Today we look at the most popular karaoke English songs in Japan.

While karaoke is ubiquitous around the world, Japan just happens to take it to another level. After all, it was invented in Japan: kara meaning 'empty' and oke a shortened word for 'orchestra.' Basically, a one-person band.

Most Japanese karaoke bars (especially the professional chains) have internet-connected machines, so the rankings are accurate with a decent sample size. In fact, if you're feeling like a superstar, you can enable scoring rank for each personal performance to share (and compete!) online nationally. But that's for another story.

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

1970s: 4 songs

1980s: 1 song

1990s: 5 songs

2000s: 0 songs (Apologies to Black Eyed Peas, Usher, OutKast and Lady Gaga)

2010s: 10 songs

The biggest question is how much of the expat community and foreigners influence the list. While there's no denying that there is greater contribution than normal, Japan is 98.5% ethnic Japanese.

English is studied in Japan from elementary to high school. While not fluent speakers, the average Japanese should be able to read English. Also Western culture is quite widespread, so it's safe to assume this list reflects Japanese tastes for foreign music.

Summary of 2015 List:

20. Dancing Queen by ABBA

19. I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston

18. I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys

17. Good Time by Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen

16. Story of My Life by One Direction

15. Live While We're Young by One Direction

14. I Really Like You by Carly Rae Jepsen

13. Yesterday Once More by The Carpenters

12. We Are The World by USA for Africa

11. Let It Be by The Beatles

10. Break Free by Ariana Grande & Zedd

9. Top of The World by The Carpenters

8. I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith

7. A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme) by Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle

6. Shake It Off by Taylor Swift

5. What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction

4. Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen

3. My Heart Will Go On by Celion Dion

2. We Are Never Getting Back Together by Taylor Swift

1. Let It Go by Idina Menzel

Full details below include typical gender and age demographics along with other popular songs that didn't make the cut :

20. Dancing Queen by ABBA