Japanese karaoke songs that are easy for men in their 60s to sing

RunawayRATS&STAR

Runaway

When it comes to the groups that laid the foundation for soul music and R&B in Japan, Rats & Star surely comes to mind.

As their black-coated appearance suggested, they had deep respect for Black music.

Their song “Runaway” is one of their signature tracks, blending elements of Black music with kayōkyoku and J-pop into a very singable style.

The vocal range is relatively narrow, from mid1 D# to mid2 G, so as long as you focus on the groove, you should be able to aim for a high score.

interaction; friendly contact; bondingMasatoshi Nakamura

interaction; friendly contact; bonding

Masatoshi Nakamura has been active across a wide range of fields as an actor and singer.

As a singer, his main profession is acting, so it’s not that he possessed exceptionally high technical skill, but his expressive vocals did help him establish a place for a time.

Among Nakamura’s songs, one I especially recommend as an easy pick for aiming high karaoke scores is Fureai.

Its vocal range is quite narrow, spanning from mid1 A to mid2 D#, the tempo is a moderate BPM 123, and the melodic movement is much gentler compared to contemporary songs, so it should be quite feasible to target a high score.

If the end of the chorus is difficult to project, instead of using mixed voice, another option is to raise the key by one or two steps and sing it in falsetto.

scarecrowMasashi Sada

scarecrow

Among people in their 60s, those in the latter half of the decade likely experienced the heyday of folk music.

Many of you may have been particularly struck by Masashi Sada’s lyrics, overflowing with originality and narrative depth.

Of all his songs, the one I especially recommend is Kakashi.

Its range is an average mid1 A# to mid2 F#, and because the pitch movement is fairly steady, it’s easy for anyone to sing.

The melody has an ennui-like mood, so be sure to sing it together and get the vibe going.

ChinatownEikichi Yazawa

Eikichi Yazawa 'Chinatown' / EIKICHI YAZAWA CONCERT TOUR 2023 'Welcome to Rock’n’Roll'

Eikichi Yazawa has produced many classic songs over the years.

There are likely many men in their 60s who have been fans since the Carol era.

Among his tracks, one I especially recommend is Chinatown.

The song’s vocal range is relatively narrow, from mid1 B to mid2 G#.

If you’re just following the pitch, it should be quite manageable.

However, because Yazawa employs a shout-infused singing style, trying to imitate that can make the difficulty skyrocket.

So, rather than sticking too closely to the original, aim to sing it in a comfortable key for you.

Another SaturdayShogo Hamada

Another Saturday (single / 1985)

Shogo Hamada’s classic “Another Saturday.” Although this song is renowned for being easy to sing, that doesn’t mean it has a narrow vocal range.

In fact, it spans a fairly typical range of mid1 C to mid2 F.

So why is it considered easy? Because the average pitch centers around mid2 A#, the so-called “A,” which sits in the middle area where humans find it easiest to produce sound.

The vocal line also has few dramatic rises and falls, so as long as you adjust the key properly, it’s a song with which anyone can aim for a high score.

Premonition of LoveSafe zone

Koino Yokan

The classic hit by Anzen Chitai, “Koi no Yokan.” While the lyrics are heartrending, the melody itself exudes a very seductive allure, and the song is considered indispensable when discussing 1980s pop ballads.

Although the piece features many low notes, the vocal line is fundamentally easy to sing.

In the last part of the chorus, the pitch suddenly jumps up on the word “kakenukeru,” and if you find that part difficult, try pronouncing it as “kuu-kye-nukeru.” It’s a simple tweak, but just changing the pronunciation can improve your vocal production, so I recommend it.

In the night sky after the rainKiyoshiro Imawano

Kiyoshiro Imawano - In the Night Sky After the Rain

Speaking of Kiyoshiro Imawano, his musical style is striking for evoking nostalgic scenes within a punky vibe.

Among his works, “Ameagari no Yozora ni” especially showcases his musical character.

While the highest notes aren’t very high, the pitch mid2F# appears frequently, so when adjusting the key, it’s best to center your tuning around that note.

The lyrics are a bit risqué, but it’s a song that tends to get the crowd going at karaoke, so consider adding it to your repertoire.