[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 Pitches Ahead!] High Songs That Are Hard to Sing (271–280)
BAKUikimonogakari
Ikimono-gakari’s 33rd single, released in February 2021.
It was chosen as the opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime “BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS.” After an advance digital release in January 2021, it came out in February not only on CD but also on vinyl, making it an intriguing track with a product rollout that spans fully from analog to digital.
The song is an up-tempo rock tune in a minor key, produced to let you fully enjoy vocalist Kiyoe Yoshioka’s clear, piercing high tones rich in higher overtones.
Mastering these powerful high notes may be challenging even for women who are confident in their upper register, but it’s definitely a song worth trying.
Be sure to support your voice with your core, avoid constricting your throat, and aim for an expansive, resonant high-tone delivery!
FairyDAZBEE
DAZBEE is a female singer with a one-of-a-kind vocal timbre who enjoys overwhelming support from younger audiences.
“Fairy” is her new single.
The track is crafted with a Celtic-inspired flavor.
As is common with songs of this type, it features whispery high parts—and they’re quite tricky.
Beyond requiring an inherently beautiful tone, the piece demands delicate vocal technique, including sustaining long notes in a whispery falsetto.
LEGITINI
INI is an idol group formed on the audition program PRODUCE 101 JAPAN SEASON2.
Their style, which strikingly seems to draw directly from the musicality of K-pop—a recent trend—has won them popularity through high-level performances.
Among their songs, the one I especially recommend for its striking high notes is LEGIT.
Centered on hip-hop, it primarily stays in the low to mid-high range, but in the latter half it features high parts that use mixed voice.
magnetaiko
This song by Japanese singer aiko is included on her 14th studio album, “Doushitatte Tsutaerarenai Kara,” released on March 3, 2021.
Aiko’s singing is characterized by a somewhat relaxed, laid-back delivery, and this track has been produced in a way that maximizes that appeal.
Her vocals may not make everyone immediately think “Wow, so skillful!” on first listen, but the effortless high tones you hear in this song are something that few can truly replicate.
In that sense, it’s a track where the production brings out the singer’s charm to the fullest.
When singing it at karaoke, try not to belt the high notes—instead, make good use of falsetto and mixed voice, and challenge yourself to reproduce that distinctive sense of ease and relaxation.
Forbidden taleBAND-MAID
BAND-MAID is a girls’ band that has earned high praise from hardcore music aficionados for their heavy sound.
While they have a strong conceptual identity, their skill is the real deal, and they’ve released many technically demanding tracks.
Among their work, a standout recommendation is Forbidden tale.
In addition to its hard-hitting vocals, it spans a wide vocal range, making it quite a challenging song; the trickiest part is the ad-lib in the C section.
Since the ad-lib incorporates elements of Black music, only a very small number of singers will be able to pull it off.
In an unending worldDAOKO
A track by DAOKO that was used as the theme song for the mobile game Dragalia Lost.
It’s especially recommended for singers who are more comfortable with falsetto and mixed voice rather than belting high notes.
If you’re a high-voiced female singer who excels at a calm, relaxed vibe, definitely give it a listen.
You might struggle a bit with the rap-like parts such as the A melody, but you’ll be fine as long as you sing each word with care!
Until I know loveaimyon
This is the 11th single by Japanese singer Aimyon (14th overall including digital singles), released on May 26, 2021.
At first listen, it sounds like a pop-rock song that’s easy to hum along to, but if you focus on the vocal parts, listen closely, and actually try singing it, you may realize it’s surprisingly difficult to deliver it as coolly as she does.
Partly due to Aimyon’s natural vocal timbre, the high notes in the chorus may not sound that high, but singing this range with such powerful high tones is no easy feat.
Precisely because it’s an approachable pop song that feels like anyone could sing it, pulling it off stylishly at karaoke can really impress the people around you.
When you sing it yourself, make sure not only to carry the melody well, but also to recreate the song’s original “mid-tempo lightness.”