[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 Alert!] Difficult High-Pitched Songs to Sing (11–20)
PrologueUru
This was the seventh single by Japanese singer Uru, released in December 2018.
It was also used as the theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama “Chuugaku Seishin Nikki” (Middle School Teacher’s Diary).
Although Uru keeps details of her profile completely private, her vocal ability—especially her skillful use of mixed voice through to falsetto—is truly impressive.
While she isn’t the type of so-called “powerhouse singer,” her natural finesse is, in fact, one of the most challenging qualities to replicate for karaoke.
It might be a bit difficult for those who don’t share a similar vocal timbre to sing it, but try to pay attention to maintaining as soft a delivery as possible.
If you rely on a mere imitation and sing only with superficial mouth movements, there’s a high risk the performance won’t come together as a song—so be careful about that!
Like this tonightaimyon
This is Aimyon’s 6th single, released in November 2018.
Although the theme is “a song that’s easy for women with high voices to sing,” Aimyon’s own vocals—her voice, really—have a slightly husky quality.
It might be difficult to produce that kind of “slightly fuller voice” like hers.
But don’t be afraid! If you engage your core properly and sing as if you’re supporting your voice from the belly, you should be able to handle it.
Also, try to sing using as bright a tone as possible!
beetle (specifically, a rhinoceros beetle)aiko
This is Aiko’s fourth major-label single, released in November 1999.
You might think, “A beetle song released in November?!” but apparently this stems from the surprising fact that Aiko herself believed beetles were winter insects.
It’s quite a funny anecdote! Rather than being a full-on, ultra high-note powerhouse singer, Aiko has a more natural, relaxed style, and this song reflects that.
The high notes it requires are soft and natural.
The key point is whether you can skillfully switch between falsetto and chest voice, especially in how you use falsetto to finish the chorus.
Even if you’re great with high notes and think, “I can sing this part in chest voice!” try singing it softly in falsetto as in the original.
BelieveShenelu
A track from Australian singer Che’Nelle’s third album in Japan, released in July 2012.
As a single, it was pre-released digitally in June of the same year.
It also served as the theme song for the fourth film in the Umizaru series, BRAVE HEARTS: Umizaru.
It’s an R&B-style ballad that showcases an exceptionally clear, transparent vocal tone—her expansive, crystalline singing is truly noteworthy.
While it’s a song that demands a high level of skill to perform at karaoke, the range isn’t necessarily out of reach for women with a naturally higher chest voice, so give it a try and wow everyone around you.
frecklesJUDY AND MARY
The ninth single by the Japanese rock band JUDY AND MARY, released in 1996.
Since JUDY AND MARY are known for vocalist YUKI’s distinctive high tones, many women who are good at singing high notes will likely find this song suits them well.
Even if your natural voice is high, it might be a bit difficult to sing the high parts of this song without using falsetto (head voice), but we hope you’ll do your best to power through it.
The key is to sing the high notes without tightening your throat as much as possible!
JupiterHirahara Ayaka
Ayaka Hirahara’s debut single, released in December 2003.
The song sets Japanese lyrics to “Jupiter,” the fourth movement of The Planets, an orchestral suite by the British composer Gustav Holst.
Hirahara’s performance on this track is outstanding throughout—not only for her clear, high tones, but for the way she fully masters an extremely challenging melody that was never originally written as a vocal piece.
There are many sections, including the opening, that demand solid low-register singing, so it’s not exactly a song you can casually tackle at karaoke.
Still, I encourage you to give it a try.
If you send me a message, I can offer some simple tips for singing it!
[High Notes Warning!] High-Pitched Songs That Are Hard to Sing (21–30)
Off The MaskYuuta
Yuta, known as a central member of NCT.
As a member of a globally popular K-pop group, his performances—whether dance or vocals—are top-tier.
His solo work “Off The Mask” showcases a loud style not seen in NCT, with a musical direction reminiscent of hard rock.
From high notes using mixed voice to a loud style interlaced with shouts, the piece condenses a wide range of vocal techniques.
