20 of the Hardest Songs To Sing

Let’s take a look at the 20 of the hardest songs to sing. Many of these songs require a wide vocal range and incredible control of your voice. Therefore, they are certainly not for beginners! If you’re a seasoned singer, however, these songs will challenge you.

1. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen

Starting this list is a real classic. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen is a song that has been around for decades, and it’s still as popular as ever. This song has a lot of iconic moments, including the operatic section in the middle. This is not a beginner’s song but if you’re up for the challenge, it’s a lot of fun to sing.

2. “Chandelier” by Sia

Another throat-buster on this list is “Chandelier” by Sia. This song has a lot of high notes that will test your vocal range. The good news is, that the verses are mostly in a lower register so you can catch your breath before hitting those big notes in the chorus. “Chandelier” remains a true test for vocalists everywhere.

3. “Listen” by Beyoncé

Now, this is a song that requires some serious vocal chops. “Listen” by Beyoncé is from the movie ‘Dreamgirls’ and it is sung by the character Deena Jones, who is played by Beyoncé. The song starts in a lower register but quickly goes up to very high notes. The true test would be to successfully build up the notes throughout the song as it features a rise from start to finish.

4. “Hurt” by Christina Aguilera

This song is notoriously difficult to sing because of its wide range and complicated vocal runs. Aguilera hits some extremely high notes in the song, which can be challenging for even the most experienced singers. It was released in 2006 for her album “Back to Basics”.

5. “Titanium” by David Guetta feat. Sia

When it comes to high notes, “Titanium” by David Guetta feat. Sia is definitely up there. This song has a lot of big notes that will test your vocal range and control. The verses are a blessing compared to the pre-chorus and chorus. The notes take off and any vocalist will have a hard time with this one. This became a hit when it was featured in the movie Pitch Perfect.

6. “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele

Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” is a song that starts slow but quickly builds to a crescendo. It is one of Adele’s biggest hits with over 2 billion streams on Youtube. This is just one of the many popular songs on her album 21. You can listen to it on all music platforms.

7. “Loving You” by Minnie Riperton

Minnie Riperton’s “Loving you” is often cited as one of the most difficult songs to sing. The song is in a higher register and has lyrics that are difficult to enunciate. If you can whistle like Riperton, you can probably sing this song, however, not a lot of singers can belt out whistle tones.

8. “All By Myself” by Celine Dion

The next song is “All By Myself” by Celine Dion. The song is about heartbreak and loneliness, and the lyrics are very emotive. The vocal range is also quite challenging, hitting some high notes that most people can’t sing.  This is one of her most iconic songs that is still popular today. Celine Dion is a staple for female vocalists and irreplaceable, to say the least.

9.  “Perdere L’amore” by Lara Fabian

Another extremely challenging song, this one is sung in Italian. The lyrics are very emotional, and the vocal runs are long and complicated. Fabian is a Belgian/Canadian singer who is known for her powerful vocal abilities. This song was released in 1997 on her album “Pure”.

10. “Dream On” by Aerosmith

Aerosmith’s “Dream On” is a challenging song to sing because of the high notes and Steven Tyler’s iconic scream. The song is about following your dreams and never giving up. This is one of Aerosmith’s most popular songs and it was released in 1973 for their self-titled album.

11. “Love on Top” by Beyoncé

This next song is famous for its high notes that are difficult to reach for most. “Love on Top” is a fun, upbeat song, but it’s not easy to sing! The rapid runs and powerful vocal belting make this one of the hardest. If you want to practice your vocal runs, you can test your limits with this tune.

12. “Alive” by Sia

“Alive” is a song by australian singer-songwriter Sia, taken from her seventh studio album “This Is Acting” (2015). It is an uptempo electronica and dance-pop song with synth instrumentation. If you’re up for a challenge, try hitting those high notes! You can listen to it on all music platforms out there.

13. “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin

Here’s a song every woman can relate to. “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” is all about feeling comfortable in your own skin. The vocal range is huge, and the ad-libs at the end are challenging. This soulful track was released in 1967 for the album “Lady Soul”.

14. “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” by Jennifer Holiday

“And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” is a Broadway classic from the musical Dreamgirls. The song is all about determination and strength, and Jennifer Holiday hits some powerful notes. This is a staple for singing contests, and it’s not easy to pull off!

15. “Faithfully” by Journey

Here’s another power ballad that is perfect for karaoke. “Faithfully” by Journey was released in 1983 and peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The vocal range is huge, and you have to be able to hold those notes! You can stream it on all major music platforms out there.

16. “My Way” by Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” is a classic that has been covered by many artists in various languages. The original was released in 1969, and the song is all about living life on your own terms. This has also been used in singing contests which only proves that it is sung to impress. The low notes are particularly hard to grasp and hold, while the crescendo at the end is exceptional.

17. “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing” by Aerosmith

Who wouldn’t want to sing an Aerosmith song on karaoke night? This next one is one of their most popular songs, and it’s perfect for a duet! “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing” is all about being in love and not wanting to miss a moment. The vocal range is challenging, especially the high notes and the big screams at the end. Steven Tyler is hard to replicate!

18. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston

This classic hit remains to be one of the most popular love songs of all time. Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” was released in 1992 and has been covered by many artists. The original is from the movie ‘The Bodyguard’, and it is a difficult song to sing. Not everybody can hit those high notes.

19. “To Be Loved” by Adele

“To Be Loved” is a song by english singer Adele. It was released in 2021 for her recent album, “30”. The lyrics are simple but emotional, and the melody is beautiful but challenging. This track is perfect for those who want to show off their vocal range because it spans several octaves. The vocal range is impressive, and the high notes will challenge you.

20. “Forever” by Mariah Carey

Finishing the list with a bang! “Forever” by Mariah Carey is notoriously difficult to sing. Carey is known for her impressive vocal range, and “Forever” definitely showcases her talent. If you’re up for a challenge, give this song a try! You can find it on her “Daydream” album which was released in 1996.

Final Thoughts

These are just some of the hardest songs to sing. There are many more out there that would definitely challenge you. If you’re looking for a good vocal workout, try singing some of these songs.