[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 Pitch Alert!] Difficult High-Range Songs to Sing (51–60)
Flavor Of LifeHikaru Utada
Utada Hikaru’s songs demand not only the right key but also strong vocal ability.
This track is one of her more challenging ones: for high-voiced singers, the low-pitched first verse (A-melody) can be a tough hurdle.
After that, the chorus features melodies that let you showcase a clear, beautiful head voice.
The range is wide and demanding, but if you can master it, you might just get closer to becoming a diva yourself!
PreciousYuna Ito
This is the theme song for the second film adaptation of the story depicting the heroics of Japan Coast Guard officers, “Limit of Love: Umizaru.” The American-born singer Yuna Ito delivers a beautifully grand performance.
The song starts quietly but builds to a powerful chorus, and singing it through feels incredibly satisfying—a superb ballad.
Highly recommended for those who want to sing with a sense of grandeur!
Star LablationKera-kera (giggling/laughing)
It’s the theme song of the drama “Last Cinderella.” The unadorned vocals are part of its charm, so even if you have a high voice but aren’t very confident in your singing ability, you can enjoy singing it casually.
Sing with all your might and liven up the karaoke to the fullest!
HeroYOASOBI
It’s the 20th digital single by the music duo YOASOBI, released in September 2023.
The song is used as the opening theme for the TV anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.
It’s an up-tempo track built on a vocal melody that moves intensely and intricately up and down, and I feel it requires quite a high level of vocal ability and expressive control to sing well.
A precise sense of rhythm is also very important.
In addition to smooth and appropriate register transitions, the way you cut off notes and sustain them in each phrase is crucial.
I recommend writing out the lyrics, carefully marking where to cut notes and so on, and studying in advance before singing.
[High Notes Warning!] High Songs That Are Hard to Sing (61–70)
MesmerizerSatsuki
Satsuki, a Vocaloid producer known for eccentric compositions, shines again with their quirky musicality in the new track “Mesmerizer.” In particular, this song features strikingly high notes in the chorus.
The tempo is quick, and there are few natural breathing points typical of Vocaloid, so solid vocal technique is required.
To perform this piece well, it’s crucial to finish each four-bar vocal line in the chorus slightly earlier than in the original.
If you sing it exactly like the original, there will be no place to breathe from the start to the end of the chorus, so make yourself a breathing spot even if you have to force it.
First loveHikaru Utada
As you know, Heisei-era DIVA Hikaru Utada’s 10th single was released as a limited digital track in May 2018.
While Utada sings high tones beautifully, simply having a high natural voice doesn’t make her songs easy to perform.
The key to making this song sound good is how softly you can produce your voice, even on pitches that might come off as shrill.
In terms of rhythm and timing as well, to put it casually, you’ll need a very Western pop sensibility.
If you’re going to take on this song, pay close attention to those aspects as you practice.
I don’t care what happens anymore.Hoshimachi Suisei
One of my students once practiced “Stellar Stellar,” but this time, “Mou Dounatte mo Ii ya” has a completely different vibe—it’s a cool-style anime song.
Listening through the whole track, it has an overall sense of speed with lots of fast lyrics, so keeping the rhythm is very important.
Since it’s such a fast song and the pitch goes up to D5, the key is to avoid straining your voice.
It might help to sing with a relaxed approach, using a strong head voice.