[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-Pitched Songs That Are Hard to Sing (211–220)
dandelionIkuta Rira
This is Rira Ikuta’s eighth digital-only single, released in January 2023.
It was selected as the theme song for the NHK drama “Ōoku.” Rira Ikuta is also active as Ikura, the singer of YOASOBI, a duo with Vocaloid producer Ayase.
With YOASOBI, her slightly inorganic vocal style, crafted with a Vocaloid-like sound design, is striking; however, in her solo work, she delivers a completely opposite, highly organic and expressively rich vocal tone.
Supporting that masterful vocal expression is the gentle falsetto used for high notes, which you can hear in this track as well.
When singing the higher sections that use falsetto, try to produce your voice as softly as possible.
laser beamPerfume
This is a song used in the commercial for Kirin Chuhai Hyoketsu.
Perfume’s songs are easy to sing for people with higher voices.
Plus, even if you’re not confident in your singing ability, you can enjoy singing them.
It’s a song many people know, so it’s sure to liven up the atmosphere.
CharacterRyokushokushakai
A song by Ryokuoushoku Shakai, included on the album “Actor” released on January 26, 2022.
It was used as the CM song for Morinaga’s “in Jelly.” The track is crafted as an upbeat, energetic, and very refreshing number.
Contributing greatly to that sense of “freshness” is the voice of lead vocalist Haruko Nagaya.
Centered on a powerful, lively high tone, she skillfully switches to gentle falsetto in certain sections, delivering a truly wonderful vocal performance.
It’s a perfect song for women who are confident with high notes.
When singing it, try aiming your voice toward the upper palate at as quick a pace as possible—you’ll likely be able to recreate that sparkling tone she’s known for.
Give it a try!
[High Pitch Warning!] High songs that are difficult to sing (221–230)
Because the sun will rise againRyokushokushakai
This is Ryokuoushoku Shakai’s fifth single in total, released on April 20, 2022.
It was written as the theme song for Toho’s animated film Crayon Shin-chan: Mononoke Ninja Chinpūden.
It’s an upbeat, energetic, and fun track that really lets you enjoy vocalist Haruko Nagaya’s bright and lively singing.
I can confidently recommend it as a perfect karaoke pick for women who are strong in the high range! As a vocal coach and producer, I could write a lot about technique and things to watch out for when singing this song—but for this joyous tune, I won’t spoil the fun with nitpicking! Don’t worry about small mistakes; sing brightly and have fun!
Just a little moreYOASOBI
A digital-only single by YOASOBI released on May 10, 2021.
It was selected as the 2021 theme song for Fuji TV’s “Mezamashi TV.” I’m not sure if that tie-in led to the selection, but the track itself is crafted as a light, upbeat song that conveys the fresh feeling of a morning breeze.
What further accentuates the song’s “freshness” is Ikura’s vocals.
Her voice has a charming, girlish quality that’s truly wonderful.
The melody line doesn’t seem to include any extremely low parts, so it’s probably an ideal pick for higher-voiced women to sing at karaoke.
That said, since Vocaloid producer Ayase handled the production, the original audio applies what sounds like fairly strong pitch-correction effects, so despite being live vocals, many parts come across a bit Vocaloid-like.
Still, it’s best not to overthink that when singing—after all, that’s the one thing you can’t really replicate with live vocals!
my sweet darlin’Yaita Hitomi
Released in 2000 as Hitomi Yaida’s second single.
The song was used in a commercial for Nikon’s digital camera “COOLPIX 880,” became her first Top 10 hit, and propelled her name to nationwide recognition.
It’s an upbeat track with a memorable chorus that makes extensive use of falsetto.
A Song That Wants to ChangeAbe Mao
This is Mao Abe’s 16th single, released in 2018 as the opening theme for TV Asahi’s nationwide program “music-ru TV” for the month of November.
With its outstanding sense of speed and great groove, it’s sure to get everyone pumped up at karaoke!
