Job Discussion Forums

[king of the bees]

Job-related, I guess.

Does anyone know of a good, Japanese song for a male singer that most Japanese people know and that can be found at most karaoke places? Particularly one that's available on youtube or elsewhere? Most of the Japanese music I know is probably either not available at most karaoke places, or if it is available is too girly or weird for me to be comfortable singing at a work function (e.g. Shiina Ringo). I was hoping to find a nice, mainstream hit that everyone could clap along to. Enka is fine. Better than fine, actually.

And I'm curious. Who here sings karaoke? What do you sing? Do you rock?

[kdynamic]

These are my standards for karaoke these days:

Sakura - Kobukuro
Sakura - Moriyama Naotaro
Shimauta - The Boom
Gamorous Sky - Nakashima Mika
Endless Story - Reina ft. Yuna
Rewrite - Asian Kung Fu Generation

The thing I figured out about karaoke, and what finally got me to like it (as someone who is a less than average singer), is that you should 1) pick songs because they are fairly easy rather than just because you like lisening to them and 2) you have to practice a few time at home first.

The first two are especially popular (everyone will know them) and are by male singers. The third one is a total classic and everyone will be shocked to hear you sing it.

Another thing I realized is Japanese people usually really like hearing you sing in English, so don't feel bad doing it! Especially if it's a famous song like the beatles or something.

[JimDunlop2]

Well geez! I'll be.... I think we've (for once) come across a question that I don't remember ever having been asked before! Congratulations!

Anyhoo, I'll agree with the Sakura one (the Naotaro version)... But I can't sing it so much as I can play it on the piano well. That really makes the Japanese people raise an eyebrow.

[kdynamic]

And there's always sekai ni hitotsu dake no hana by SMAP! That has to been the most karaoke'd song in recent history....

[Yawarakaijin]

My personal favourites are:

Love Love Show by They Yellow Monkey, very upbeat and fun.
Mou Hitotsu no Doyobi by Hamada Shogo, very slow and mushy. Easy.
anything by Spitz.

[bshabu]

I agree with kdynamic

Shimauta - The Boom

and

Linda Linda-The Blue Hearts
Cherry-Spitz(difficult but worth it)
That Japanese drinking song...something like "Zenkoku...something something" I don't know the title. Some help please. "Ichigatsu wa oshogatu. Osake ga nomeruzou" I know someone knows.

[Nismo]

Assuming you're a man,

Commercial, fun, corny foreigner: SMAP's Sekai ni Hitotsu Dake no Hana

Awesome foreigner bringing out traditional Okinawa style music: The BOOM's Shimauta

Strange, creepy foreigner: Anything by Morning Musume, ever.

[seanmcginty]

"Densetsu no otoko" by Hanawa was my karaoke favorite. The cool thing about that one is that you'll have everyone rolling in laughter when you sing it.