[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 difficult to sing (191–200)
Taisho RomanticismYOASOBI
This is a digital single by the Japanese music duo YOASOBI, released on September 15, 2021.
It is said to be based on the novel Taisho Romance by NATSUMI.
The day after the song was released, a significantly revised and expanded edition of the original novel, titled Taisho Roman: YOASOBI “Taisho Roman” Original Novel, was published as a book.
Although YOASOBI’s singer ikura does not possess an extraordinarily superhuman high-tone voice, she masterfully switches between various vocal techniques to express and deliver a song with a very wide range.
Some people may think that falsetto (head voice) is merely an escape for those who can’t hit high notes in chest voice, but that’s absolutely not the case! Accurately switching registers and singing smoothly is extremely difficult.
In that sense, this song showcases Ayase’s high level of vocal skill and expressive power.
If you’re confident in your singing, definitely give it a try! And of course, if you can sing all the high parts entirely in chest voice, challenging yourself to do so might be fun as well!
Excessive synchronicityYU-KI
A single by YUKI, the singer from JUDY AND MARY, released in February 2019.
As you’d expect from YUKI, who’s been popular since the JUDY AND MARY days for her distinctive high-tone voice, that high register is alive and well in this song too! It’s an excellent choice for women with higher voices to sing at karaoke.
Be sure to pay close attention so the rhythm doesn’t tangle in the slightly fast-paced A-melody section.
Also, since YUKI’s own singing style is quite distinctive, another key point is to avoid turning it into an impersonation.
That said, it’s probably a fun song even if you do sing it like an impression, haha.
As if to wrap you up…MISIA
This was MISIA’s debut single, released in February 1998.
Even more than 20 years after its release, it’s still regarded as one of her signature songs and a standout hit of the Heisei era.
Her vocals on this track exude a youthful charm compared to her current style, yet she delivers a performance so accomplished that it’s hard to believe it’s a debut.
When singing this song at karaoke, the most crucial factor is, without a doubt, how well you can control high notes.
MISIA herself masterfully transitions from powerful chest-voice high tones to gentle falsetto, and toward the end of the song she even employs stunning whistle notes at ultra-high pitches.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call this track a showcase of high-tone techniques for female vocals.
In that sense, it’s an ideal practice piece for women working on their high register.
If you’re confident with high notes, take your time to study this song and aim to deliver it flawlessly.
dawnLiSA
This is LiSA’s 18th single, released in January 2021.
LiSA wrote the lyrics herself, with music composed by Kayoko Kusano and Shota Horie, and it serves as the opening theme for the TV anime Back Arrow.
LiSA is known for her piercing, powerful high tones, and that appeal is fully present in DAWN as well! The hard rock-style arrangement is designed to further highlight her powerful high register.
Singing these expansive high notes may be a bit challenging even for women with higher voices, but definitely give it a try.
If you’re aiming for even more powerful high notes, taking some vocal training might be a great idea!
[High Notes Alert!] Difficult High-Pitched Songs to Sing (201–210)
morning starLiSA
Released on November 17, 2021, this is LiSA’s 20th single.
It was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime Demon Slayer: Mugen Train Arc.
Built on a slightly heavy rhythm and a sound-crafted backing track, the song showcases LiSA’s clear yet powerful vocals in a dynamic way.
It’s a great piece for women who are confident with high notes and want a challenge.
Within this one track, LiSA switches between various vocal colors—such as strong, powerful highs and gentle, airy highs—so focusing your practice on those nuances will help you deliver a more compelling performance.
Gentle CometYOASOBI
This is a single by the Japanese music duo YOASOBI, released digitally on January 20, 2021, and later included on the March 2021 single “Kaibutsu/Yasashii Suisei.” It also served as the ending theme for Season 2 of the Fuji TV anime BEASTARS.
The song features singer ikura’s deft use of mixed voice and falsetto to create a gentle, high-tone vocal performance, with songwriting and production crafted to showcase her voice to the fullest.
Women who are comfortable with high notes will likely earn high praise if they select this song at karaoke and deliver it well.
The vocal melody itself is very approachable, so when you sing it, be careful to keep the high tones from becoming too piercing.
BONSAIimase
Singer-songwriter imase has exploded in popularity since the 2020s.
Many teenage boys, I think, admire his vocals.
Among his songs, the one I especially recommend for its striking high notes is BONSAI.
This pop track, which incorporates elements of Black music, features falsetto reminiscent of the funk of the 1970s.
Groove is also key in this piece, so be sure to give it a try.
