Top 10 Hardest Pop Songs to Sing
#10: “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975) Queen
Mixing together rock and pop sensibilities, Queen reached a career high with the landmark “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Credit obviously goes to the work of lead vocalist Freddie Mercury and backup singing from his bandmates, as this epic track brilliantly showcases the group’s ability to serve up classic harmonies. This is especially clear in the operatic sections which simply boggle the mind. This iconic single switches gears and genres multiple times, calling upon the performer to make abrupt changes requiring great skill. Even with the amazing vocal prowess they display on “Somebody to Love,” this still stands as their best.
#9: “Chandelier” (2014) Sia
An enigmatic artist with a vibrant sound, Australian performer Sia came to worldwide prominence in response to her efforts on songs like “Chandelier.” Her years of hard work clearly allowed the musician to hone her talents for a solo career. After producing some lingering drama in the verses, the sheer depth of her voice finally explodes in the track’s famous hook. The single presents a number of difficult sections for any would-be vocalists to attempt. Without the ability to sink to low notes and climb to unspeakable highs, few singers could match Sia in her fantastic performance.
#8: “Hello” (2015) Adele
Top 10 Hardest Songs to Sing
Among the more distinctive artists of the 21st century, Adele sounds like nobody else of her generation. She released “Hello” at the height of her fame and didn’t disappoint her fans with this effort which embodies her particular style. Featured on her “25” album, the track soars to massive heights thanks to Adele’s efforts in the chorus. The heartbreaking song allows her to unleash a dramatic tidal wave on listeners. Beyond the accolades or chart success, the single will be remembered for the artist’s supercharged talent in capturing every possible opportunity presented by this impressive melody. The fact that it’s become an iconic piece of pop culture is just a bonus.
#7: “Dog Days Are Over” (2008) Florence + the Machine
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Off of their debut album “Lungs,” Florence + the Machine used this track as a calling card to let the world know they were here. Florence Welch’s vocals are immediately recognizable, sounding like no one else in her field. She brings together a mix of rock and indie music to this pop production, which combine to perfectly show off her range. Few artists can match this triumph sound even at their peak, let alone so early in their career; the song’s staggering phrases demand power and precision. By the end of the track, we’re all out of breath just trying to keep up with her.
#6: “Wuthering Heights” (1978) Kate Bush
There’s nobody in the history of pop music that sings quite like Kate Bush. Her unique artistry created legendary recordings such as “Wuthering Heights,” which she released while still a teenager. Few singers have such a command of their vocal chords at that age. She defies clichés, descriptions, and time signatures throughout this eclectic and exciting experience. Bush’s cinematic performance perfectly captures and realizes the classic story that inspired this unique piece of music. Redefining the pop template, she paved the way for non-traditional performers to follow in her footsteps. Given that she’s completely different in every way, this effort doesn’t receive many covers, as who could match the original?
#5: “Listen” (2007) Beyoncé
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Multi-talented artist Beyoncé has spent several decades perfecting her musical style. She combined her known talent for singing with superlative acting in the film “Dreamgirls,” which included her song “Listen.” The singer shows she can easily handle pop music as well as any other genre. Her powerful performance highlights the emotional lyrics, giving the performer ample opportunity to wow audiences with her range. Bey’s dynamic showmanship guides her through the composition with graceful vocal flourishes. Her singing won over fans of the Broadway cast, even of Jennifer Holliday’s famous rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” . Beyoncé hit a high point with this song, later pursuing more pop sounds on stellar tracks like “Love On Top” .
#4: “Hurt” (2006) Christina Aguilera
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Emerging as a teen idol in the late 90s, Christina Aguilera continued her musical dominance in the 2000s. She became known as much for her hit songs as she did for her enviable abilities. “Hurt” stands as a triumph for the performer, reminding everyone of her talents with an unrivaled range. Aguilera digs deep in a song about grief in a performance that captures the complexities of losing someone. A single from the “Back to Basics” album, the track shows that the artist has gotten even better in terms of both register and tone. Each chorus only supports the notion that the singer can’t be beaten in terms of vocal quality.
#3: “The Power of Love” (1993) Céline Dion
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Céline Dion transforms any of her cover songs into a singular experience. She completely owns “The Power of Love,” originally sung by Jennifer Rush, through her intricate use of vocal pyrotechnics. Dion creates dramatic tension through the initial verses as she produces a more subtle sound. Once the chorus kicks in, the singer completely blossoms with the supreme confidence of a great performer. Her voice climbs to staggering heights in a production that’s second to none. In the era of Whitney and Mariah, this artist arrived from Canada with her own ability to infuse any song with a vocal magic.
#2: “I Will Always Love You” (1992) Whitney Houston
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It’s safe to say that most performers keep their distance from this song with a ten-foot pole. While it was written by Dolly Parton, the song truly hit another level with Whitney Houston behind the microphone. Some people have even come to believe that she’s the original recording artist. Houston’s towering vocals excel far beyond comprehension, creating an audio landscape that’s been ingrained into pop culture. The singer’s big note in this track still ranks among the finest moments in music. This cover can’t be beaten for its excellence, even with other impressive work on “The Bodyguard” soundtrack such as “Run to You." Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Sherry” (1962), The Four Seasons Frank Valli & the Gang Bring Together Iconic Harmonies for This Doo-Wop Classic “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” (2003), The Darkness Justin Hawkins Brings a Fun-Loving Energy to This Glam Rock Stunner “Lovin’ You” (1975), Minnie Riperton Riperton Goes Down in History with a Genre-Defining Note “Bleeding Love” (2007), Leona Lewis “The X Factor” Winner Proves Herself in an Epic Showcase of Her Talents “Blue Bayou” (1977), Linda Ronstadt In One of Her Finer Covers, the Vocalist Delivers a Heart-Wrenching Performance “Purple Rain” (1984), Prince and the Revolution The Soaring Ballad from the Musical Genius Features Deceptively Difficult Vocals
#1: “Fly Like a Bird” (2006) Mariah Carey
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Mariah Carey never disappoints when it comes to hitting the highest notes. Always up for a challenge, Carey cruises through “Fly Like a Bird” with ease, utilizing every part of her vocal range to inspiring effect for this number. Proving that she’s in the upper echelon of pop stardom, the singer spends the second half of the track spreading her musical wings. Her legendary vocal runs come out in full force during this underrated single from “The Emancipation of Mimi.” The artist’s whistle register closes out this excellent piece, reminding everyone of the unbeatable abilities that she showed off in earlier songs like “Emotions”.