# Songs in which the singer purposely alters his voice (more explanation follows) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 26, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847 "2012-09-26T02:23:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/21 "2012-09-26T13:58:07Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > In Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City”, Stevie’s vocals change dramatically Stevie does something similar in “[As](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWhMyOs0pCQ)” (at about 3:45). Ray Davies switches vocal styles in at least a few Kinks songs, like “[The First Time We Fall In Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWMRQUC1Crk)” and “[She’s Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DdlUJTycKo)” (though that one may be more an example of the song itself switching gears a couple of times). ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/22 "2012-09-26T14:50:46Z")
David Bowie seems to be voicing several characters (members of the Spiders from Mars) on “[Ziggy Stardust](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXq5VvYAI1Q)”, especially on the first line of the second verse (“Ziggy really sang…”). ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/23 "2012-09-26T16:07:36Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Further clarification: What I am looking for is a singer who changes his vocal style within the same song (not simply one who deviates from his/her usual voice for a specific song). And, ideally, there should be a reason for adopting the different style. OK then, check out [Hello Tosh](http://youtu.be/NZWMbUbKxlQ) by the aforementioned Pato Banton, where he’s himself, his mother, and a doctor, or [Don’t Sniff Coke](http://youtu.be/cln4UTA5wzA) where he’s himself, his mother, Roadie, who works at P.A. Hire, and even changes his own voice when talking about Sensi, the healin of the nation. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/24 "2012-09-26T16:42:07Z")
Would Frankie Valli going into falsetto count? Based on your criteria I wouldn’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/25 "2012-09-26T17:15:09Z")
> [@cjepson](#): > > David Bowie seems to be voicing several characters (members of the Spiders from Mars) on “[Ziggy Stardust](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXq5VvYAI1Q)”, especially on the first line of the second verse (“Ziggy really sang…”). Speaking of Bowie, he kinda tries to do this in “Space Oddity”, alternating between Major Tom and Ground Control…not a whole lot of difference to my ears. At least the countdown “voice” sounds different. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/26 "2012-09-26T17:21:05Z")
Roger Daltrey sings different voices (and characters) in **Tommy**. “Go to the Mirror” (the Doctor and Tommy) and “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (Tommy and his disciples) are clear choices. Daltrey also sings two character voices in “A Quick One While He’s Away” (not counting harmonized sections). ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/27 "2012-09-26T17:28:01Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Would Frankie Valli going into falsetto count? Based on your criteria I wouldn’t think so. If that were so, anyone who yodels. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/28 "2012-09-26T17:32:06Z")
Would Paul McCartney’s “Uncle Albert Admiral Halsey” be an example of what you’re looking for? ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/29 "2012-09-26T18:09:15Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Roger Daltrey sings different voices (and characters) in **Tommy**. “Go to the Mirror” (the Doctor and Tommy) and “We’re Not Gonna Take It” (Tommy and his disciples) are clear choices. > > Daltrey also sings two character voices in “A Quick One While He’s Away” (not counting harmonized sections). My problem is, I can’t be sure if it’s Daltrey doing two different voices, or Daltrey and Townshend. Robert Plant (in his Led Zep days at least) would be an example of a singer who switches between vocal styles within songs on a regular basis. Oh yeah, and Jim Morrison. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/30 "2012-09-26T18:12:36Z")
> [@3\_20\_59\_or\_bust](#): > > Also, try “Does Everyone Stare” by the Police. I’m not even sure that’s Sting singing the first verse, but I always love when his, much smoother, voice comes in on the second verse. Stewart sings the intro. He also wrote the song. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/31 "2012-09-26T19:12:43Z")
Alice Cooper - Years Ago I’m a little boy **No, I’m a great big man** No, let’s be a little boy For a little while longer Maybe an hour? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/32 "2012-09-26T19:24:43Z")
I don’t know why, but the first song that came to mind was Troglodyte by the Jimmy Castor Bunch. “I’ll sock it to ya, Daddy!” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/33 "2012-09-26T19:37:29Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Stevie does something similar in “[As](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWhMyOs0pCQ)” (at about 3:45). > > Ray Davies switches vocal styles in at least a few Kinks songs, like “[The First Time We Fall In Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWMRQUC1Crk)” and “[She’s Bought a Hat Like Princess Marina](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DdlUJTycKo)” (though that one may be more an example of the song itself switching gears a couple of times). Yeah, Ray Davies changes inflections often in “Dedicated Follower of Fashion.” Like in the following lyrics: He flits from shop to shop just like a butterfly. In matters of the cloth he is _as fickle as can be_, Cause he’s a dedicated follower of fashion. It’s a great song and he’s most definitely adopting a gay stereotype accent in places. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/34 "2012-09-26T20:18:06Z")
I think this counts: [You Know My Name, Look Up the Number](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DkaRUtp3w8)–The Beatles ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/35 "2012-09-27T02:16:01Z")
I’ve always wondered what exactly **Mick Jagger** was on (besides Helium) when he decided to sing _ **Emotional Rescue** _ that way! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/36 "2012-09-27T02:48:28Z")
> [@Hail\_Ants](#): > > I’ve always wondered what exactly **Mick Jagger** was on (besides Helium) when he decided to sing _ **Emotional Rescue** _ that way! 😃 Trying to cash in on the disco era. Everyone knows “Some Girls” is the last Stones album with any relevance. Talk about crash and burn. ---
**Author:** ![Greekfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@Greekfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greekfreak)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/37 "2012-09-27T07:12:31Z")
Jagger goes from falsetto during the chorus to typical swagger rapping in “Fool To Cry”. But unless you mean someone who has altered their voice for the duration of the song, “If I Was Your Girlfriend” by Prince would be my first thought. He modulated his voice to a higher pitch for “The Black Album” and “Sign O The Times”. ---
**Author:** ![jordanr2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@jordanr2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jordanr2)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/38 "2012-09-27T11:58:05Z")
Jarboe on “Hypogirl” - ordinarily her voice is somewhat more mellow, but [this is just terrifying](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPbUk1gotZw). Not entirely sure it counts, but Dylan’s voice on the _Nashville Skyline_ album ([example](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6ODMKSWzT4)) sounds far different from the way he usually sings. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/39 "2012-09-27T12:31:45Z")
At the risk of being obvious, I will nominate, “The Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Stairway to Heaven.” ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847/40 "2012-09-27T13:55:36Z")
> [@Greekfreak](#): > > Jagger goes from falsetto during the chorus to typical swagger rapping in “Fool To Cry”. I assume the OP isn’t really looking for something like Jagger on “Dear Doctor” where at one point the song’s protaganist is quoting a (Dear John) note from his (now ex-) fiancee, and Jagger does an almost-spoken female-type voice (with an attempt at a hick U.S. accent). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-in-which-the-singer-purposely-alters-his-voice-more-explanation-follows/635847.md?page=3)