25 Hardest Songs to Sing for Male & Female Voices

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Plus, expert advice on how to sing hard songs better
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Have you ever wondered what the hardest songs to sing are? If so, you’ve come to the right place. While the difficulty of a song is subjective—and often hotly debated—some songs are generally thought to be among the hardest to sing. This article will cover the hardest songs for men and women in pop music , as well as the hardest songs from operas and Broadway musicals . Plus, we spoke with vocal coach Tanisha Hall to get her expert tips for developing a better singing voice so you can tackle more difficult songs.

5 of the Most Challenging Songs to Sing

  1. “Emotions” – Mariah Carey
  2. “Dream On” – Aerosmith
  3. “Defying Gravity” from Wicked – Idina Menzel
  4. “And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going” from Dreamgirls – Jennifer Holliday
  5. “Der Hölle Rache (Queen of the Night)” from The Magic Flute – Soprano
Section 1 of 6:

Hardest Pop Songs to Sing for Women

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  1. 1
    “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Bonnie Tyler Originally written to be part of a musical based on Nosferatu , “Total Eclipse of the Heart” became a huge hit for Tyler. [1] Though she doesn’t have the 4-7 octave range of other singers, Tyler’s raspy voice brings the passion—and breath support—to match the over-the-top melodrama of the music. Which is good, because there are so many words in the verses that there’s very little time to breathe. And Tyler stays up in her upper register for most of the song, making it exhausting to perform.
    • Written by Jim Steinman
    • Released in 1983
  2. 2
    “Chandelier” – Sia “Chandelier” starts with a deceptively simple melody, but then the chorus hits you like a freight train at full speed with a C#5 in a full belt (high, powerful singing). And it only gets higher and more powerful from there. Another element that makes “Chandelier” an insanely hard song to sing is that you have to shift seamlessly between your belt and your head voice (high notes supported by breath). [2]
    • Written by Sia and Jesse Shatkin
    • Released in 2014
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  3. 3
    “All by Myself” – Céline Dion Dion is the ultimate professional with an intense vocal training routine and work ethic. [3] It shows in the effortless runs during her performance of “All by Myself.” The song is emotional with many key signature changes and sustained high notes, including an infamous F5 at the song’s climax.
    • Written by Eric Carmen & Sergei Rachmaninoff
    • Released in 1996
  4. 4
    “Blue Bayou” – Linda Ronstadt “Blue Bayou” might not be the flashiest song on the list, but Ronstadt’s version earns its spot. It starts quietly, but then, she slaps you with a high belt that’s extremely powerful and crystal clear. [4] Ronstadt is a master at using inflection, breathiness, and a slight trailing of the beat, which infuses the song with feeling. Replicating her sound needs a combination of talent, skill, and the perfect range for the song.
    • Written by Roy Orbison & Joe Melson
    • Released in 1977
  5. 5
    “Lovin’ You” – Minnie Riperton Riperton was known for her 5½-octave vocal range and smooth and simple performances. “Lovin’ You” showcases Riperton’s whistle register, the highest register of a human voice. Very few singers perform consistently in the whistle register, making this song very hard to sing. Adding to the difficulty is Riperton’s breathy, emotional delivery and her ability to switch back and forth between the whistle register and her lower singing voice. [5]
    • Written by Minnie Riperton & Richard Rudolph
    • Released in 1974
  6. 6
    “I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston Houston was nicknamed “The Voice” because of her remarkable sound that could be emotive, operatic, and powerful. [6] Her cover of “I Will Always Love You” begins a cappella (or without backing music), meaning there’s nothing to mask a wobble or wrong note. Combined with the long note in the chorus that moves into the higher register without a chance to breathe, an a cappella key change near the end, and shifts from quiet, emotive singing to powerful belting, makes this a punishingly hard song.
    • Written by Dolly Parton
    • Released in 1992
  7. 7
    “Emotions” – Mariah Carey Carey has a whole career filled with difficult songs to sing, but “Emotions” might take the prize as the hardest. The song climbs from a low C3 all the way up to crazy high E7 in Carey’s impressive whistle register. [7] That huge range requires vocal agility and precision. Plus, it’s an upbeat song with fast key changes and not much time to breathe.
    • Written by Maria Carey, David Cole, & Robert Clivillés
    • Released in 1991
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Section 2 of 6:

Hardest Pop Songs to Sing for Men

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  1. 1
    “Sherry” – Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons “Sherry” was the first of many #1 hits featuring Valli’s signature falsetto. [8] When singing falsetto , many performers tend to sound thin, but not Valli. His extraordinary control and big, powerful sound make his voice unique and difficult—if not impossible—to reproduce. This makes “Sherry” especially hard for other singers to take on.
    • Written by Bob Gaudio
    • Released in 1962
  2. 2
    “Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Simon & Garfunkel “Bridge Over Troubled Water” has become one of the most covered songs in history. [9] But none of those covers can quite capture the soaring vocals of Art Garfunkel’s original recording. The strength and range of his voice, especially in the higher register, are the key to creating the level of emotion the song requires. It also makes it an extremely difficult standard for other singers to live up to.
    • Written by Paul Simon
    • Released in 1970
  3. 3
    “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” – The Darkness “I Believe in a Thing Called Love ” is a big, over-the-top call-back to the hair bands of the ’80s and ’70s glam rock. Lead singer Justin Hawkins delivers the song’s joyous, irreverent lyrics in a clear, strong falsetto. As if that wasn’t hard enough, all those high notes come fast and furious in the chorus, making the song even more difficult. Plus, Hawkins’s dead-serious delivery and complete control over the grit in his voice really sell the song, which might become silly in the hands of a less talented performer. [10]
    • Written by Justin Hawkins, Dan Hawkins, Frankie Poullain, & Ed Graham
    • Released in 2003
  4. 4
    “Unchained Melody” – The Righteous Brothers The haunting melody and evocative lyrics of “Unchained Melody” have made it popular with audiences and singers alike. But it’s a beast with vocal trills (quick movement between 2 adjacent notes) and dramatic changes in pitch and dynamics. Bobby Hatfield sings in a high tenor with impressive technical ability that made “Unchained Melody” a classic… and one of the hardest songs for men to sing. [11]
    • Written by Alex North & Hy Zaret
    • Released in 1955
  5. 5
    “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a mock-opera that has become the classic rock band’s signature song. [12] Aside from the impossible task of reproducing Freddie Mercury’s powerful vocals, “Bohemian Rhapsody” features multiple sections with key and tempo changes. There are also fast staccato sections and shifts between head and chest voices, making this one of the most difficult pop songs to sing.
    • Written by Freddie Mercury
    • Released in 1975
  6. 6
    “Dream On” – Aerosmith This classic rock anthem features the powerful voice of lead singer Steven Tyler. One of Aerosmith’s most iconic hits, “Dream On” is hard to sing due to its soaring high notes that go up to a G#5 (or the G# in the 5th octave of a standard musical keyboard). [13] It also has several vocal slides between notes, sustained high notes, and switches between soft and loud singing that make it even more difficult. [14]
    • Written by Steven Tyler
    • Released in 1973
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Section 3 of 6:

Hardest Songs to Sing from Broadway Musicals

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  1. 1
    “And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going” from Dreamgirls – Jennifer Holliday “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” slams the door on the first act of Dreamgirls with an emotional bang. It starts soft and sweet and works its way up to a belt that shreds the vocal cords of unworthy singers. Holliday’s incredible control and emotional intensity make this song so difficult that only a few have been able to come close.
    • Written by Tom Eyen & Henry Krieger
    • Released in 1982
  2. 2
    “Defying Gravity” from Wicked – Idina Menzel “Defying Gravity” lives up to its name with really high belted notes with very little room to breathe. Plus, if you’re playing Elphaba, you’re going to be singing while flying through the air, which can make breath support more challenging. [15] Even when your feet are on the ground, this song is one of the hardest in musical theater, with a large range, 4 different keys, time signature changes, and wildly changing dynamics.
    • Written by Stephen Schwartz
    • Released in 2003
  3. 3
    “Rainbow High” from Evita – Patti LuPone Andrew Lloyd Webber is known for writing challenging songs, and “Rainbow High” is no exception. This song is mercifully short, but it features high belting, a large range, huge jumps between notes, several key changes, and high energy from start to finish. The role of Evita is also placed right between the chest and head voice, making all of her songs especially difficult even for a Broadway legend like Patti LuPone. [16]
    • Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice
    • Released in 1978
  4. 4
    “Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)” from Jesus Christ Superstar – Ian Gillan Another supremely difficult Andrew Lloyd Webber song, “Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)” features ridiculously high notes. It also has big tone and tempo shifts. Plus, it requires the singer to portray intense emotions, or the song just doesn’t work. [17]
    • Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice
    • Released in 1970
  5. 5
    “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables – Colm Wilkinson The simple melody of “Bring Him Home” might trick a fledgling singer into believing this song is easy to sing. It’s not. That “simple” melody climbs up to the highest parts of a tenor’s range. It also requires a tremendous amount of control to make the emotions believable. And sometimes, the singer has to perform it while sitting down, which can make their voice sound forced and unnatural. [18]
    • Written by Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg
    • Released in 1980
  6. 6
    “Guns and Ships” from Hamilton – Daveed Diggs Diggs claims his rapping in “Guns & Ships” is only medium-fast in the rap world. However, it clocks in as one of the fastest songs in Broadway history. [19] On top of spitting 19 words in 3 seconds, the singer performs the song in a heavy French accent, making those fast syllables that much harder to get out.
    • Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda
    • Released in 2015
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Section 4 of 6:

Hardest Songs to Sing from Operas

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  1. 1
    “Der Hölle Rache (Queen of the Night’s Aria)” from The Magic Flute – Soprano “Der Hölle Rache” (commonly referred to as the Queen of the Night’s Aria) features a succession of high F6s and famously difficult passages that require intense concentration. Plus, the singer has to capture the joyously vengeful tone of one of Mozart’s most famous villains. In fact, the first line translates to “Hell’s vengeance boils in my heart.” [20] So you know, the Queen isn’t playing around. Also… it’s sung in German, making it even harder because of all those consonants.
    • Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    • Premiered in 1791
  2. 2
    “Sempre Libera” from La Traviata – Soprano “Sempre Libera” is like a vocal fireworks show. The aria features high notes, long phrases, and elaborate ornamentation that can tax a soprano’s voice. It calls for agile runs and trills that express the joy of falling in love and the determination to remain free. [21] It’s a dazzling showpiece that’s beloved by fans who will pick up on the slightest wobble, making it even harder to pull off.
    • Written by Giuseppe Verdi
    • Premiered in 1853
  3. 3
    “O Don Fatale” from Don Carlos – Mezzo The biggest challenges to singing “O Don Fatale” well are range and power. There’s also a difficult high Bb that comes at the very end of the aria. If a singer misses it, the entire piece falls flat. It doesn’t help that it has been famously performed by Maria Callas, one of the greatest opera singers to ever live. [22]
    • Written by Giuseppe Verdi
    • Premiered in 1867
  4. 4
    “Largo al Factotum” from The Barber of Seville – Baritone Opera lovers and non-fans alike have likely heard “Largo al Factotum.” The notes aren’t the hardest part of this popular piece. The singer needs to be able to perform the rapid-fire, tongue-twisting lyrics with perfect clarity. As if that wasn’t hard enough, it’s one of the most recognizable pieces in opera. And the audience often expects a few creative flourishes to make each performance unique. [23]
    • Written by Gioachino Rossini
    • Premiered in 1816
  5. 5
    “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot – Tenor “Nessun Dorma” comes with another deceptively simple melody that calls for vocal strength, control, and technical skill. It also features a sustained high B on the second-to-last note. While it’s not technically that high for a skilled tenor, if you don’t hit it just right, it can make even the most beautiful performance crash and burn. [24]
    • Written by Giacomo Puccini
    • Premiered in 1926
  6. 6
    “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” from The Pirates of Penzance – Tenor If you’ve ever seen The Pirates of Penzance , you already know why “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General” is hard to sing. The lyrics are fast and twisty, with preposterous rhymes. [25] And there are just so many of them. As the song goes on, it gets faster and faster until the singer is in danger of fainting if they don’t find a place to breathe.
    • Written by W. S. Gilbert & Arthur Sullivan
    • Premiered in 1880
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Section 5 of 6:

More of the Hardest Songs to Sing

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  1. The hardest songs show off a singer's technical skill and vocal range. Many think that having to sing high notes is what makes a song difficult. However, being able to sing (or rap) quickly with good flow or to be able to jump between notes also takes skill. Here’s a list of some more of the hardest songs to sing:
    • “Love On Top” – Beyoncé
    • “Wuthering Heights” – Kate Bush
    • “Since U Been Gone” – Kelly Clarkson
    • “Livin’ on a Prayer” – Bon Jovi
    • “Video Games” – Lana del Rey
    • “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele
    • “Fly Like a Bird” – Mariah Carey
    • “Listen” – Beyoncé
    • “Take on Me” – a-ha
    • “Stay with Me” – Sam Smith
    • “I Have Nothing” – Whitney Houston
    • “My Heart Will Go On” – Céline Dion
    • “Earth Song” – Michael Jackson
    • “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
    • “You Raise Me Up” – Josh Groban
    • “Over the Rainbow” – Judy Garland
    • “Titanium” – David Guetta featuring Sia
    • “Hurt” – Christina Aguilera
    • “Run” – Leona Lewis
    • “Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin
    • “Billie Jean” – Michael Jackson
    • “Someone Like You” – Adele
    • “Imagine” – Ariana Grande
    • “The Star Spangled Banner”
    • “Run to You” – Whitney Houston
    • “Alive” – Sia
    • “Rap God” – Eminem
    • “Stone Cold” – Demi Lovato
    • “Crawling” – Linkin Park
    • “My Way” – Frank Sinatra
    • “I’ll Never Let You Go” – STEELHEART
    • “Hallelujah” – Leonard Cohen
    • “Fight Fire with Fire” – Metallica
    • “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” – Shawn Mendes
    • “Cemetery Gates” – Pantera
    • “We Are the Champions” – Queen
    • “The Great Gig in the Sky” – Pink Floyd
    • “It’s the End of the World As We Know It” – R.E.M.
    • “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
    • “Faithfully” – Journey
    • “You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin
    • “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” – The Sound of Music
    • “Take Me or Leave Me” – RENT
    • “Memory” – Cats
    • “Pity the Child” – Chess
    • “Confrontation” – Jekyll & Hyde
    • “Giants in the Sky” – Into the Woods
    • “Großmächtige Prinzessin” – Ariadne auf Naxos
    • “Martern aller Arten” – Die Entführung aus dem Serail
    • “Di Quella Pira” – Il Trovatore
Section 6 of 6:

How to Sing Hard Songs Better

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  1. 1
    Practice singing daily. According to vocal coach Tanisha Hall, schedule about an hour every day to warm up and practice any songs you’ve been working on to strengthen your singing voice . “The first 20 minutes warming up… middle 20 minutes technical… the last 20 minutes can be just fun singing,” she explains.
    • Hall recommends spending “the first 15 to 20 minutes doing some type of a warm-up just to get your body, your vocal cords loosened up and get that flexibility.”
    • “Then the next 20 minutes should be working on some technical work, whether it's working on operatic training, or… on a particular run or line… in a particular song,” she adds.
    • Then that last 20 minutes can just be doing fun stuff, going over a song, and working out different ideas that you might have.
  2. 2
    Always warm up your voice before attempting a hard song. The quickest way to warm up and stretch your voice is by doing sirens, explains Hall. “Start at your lowest note and sing ‘aaaah’ in a gentle, smooth tone up to your highest note. Then slide back down to the lowest note.”
    • Do this about 5 times to warm up your voice and give your vocal cords a gentle stretch.
    • Remember, speaking uses your vocal cords, too! This is why singing is often easier and sounds better later in the day.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/nov/27/bonnie-tyler-total-eclipse-of-the-heart-nosferatu-musical
      2. ↑ https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/head-voice-vs-chest-voice-65559/
      3. ↑ https://thevocalstudio.sg/tvs-blog/celine-dion
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/M0Ow-z5oLm0?t=447
      5. ↑ https://timbreandorchestration.org/writings/amazing-moments-in-timbre/2022/3/10/lovin-you
      6. ↑ https://ew.com/music/whitney-houston-60th-birthday-tribute-the-voice/
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/Wcp62EudNsI?t=43
      8. ↑ https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/sherry.pdf
      9. ↑ https://www.songfacts.com/facts/simon-garfunkel/bridge-over-troubled-water
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/bZOiw34802k?t=452
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/nyXfCq1ix3g?t=301
      3. ↑ https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/queen-bohemian-rhapsody-song-history/
      4. ↑ https://www.mozartproject.org/what-is-g5-on-piano/
      5. ↑ https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/10_of_the_hardest_popular_songs_to_sing-41612
      6. ↑ https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/hardest-musical-songs-to-sing-high-note-a4448611.html
      7. ↑ https://www.cbc.ca/arts/q/every-night-i-went-on-stage-in-terror-patti-lupone-recalls-being-tested-by-evita-1.7019615
      8. ↑ https://singersroom.com/hardest-broadway-songs
      9. ↑ https://www.topsingingsecrets.com/blog/breathsupportsittingdown
      10. ↑ https://www.vox.com/2016/5/10/11649026/daveed-diggs-hamilton-fast-rap-tonight-show-taking-off-clipping
      11. ↑ https://www.classicfm.com/composers/mozart/queen-of-the-night-soprano/
      12. ↑ https://www.operaphila.org/community/dress-rehearsal-program/la-traviata/violettas-high-note/
      13. ↑ https://www.classical-music.com/features/works/hardest-songs
      14. ↑ https://www.classical-music.com/features/works/hardest-songs
      15. ↑ https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/opera/turandots-yonghoon-lee-on-how-to-hit-the-high-notes-of-nessun-dorma-20150625-ghxoj9.html
      16. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Pirates-of-Penzance

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