For those confident in their singing ability: Challenging songs to try at karaoke!
How do people practice songs that are hard to sing at karaoke? Not being able to hit the high notes, running out of breath, not keeping the rhythm… Even with those worries, don’t you ever think, “It would be so cool if I could nail that difficult song perfectly!”? The truth is, the tougher the song, the more likely it is that you can sing it surprisingly well once you get the hang of a few tricks.
In this article, we’ll introduce the traits of challenging songs you’ll want to try at karaoke, along with techniques to help you sing them well.
Let’s master that song you admire—together!
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- [I want to sing out loud] Songs that feel great to belt and are fun for karaoke
- Recommended karaoke songs for male vocalists with high voices
[For those confident in their singing ability] Difficult songs to challenge at karaoke! (71–80)
the Beat of LifeToshinobu Kubota
Toshinobu Kubota is an R&B singer who has been active for many years and is known in Japan as one of the quintessential great vocalists.
From his catalog, the song I especially recommend is “the Beat of Life.” This track has an R&B sound reminiscent of the late 1990s and early 2000s, and it showcases sophisticated vocal techniques like ad-libs (often heard in R&B) multiple times.
It also demands a strong sense of groove, making it a great challenge for those who are accustomed to singing Western music.
StardomKing Gnu
King Gnu is known for having many difficult songs.
In general, pieces like Hakujitsu with lots of high notes are considered hard, but as long as you can use falsetto, that particular song isn’t all that difficult.
Stardom, however, is different.
It features a wide variety of vocal techniques within a single track, from intense sections powered by shouts to delicate passages centered on mixed voice.
If songs are only high and that no longer satisfies you, definitely give this one a try.
DIGNITYAdo
This is Ado’s 19th digital-only single, released in September 2023.
It was chosen as the theme song for the film The Silent Service, which premiered in September 2023.
By the way, the songwriting was handled by B’z members Inaba and Matsumoto.
If you want to recreate this song in karaoke, the most important point is how well you can reproduce Ado’s own dynamic vocal style.
Even in the quieter sections, keep your voice steady and confident; and in the high notes like the chorus, be careful not to tighten your throat and produce a thin, constricted tone.
ROSEHANA
In 2025, HANA—a seven-member female group that could well be called one of the year’s most talked-about acts—burst onto the scene.
Produced by CHANMINA, their fluid movement between hip-hop and R&B, paired with world-class sound quality, made a powerful impact both in Japan and abroad.
Their debut track “ROSE,” released in April 2025, was an undeniable hit, racking up 15 million views on YouTube within three weeks and showcasing the immense potential of all seven members.
With a firm “no lip-syncing” policy, their talent is obvious from the official live performances available—though of course, attempting their songs at karaoke will demand a comparable level of vocal skill.
From robust, R&B-inflected vocals that soar across high and low registers to razor-sharp rap, if you and your confident singer friends can pull off a faithful recreation, you’ll undoubtedly be the stars of the night at karaoke!
SubtitleOfficial HIGE DANDism
“Subtitle” is a digital single released by Official HIGE DANDism in 2022.
It was written as the theme song for the Fuji TV drama “silent,” and it topped various charts on Oricon and Billboard.
The chorus showcases Satoshi Fujihara’s appealing high tones, but it’s quite challenging to sing and requires mastery of mixed voice.
In the B-melody, there’s a section delivered in a steady, rap-like manner; you need to articulate clearly and understand where to place rests, or it’s hard to pull off.
“Subtitle” is a slightly more difficult song, but definitely give it a try!
mixed nutsOfficial HIGE DANDism
A digital-only track by the Japanese piano pop band Official HIGE DANDism, released on April 15, 2022.
It was written specifically as the opening theme for the TV anime SPY x FAMILY.
Satoshi Fujihara, the vocalist of Official HIGE DANDism, is widely recognized for his strong vocal ability, but the biggest hurdle for most people attempting this song is how well they can sing the 16-beat-based rhythm without making it feel flat.
If you can’t manage this and the groove ends up sounding heavy and stuck, it will spoil the song’s vibe no matter how beautifully you hit the high notes.
Please pay close attention to your sense of rhythm and how you feel the beat when you sing.
ValueAdo
Ado’s hit song “Value.” Compared to her other tracks, this one has a slightly softer feel.
It might not seem that difficult, but it’s actually more challenging than “Show.” The main reason is the sheer amount of falsetto.
You’ll need a wide range of falsetto techniques: falsetto sung in the low range, falsetto in the high range, and even falsetto lines that glide upward in pitch.
It’s an extremely demanding song—give it a try if you’re up for the challenge.