Pop music is about the best genre to show off your prowess as a soprano, plus it’s full of oomph and enjoyable to sing. We sought out some of the best audition and karaoke tracks for high octaves, and these were our top picks:
1. “Girl on Fire” – Alicia Keys
Arguably one of the most ideal audition tracks for upcoming artists, this song stretches one’s vocals to fantastic levels. Upon release, it quickly made its way to top the charts with its catchy message. It won the award for Best R&B album during the 56th Grammy Awards, one of the many awards and nominations it has acquired since its release in 2012.
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2. “Are You That Somebody?” – Aaliyah
This is one of Aaliyah’s most acclaimed soprano solo songs. Her breathy voice tones make this a great karaoke tune, especially the upbeat tempo. The artist recorded this melody in only a few hours but with excellent results, and the singer’s vocals make it an excellent option for high octaves.
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3. “My Immortal” – Evanescence
This beautiful ballad is a heartfelt melody that allows you to test your prowess in high octaves as the song’s bridge goes scales up. The slow tempo draws one to experience the artist’s grief as the lyrics depict. The group performed this song at the Billboard Music Awards in December of 2004. They received several nominations and awards for this emotional melody.
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4. “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” – Jennifer Holiday (Dreamgirls)
The lead song from the hit movie ‘Dreamgirls‘ is an excellent option for sopranos and showcases high notes perfectly. The melody shows a lot of vocal range and controlled power intensified by the lyrics. The 2006 Jennifer Hudson rendition of this old tune won her an Oscar and is a good choice for karaoke or auditions.
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5. “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” – Aerosmith
This smash hit from the rock band Aerosmith is their biggest song from their discography. The 1998 release was the soundtrack for the movie Armageddon. It is a karaoke favorite even though the octaves go high, especially in the bridge and climax of the song. It is also easy to sing as it has memorable lyrics and a catchy melody.
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6. “The Winner Takes It All” – Abba
The Winner Takes It All has grown to become a popular karaoke favorite, likely due to its upbeat tempo. Initially released in 1980, the song has over ten different renditions recorded by various artists, including Meryl Streep in 2008. The story behind the song tells of a heartbreak, depicting how one loses as the other wins.
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7. “Sometimes” – Britney Spears
Britney Spears is known for singing lightly in soprano. This compilation showcases that talent so generously. It was one of the singles released from her first album, Baby One More Time, and showed off her voice melodiously in this slow tempo song. In 2000, during the BMI Pop Awards, the song was awarded the Most Performed BMI Song.
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8. “Halo” – Beyoncé
Halo is a 2009 release from Beyoncé that talks about a woman who protects herself from hurt and pain by putting up walls. It has become one of the favorite songs to sing because of the emotional lyrics. The song’s structure allows singers to hit high notes in an angelic tone.
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9. “Because You Loved Me” – Céline Dion
Arguably one of the all-time audition song favorites, this emotional ballad was a great hit, enabling the artist to garner numerous impressive awards. Some of these include the ASCAP Pop Awards and Film and Television Music Awards for the Most Performed Song. It also won the Grammy Awards for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture.
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10. “Can’t Fight This Feeling” – Reo Speedwagon
Can’t Fight This Feeling is an eighties love ballad sung powerfully. It is a popular song that has been featured in many films and series and is a great karaoke tune to hit high notes without straining. Many modern groups have also covered it, and you can always find a rendition that suits you.
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11. “Fallin” – Alicia Keys
This song undoubtedly tops the list of soprano songs that are great for either karaoke or auditions. Alicia shows off her amazing voice control in this high-pitched melody that featured at the top of numerous billboards. The US Hot 100 was among them. Accolades acquired include Grammy Awards for Song of the Year, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song in 2002. Other awards achieved within the same year are Best New Artist (Soul Train Music Awards) and Best International Song (Porin Award).
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12. “In Case” – Demi Lovato
In Case is a sad love song about a painful breakup. Demi Lovato’s voice is a tragic soprano perfectly expresses the lyrics of the sad ballad. The lyrics are about a separation indicating that the singer finds it hard to let go of the failed relationship. The ballad rehashes the memories of times they shared. The piece has parts where you will sing softly then areas that you will sing more loudly, showing different soprano notes.
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13. “Mr. Brightside” – The Killers
This rock anthem has remained a popular song option for karaoke lovers and auditions because it is a sports game anthem. To sing it successfully, you have to master the fast-paced lyrics that beautifully showcase the soprano voice.
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14. “A Moment Like This” – Kelly Clarkson
Recorded in 2002, this melody was written for the first season of the TV show American Idol. Kelly won by garnering 58% of the votes, claiming an RCA record contract worth a million dollars. It was her first single and it topped the US Billboard Hot 100 Charts. The song features in the film The Little Mermaid, too.
15. “Paparazzi” – Lady Gaga
Paparazzi is a song about how fame affects a celebrity’s life. It talks about how Lady Gaga learned how to navigate the music industry, fame and balance in her life. The entire piece is best for those who hit high notes as most of the song is in that range. The catchy track and repetitive lyrics make it one of the best songs for sopranos.
16. “New Rules” – Dua Lipa
New Rules is an upbeat breakup melody with plenty of high octaves. It has a light and cheery tune, although the lyrics are sad. It received the award for Best Song to Lip Sync To (Radio Disney Music Awards).
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17. “Let It Go” – Idina Menzel
This is yet another song that was written specifically for visual media – the film Frozen. So powerful was the performance that it bagged the Best Song Grammy Award in 2015. The previous year it won the Academy Award for the Best Original Song. This award-winning melody is a great karaoke and audition song that allows one to test their vocals limit due to its high octaves.
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18. “Frozen” – Madonna
Frozen was released as the lead single from Madonna’s seventh album. It is a ballad that speaks about negative feelings from an emotionless partner. The electronic track that accompanies the sad lyrics makes this is an excellent song for sopranos as Madonna’s soprano range maintains at a few notes rather than multiple different notes.
19. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” – Guns N’ Roses
Sweet Child O’ Mine was the only Number 1 hit in the band’s lifetime. The song is catchy and has a range of soprano notes, but it is fun to sing too. The famous song was written, unbelievably short, by the band’s guitarist, Slash.
20. “Firework” – Katy Perry
Drawn from Teenage Dream, Katy’s third album, this ballad is one of encouragement. It is a wake-up call and reminder that each of us has fireworks inside of us, a reason to appreciate oneself. Reaching the top position on the Billboard Hot 100 and after receiving three award nominations, it was the eventual winner for Video of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards (2011).
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21. “Bring Me to Life” – Evanescence
Amy Lee of Evanescence has one of the best rock soprano voices. Known for singing powerfully even when singing angelic songs, Bring Me To Life showed her powerful soprano voice. Her voice overshadowed the male voices echoing the chorus and bridge of the melody to show her great soprano voice in this great song about a plea for redemption.
22. “My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion
I’m not sure which hit more, this song or the blockbuster movie Titanic in which it featured, or perhaps the success of one led to the other. This lovely melody is a well-known love song the world over and has been played at numerous weddings and love events worldwide. Song of the Year, Best Song Specifically Written for a Motion Picture, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance are among the awards it has won.
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23. “You Belong with Me” – Taylor Swift
You Belong with Me is a popular song about a girl who loves her best friend who has a girlfriend, and she cannot tell him. The narrative is about her secret love for him. The melody, written and sung by Taylor Swift, is a great song for sopranos who want to show their vocal capabilities.
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24. “Ocean Eyes” – Billie Eilish
Billie’s brother, Finneas, originally wrote this song for himself though he later felt it suited his sister better. The song was a hit, attaining a top sixty position in record charts in various countries. On the UK Singles Chart it reached No. 72. Released in 2016, the song was ranked as the artists sixth best song by Insider. Ocean Eyes accolades include 1 Brit Award, 5 Grammy’s, 3 MTV Video Music Awards, and 2 Guinness World Records.
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25. “Torn” – Natalie Imbruglia
Torn is a love song about pain from a failed relationship and a disappointing partner. The soprano-voiced ballad by Natalie Imbruglia is a 1997 release initially done in 1993 in Danish. The song has remained a popular choice for karaoke and auditions mostly because of the breathy quality of its high octaves in the beginning that becomes more powerful in the catchy chorus.
26. “Havana” – Camila Cabello
This compilation is an upbeat pop song that talks about the singer longing to go back to Havana when she met a young man on a summer night and fell in love. The lyrics are catchy with repetitive sound elements that make this a great song for people with soprano voices.
27. “Against All Odds (Take A Look at Me Now)” – Phil Collins
This 1981 melody was produced for the soundtrack of the film Against All Odds, which was later released in 1984. It’s a powerful ballad that talks of heartache when a loved one walks away, and all that’s left is a memory. In 1985 it was nominated for Song of the Year in the Grammy Awards as well as the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The same year, the song received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Music (Original Song) and Best Original Song, respectively.
28. “You And I” – Lady Gaga
This Lady Gaga song has a catchy country and rock track that samples Queen’s song “We Will Rock You.” Lady Gaga sings in high octaves, and the lyrics make the listener think she is talking about a lover. But towards the end of the song, she indicates that she loves the town of Nebraska and will not leave without it.
29. “High and Dry” – Radiohead
High and Dry by the rock band Radiohead is slow and thoughtful, and the high range vocals of the lead singer, Thom Yorke, bring it to life. It is an excellent whimsical karaoke song for soprano voices.
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30. “Hopelessly Devoted to You” – Olivia Newton-John
This 1978 song is the original soundtrack for the motion picture Grease. Other renditions were released in 2012, 2016, and other years by other artists. The song depicts undying devotion. On the US Billboard Hot 100, it reached No.3. It also received a nomination at the Oscars for Best Original Song.
31. “Love You Like a Love Song” – Selena Gomez
This lovely compilation is an easy and enjoyable karaoke song with simple lyrics and the vocal range is not wide at all. Selena’s voice is exceptional, even with such a simple song. This compilation is arguably one of the more popular soprano solo songs. In 2012, the song was nominated for Best Female Video in the MTV Video Music Awards.
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32. “Spotlight” – Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson is known for her rich voice, and this song richly showcases her soprano vocal range. The catchy melody makes this one of the best songs to sing for karaoke because it is so danceable.
33. “We Belong Together” – Mariah Carey
The 2005 hit, We Belong Together, is the second single from Mariah Carey’s tenth studio album, The Emancipation of Mimi. It was such a huge success. This is not surprising, seeing as the artist’s soprano voice is iconic and offers a wide variation of pitches. This particular song displays several of those high octaves.
34. “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” – Jennifer Lopez
This 2000 release is a great pop song for karaoke and auditions. The hip-hop part could be tricky to navigate, but the rest of the song showcases soprano voices beautifully. It received an accolade for Outstanding Music Video (ALMA Awards).
35. “Not Another Love Song” – Ella Mai
Ella Mai’s hit is not a typical soprano song since her voice is low but still in the soprano range. However, this is a great song to showcase vocal ability with the wispy vocals of the R&B melody.
36. “Break Free” – Ariana Grande
Break Free gave Ariana’s career a great boost, hitting the Billboard Charts in a Top 10 position alongside two other songs of hers. The single was her seventh to achieve record sales of over a million copies. Her soprano voice has been characterized as bearing similarity to Mariah Carey’s. In Billboard history, she is the second female musician to simultaneously hold three hits at the top of the charts.
37. “Since U Been Gone” – Kelly Clarkson
This lovely piece was the first song Kelly released after winning American Idol. It has a high soprano range. The upbeat tempo of the melody makes it stand out as one of the more challenging songs to sing as you keep your breath. However, if you can master your breathing, this will showcase soprano notes beautifully.
38. “Complicated” – Avril Lavigne
This Avril Lavigne song is a rock song with upbeat pop beats about people who are not real. The compilation has a soprano register that is easy to navigate, making it a great sing-along song. It received various nominations, including Song of the Year (Radio Disney Music Award – 2002) and (Grammy Award – 2003), Best New Artist (MTV Video Music Award – 2002), and Single of the Year (Juno Award – 2003).
39. “Where Is the Love?” – Black Eyed Peas
This was the bands’ initiation into pop. The song is inspired by the turmoil of emotions experienced during the September 11th attacks. Though the recording began in 2001, it was eventually released in 2003.
40. “With Love” – Christina Grimmie
This song provides ample room for high octaves and vocal techniques, making it one of the best songs for sopranos. Released in 2013, it was Christina’s only album as she died tragically in 2017.
41. “Love on Top” – Beyoncé
Love on Top is another Beyoncé song that is great for karaoke. The song moves across at least four different keys and is a great song to show off your soprano range in auditions. However, it needs practice because of the vocal range and the upbeat melody that does not give much time to catch your breath.
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As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.
Liam’s lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto.