[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!
- 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 Pitch Alert!] Difficult High-Range Songs to Sing (51–60)
A bouquet of flowers with loveSuperfly
This was Superfly’s fourth single, released in February 2008.
It was also the theme song for the TBS drama “Edison no Haha” (Edison’s Mother).
Now, Shiho Ochi, who serves as the vocalist for Superfly, is well known for her singing ability, and her dynamic voice and performance are fully on display in this track as well! It’s a song where you can thoroughly enjoy her powerful, expressive vocals that feel anything but typical for Japanese pop.
Choosing this for karaoke and delivering the same impactful high tones as the original might be a special privilege for women who excel at high notes! Just be careful not to force it and strain your throat—overexertion can damage your precious voice.
fall from favor; leaving the capital in disgrace (metaphor for a decline in status or being sidelined)Yorushika
A song by Yorushika released in April 2023.
Regarding the mixed voice in this track, it’s used very effectively, especially in the brief moments where the pitch suddenly rises—most notably around the A-melody parts—to express a gently airy high tone.
This is not a head voice that relies on nasal resonance like typical falsetto; instead, try practicing by aiming the voice broadly toward the entire upper palate.
Since the sections using mixed voice are very short, I think this song is also useful for practicing smooth transitions between vocal registers.
About meMrs. GREEN APPLE
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE is known for their falsetto and mixed voice.
A song that perfectly fits this theme is definitely “Bokuno Koto”! It was chosen as the support song for the 97th All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.
When you sing it, if you switch between parts sung entirely in falsetto and parts delivered powerfully with mixed voice, you’ll add impact and really impress those around you.
One thing to watch out for when switching vocal qualities is that if you change the place where you produce the sound, your balance will suffer and the transitions between chest voice and falsetto won’t be smooth.
Keep focusing on producing the sound from the vocal folds at all times.
The impression of your voice changes depending on whether you project it forward from the vocal folds or direct it backward.
Try different approaches, and when you sing while sending your voice in the direction that feels easiest for you, you’ll be able to produce both falsetto and mixed voice comfortably!
Black BirdAimer
The theme song for the double-lead film Kasane starring Tao Tsuchiya and Kyoko Yoshine.
A dark track that matches the film’s content.
It’d be really cool if you could pull this off at karaoke.
The chorus opens up into a soaring high melody, and it feels great!
[High Notes Warning!] High Songs That Are Hard to Sing (61–70)
Futari SaisonKeyakizaka46
This work, the third single by Keyakizaka46, is a song that depicts love and growth through the changing seasons.
Its distinctive dance performance incorporates classical ballet and contemporary dance, symbolizing the unity of youth and individual development.
Released on November 30, 2016, it sold 353,640 copies on its first day to top the Oricon Daily CD Single Ranking.
The music video has been highly praised, with over 9.7 million views.
While the song feels fresh and radiant, it can be difficult to sing all the way through unless your natural voice is relatively high.
If you have a high voice, especially for women, give it a try.
Rebootmiwa
This is the 25th single by female singer-songwriter miwa, released in August 2019.
It was written as the theme song for the TBS Friday drama “Nagi’s Long Vacation.” The melody is crafted to bring out the full potential of miwa’s vocal qualities—very clear, powerful high tones rich in upper harmonics—so singing this song requires a fair level of vocal skill.
The key point is how smoothly you can deliver the high notes without forcing them or sounding strained.
If you naturally have a higher voice, it should be relatively approachable—so give it a try!
Good-bye daysYUI
This is a song by YUI, a singer-songwriter from Fukuoka Prefecture.
It was released in 2006 as her fifth single.
It gained attention as the theme song for the film “Midnight Sun.” The A-melody, where you have to hit high notes without belting, can be difficult unless your natural vocal range is already high.