# Most impressively sung single line of lyrics **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [February 20, 2021, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360 "2021-02-20T19:32:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/81 "2023-07-19T19:48:59Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Aretha Franklin Jeez, where do you even start with Aretha? I’d nominate this line from “Chain of Fools” … _My doctor said, “Take it easy”_ … where she trills through a couple of octaves on the first syllable of “easy.” It sounds effortless, and at the same time brings home how painful the suggestion is. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/82 "2023-07-19T19:49:03Z")
Here are a couple, both incredible voicing of the very first line of the song. The immediate response the first time I heard these was to wonder, _where in the hell does that voice come from?_ Patty Loveless, **[You’ll Never leave Harlan Alive](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n57WBtvtC4)** _In the deep dark hills of eastern Kentucky, That’s the place where I trace my bloodline_ Neko Case, **[Furnace Room Lullaby](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz2gMJqtIz4)** _All night, all I hear, all I hear’s your heart_ ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/83 "2023-07-19T20:07:28Z")
In the Pretenders’ “[Back on the Chain Gang](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiPgPniyJuAAxWUrYkEHUAjBkEQyCl6BAgkEAM&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DcMOKamtpUA8&usg=AOvVaw1DGpsfuwkvjA4wTKi1FG_8&opi=89978449),” Chrissie Hynde goes to town on the last word in this line at the end of the bridge: _For making us part_ It starts off defiant, then drifts into longing, and finally into a wordless sigh that doesn’t stop until she hits the next verse. (I just played it and remembered that the wordless sign part is multitracked. Still powerful, but maybe not world-class singing.) ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/84 "2023-07-19T21:21:56Z")
[AAaaaaaaaaaawwwwww that it is that way - the way it is.](https://youtu.be/ihPbgI0iw80?t=179) ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/85 "2023-07-20T03:03:37Z")
And Eng-land’s, scuuuuuuhh-_REE-MIIIIIINNN_ ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/86 "2023-07-20T14:33:16Z")
burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt[Guest](https://boards.straightdope.com/g/Registered) > [@Jasmine](#): > > Whitney Houston, “Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii will always love yooooooooouuuuu”, “The Bodyguard” - 1992 Dolly Parton sang it better. No she didn’t. Nothing wrong with Dolly’s version of this song or singing on it, but it isn’t as impressive as Whitney’s delivery of that line. Dolly would be the first to tell you so. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/87 "2023-07-20T15:16:45Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > And Eng-land’s, scuuuuuuhh-_REE-MIIIIIINNN_ I’m pretty sure it’s “dreaming” not “screaming” if only because of John Savage’s book of the same name. But Lydon slurred so many of his words I’m sure I’ve misheard a fair chunk of them. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2023, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/88 "2023-07-20T23:18:47Z")
Heh, upon re-listening you could be right. ---
**Author:** ![martyg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@martyg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martyg)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/89 "2023-11-02T08:08:54Z")
Electric Light Orchestra “Turn To Stone” where they sing: YesI’mturningtostonecuzyouain’tcominghomewhyain’tyoucominghomeifI’mturningtostoneyou’vebeengoneforsolongandIcan’tcarryonyesI’mturningI’mturningI’mturningtostone!!" ---
**Author:** ![martyg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@martyg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/martyg)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/90 "2023-11-02T08:10:35Z")
[This is the best version of “I Will Always Love You.” And the vocal is impressive.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RzsPdmfcaw&pp=ygUKIHZvaWNlIGRvZw%3D%3D) ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/91 "2023-11-02T09:24:45Z")
_Every day, in your indigo eyes I watch the sunset but I don’t see it rise_ From Jackie Blue by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/92 "2023-11-02T15:43:12Z")
In a humorous vein, from “Death Rattle Dazzle” : _Like a forensic pediatrician I’ll complete this inquisition,_ _I will name the neonatal from the cradle that proved fatal,_ _I will find the perpetrator who did murder to their mater…_ ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2023, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/93 "2023-11-02T19:41:38Z")
> [@martyg](#): > > This is the best version of “I Will Always Love You.” And the vocal is impressive. (Hiding behind **martyg** ): YEAH! What s/he says! 😄 ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/94 "2023-11-04T00:04:41Z")
One of the more impressively sung words? [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cBS2xIlKM-I/hqdefault.jpg "the birthday party - cry") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBS2xIlKM-I&t=27) ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/95 "2023-11-04T00:17:51Z")
Another that comes to mind is Freddy Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody “But now I’ve gone and thrown it all away” the transition from the softness of the preceding lyrics to the raspy harshness of this line is outstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/96 "2023-11-04T00:27:44Z")
Dylan’s opening line to “Like a Rolling Stone”. Yeah, I know you’ve heard it a million times. But try listening one more time with fresh ears. “Once upon a time you dressed so fine, threw the bums a dime in your prime…_didn’t you?_” It’s the pause, and then the “_didn’t you_?” that gets me. It turns the line from a statement into a question. It is accusatory. “_Didn’t you_?” She knows damn well she did. Dylan snarls the line at her. Then of course we get, “_how does it feeeeeel_?” mmm (full disclosure - I borrowed this thought from a book about Dylan I just started reading) ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/97 "2023-11-04T01:14:08Z")
In the fifties Italian MDAP flight students frequently sang this while marching: o bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao, They said it was banned in Italy. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2023, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/98 "2023-11-04T03:33:48Z")
I couldn’t wait to get home with the first album I bought with my own hard-earned allowance. Ripped the plastic off, cranked it up. _And It Stoned Me_ and _Moondance_ led into the gentle high relaxed vocals of _Crazy Love._ The last _“lovvve”_ is held… and suddenly _“There’s a CARAVAN…”_ ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2023, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/99 "2023-11-05T04:22:29Z")
For vocal stylings, I like the end of Mariah Carey’s Vision of Love [End of Vision of Love](https://youtu.be/tov22NtCMC4?feature=shared) If it’s not queueed up to that point, it starts about 2:45 ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2023, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360/100 "2023-11-05T05:15:54Z")
“Can anyboooooooody… FIIIIIIIIIND me… SOMEBODY TOOOOOOO love?” Sends a shiver down my spine every time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-impressively-sung-single-line-of-lyrics/933360.md?page=6)