[High-pitched warning!] Songs with high notes that are hard to sing
The Japanese music scene is known for having a relatively low emphasis on groove, but an unusually large number of high-pitched songs.
In particular, since Japan has finally started earnestly incorporating overseas music in recent years, the overall level of songs has risen dramatically.
With that in mind, this time we’ve picked out Japanese songs that are on the higher side.
From songs with a wide vocal range, to tracks that have pinpoint high parts, to songs that stay in the high register throughout, we selected from a broad set of perspectives—so be sure to find the tracks that suit you!
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[High Notes Warning!] Very high songs that are hard to sing (131–140)
Dear, boyHump Back
Hump Back is a three-piece rock band drawing attention with a straightforward, rugged sound that transcends the “girls’ band” label.
Their major debut single, “Dear, Young Boy,” features lyrics based on the real experiences of the band’s central figure, Momoko Hayashi, and they truly move you.
The key is higher than it sounds when you listen, and the falsetto in the chorus is especially easy to go off-pitch, so even singers good at high notes should take care.
On the other hand, because the song combines a simple guitar-rock ensemble with strongly message-driven lyrics, it’s a rock tune that can move listeners at karaoke if you sing it straight without overthinking technique.
KissHugaiko
This is aiko’s 24th single, released in July 2008.
Listening to her own performance, I get the impression—especially in the so-called flat sections like the A melody—that her vocal delivery is, in a good way, not overly polished or professional.
Because of that, I think this song would be quite easy to sing even for women with higher voices who don’t have much singing experience.
The key point when singing this song is whether you can switch to falsetto (head voice) in the high notes of the chorus as smoothly as she does.
AdventureYOASOBI
This is YOASOBI’s 17th digital-only single, released in February 2023.
At first listen, it may sound like a very cute song—seemingly far removed from the “cool” theme of this article—but once you actually try singing it, you’ll realize it’s extremely challenging vocally.
Throughout the entire song, it’s important to sing with a tone that clearly resonates with rich upper overtones, and to skillfully switch between a soft high falsetto and a light, chest-voice high tone.
Also, maintaining precise rhythm is likely crucial for capturing the feel of the original track.
hundreds of millions of light-yearsOmoinotake
Omoinotake is a three-piece band.
They basically sing orthodox pop, but they also incorporate, albeit subtly, elements of Black music such as R&B and soul.
Among Omoinotake’s works, the one I especially recommend for its striking high notes is “Ikuokukōnen” (Hundreds of Millions of Light-Years).
It doesn’t feature outrageously high notes, but because the chorus stays in a high register throughout, it’s a song that demands the stamina to keep singing in a high voice.
Thunderous applauseLiSA
Since her student days, LiSA has been praised for her outstanding vocal ability—so much so that she’s been dubbed the “Avril Lavigne of Gifu.” She has now become an artist who far exceeds the confines of an anime-song singer.
Ichisei no Kassai, included on her 6th album LANDER, was selected as the official theme song for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 TV coverage that electrified all of Japan.
Her vocals, characterized by soaring high tones laced with a rock-like edge, are a key point you’ll want to keep in mind when trying to recreate the song at karaoke.
When a touch of grit is added to the typically transparent image of high tones, the voice gains presence—making this an undeniable upper-tune that, if mastered, is sure to captivate listeners.
moon bathingYorushika
This is Yorushika’s 16th single, released in October 2023.
It’s a mid-tempo pop song where you can fully enjoy vocalist suis’s bright tone.
The most important point when singing this piece is how well you can recreate that bright quality in suis’s voice.
In particular, for the upper-mid to high notes in the vocal melody, try to sing as if you’re placing the sound against your upper palate inside your mouth.
Also pay attention to phrasing and dynamics.
Then, toward the end of the song—around 3:35—where the vocals drop into the lower range, make sure to use solid chest voice to clearly express the contrast with the sections that came before.
Life is full of dreams.Ringo Sheena
This is another highly challenging song by Ringo Sheena that I feel demands not only vocal range, but also singing technique, expressive power, sense of rhythm—in short, everything related to music.
First of all, the key is by no means low, so those with higher voices can feel at ease.
If we’re only talking about key, there’s nothing impossible for high-voiced singers—you should be able to sing it freely.
The rest comes down to vocal skill and expressiveness.
If you practice a lot and make this song your own, it’ll be incredibly cool!