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Are you looking for a vocal challenge? Or maybe you’d prefer to avoid anything that’s going to be a struggle and possibly make you sound less than impressive. Let take a look at some of the hardest and most difficult songs to sing
The hardest songs to sing may involve very high – and low – notes, vocal runs, tricky musical intervals and/or a complex melody. And what is a tough track for one vocalist may not be for another, depending on their natural strengths.
We’ve compiled a list of what we believe are some of the most difficult songs to sing well. Do you fancy the challenge? Then read on…
The hardest songs to sing
Being an artist in the music industry is hard work and often a long journey. As you grow and develop, it’s important to show that you’re versatile as an artist and can become a better singer.
The best way to do this is by singing songs that will challenge and test your skills. Don’t think of this as a challenge though – embrace it and enjoy it. Give yourself the opportunity to experiment with different numbers and make them your own. Doing this will give you lots of ideas about and inspiration for music you can sing in upcoming auditions, for gigs and at contests .
Don’t be put off by the fact that the songs in our list are considered to be more of a challenge to take on. Believe in yourself and give it your all. You might just be surprised by the results.
Hardest songs to sing – female artists
Obviously there are some songs that are more suited to a woman’s voice. However, there are also some songs that many female singers would find tricky to sing. So we’ve made a list of some of them below.
1. Chandelier by Sia
This track has more ups and downs than a yoyo! Sia’s undeniable talent is clear for all to hear in this song and it’s certainly a hard song to have a go at singing. Equally though, it is a beautiful song to sing, if you can manage to hit all those notes. You can try the dance or acoustic version – the latter exposed the voice even further.
2. Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush
Another extremely challenging track, it’s not one that we often see people taking on at an audition. It’s definitely one of the most difficult songs that you could choose to sing as a female singer (or as a male singer for that matter!).
3. Video Games by Lana Del Rey
This song poses a challenge because it’s so monotone and in such a low key. This, in turn, makes it tough to communicate the heart of the song. In the wrong hands, it risks sounding dull. Lana Del Rey has such a unique voice that it makes it very difficult for other singers to get it right.
4. Rolling in the Deep by Adele
This is often a popular song for auditions and shows. But because Adele’s got such a powerful voice and is able to use her falsetto voice when singing higher notes, it makes it very difficult to replicate. The intervals in the verses pose a problem. So practice these carefully if you want to sing this.
Hardest songs to sing – male artists
Here’s a list of some of the most difficult songs for men to sing.
5. Crawling by Linkin Park
Many aspiring rock stars will be a fan of Linkin Park’s back catalogue but that doesn’t mean their songs are easy to sing. This is a particularly difficult track to master because you are tasked with stretching your technique in many different ways. Perfect your vocal fry to sing this one.
6. I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith
Another track that will leave you questioning how powerful your vocals are, this may sound easy but it’s a tricky song to master. The change in melody and powerful voices of Steven Tyler makes it a challenge but it’s also a fun song to sing.
7. Stay With Me by Sam Smith
Sam is a very talented artist with a mellifluous, naturally high voice. He produces an incredible soft sound that’s very emotive. This is a great ballad but a difficult song to take on unless you have a honed falsetto.
8. Welcome to The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance
This is one of those songs that you really need to gear yourself up for because there’s so much going on and so much to juggle. It’s energetic and fast-paced and requires a lot of practice. Having said that, it’s also a great song!
9. You Need Me, I Don’t Need You by Ed Sheeran
Generally, Ed’s songs are good for beginners. But whether or not you choose to take on this particular song all depends on whether you consider yourself a skilled rapper. Because if you don’t, it’s probably going to take a while to get the hang of it as well as learning all the words.
Which are the most difficult songs to sing?
Here are some more tricky numbers…
10. Love on Top by Beyoncé
Okay, so we admit that many Beyonce songs will be hard to sing but this is among the most challenging because. Bey really tests her voice to the limits with such a variety of notes and big intervals. And try dancing like that while trying to sing with power too! Scales will help you reach the key change, as will great breath control. Another difficult song in her catalogue is the epic ballad Listen.
11. Cry Me a River by Michael Bublé
Michale Buble sings easy listening, mixed with a jazz sound – and the staccato, discordant of this latter genre can be tough to master unless you have inbuilt rhythm. One of his most famous songs, this is a tough one. There are so many different notes to hit and you really need to focus on your breathing. But it’s a fun song to sing too so certainly worth giving it a shot!
12. You raise me up by Josh Groban
Josh has a hugely wide vocal range which means this is a really tough song to try and replicate. He has the ability to hold a note and put power into every word that he sings. You Raise Me Up really exposes your vocals and if you don’t nail the key change at the end, it can be painful for the listener.
The hardest songs to sing at karaoke
Karaoke nights can be a lot of fun, but they can also showcase some very questionable singing. And many of the popular karaoke numbers are harder to perfect than you might imagine.
13. I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
This is one of those songs that so many people attempt to take on in a karaoke bar and more often than not, it goes horribly wrong. It’s a really difficult song to get right – you need to hit those high notes and you need to make sure you are in control of your breathing. Practise your vocal runs and sing it through with a karaoke track in private, before giving it a go in public.
14. Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
It’s a track that many aspiring rock stars will want to perfect. But this Bon Jovi hit has a rather challenging chorus that many singers struggle to get right – especially those singing late at night in karaoke bars. We’ve all heard some terrible renditions of this one.
15. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
Yes, this is an old song but everybody knows it and as a result, everybody wants to have a go at singing it. Make sure you are aware of the challenge you face though – it’s a very difficult song to crack, with falsetto, staccato, different genre influences and a range of close harmonies. And you’ll only be able to sing a fraction of the parts by yourself.
High pitched songs
One of the main reasons a vocalist will struggle with a song is the number’s range. And often this is because the music is written very high, rather than low. Here are some difficult songs with very high notes.
16. I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ by Scissor Sisters
This involves singing at a very high key for the majority of the song and your vocal cords may struggle to keep up with it, especially as it’s up-tempo. It’s no secret that lead singer Justin Hawkins has a wide vocal range and the changes in key in this track make it a challenging song. On the flip side, it’s a joyous anthem and makes an audience smile.
17. Forever by Mariah Carey
Most of Mariah’s songs are going to be difficult to take on, but this is one of the trickiest due to its riffs and runs. So much so that Mariah no longer sings this early hit live. The pop diva has the ability to hit very high notes and singing this song requires you to have a great deal of control over your vocals. If you want to take o the song with the highest note from her catalogue, that would be Emotions.
18. Fix You by Coldplay
Chris Martin is another singer with a wide range. This song has a slightly discordant melody – which is what makes it so haunting – and many different harmonies to master. It’s also a beautiful song and can be perfected – with a lot of practice and a good ear for tuning.
19. Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson
Another song from a competition superstar with a lot of talent, this track is full of ups and downs and will test your voice. It’s also super upbeat which makes it exciting to perform. Infuse it with passion and emotion, which will add layers to your performance.
The most difficult songs in the world to sing
Sometimes, the hardest and most difficult songs to sing are the best thing for us, because, in the long run, they make us better singers and musicians . There are lots of tricky songs out there from all different genres that are worth an attempt.
The most challenging songs have a wide range and a complicated melody and so there is more to learn and more to remember. These will be performed by artists who can hit a variety of notes and showcase their talents.
If you want to master challenging songs, ensure that you set aside time each day to practise. Start off by drinking some water to lubricate your throat. Then warm-up your vocal cords with some simple exercises and techniques .
Related Questions
- What is the best song to show off your voice?
Once you know what genre of music you want to sing , you can find your own unique style. Listen to the way other artists sing and think about how you want to sound. Different genres of music will make your voice will sound different, depending on the sort of artist that you want to be.
- How can I be a better singer?
Lots of people think that to be a good singer you need to copy a song. But if you want to become a better singer you need to emulate good singers, not good songs. Listen to the songs and try and make them your own. You need to stand out as an artist in your own right, not be a tribute act.
- Which are the hardest Ariana Grande songs to sing?
Everyday, Into You and Moonlight, are all considered to be especially hard to sing. If you have a high register they may be a little easier, but Grande’s vocal acrobatics can be tough to match. Work on your whistle technique to be able to sing her songs.
Which do you think are the hardest songs to sing? Which would you add to this list? Share your thoughts and suggestions below.