[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
- [If You Can Sing These, You're Amazing!] Cool Karaoke Songs 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!] Very high songs that are hard to sing (131–140)
fragileEvery Little Thing
Every Little Thing is a beloved national band cherished by people of all ages.
Their song “fragile,” which took the No.
1 spot on the 2001 Oricon annual karaoke chart, carries the meaning of being delicate or breakable.
It’s a ballad that expresses the fragility of the human heart—how small triggers can lead to misunderstandings or cause things to fall apart.
With its overall slow tempo and minimal pitch variation, it’s easy to sing without straining your voice, which is one reason for its popularity.
It’s recommended to sing it with emotion that matches the lyrics.
Crackers on the back of my mindzutto mayonaka de ii no ni.
Judging by the unit’s name alone, Zutto Mayonaka de Iinoni is a very distinctive female vocal unit.
This is their second digital single, released in October 2018.
The vocalist ACA-ne (Akane) appears to possess highly advanced vocal technique, skillfully switching throughout the song between various tones—from powerful high notes using head voice to gentle highs using falsetto.
This variation is used very effectively, making the track an excellent reference and practice piece for singing high notes.
While it’s quite challenging to master, I’d strongly recommend it to anyone aiming to become a high-tone singer.
LuluAdo
Ado’s recently released hit song “Lulu” is a piece that portrays defiance against society, crafted with an intensely aggressive sound that matches its lyrics.
Packed with Ado’s unique appeal, the track is highly challenging to perform.
The chorus, in particular, embodies that difficulty: the latter part alternates rapidly between high head voice and chest voice, demanding exceptional control of the throat.
The song also makes natural use of shouts, so if you’re confident in your vocal abilities, be sure to check it out.
I was the only one who liked it.suisou gurashi
This is the third single from the project Suisougurashi by composer s-num, released in September 2021.
It’s a song with a very brisk tempo that’s simply fun to listen to.
The singer for Suisougurashi, Eye, has a beautifully clear high tone, and in this track she skillfully uses mixed voice and falsetto to deliver a gentle, soft high register that matches the song’s atmosphere perfectly.
Falsetto (head voice) is sometimes seen as a “cop-out” when you can’t hit the high notes, but being able to control falsetto this well actually takes a great deal of skill.
To all the high-voiced female singers reading this, definitely give this song a try!
WishNakajima Mika
Mika Nakashima, a singer who has continued to captivate fans since her debut with her translucent voice and exotic looks.
Her 47th single “Wish,” chosen as the ending theme for the TV anime Berserk: The Golden Age Arc – Memorial Edition, is a ballad whose grand ensemble stirs the heart.
The start of the chorus—entering with edge voice and shifting into falsetto—is both a highlight and a spot where it’s easy to go off pitch, so I especially recommend focusing carefully when singing it.
If you’re a woman who excels at high tones, paying attention not only to technique but also to dynamics will make you stand out even at karaoke, so give it a try.
VoiceSuperfly
Superfly made her debut on April 4, 2007.
The song Voice, which I’m introducing here, was released digitally on April 4, 2022 to commemorate the 15th anniversary of her debut.
Shiho Ochi has been widely praised for her vocal ability since her debut, and that prowess remains undiminished 15 years on.
In this track, she masterfully employs a range of vocal colors—from powerful, resonant high notes with a solid core to gentle highs with a soft timbre—delivering a superb performance.
Because this song is performed by a singer with exceptionally high expressive ability, it may be difficult to sing if you are simply good at hitting high notes.
Still, for women confident in their upper register, it’s a must-try piece to tackle with a powerful, soaring high tone that approaches the original.
againYUI
Singer-songwriter YUI has continued to captivate listeners with a voice that conveys both ephemerality and strong conviction.
Her 13th single, “again,” which was selected as the opening theme for the TV anime Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, also drew attention for featuring Stereopony’s SHIHO on drums during the recording.
Despite its high key, the song is challenging due to its unique fast-paced phrasing and complex melody, so it’s important to learn it thoroughly before performing it at karaoke.
Since it’s an anime opening, mastering it tends to draw attention from male audiences as well, so why not give it some practice?