Top 20 Hardest Pop Songs to Sing

Bonnie Tyler’s 1980s classic is one of the best karaoke tracks ever. It’s also especially hard to nail down. Some might call it cheesy, but only the most powerful pipes can truly rise to the occasion. If you really want to struggle, try to hit the notes that Tyler reaches in this chorus. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” may seem like an old-fashioned pop tune, but it requires an exceptional voice. This power ballad climbs to a dramatic climax, allowing the vocalist to bring her trademark raspiness to the finish. We might think that we can sing the lyrics like a true champion, but deep down we know we need a true hero to do the job right.

Do you believe in life after love? This question can’t be sung by just anyone. Cher famously used Auto-Tune in her original recording, making it hard to match the first version. The electronic-induced perfection of the singer’s performance demands the utmost precision to match. Unless you’re specially-suited for the role, you probably won’t be able to cover this one. Fortunately, Adam Lambert did manage to do the track justice in a tribute to the musical icon. His soulful rendition of “Believe” re-envisioned the composition without digital manipulation, proving that it can be done if you’re also able to sing for Queen.

This “X Factor” champion took a song and made it unforgettable. Leona Lewis will be forever associated with “Bleeding Love,” showing everyone that she earned her first place finish. “Bleeding Love” is a soaring number that demands well-rounded and gifted vocalists to perform it. Lewis is more than up to the task, easily letting her voice simply glide into all of the hardest notes. After hearing certain sections like the bridge, you’re amazed that she has enough breath left to finish the track. This emotional experience requires the most talented vocalists to reach for big notes and then reach even higher.

Annie Lennox sounds as upbeat as she ever has on this track. That doesn’t mean that this song is easy to sing, however, as she flutters her voice up and down like a true professional. The Eurythmics singer gives “There Must Be an Angel” an appropriately ethereal quality which is exceptionally hard to mimic. Her controlled vocal makes this into a high-wire act, avoiding disaster at every turn. Lennox performs it perfectly and provides one of her most indelible performances. The singer is a music legend for a reason, and she pushes her powerful voice to the limit once more in this masterful interpretation.

This particular singer might have one of the most underrated voices in pop. His songs are especially tricky, with “Grace Kelly” showcasing one prime example of his unique sound. The chorus represents the vocalist’s enviable range. It takes a special voice to tackle this successfully, forcing performers to fight for their life as they hit those highs and lows. Mika’s single even played a part in a popular TikTok meme, challenging listeners to replicate its one-of-a-kind style. Unless you have the pipes of Mika, we’d expect most casual singers out there to have some trouble.

For “Saturday Night Fever,” the Bee Gees provided a disco soundtrack that was massively successful and became iconic. “Stayin’ Alive” brings together the brothers’ knack for harmonies, while also letting Barry shine on high-pitched verses. Good luck finding three male singers that can belt out notes like this trio. They really shine on the chorus, providing tight-knit performances that can’t be replicated. It’s not every day that a musical act covers them and for good reason. Creating one of the songs that defined the disco era, this group is operating at the higher end of 1970s pop vocalists.

It might be one of the most famous love songs of its era - and has remained a favorite down through the decades. The definitive version by The Righteous Brothers features Bobby Hatfield taking the lead vocal. He made an indelible mark on this track with his sweet and soulful tone. Most anyone that tries to match his signature voice will quickly realize they’re out of their league unless they’re Elvis. Hatfield soars to great heights and notes, twirling through some of the more iconic lyrics of the 1960s. His best moment comes with a mountain of a high note that few could maneuver successfully.

With a nod to glam and hard rock, The Darkness supercharged the 2000s with this hit single. “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” features all the bells and whistles of a glam track including a stellar vocal. Justin Hawkins delivers an amazing performance here, giving the likes of Freddie Mercury a run for the money. His almost-operatic voice cuts through huge notes like butter. Hawkins has to keep up with towering melodies and even play guitar, raising the bar for multi-tasking singers. It’s rare that modern artists can rock out and blow you away with this kind of difficult track.

Norwegian band A-ha struts their musical talents in what has become one of the most memorable songs of the 1980s. Morten Harket also shows off his skills as a masterful pop vocalist. “Take On Me” doesn’t let the performer off easy, forcing him to reach the top of his register. Harket and any cover artists have to be in prime vocal shape to do the music justice. For every chorus, the vocalist must climb to falsetto in order to sell the song’s climactic moments. Doing that multiple times in one track isn’t any small feat. Decades later, the original singer could still hit those incredible notes.

Minnie Riperton is arguably best remembered for this song, which showcased her amazing vocals to a wide audience. Few singers can boast a signature tune as memorable or as difficult to sing. She builds up to a chorus that contains an incredibly iconic note, rendering the ordinary performer powerless. Riperton set the bar incredibly high for pop vocalists of the future. Unless you’re able to somehow develop an immaculate technique, you’ll likely blow out your voice and still fail to achieve music excellence. Many have tried but few have been able to capture the majesty of the artist’s five octave range.

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.

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.

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.

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 triumphant 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.

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?

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. Beyoncé hit a high point with this song, later pursuing more pop sounds on stellar tracks like “Love On Top.”

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.

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.

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.

“Heart Attack” (2013), Demi Lovato
The Exciting Single Features Some Tremendous High Notes from Lovato

“Hyperballad” (1996), Björk
The Icelandic Songstress Gives an Emotional & Complex Melody Some Gusto

“Sherry” (1962), The Four Seasons
The Classic Vocal Group Prove That Their Voices Are Second to None

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.”

What singers attempted a song that was just too far out of their reach? Let us know in the comments below.