[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!] Difficult High-Pitched Songs to Sing (251–260)
AttockAoi Eiru
This is Eir Aoi’s 20th single, released on August 4, 2021.
It also serves as the opening theme for the second cour of the TV anime BLUE REFLECTION RAY/Mio.
Many so-called anison singers have exceptionally strong vocal abilities, and Eir Aoi is no exception.
In this track as well, she delivers an unrestrained display of her clear, soaring high notes, especially in the chorus.
To reproduce those expansive high tones, you need to hit the highs without constricting your throat, and just hearing this voice is enough to appreciate Eir’s remarkable vocal skill.
For women who are confident in their high range, try singing this song as powerfully as she does and grab your friends’ attention!
[High-Pitch Warning!] Very High Songs That Are Hard to Sing (261–270)
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!
GIFTMr.Children
Among Mr.Children’s ballads, GIFT is a standout that gained particular popularity.
This song boasts a fairly wide vocal range, with the lowest note at mid1 A and the highest at Hi B.
While it doesn’t demand delicate, falsetto-like vocals, it requires you to sing the high parts using mixed voice—or even chest voice—with a bit of a shout.
On top of that, the chorus repeatedly hits hi A and mid2 G, so in terms of high-note stamina, it ranks among the most challenging within Mr.Children’s catalog.
Marshmallow dayMr.Children
Among Mr.Children’s songs, “Marshmallow day” is one of the most challenging.
Its vocal range is quite wide, from mid1C to hiF.
While the high notes tend to draw attention, the mid1C section is actually quite tough, and the A melody sits very low with little room to lower the key, making it tricky to adjust.
If you’re good at high notes but struggle with low ones, one option is to sing the A melody an octave higher.
Since falsetto appears in the bridge, be mindful not to shout too much in the choruses beforehand so your voice doesn’t get worn out.
REMMr.Children
Among Mr.Children’s songs, one I especially recommend for its wide vocal range is REM.
The song spans a remarkably broad range from mid1 F# to hi B, with the highest note, hi B, appearing repeatedly in the A, C, and D sections.
The pitch moves up and down dramatically, and notes like hi B and hi A show up right after mid2 F# or mid2 G as if it’s nothing, so you’ll need excellent pitch control.
There are also many shout-like parts, which demand strong vocal cords.
If you’re confident in your singing ability, definitely give it a try.