[High-pitched warning!] Songs with high notes that are hard to sing
The Japanese music scene is known for having a relatively low emphasis on groove, but an unusually large number of high-pitched songs.
In particular, since Japan has finally started earnestly incorporating overseas music in recent years, the overall level of songs has risen dramatically.
With that in mind, this time we’ve picked out Japanese songs that are on the higher side.
From songs with a wide vocal range, to tracks that have pinpoint high parts, to songs that stay in the high register throughout, we selected from a broad set of perspectives—so be sure to find the tracks that suit you!
- Recommended karaoke songs for male vocalists with high voices
- [Taking on a song with a wide vocal range] An S-class challenge track
- A masterpiece with exhilarating high notes. An enchanting high-tone voice.
- [Feels Great to Listen To!] Popular Songs by Female Artists with Captivating High Notes
- I want to sing songs that use a lot of falsetto—tracks that are also good for practicing falsetto at karaoke.
- Recommended for great singers! A collection of impressive songs if you can sing them
- Cool If You Can Sing! Popular Karaoke Songs Recommended for Women
- Pick out the challenging songs that will earn you respect if you can nail them at karaoke!
- [Karaoke] A roundup of songs that are easy for women to sing!
- Recommended for teenage girls! Easy-to-sing karaoke songs
- [Challenge] A Compilation of Anime Songs with High-Pitched Melodies and High-Tone Vocals
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- Great for karaoke song selection! Recommended easy-to-sing songs for Gen Z women
[High Notes Warning!] High Songs That Are Hard to Sing (61–70)
New Genesis (Uta from ONE PIECE FILM RED)Ado
This is Ado’s 10th single overall, released in June 2022.
It was chosen as the theme song for the animated film ONE PIECE FILM RED, with lyrics and composition by Yasutaka Nakata.
The song opens with Ado’s stunning high-tone a cappella, hinting right away that it will be a formidable challenge to sing at karaoke.
As expected, the track unfolds in a way that requires skillful switching of vocal registers throughout the melody.
To perform this song well at karaoke, mastering these vocal transitions is essential.
Although it’s slightly uptempo, be careful not to let your vocal rhythm rush ahead when you sing.
If you call it loveUru
Uru’s 12th single in total, released on June 1, 2022.
It’s a beautiful ballad chosen as the theme song for TBS’s Sunday drama “My Family.” To make this song sound good when singing it at karaoke, the key is, above all, to switch between various high-tone vocal techniques for each part of the song, just like Uru does.
Even in the powerful chorus sections, be sure to aim for high notes that never become harsh or piercing.
Flavor Of LifeUtada Hikaru
Utada Hikaru’s songs demand not only the right key but also strong vocal ability.
This track is one of her more challenging ones: for high-voiced singers, the low-pitched first verse (A-melody) can be a tough hurdle.
After that, the chorus features melodies that let you showcase a clear, beautiful head voice.
The range is wide and demanding, but if you can master it, you might just get closer to becoming a diva yourself!
HeroYOASOBI
It’s the 20th digital single by the music duo YOASOBI, released in September 2023.
The song is used as the opening theme for the TV anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.
It’s an up-tempo track built on a vocal melody that moves intensely and intricately up and down, and I feel it requires quite a high level of vocal ability and expressive control to sing well.
A precise sense of rhythm is also very important.
In addition to smooth and appropriate register transitions, the way you cut off notes and sustain them in each phrase is crucial.
I recommend writing out the lyrics, carefully marking where to cut notes and so on, and studying in advance before singing.
things that have formShibasaki Kou
This is Kou Shibasaki’s sixth single—she’s also active as an actress—released in August 2004.
It was used as the theme song for the hugely popular TBS drama “Crying Out Love, in the Center of the World,” so many of you have probably heard it.
It’s relatively easy to select for women with naturally high speaking voices, but the key to pulling it off lies in whether you can produce the soft, airy high tones that taper off at the very top—one of Shibasaki’s vocal hallmarks.
It’s a singing technique that can be quite difficult without formal vocal training, but it’s definitely worth the challenge.
MisterYOASOBI
This is YOASOBI’s 14th digital-only single, released on February 16, 2022.
For high-voiced female singers performing this song at karaoke, the main highlight is without a doubt the high-pitched phrase that appears quite suddenly at the start of the chorus.
This is the key section when singing this track, so be careful not to let your voice crack.
Try to avoid tightening your throat and aim for a clear, resonant high tone!
MHamasaki Ayumi
A song released in 2000 by Ayumi Hamasaki, one of the pop divas of the Heisei era.
Speaking of Ayu, she’s known for her distinctive tone and high vocals! Her songs are generally quite challenging for people with lower voices, but they’re perfect for those with a high range to really show their power.
The range between the chorus and the other sections is wide, but even the A verse and so on don’t go that low, so it’s a comfortable key for singers with higher voices.
Keep it relatively restrained until the chorus, then let it explode all at once!