai.

What makes this song so easy to sing is above all its widespread recognition.

Because it’s known by both children and adults, it’s a go-to choice for karaoke when multiple generations are gathered.

If you’ve never sung it before, take this opportunity to add it to your repertoire.

The melody is easy to remember, and it’s a very gentle, soft song.

ambushYumi Matsutoya20rank/position

Yumi Matsutoya – Machibuse

Composed and written by Yumi Arai (now Yumi Matsutoya), this song attracted attention when Seiko Miki sang it in 1976.

Later, in 1981, Hitomi Ishikawa covered it and it became a major hit, leading to her first appearance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen—a memorable milestone.

The melody is simple and the vocal range is not wide, making it easy to sing even for those who aren’t confident singers.

If you picture the bittersweet feelings of love expressed in the lyrics while you sing, your performance will be even more compelling.

It’s also likely to be well-received as a nostalgic classic at gatherings with senior colleagues or supervisors.

pen pal correspondenceimase × Yumi Matsutoya21rank/position

[imase × Yumi Matsutoya] Correspondence (Music Video)

How about a special duet that bridges generations? It’s a song by imase, a singer of the new generation, and the legend Yumi Matsutoya.

Created to celebrate the 60th anniversary of audio equipment maker BOSE, it was released in May 2025.

Crafted in a relay style like exchanging letters, the song captures listeners’ hearts with a romantic worldview that longs for someone far away.

The sophisticated, bossa nova-inspired sound is irresistible.

If you sing it at karaoke, tune in to each other’s voices and keep it tender.