[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!] Difficult High-Pitched Songs to Sing (251–260)
Driver’s HighL’Arc〜en〜Ciel
Among L’Arc~en~Ciel’s many songs, “Driver’s High” is one of the most popular.
It also served as the theme song for the anime GTO, which helped it gain worldwide acclaim.
The song’s vocal range is quite wide, from mid1 E to high B.
While high B is often sung in falsetto, in this song it’s delivered with a mixed voice, and it appears frequently—six times in total.
It’s a perfect piece for practicing mixed voice, which requires strong projection, so definitely give it a try.
STARSNakajima Mika
Mika Nakashima’s debut single with lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto.
It was used as the theme song for the drama “Kizudarake no Love Song,” starring Katsunori Takahashi, in which Mika Nakashima herself also appeared.
In the chorus, you can fully showcase your high notes and sing with freedom.
The verses aren’t too low in key, so sing gently and relaxed as you build toward the high notes in the chorus.
It’s a song that lets you present both your natural high voice and your falsetto equally well.
Midnight TalkIkuta Rira
This song by Lila Ikuta, who is also active as a member of the popular music duo YOASOBI, was released in July 2023.
It was selected as the commercial song for Topvalu’s “Mogu Mogu Ajiwau Soup.” While Ikuta often sings complex, Vocaloid-style melodies in YOASOBI, in this solo track she performs a relatively simple melody, retaining the appeal of her slightly impersonal vocal tone.
Because of that, it should be easier for the general public to aim for a high score if they choose it for karaoke.
However, the vocal range used in the melody does extend fairly high, so if you’re not comfortable singing in the upper register—particularly with falsetto—please keep that in mind when you try it.
For rhythm, sticking as closely as possible to the beat of the backing track and aiming for precise timing is, I think, the quickest path to a high score.
The Kouga Ninja ScrollsOnmyoza
This is the 10th single by the Japanese HM/HR band Onmyo-za, released on April 27, 2005.
It was used as the opening theme for the UHF TV anime Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls, marking Onmyo-za’s first tie-in with an anime.
The vocals by the singer Kuroneko in this track showcase an extremely skillful range—from piercing high tones delivered in chest voice to soft high tones in falsetto—seamlessly switching between them for expressive effect.
If you can reproduce this like she does, you’re sure to draw attention at karaoke.
It’s truly a perfect showcase for high-note female singers, both to demonstrate and to dazzle.
The melody is quite intricate, though, so simply being good at high notes might not be enough to pull it off.
Still, give it a try at least once!
Rainbow-colored butterflyWagakki Band
This is a Vocaloid song cover by Wagakki Band that makes use of vocalist Yuko Suzuhana’s shigin-inspired singing style, which she has cultivated since childhood.
It beautifully fuses traditional Japanese vibes with contemporary music.
The heartrending lyrics about continuing to think of a loved one are truly moving.
The original song is by Kurousa-P, known for Senbonzakura.
Mirror feat. Kosuke Saitoieiri reo
It was released for streaming on October 8, 2025, and was written as the theme song for the NTV Wednesday drama “ESCAPE: It Was Supposed to Be a Kidnapping.” It’s a collaboration between Leo Ieiri and Kosuke Saito, the guitarist-vocalist of UNISON SQUARE GARDEN and TenTwenty.
Despite the very high vocal range, both of their voices soar in the same register, and the result is truly beautiful.
It’s wonderful as a solo, of course, but if possible you’ll want to sing it as a male-female duet! That said, finding a man who can sing this high is no easy task…
When you sing it, try to focus on using your breath and producing a strong tone.
If you aim to resonate in your head while you phonate, you’ll gradually get closer to the right sound.
Core strength matters, too!
A Song for Youerica
This is Erica’s seventh single, released in January 2013.
It was sold as a digital download only and was not released on CD.
It’s a ballad that showcases Erica’s captivating, crystal-clear high tones, and I think it’s an ideal song for women who are good at singing high notes to perform at karaoke.
When you sing it, pay attention to the parts in the original where she gently uses falsetto (head voice).