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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- [For Men] Masterpiece Enka Songs with High Difficulty
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Challenge yourself with tough songs at karaoke! Tracks that will earn you praise if you can pull them off (331–340)
electric shockYonezu Kenshi
A song by Kenshi Yonezu, written and composed by Yonezu himself.
It was produced as the theme song for TBS’s Friday drama MIU404.
It’s included on Yonezu’s fifth studio album, STRAY SHEEP, released on August 5, 2020, and was made available on various music streaming services ahead of the album’s release.
The melody spans a fairly wide vocal range throughout, with many sections where the pitch rises and falls quite sharply—this will likely be the first major hurdle when singing the song.
In addition, the slightly swung rhythmic feel is something many Japanese singers struggle with; be careful not to let the rhythm become flat, and make sure to create a strong contrast between sustained notes and cut-off notes.
How you handle rests—how you treat the rests within the melody—becomes crucial in this piece.
Yonezu’s own performance, in which he handles all of this brilliantly, is truly outstanding!
White MiracleSeikima II
This is Seikima-II’s eighth single overall, released in August 1989.
While the band is often treated somewhat as a novelty due to the overpowering, devilish world they project, their high-level musicianship and vocal ability have been unquestionable since their debut, and their prowess is fully showcased in this beautiful ballad.
To pull this song off in karaoke, the first requirement is to develop a solid, powerful, unwavering chest voice.
Mastering the chest voice, especially in the low to mid range, is key.
Also pay attention to the rhythmic arrangement of the backing track, and sing with a clear contrast between the passages that should flow smoothly and those that should be delivered crisply.
I’m proudKahara Tomomi
This is Tomomi Kahala’s biggest hit, produced by Tetsuya Komuro.
Her soaring high notes are so incredible that it feels like only she herself could pull them off.
The shifting pitch takes time to get used to, so it’s not an easy song to sing well.
save your dreamKahara Tomomi
It was released in 1996 as Tomomi Kahala’s fifth single.
The song was used as the image song for LOTTE’s Sasa chocolate, in which Kahala herself appeared, and it became her first single to reach number one.
Among Tomomi Kahala’s songs, it is known for having an especially high key.
Tackling tough songs at karaoke! Tracks that will earn you praise if you can pull them off (341–350)
You…Nishino Kana
This song was released in 2010 as Kana Nishino’s 12th single.
The lyrics, which speak to a loved one with the message “I’ll always be by your side,” really tug at the heartstrings.
I think the key is how much wistfulness you can express through your singing voice.
Sing it with all your heart.
Children’s SongTakahashi Yuu
On top of the melody constantly rising and falling, the song is delivered in a relentless, driving way, so it takes quite a bit of stamina.
The lyrics use direct language to depict the darkness of society, which also makes it a tough one to sing in front of people.
Also, in the song “Naku ko wa inega” by the same artist, the dialect from his hometown of Akita is used, so it might be difficult for those unfamiliar with Tohoku dialects.
Please, once more…Takahashi Eiichi
From Shiga Prefecture, 60-year-old rookie singer Eiichi Takahashi released his second single in February 2018.
This song, “Douka Mou Ichido…” (Please, Once More…), is basically an easy-to-like Showa-style kayōkyoku, but it spans a very wide vocal range.
From the whispering low notes in the verse to the high notes in the chorus, singing it with a beautiful resonance while keeping perfect pitch makes it quite a difficult piece.
Takahashi’s ability to carry it from start to finish with a sweet tone is truly impressive—you can’t help but say, “As expected!” Men who are confident in their singing should definitely give it a try!