Challenge yourself with difficult songs at karaoke! Tracks that will earn you praise if you can sing them well
Even when you think, “I want to try this song at karaoke!”, once you actually give it a shot you sometimes run into unexpected hurdles—like a range that’s too wide or rhythms that are too complex.
What technical elements make certain songs difficult to sing? In this article, we’re featuring high-difficulty tracks that are especially rewarding to tackle at karaoke.
We also touch on which parts are challenging and what kind of vocal approach is required, so if you want to expand your expressive range as a singer, be sure to check it out!
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- [High-pitched warning!] Songs with high notes that are hard to sing
- [For Men] Tough Karaoke Songs: A collection of tracks that look cool if you can sing them!
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- Recommended for great singers! A collection of impressive songs if you can sing them
- [For Women] Sing challenging songs at karaoke and steal the spotlight!
- [Challenge] A compilation of Vocaloid songs that are difficult to sing
- [For Men] Masterpiece Enka Songs with High Difficulty
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- [For Men] Cool, Popular Songs That Impress at Karaoke
- Karaoke songs popular with women that they want men to sing
- [Karaoke] Songs That Make It Easy to Score High | From Classics to the Newest Hits
- Even karaoke beginners can relax! Easy-to-sing songs for men
Taking on Challenging Songs at Karaoke! Tracks That’ll Earn You Praise if You Can Pull Them Off (321–330)
I miss you. I want to see you.Tezuka Shota
A song released by Japanese actor Kei Tanaka under the name “Shota Tezuka.” The lyrics were written by Yasushi Akimoto, and the music was composed by NaO and MATCH.
It was pre-released digitally on July 7, 2019, and released as a single on September 4, 2019.
For a track sung by an actor, the vocal quality is remarkably high; judging from the original recording, the use of high notes is powerful, and many listeners may feel at first listen that it’s a “difficult song to sing.” However, the melody itself is straightforward—almost a model slow ballad—so if you find the key that suits you best, you may find it less difficult to sing than you initially thought.
Be aware that switching to falsetto on the high notes can change the song’s atmosphere, so try to choose a key that allows you to sing those parts in chest voice.
GO! GO! MANIACHōkago Tī Taimu
This is a song used as the opening theme for the anime K-On!, which features a light music club.
I think it can be tough if your enunciation isn’t very clear.
Also, you’ll notice when you try singing it that the melody itself is quite distinctive.
Women who are good at doing an anime-style voice should definitely give it a try.
NIPPONShiina Ringo
This song was created as the theme song for NHK’s soccer broadcasts in 2014.
It’s characterized by an overall high key, and it gets especially high toward the end.
Many of her other songs also have a wide range between high and low notes, so it seems quite a few people find them difficult to sing.
Winter is starting.Makihara Noriyuki
This was Noriyuki Makihara’s fourth single, released in November 1991.
Since it’s been covered by many artists—like Every Little Thing—many of you might know it from those versions.
Although this article focuses on “karaoke songs that are hard to sing,” I don’t think the difficulty of singing this particular song is all that high.
The range in the pre-chorus (B section) is a bit low, so if you set the key to match the high notes, the low part might become a sticking point for some people.
It’s a lively track with a bouncy shuffle beat, so sing with a light touch overall and be careful not to make your vocal delivery feel heavy.
Depend on youHamasaki Ayumi
It was released in 1998 as Ayumi Hamasaki’s fifth single.
The song was issued as a lead single for her first album, “A Song for ××,” released in 1999.
As one of Ayumi Hamasaki’s early tracks, this song catapulted her to fame.
The melody sits very high overall, making it a difficult song to sing well.
Return To MyselfHamada Mari
Mari Hamada’s ninth single, released in April 1989.
She debuted with the catchphrase “Mari-chan is heavy metal,” produced by Munetaka Higuchi of LOUDNESS, but around the time this song became a hit, she seemed to begin gradually moving in a direction that set her apart from the so-called “Japa-Metal” scene.
That said, this track is an up-tempo, catchy pop-rock number, and it’s easy to see why it was a hit back then.
Still, Hamada’s vocals here—centered on her greatest weapon: a soaring, clear, and powerful high register—rest firmly on a solid foundation of vocal technique, making it quite difficult to reproduce in karaoke.
The long-tone vibrato is also distinctive.
countrysideTamaki Kōji
This was Koji Tamaki’s 11th single, released in July 1996.
With Anzen Chitai, Tamaki is generally associated with more mellow songs, so I remember being personally quite surprised at the time of release because this track had a very pop feel.
Now, as for singing this song at karaoke, the melodic range used isn’t that wide, so in that sense it may not be very difficult.
However, the most important thing to watch out for is keeping up with the rhythm and not falling behind due to the rapid-fire lyrics.
It’s one of those songs where it’s crucial to study in advance—things like breath points—before you sing.