[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!
- Recommended karaoke songs for male vocalists with high voices
- S-Rank Difficulty!? A Compilation of Songs with Wide Vocal Ranges
- I want to sing songs that use a lot of falsetto—tracks that are also good for practicing falsetto at karaoke.
- Recommended for great singers! A collection of impressive songs if you can sing them
- [If You Can Sing These, You're Amazing!] Cool Karaoke Songs for Women
- For those confident in their singing ability: Challenging songs to try at karaoke!
- [Karaoke] A roundup of songs that are easy for women to sing!
- Recommended for teenage girls! Easy-to-sing karaoke songs
- [Challenge] A Compilation of Anime Songs with High-Pitched Melodies and High-Tone Vocals
- [For Women] A roundup of enka songs that can score high in karaoke
- Great for karaoke song selection! Recommended easy-to-sing songs for Gen Z women
- [Karaoke] Songs That Make It Easy to Score High | From Classics to the Newest Hits
- [For Teenage Girls] A Collection of Songs That Score High at Karaoke [2025]
[High Notes Warning!] High-Pitched Songs That Are Hard to Sing (21–30)
Say I doTravis Japan
Travis Japan is one of the hottest boy groups in Japan right now.
Their song “Say I do” is their new track and has become a big hit, especially among young women.
Although it’s a somewhat laid-back dance-pop number, it’s more challenging than it sounds.
The main reason is the frequent use of low falsetto.
In the chorus, there are multiple phrases that switch between chest voice and falsetto, and among them appears a particularly difficult low falsetto.
Because low falsetto tends to waver in pitch, anyone who can sing this song all the way through can definitely be said to have a high level of vocal ability.
frecklesJUDY AND MARY
The ninth single by the Japanese rock band JUDY AND MARY, released in 1996.
Since JUDY AND MARY are known for vocalist YUKI’s distinctive high tones, many women who are good at singing high notes will likely find this song suits them well.
Even if your natural voice is high, it might be a bit difficult to sing the high parts of this song without using falsetto (head voice), but we hope you’ll do your best to power through it.
The key is to sing the high notes without tightening your throat as much as possible!
[High Notes Warning!] Difficult High-Pitched Songs to Sing (31–40)
You...Kana Nishino
Kana Nishino’s second single, released in October 2011.
It’s crafted to let you fully enjoy Nishino’s voice, which contains many strong high overtones, and it’s an excellent choice for high-voiced female singers to perform at karaoke.
If you forcefully belt out the high notes, you risk ruining the song’s mood, so find a key you can sing without strain and aim to sing with as light a touch as possible.
God of RomanceKohmi Hirose
When it comes to Kohmi Hirose, she was the queen of TV commercials in the ’90s! Many people probably heard this song in the ads for a certain ski shop.
“Romance no Kamisama” is Hirose’s third single, released in 1993, and it became a million-selling hit.
Hirose’s vocals are indeed distinctive—her high tones leave a strong impression.
It might be relatively easy for women with higher voices to sing, but Hirose’s own singing is very solid, backed by her classical training.
So when you try it, aim for singing that doesn’t lose the core of your voice—not only in the high notes of the chorus, but also in the verses.
JupiterAyaka Hirahara
Ayaka Hirahara’s debut single, released in December 2003.
The song sets Japanese lyrics to “Jupiter,” the fourth movement of The Planets, an orchestral suite by the British composer Gustav Holst.
Hirahara’s performance on this track is outstanding throughout—not only for her clear, high tones, but for the way she fully masters an extremely challenging melody that was never originally written as a vocal piece.
There are many sections, including the opening, that demand solid low-register singing, so it’s not exactly a song you can casually tackle at karaoke.
Still, I encourage you to give it a try.
If you send me a message, I can offer some simple tips for singing it!
CHE.R.RYYUI
YUI’s 8th single, released in March 2007.
It’s a very refreshing pop-rock number, and the vocals you hear here aren’t about ultra-high tones; rather, they’re crisp and breezy, making the most of the natural brightness of her chest voice.
It’s a perfect match for those who may not be especially strong with high notes but want to sing by leveraging the height and brightness of their natural voice.
There are parts, such as the A-melody, where the melody runs relatively low, which could potentially be a sticking point, but do give it a try and see if you can make it your own!
I long to see you now.MISIA
MISIA is a female singer with a five-octave vocal range whose solo rendition of the national anthem at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics garnered worldwide acclaim.
Her 23rd single, “Aitakute Ima,” written as the theme song for the TV drama JIN, is a sweeping ballad that portrays the bonds and the weight of life, inspired by letters from kamikaze pilots that MISIA herself read.
The hallmark high-tone melody makes the original key challenging to sing even for women confident in their upper register, so practice is essential.
Also, because the song features not only wide intervals but dramatic dynamics, be mindful when singing karaoke not to let the focus on hitting high notes turn your delivery into a monotonous performance.