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
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[For those confident in their vocal abilities] Difficult songs to tackle at karaoke! (91–100)
WHO’S GONNA SAVE USHyde
While HYDE delivers catchy songs as part of L’Arc~en~Ciel, his solo work ventures into considerably hard rock.
A solo track by HYDE that I highly recommend is “WHO’S GONNA SAVE US.” It’s hard rock built on an electronic sound, and it’s consistently demanding from start to finish.
Among its challenges, the toughest element is undoubtedly the long tones.
Sustaining long notes for several seconds right at the edge of the chest voice requires substantial lung capacity and precise vocal cord control.
Killer BallGirl of Extreme Vulgarity
Gesu no Kiwami Otome captivate listeners with pop melodies infused with jazz and progressive elements.
Released in May 2022, this track epitomizes the band’s musical identity.
Enon Kawatani’s masterful songwriting shines, sharply portraying the alienation of modern society and the complexity of human relationships.
Notably, the midsection incorporates Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu, achieving a brilliant fusion with classical music.
The lyrics depict emotional fluctuations arising from the interplay between self and others, emphasizing the importance of “continuing to dance.” It’s a recommended piece for advanced singers looking for a karaoke challenge, as well as for those who want to savor musical depth.
[For those confident in their singing ability] Difficult songs to challenge at karaoke! (101–110)
A flower of no colorHikaru Utada
Utada Hikaru’s fantastical masterpiece “Nani-iro Demo Nai Hana.” This song features an opening and chorus that feel almost like Western pop.
It starts with a languid, dreamlike melody, while the first verse (A-melo) evokes a somewhat standard jazz vibe.
In the latter half, R&B elements enter, making it a very complex track.
The vocal range is on the narrower side, so it doesn’t demand a particular voice type, but it does require excellent rhythm and advanced techniques like ad-libs and melismatic runs.
Be sure to check it out.
C.U.R.I.O.S.I.T.Y. feat. Paledusk and CHICO CARLITOONE OK ROCK
Speaking of Taka, the vocalist of ONE OK ROCK who continues to work globally not only in Japan but around the world, he’s also known for his powerful singing ability, effortlessly handling everything from a wide vocal range to shouts.
Many people admire Taka, but this time I’d like to introduce C.
U.
R.
I.
O.
S.
I.
T.
Y.
as a song with a high level of difficulty for karaoke.
It’s a track from the album DETOX, released in February 2025, and it’s shaped into an aggressive loud rock number featuring CHICO CARLITO, a rapper from Okinawa, and Paledusk, a band popular for their hybrid metalcore sound.
With all-English lyrics, the song busily jumps between restrained sections, high-pitched shouts, and melodic parts, and even requires rapping and growls.
So if Taka’s parts alone feel too tough, I recommend tackling it at karaoke with a few friends—especially those who are good at rap and growls!
Take It BackReiko
Born in 2002, REIKO was born in the Philippines and raised in Aichi Prefecture.
Although she narrowly missed passing SKY-HI’s audition program “THE FIRST,” SKY-HI himself later recognized her talent and helped her debut as a solo artist.
She is a highly anticipated young singer-songwriter.
Released in April 2025, her track “Take It Back” revives a distinctly New Jack Swing–inspired sound in a modern style, resulting in a killer tune that maximizes REIKO’s superb vocal ability and outstanding sense of rhythm.
Beyond the melody line that moves across a wide vocal range, songs like this demand a strong feel for groove; simply singing the notes as written will never capture the vibe.
Listen closely to the track and try singing with conscious attention to its groove.
AdventureYOASOBI
This is YOASOBI’s 17th digital-only single, released in February 2023.
The most important factor in mastering this song for karaoke is whether you can smoothly switch between falsetto and chest voice in the high sections.
First, develop a seamless transition between registers, and then make sure to deliver a clear, punchy attack on each word of the lyrics as you sing.
If that becomes vague, the lively vibe of the original will be lost.
Gambling hallMasayoshi Oishi
Masayoshi Oishi, a well-known figure even in the online world.
With his excellent talk skills and catchy musical style, he has even pulled off a show at the Budokan.
His new song is Gambling Hall.
The track blends a Japanese flavor with a jazzy vibe that really shines.
Speaking of Masayoshi Oishi’s music, soaring high notes are a trademark, and they’re very much present here as well.
While it’s not an intense song per se, the melodic leaps are quite pronounced, so delicate pitch control is essential.