[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 Pitch Warning!] High songs that are difficult to sing (181–190)
A gentle feelingChara
Chara’s 14th single, released in April 1997.
Chara has a very distinctive vocal timbre and singing style, but if you sing this at karaoke, try not to slip into doing an imitation of her.
If your voice happens to resemble hers, doing a playful impression might be a fun party trick to liven things up—but still, this song is arguably built around Chara’s unique voice and delivery.
So having just a naturally high voice may not be enough to pull it off easily.
That said, if you do have a high range, the melody itself is quite singable, so I encourage you to find your own approach and give it a shot!
[High notes warning!] Very high songs that are difficult to sing (191–200)
Like when we first metEvery Little Thing
Released in 1997, this is Every Little Thing’s fifth single.
It was featured in a commercial and became a big hit.
Many of you might feel nostalgic about it.
If you sustain the high notes in the chorus well, I think you can bring out the song’s refreshing quality.
Saviortsukuyomi
This is the 13th digital single from Tsukuyomi, the music project by Vocaloid producer YurryCanon, released in July 2023.
Amid a fiercely intricate, up-and-down vocal melody, vocalist Yue delivers a wonderfully dramatic performance, expertly switching among a wide array of high tones.
If you can nail this song coolly at karaoke, you’ll definitely draw everyone’s attention! That said, it’s a pretty difficult piece to sing, so please be careful not to strain your voice.
unravelAdo
The song “unravel” by TK, frontman of Ling tosite sigure.
Although it was released in 2014, it drew renewed attention toward the end of 2023 when Ado covered it.
The piece is famous as a difficult song with many high notes.
One of its challenging aspects is the variety of high-register vocals it demands: whisper voice, high parts with shouts, and even scream-style highs—the repertoire is extremely rich.
Beyond just the high notes, other elements are also difficult, so it’s fair to say the song requires a high level of vocal skill.
lensIkuta Rira
This is the sixth digital-only single by Rira Ikuta—who is also active as the singer ikura in the popular music duo YOASOBI—released on June 4, 2022.
It was chosen as the theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “Is Love Sustainable? ~A Marriage March Between Father and Daughter~.” The track Lens, which we’re introducing here, lets you fully enjoy Rira’s very pleasant high-tone voice, and it may be one of the best choices for women who are good at singing high notes to perform at karaoke.
When you actually sing it, even in the A-melody parts that sit relatively low, try to place your voice toward the upper palate; this should help you achieve a sparkling tone like hers.
Give it a try!
Fragments of LoveEvery Little Thing
It was released in 2000 as Every Little Thing’s 16th single.
It was used in a Shiseido “Ma Cherie” commercial.
The lyrics were written by the vocalist, Kaori Mochida, herself.
It reached No.
2 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.
The positive lyrics and soaring high notes are wonderful.
Tears Flowing EndlesslyNatsukawa Rimi
This is a timeless classic that never loses its luster, with lyrics Ryoko Moriyama wrote in memory of her brother who passed away early, beautifully sung by Rimi Natsukawa.
It’s hard to imitate her voice, but anyone with a high vocal range should be able to sing it with ease.
Please sing it with all your heart.