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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Picking difficult songs that will earn you respect if you can pull them off at karaoke! (21–30)
Utakata LullabyAdo
It’s one of the insert songs from the movie ONE PIECE FILM RED and the only rap track! When I first heard “Utakata Lullaby,” I was shocked and thought, “Can a human even sing this?” But thinking about it now, since the song was provided by FAKE TYPE., it all makes sense—“That’s why it’s so rap-heavy!” (lol).
The songs from the ONE PIECE FILM RED series were incredibly popular, and so many students chose them in lessons! In particular, this “Utakata Lullaby” was a song where we looked over the lyrics again and again and had lots of discussions with students like, “This part isn’t sung, this part is.” There are tons of ultra-fast rap sections, and if you listen closely, there are parts that have lyrics but aren’t actually sung.
Once you notice that, it’s easier to lock into the rhythm, making it a fun song to sing! If you gave up because you couldn’t sing it before, try challenging it again!
Que sera, seraMrs. GREEN APPLE
This is Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s seventh digital-only single, released in April 2023.
It was written as the theme song for the ABC TV/TV Asahi drama series “Even If It’s Just for Sunday Night.” Motoki Omori, the vocalist of Mrs.
GREEN APPLE, is known for a voice that carries a touch of boyish charm, and in this track he delivers a superb vocal performance, shifting seamlessly from powerful chest voice to delicate falsetto.
The fluid switching of vocal registers throughout the song is a key point for singing it well, so be sure to study the original carefully and give it a try—then soak up the spotlight from those around you!
A selection of difficult songs that will earn you respect if you can nail them at karaoke! (31–40)
BibbidebaHoshimachi Suisei
Suisei Hoshimachi’s “Bibideba” became a hot topic on YouTube in 2024 as an “insanely difficult rap” and a “top-tier challenge” song—have you heard of it? Some of my students actually tried it, and when I taught it, I felt that on a first pass it’s quite hard and the melody is tough to anticipate.
Beyond rhythm and pitch, it includes rapid-fire sections and rap parts—there are lots of elements packed in.
If you can master it, it’s a super fun and satisfying song to sing! In the chorus, many phrase endings switch to head voice, so lift your facial muscles and keep centering your pitch between the eyebrows, imagining the sound traveling from the brow up through the head as you transition to head voice.
Raising your hand toward your head while singing can make the visualization easier and help the voice come out more freely.
For the word-heavy sections, don’t try to articulate every syllable crisply; instead, let the words flow so they ride the melody as you sing.
ANTENNAMrs. GREEN APPLE
The lead track from Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s fifth album, ANTENNA, released in July 2023.
It serves as the Japan national team’s support song for Fuji TV’s World Cup Volleyball 2023.
The song features a melody with complex rises and falls, paired with vocals that skillfully switch techniques in response—making it a highly rewarding challenge for advanced karaoke singers.
Be sure to sing it in a way that preserves the original’s sense of uplift and exhilarating speed!
will-illTK from RIN TO SHITE SIGURE
An emotional rock ballad where despair and beauty intertwine.
It’s the ending theme for the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion 15th anniversary rebroadcast project.
If you can pull it off at karaoke, it’s a song that lets your expressive power shine as if you’ve lived in the world of Code Geass! I’ve written a lot about TK’s appeal in my karaoke articles, but I even find his death growls beautiful.
In particular, “will-ill” is tough to learn to begin with, and I’m really struggling with it myself.
There are multiple sections with death growls, and compared to other songs, the tone of the growls is different, making it quite difficult to sing well.
In any case, focus on your vocal cords and try not to use your throat as much when you sing!
IsseiMoechakka Faia
Multi-artist Issei, whose name is pronounced “Issei,” has gained popularity with a dark-fantasy-inspired aesthetic.
The song that propelled him to nationwide fame is, of course, Moechakka Fire.
What sets this track apart is, above all, its low register.
Because it features a series of extremely low parts, it’s essentially impossible to sing well with an average vocal range.
Low notes are especially hard to project in this song, so men who are confident in the depth and richness of their voices should definitely give it a try.
ApollodorusMrs. GREEN APPLE
Mrs.
GREEN APPLE is a band that enjoys overwhelming support from young people.
The vocalist, Motoki Ohmori, is known for his high-register voice, and he showcases challenging vocals that make full use of those highs in their songs.
Among Mrs.
GREEN APPLE’s tracks, the one I especially recommend is their new song, “Apollodorus.” Even compared to their other songs, it features many high notes—not just straightforward high pitches, but also rapid rises and falls in melody.
If you’re confident in your falsetto, be sure to check it out.