[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!
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- 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.
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- 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
[Caution: High Pitch!] Difficult High-Note Songs to Sing (281–290)
Happiness ForeverMISIA
This song was released in 2013 as MISIA’s 29th single.
It was written specifically as the theme song for Recruit’s wedding magazine “Zexy.” It’s a ballad notable for lyrics told from the perspective of a bride brimming with happiness and for its gospel-style backing chorus.
MISIA’s soaring high notes further enhance the feeling of joy.
Love PhotosOtsuka Ai
A song by Ai Otsuka that showcases a variety of expressions and vocal colors depending on the track.
It served as the theme song for the film “Heavenly Forest” (Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru), starring Hiroshi Tamaki and Aoi Miyazaki.
The A-melody is sung in a style close to falsetto, like a mixed voice, making it especially recommended for those who are strong in falsetto among higher registers.
As the song progresses toward the end, it’s performed with both power and a beautiful resonance.
If you savor the lyrics and express them as you sing, you can create a wonderful harmony!
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.
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.
and I love youMr.Children
The piece “and I love you” is striking for its breezy instrumentation and sultry vocals.
The trickiest part is, without a doubt, the falsetto in the chorus.
Because the pitch moves up and down quite dramatically, there’s a real risk of going off-pitch in the falsetto sections.
In the final chorus, consecutive shouts appear, and since many of them rely on a shout + mixed voice technique, you’ll need not just height but also fullness in the high notes.
The lowest note is mid2 A, so there’s room to lower the key, but the highest note is hi D.
Make sure to assess your own vocal timbre and range carefully, and set the key to what suits you best.
fanfareMr.Children
Mr.Children’s classic “fanfare,” which evokes the vibe of UK rock.
Although it features a crisp, punchy rock sound, the vocals frequently employ shouts, so powerful singing is required in every section.
The range is fairly wide, from mid1 C# to hi A#, and the hi A parts demand both shouting and sustained long tones, requiring solid foundational vocal technique.
If you’re confident in a raw, gritty vocal style, be sure to add this to your repertoire.
For Whom the Alchemist ExistsMr.Children
As a work with a strong message, “Tagatame” enjoys solid support from hardcore fans.
Its vocal range is quite wide, spanning mid1C to hiB, and because the lowest note is mid1C, there isn’t much room to lower the key.
It also features a hi A# shout, so a powerful high-register delivery is required.
In addition, the lyrics are emotional, so a vocally expressive performance is needed; even though there’s no falsetto, overall it can be considered a very challenging piece.