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 difficult songs that will earn you respect if you can nail them at karaoke! (141–150)
star performerKing Gnu
This is the sixth single by the Japanese mixture band King Gnu, released in December 2020.
This may apply to all of their songs, not just this one, but the first barrier when singing it is probably the A section, which is delivered in a style that sits between rap and vocals.
First, because the lines are sung quickly, you need to keep from falling behind the rhythm and from tripping over your tongue, and if you sing it in an overly melodic way—meaning, if you try to trace the original melody exactly—you might end up ruining what makes the song great.
It’s hard to explain in writing, but I think it’s best to sing it with a nuance somewhere between rap and singing.
Doing so also highlights the contrast with the more melodic chorus.
It’s a song that suggests even that level of detail was calculated in the composition, and this is where you can’t help but say, “Bravo!”
PretenderOfisharu Higedan Dism
The second single by the Japanese rock band Official Hige Dandism, released in May 2019.
This song also lets you fully enjoy high-tone vocals that skillfully use mixed voice, which has become a hallmark of many recent hits.
So, what exactly is “mixed voice”? Simply put, it’s a blend of falsetto and chest voice.
By controlling how you engage your throat and the accompanying breathiness, you adjust the proportions of chest and falsetto while you sing.
It’s one of the essential techniques for performing modern songs, though it can be hard to master on your own.
For now, try finding a comfortable key and give it a go.
Wind GodVaundy
Fūjin by Vaundy, released as the theme song for the TBS drama The Lion’s Hideout, became a nationwide hit, so many listeners are likely familiar with it.
The tricky parts of this song are, above all, the groove and the falsetto.
Its structure is close to the Black music genre of neo-soul, which demands the characteristic groove of Black music.
In addition, the A and B sections feature rapid leaps in pitch, requiring the use of falsetto.
Since it deviates from a typical J‑pop singing style, it’s a song with a fair degree of difficulty.
flowersyuzu
Yuzu, the duo that has been active for many years, continues to shine.
In their early days, their appeal lay in a pop sound with a touch of folk, but lately they’ve shown a surprising evolution.
Their track “flowers” centers on a style akin to what dominates contemporary Japanese music—reminiscent of K-pop and boy groups.
Naturally, the level of difficulty has risen compared to their previous works: while it doesn’t quite reach full-on mixed voice, the song demands sustained high notes and even includes sections with a slight ad-lib feel.
Gambling hallŌishi Masayoshi
Masayoshi Oishi, a well-known figure even in the online world.
With his excellent talk skills and catchy musical style, he has even pulled off a show at the Budokan.
His new song is Gambling Hall.
The track blends a Japanese flavor with a jazzy vibe that really shines.
Speaking of Masayoshi Oishi’s music, soaring high notes are a trademark, and they’re very much present here as well.
While it’s not an intense song per se, the melodic leaps are quite pronounced, so delicate pitch control is essential.
A flower of no colorUtada Hikaru
Utada Hikaru’s fantastical masterpiece “Naniiro Demo Nai Hana.” This track is marked by an opening and chorus that feel almost like Western pop.
It begins with a languid, dreamlike melody, while the first verse evokes a touch of standard jazz.
In the latter half, R&B flavors emerge, making it a highly intricate piece.
The vocal range is on the narrower side, so it doesn’t demand a specific voice type, but it does call for strong rhythmic sense and advanced techniques like expressive ad-libs reminiscent of vocal “kobushi.” Be sure to check it out.
FallSuperfly
Shiho Ochi of Superfly, known for her incredible vocal power.
The high-difficulty track I recommend that truly showcases her singing ability is Fall.
This piece is rooted in jazz and carries a decadent atmosphere throughout.
It’s not merely a downer, though—the chorus demands overwhelming volume and expressive power.
Maintaining a thick vocal tone while shouting, among other things, requires exceptionally advanced technique and solid fundamentals.