[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
[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!
Return to MyselfHamada Mari
Mari Hamada’s 9th single, released in April 1989.
It was chosen as the 1989 Kanebo Cosmetics summer campaign song, and commercials featuring Nene Otsuka aired heavily.
She debuted under the production of Munetaka Higuchi from LOUDNESS.
While she had been recognized as a “metal queen” from the start, this song marked the point where she began to be appreciated more as a mainstream J-pop female singer, rather than being confined to the metal category with its narrower listener base.
That said, the high-register power she cultivated in HM/HR—characterized by high-tone shouts—remains fully intact in this track.
Even for women who are comfortable with high notes, mastering this powerful high range can be quite challenging.
Precisely for that reason, it’s a song worth tackling; if you pride yourself on your high notes, definitely give it a try.
By the way, at the time of this song’s release, there was some buzz about a so-called “de-metal declaration,” but she later denied that herself.
[High Pitch Warning!] Very high songs that are hard to sing (291–300)
No, no.LiSA
A track from Japanese singer LiSA’s third mini-album, LADYBUG, released on May 19, 2021.
It’s a very brisk medium-to-up-tempo song, and the most important thing when singing it is to make sure it doesn’t turn into a “heavy” performance throughout.
For that reason, it’s arguably one of the best choices at karaoke for women with light, high-pitched voices.
The overall vocal melody doesn’t span a particularly wide range, so in that sense it may be relatively easy to sing.
However, focus on recreating the original’s feel—make sure to capture the groove and energy as you sing.
Surely a coasterAdo
Ado’s song “Kitto Coaster.” It’s a collaboration track with the conveyor-belt sushi chain Kura Sushi, and it maintains a poppy, cute vibe throughout.
Because it doesn’t have her usual intensity, some listeners might think it seems easier to sing, but to be blunt, this piece is quite challenging.
The tricky part is the low falsetto.
Producing a low falsetto is notoriously difficult, and this song features that kind of falsetto all over the place.
Letters to MeLiSA
A track by Japanese singer LiSA, included on her 10th-anniversary mini-album “LADYBUG,” released on May 19, 2021.
It’s an up-tempo rock song in a major key, crafted into a very lively number.
LiSA delivers a crisp, straightforward high tone in this song, and if you can reproduce it at karaoke in the original key, you’ll be sure to grab everyone’s attention! Of course, mastering such high-tone singing isn’t easy, but it’s a song I highly recommend challenging for those confident in their vocal strength.
Connected Universe! feat. imase, asmiNyan chū Ōrusutāzu
E-Tele’s popular show “Nyanchu! Space! Broadcasting Chuu!” features the song “Tsunagaru Uchuu! feat.
imase, asmi” as its theme, which has been gaining popularity among young people.
Surprisingly, it’s a difficult piece: imase’s parts are sung mostly in falsetto.
While that’s his trademark, the vocal line is tricky regardless.
It’s especially tough for male singers, isn’t it? If you find this song impossible to sing, looking to overseas funk vocalists for reference might help you find a way forward.