Pick out the challenging songs that will earn you respect if you can nail them at karaoke!
Have you ever thought, “I’d look so cool if I could get through this song at karaoke,” only to crash and burn halfway through?Songs that are hard to sing hide plenty of tough spots—wide vocal ranges, complex rhythms, and blisteringly fast phrases that barely leave room to breathe.But that’s exactly why the sense of accomplishment when you nail them is second to none.In this article, we introduce a wide variety of challenging songs that are worth taking on at karaoke.If you want to test your limits or are looking for a spark to help you level up your singing, let this guide you to your next song choice!
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A selection of challenging songs that will earn you respect if you can nail them at karaoke! (131–140)
ROSEHANA
In 2025, HANA—a seven-member female group that could well be called one of the year’s most talked-about acts—burst onto the scene.
Produced by CHANMINA, their fluid movement between hip-hop and R&B, paired with world-class sound quality, made a powerful impact both in Japan and abroad.
Their debut track “ROSE,” released in April 2025, was an undeniable hit, racking up 15 million views on YouTube within three weeks and showcasing the immense potential of all seven members.
With a firm “no lip-syncing” policy, their talent is obvious from the official live performances available—though of course, attempting their songs at karaoke will demand a comparable level of vocal skill.
From robust, R&B-inflected vocals that soar across high and low registers to razor-sharp rap, if you and your confident singer friends can pull off a faithful recreation, you’ll undoubtedly be the stars of the night at karaoke!
AmbivalentUru
Uru is a female singer-songwriter with an impressively soft vocal timbre.
She’s known for a variety of styles, from J-pop with a rock edge to classic mainstream J-pop.
I imagine many fans in their teens and twenties like her as well.
Among her works, the one I particularly recommend is Ambivalent.
As a vocal line, it isn’t especially difficult, but trying to recreate her slightly whispery voice makes the difficulty jump up.
If you’re aiming for a high level of polish, practice producing sustained long tones in a whispery voice that uses plenty of breath.
Exploding Brain GirlHatsune Miku/GUMI
Since these songs are intended to be sung by Vocaloids, many of them aren’t really suited for human singers, and this one might be the prime example.
The melody is so fast and packed with lyrics that my mouth can’t keep up.
Sachiko Kobayashi delivering a flawless performance of it was truly magnificent.
KICK BACKYonezu Kenshi
This is Kenshi Yonezu’s 13th single, released in November 2022.
It was reportedly written specifically as the opening theme for the TV anime Chainsaw Man.
It’s an uptempo track with a hard-edged backing, showcasing Yonezu’s powerful, resonant low register.
In that sense, it’s a song where men with lower voices can really bring out the appeal of their vocals.
That said, he intentionally puts considerable strain on his throat and sings with a slightly distorted tone, so be careful not to over-imitate and damage your voice.
In the middle section, there’s a slightly classical-sounding part sung in a sonorous style; if you sing as if you’re placing the sound against the roof of your mouth, I think you can recreate that rich, ringing quality.
Give it a try.
KarenaiBonbero
Hip-hop is increasingly becoming a central presence in the mainstream.
Among the new generation of rappers, there are artists with skills that would have been unimaginable in Japanese rap until now.
One of the most skillful rappers representing this new generation is Bonbero.
His track “Karenai” features a complex and rapid-fire flow that could be considered the cutting edge of contemporary Japanese rap.
It’s a highly challenging piece of hip-hop, so definitely give it a try.
WHO’S GONNA SAVE USHyde
While HYDE delivers catchy songs as part of L’Arc~en~Ciel, his solo work ventures into considerably hard rock.
A solo track by HYDE that I highly recommend is “WHO’S GONNA SAVE US.” It’s hard rock built on an electronic sound, and it’s consistently demanding from start to finish.
Among its challenges, the toughest element is undoubtedly the long tones.
Sustaining long notes for several seconds right at the edge of the chest voice requires substantial lung capacity and precise vocal cord control.
Killer BallGesu no Kiwami Otome.
Gesu no Kiwami Otome captivate listeners with pop melodies infused with jazz and progressive elements.
Released in May 2022, this track epitomizes the band’s musical identity.
Enon Kawatani’s masterful songwriting shines, sharply portraying the alienation of modern society and the complexity of human relationships.
Notably, the midsection incorporates Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu, achieving a brilliant fusion with classical music.
The lyrics depict emotional fluctuations arising from the interplay between self and others, emphasizing the importance of “continuing to dance.” It’s a recommended piece for advanced singers looking for a karaoke challenge, as well as for those who want to savor musical depth.