Top 10 Singers Whose Songs Are Difficult to Sing

Maybe you’re a huge Aerosmith fan. Maybe you grew up listening to songs like “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” and thought, “Hey, I could totally nail that.” Well, what if we told you that Tyler, the group’s frontman, earned himself the nickname “The Demon of Screamin’”? Not so confident anymore, eh? As a tenor with an incredible chest voice, he effortlessly navigates the vocal scale. His gritty falsetto belt is a trademark in countless Aerosmith songs. We know Tyler makes it all look so easy, but believe us, it’s anything but. Still think you can handle it? We wish you luck, but honestly, you should probably just “Dream On.”

Bey is renowned for her powerful sound and ability to navigate a wide range of notes. One journalist even described her voice as “one of the most compelling instruments in popular music.” Her voice is beautiful, strong, smooth, rich, and slightly edgy. She can sing with phenomenal vibrato and belt out impassioned tunes with all her heart. Songs like “Déjà Vu” require exceptional control and the ability to hit high notes. “Countdown” starts with next-level vocal runs and doesn’t let up from there. Don’t even get us started on “Love on Top.” The power, stamina, vocal mastery, range; those seemingly never-ending key changes. We’re going to need a minute; we’re already out of breath.

Aguilera is a vocal force. Her range stretches from deep, smoky lows that rumble in your chest all the way up to whistle notes that could pierce the stratosphere. Aguilera controls it all with the precision of a laser and sometimes bounds straight over octaves like some kind of a vocal acrobat. Her powerful voice can shine anywhere on the vocal scale, and few can match her stunningly fast runs and swoops. If her voice were an acrobatic performance, her melismas would be the jaw-dropping finale that sends chills throughout your body. Xtina has some great tunes, but just be careful not to “Hurt” yourself if you’re thinking of giving them a try.

Dion’s voice was once described as “like an iron fist in a velvet glove.” She truly is a force of nature, effortlessly switching between powerhouse money notes and intimate whispers. She belts out high notes with ease and can hold them forever, but her voice can also be smooth and delicate, seamlessly transitioning between crystal-clear low and high notes. While experts admire her flawless technique, it’s the raw emotion she pours into every note that truly sets her apart. Her deep emotional delivery makes her voice unmistakable, but it also makes her songs incredibly tough to master. One bum note and your audience will leave you “All By [Yourself]” in no time.

Prince is often considered one of the best and most influential artists of the modern age, and that title is well-deserved. He used many personalized vocal techniques, like falsetto, growls, rapid vibrato, and quick transitions between different vocal registers. Believe us, that’s not as easy as he makes it look! His songs often have intricate melodies with leaps, quick runs, and sustained notes that need precise pitch control and breath support. This incredible vocal skill set let him switch between genres and even create new musical hybrids. His songs are tough enough, but when you add his electrifying stage presence, they become an “Insatiable” beast that would leave any mere mortal breathless.

In one independent assessment of vocal ranges, this artist was crowned “World’s Greatest Singer.” While he may not endorse the title himself, there are strong arguments placing him in the top 10 (as we did). His widely recognized 5-octave range spans from the lowest depths to nearly the highest peaks, enabling him to effortlessly shift from powerful belting to delicate, emotive verses. His performances are marked by nuanced touches like bends, scoops, and other vocal flourishes that demand exceptional breath control and a keen ear for melody. You’d need to pull out the big guns to give any of his songs their fair shot. Although, get it right, and you might find yourself showered with roses.

The “Queen of Soul” is rightly celebrated as one of the greatest and most emotive singers of all time. Her vocal range was truly exceptional, effortlessly moving through scales with a stunning sound quality. But what sets her apart isn’t just her flawless technique—it’s her ability to really connect with her audience. Take “Think,” for example—it starts strong and just keeps building, hitting those incredibly high notes and that powerful belt that grabs your attention. Also, there “Ain’t No Way” we’d ever try and replicate her ethereal vocal wail and impressive runs. There’s a reason few dare tackle these songs. If you can nail any of Franklin’s discography, you definitely deserve all the “R.E.S.P.E.C.T!”

This British singer possesses one of the most distinct voices in music. Often classified as a soprano, Bush’s voice carries a dreamy quality often described as “surreal.” The singer explained how she experimented with her voice much like she did with dance, shaping her sound through an evolving understanding of movement. Bush sings a lot in a high range, hitting notes that might sound thin or squeaky for most singers. Even when she’s not hitting those super high notes, her songs usually stay in that higher register. She often uses her voice dramatically, employing pitch and volume shifts to convey various emotions. This demands precise control and strong breath support to avoid strain.

Mariah Carey isn’t nicknamed “Songbird Supreme” for nothing. She’s been wowing audiences with her five-octave range since she entered the music scene. But it’s so much more than just about hitting the right notes. She has this incredible control and agility, moving between them smoothly. It’s like she’s got a built-in pitch-perfect setting. That’s all before you even consider her phenomenal embellishments and penchant for key changes. Of course, her signature element is hitting those super high notes, often in her whistle register— which earned her a Guinness World Record. It’s like a whole other level of singing that most people can’t even reach, let alone sustain— except maybe Ariana Grande. Few people can Carey a tune like Mariah.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Jeff Buckley
This Singer Left No Stone Unturned Across His Impressive 4 Octave Range

Demi Lovato
Let Us Point You to “Heart Attack,” Need We Say More?

Freddie Mercury
This Singer Had an Incredibly Wide Vocal Range, Hitting Both Deep Bass Notes & High Soprano Notes with Power

Tina Turner
Being Able to Sing Across the Musical Spectrum Helped Turner Cement Her Reputation As the “Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll”

Thom Yorke
His Ability to Go from Incredibly High & Clear to Intense & Emotional, with a Bit of Roughness at Times, Makes Him a Modern Music GOAT

She’s nicknamed “The Voice” for good reason. Need we say more? Still, we never tire of singing her praise, although we couldn’t hit her notes on our best day! Whether effortlessly hitting soulful lows or soaring to breathtaking heights, Houston owned every note with precision and power. Her performances weren’t just about hitting the right notes; they were about captivating hearts with delicate verses and roof-shattering belts. And let’s not forget her flair for intricate melodies, embellished with runs, riffs, and raw emotion. Singing her songs isn’t just a walk in the park; it demands the stamina of an athlete. If you think “[You] Have Nothing” to lose giving her songs a go, think again.

Which singer’s discography do you think is the most challenging to master? Let us know in the comments.