Top 20 Karaoke Songs in Japan: English Hits (Updated: 2021)

/ James N

We're near the end of 2021, so it's time to see what have been the most popular English songs that people karaoke in Japan. It's been 5 years since our list in 2016 with more songs from the 1970s making a comeback.

Fun fact: Karaoke is a combination of two words: kara (空) meaning 'empty' and oke a shortened word for 'orchestra.' Put together karaoke literally means 'empty orchestra' or figuratively 'one-person band.'

The top 20 song list below contains music spanning 50 years:

  • 2010s: 8 songs

  • 2000s: 0 songs (Cry me a river…)

  • 1990s: 4 songs

  • 1980s: 1 song

  • 1970s: 7 songs

So if you're at a karaoke bar and you want to sing a few English hits that Japanese people, depending on their age, will most likely recognize, these are the go-to songs.

Summary of 2021 List:

  1. A Whole New World / Aladdin

  2. My Heart Will Go On / Celine Dion

  3. Shape Of You / Ed Sheeran

  4. Let It Go / Idina Menzel

  5. Bad Guy / Billie Eilish

  6. Let it Be / The Beatles

  7. I Want It That Way / Backstreet Boys

  8. Top Of The World / Carpenters

  9. Bohemian Rhapsody / Queen

  10. What Makes You Beautiful / One Direction

  11. Dancing Queen / ABBA

  12. Yesterday Once More / Carpenters

  13. I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing / Aerosmith

  14. See You Again / Wiz Khalifa

  15. We Are The World / USA for Africa

  16. Closer feat. Halsey / The Chainsmokers

  17. Don't Stop Me Now / Queen

  18. Honesty / Billy Joel

  19. Love Yourself / Justin Bieber

  20. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together / Taylor Swift

1. A Whole New World / Aladdin

A popular Disney animated movie and song in 1992, the live-action remake in 2019 brought in a new generation of fans in their teens and 20s. Great duet for karaoke.

2. My Heart Will Go On / Celine Dion

One of the bestselling singles of all time for one of the bestselling movies of all time, Titanic. Celion Dion's 1997 sweeping love song has usually been in the top 5 ranking for many years now. If you're a hopeless romantic, this is the song to sing. A go-to hit for many Japanese women in their 20s and 30s.

3. Shape of You / Ed Sheeran

Catchy earworm music with a Caribbean vibe. Ed Sheeran's 2017 hit has been a top 5 karaoke song for the past 5 years. Many Japanese male teenagers are crooning this one.

4. Let It Go / Idina Menzel

Since 2014, the empowering Frozen theme song has consistently been a winner—owning the top #1 English karaoke song from 2014 to 2017. Like Aladdin's "A Whole New World," we think this will last for decades especially when there's a live-action remake eventually. Mostly popular with males and females in their 20s.

5. Bad Guy / Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish's 2019 hit is one of the newest songs to be introduced in the rankings and deservingly so for its low-key dark pop vibes. An almost equal amount of men (51%) and women (49%) sing this song.

6. Let It Be / The Beatles

Released in 1970, Let It Be turned out to be The Beatle's last album. While a song about searching for optimism, it also carried a theme of resignation as the group was burned out. They broke up shortly thereafter. Popular with men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s.

7. I Want It That Way / Backstreet Boys

The boy band craze was hot back in the 90s with I Want It That Way being the peak anthem in 1999. Popular with men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.

8. Top of The World / Carpenters

The Carpenter's 1972 hit is a simple enduring song that has staying power with a variety of audiences. An even 50-50 split between men and women with age ranges from 20s to 40s.

9. Bohemian Rhapsody / Queen

This 1975 classic is popular everywhere in the world. Great group karaoke song. Surprisingly, a majority of people in their 20s and 30s rock to this.

10. What Makes You Beautiful / One Direction

During a quiet period in the 2000s, the boy band craze returned in the 2010s with One Direction's debut hit. Popular with male teenagers and women in their 20s.

11. Dancing Queen / ABBA

Released in 1976 during the disco/ Europop craze, Dancing Queen captures the sound of the era. Popular with people in their 50s and above.

12. Yesterday Once More / Carpenters

The 1973 hit reminisces about a generation passing by, yet Yesterday Once More has become a timeless classic. Sung by people in their 40s and 50s.

13. I Don't Want To Miss A Thing / Aerosmith

A power ballad for the movie Armageddon in 1998, both film and song were the biggest hits of the year. Popular with people in their 30s.

14. See You Again / Wiz Khalifa featuing Charlie Puth

The tribute to Paul Walker and Furious 7 soundtrack was been a top 20 hit since it was released in 2015. Popular with men in their 40s and women in their 20s.

15. We Are The World / USA for Africa

This 1985 was a charity single featuring the greatest singers of the time (and many of time all-time) and has continued to be sung decades later. Popular with people in their 50s and their 20s.

16. Closer / The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey

The 2016 song makes it to the top 20 a second time after debuting on the list at #20 in 2017. Popular with men in their 40s.

17. Don't Stop Me Now / Queen

Released in 1979, it was a minor hit that gradually become one of Queen's greatest songs. Strangely attracting people in their 20s.

18. Honesty / Billy Joel

The 1978 hit is a pure ballad and one of Billy Joel's many songs about love and its complications. Popular with people in their 50s.

19. Love Yourself / Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber is no stranger to the top 20 with Baby (2012-2014) and What Do You Mean? (2016-2017) charting previous years.

20. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together / Taylor Swift

The 2012 hit was been a mainstay in the top 20 since release. Peaking at #2 from 2013 to 2015. It's gradually fallen since and most likely will not be part of the 2022 list. Popular with people in their 20s.

Honorable Mentions

Below is a list of songs that have either fallen out of the Top 20 or have been steady performers for many years, if not, decades. Songs are listed by the year of release, newest first.

Call Me Maybe

Poker Face by Lady Gaga

Bad Day by Daniel Powter

Stand By Me / Ben E. King

Can't Help Falling In Love / Elvis Presley

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