[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!
- [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
- [Karaoke] Songs That Make It Easy to Score High | From Classics to the Newest Hits
[High Notes Warning!] Very high songs that are hard to sing (131–140)
On a night when cherry blossoms fallaimyon
A song by Aimyon released exclusively for streaming in February 2021, written and composed by herself.
At first listen, it doesn’t seem to demand particularly high notes, but in the latter half of the chorus she skillfully showcases high-register singing.
This section might be where women with higher voices can really shine.
However, in the original recording these high notes are sung in falsetto, so if you plan to follow that approach, please pay close attention to making smooth transitions between registers when you sing.
The strong and fleeting onesCocco
A signature song by Cocco released in 1997.
Since the verses outside the chorus are sung in a soft, relaxed way, you might think the pitch is low.
However, when you try singing it, the key isn’t as low as you’d expect—nor is it too high—so you can sing without tension.
The chorus also lets you bring out your higher notes comfortably without straining, making it a great pick even for people who aren’t used to karaoke.
Blues in the Closetzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.
Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni.
is a band that has won overwhelming support from young people with their catchy musicality and lyrics.
They’ve been consistently churning out hit songs, but among them are tracks that are tough to sing.
One I especially recommend is “Blues in the Closet.” It doesn’t have any insanely high parts, but once the chorus hits, the high notes just keep going, so the strain on your throat is far greater than it sounds.
Give it a try.
primary colorsYOASOBI
A song by the Japanese music duo YOASOBI, released digitally on July 2, 2021.
It was used in NTT Docomo’s “ahamo” commercial.
It’s an upbeat, very catchy track, and choosing it for karaoke will surely liven up the room.
YOASOBI’s vocalist, ikura, has a voice with a lot of high-frequency brightness, and the composition makes abundant use of high tones, so this could be a great showcase for women who are good at singing high notes.
However, the original recording seems to use fairly strong pitch-correction effects on the vocals, so trying to imitate that exactly could end up sounding odd.
It might be better not to sing it in an overly imitative way.
monotoneYOASOBI
YOASOBI’s masterpiece “Monotone.” For women, this song can be considered extremely difficult.
It prominently features high notes.
That alone would make it a fairly challenging piece, but on top of that, it also includes astonishingly low notes.
In other words, the vocal range required is quite broad.
While many people can sing high notes, those who can deliver both the highs and the solid lows are very rare, regardless of gender.
If you’re confident in your vocal abilities, give it a try.
Same BlueOfisharu Higedan Dism
Official HIGE DANDism’s new song “Same Blue.” While the vocal line is characteristically J-pop, the performance—especially the riffs—has a surprisingly rocky edge.
The toughest point of this piece is, without a doubt, the chorus.
Right from the start of the chorus, a falsetto comes in.
And it’s not just any falsetto—it’s a particularly high one even within the falsetto range, making it very challenging.
With the pitch moving up and down dramatically, only a small number of people will truly be able to sing it well.
usmilet
This is the third single by female singer-songwriter milet, released in August 2019.
It was also selected as the theme song for the NTV drama “Gisou Furin” (Deception/Adulterous Pretend).
Drawing on a background of being immersed in classical music from childhood and being so devoted to the flute that she aimed for a music university, she delivers a very bold vocal performance that showcases her ample breath control.
She also studied abroad in Canada during her teens, and the way she sings the English lyrics in the latter half of the song offers many points that could be instructive for Japanese listeners.
While it’s important to sing the soaring high notes of the chorus with a free, expansive tone, pay careful attention not to let the mid-to-low range in the verses become a throaty, mouth-only sound—keep it supported and avoid singing just from the throat.