# Songs with Whistle Register **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 30, 2014, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034 "2014-06-30T21:30:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MusicAddict95](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@MusicAddict95](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MusicAddict95)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2014, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/1 "2014-06-30T21:30:59Z")
As part of my list of pop/rock songs that I am compiling by topic, I want to know if anyone can recommend SPECIFIC songs in which the singer/singers uses the whistle register. I would prefer not to have any generalized examples or suggestions, such as _any Mariah Carey song_ or _any Minnie Riperton song_. Both of whom I LOVE by the way. All examples are welcome. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/2 "2014-07-01T00:31:18Z")
We’re talking about songs like [Billy Joel’s “The Stranger”,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnlvPoDU5LY) right? First one (well, second) that I thought of was [Rammstein’s “Engel”,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGYEXYPy3Mw) though I suspect the whistle part’s actually synthesized. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2014, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/3 "2014-07-01T00:35:22Z")
(Sitting On The) Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding Almost anything by Roger Whittaker (sorry, can’t think of a specific one, just now) ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/4 "2014-07-01T00:41:44Z")
Not whistling, whistle register. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/5 "2014-07-01T00:57:35Z")
> **[Yma Sumac](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yma_Sumac)** > > Zoila Augusta Emperatriz Chávarri del Castillo (born Zoila Emperatriz Chávarri Castillo; September 13, 1922 – November 1, 2008), known as Yma Sumac (or Imma Sumack), was a Peruvian-born vocalist, composer, producer, actress and model. "Ima sumaq" means "how beautiful" in Quechua. She has also been called Queen of Exotica and is considered a pioneer of world music. She won a Guinness World Record for the Greatest Range of Musical Value in 1956. Her debut album, Voice of th In 1951, Sumac became... ---
**Author:** ![MusicAddict95](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@MusicAddict95](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MusicAddict95)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/6 "2014-07-01T03:09:10Z")
Not songs with whistling. What I’m referring to are singers who sing extremely high bird-like notes. ---
**Author:** ![MusicAddict95](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@MusicAddict95](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MusicAddict95)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/7 "2014-07-01T03:10:12Z")
> [@fachverwirrt](#): > > Not whistling, whistle register. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/8 "2014-07-01T03:19:12Z")
[“Ruby Tuesday”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBLzqzCAjvo) and [“It’s Alright”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXv0eUIYwis&feature=kp)? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/9 "2014-07-01T03:38:23Z")
[Stay](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eXw47qb4U0&feature=kp) by Shakspear’s Sister. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/10 "2014-07-01T03:44:46Z")
NM ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/11 "2014-07-02T01:11:09Z")
[A cover](http://youtu.be/UjzENV7rhhI) of “Emotions” by Ariana Grande. I’ve heard Ariana go into the whistle register on some of her own songs that I’ve heard on the radio, though I don’t know the titles. (One I thought was “The Way,” but the video on YouTube didn’t match my memories of the song… perhaps it was a remix.) There’s also this [vlog](http://youtu.be/UjzENV7rhhI) post by her demonstrating her whistle register, though not in the context of a song. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2014, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/12 "2014-07-29T16:08:57Z")
> [@Student\_Driver](#): > > [A cover](http://youtu.be/UjzENV7rhhI) of “Emotions” by Ariana Grande. I’ve heard Ariana go into the whistle register on some of her own songs that I’ve heard on the radio, though I don’t know the titles. (One I thought was “The Way,” but the video on YouTube didn’t match my memories of the song… perhaps it was a remix.) There’s also this [vlog](http://youtu.be/UjzENV7rhhI) post by her demonstrating her whistle register, though not in the context of a song. Perhaps you meant this vlog post [Whistle Tones - Emotions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WCKYHf0Zq0). She answers her critics who thought she was whistling, not singing, and then demonstrates some of the effects. She also talks about the affects of whistle singing, like sore muscles and talking problems later. It’s a really interesting and generous discussion of the technique, something I hadn’t heard of before this thread. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/13 "2014-07-30T04:03:03Z")
> [@JohnGalt](#): > > Perhaps you meant this vlog post [Whistle Tones - Emotions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WCKYHf0Zq0). She answers her critics who thought she was whistling, not singing, and then demonstrates some of the effects. She also talks about the affects of whistle singing, like sore muscles and talking problems later. It’s a really interesting and generous discussion of the technique, something I hadn’t heard of before this thread. I read about this, too, and the fact that it’s hurting her voice means she’s not quite doing it right. It seems that she pushed too hard to try and get a bigger sound for the recording. It’s a delicate thing, and you have to take it slow. And it’s a good idea to build up the rest of your upper range to give it some background. It can become really strong. The flageolet register (the more formal name for it) is used a lot by coloratura sopranos–those ones that do a lot of melismatic lines–when they get really high in their voice. It’s a much bigger sound than the pop “whistle register” version singers like Mariah Carey use. Listen to [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-GPxk8n0aE) for examples. The first singer hits a glorious high B-flat at [0:52](http://youtu.be/J-GPxk8n0aE?t=52s) in full flageolet, though I’d understand if you thought it was normal old head voice. And I don’t hear any pushing at all, so her voice was probably fine afterwards, if a little maybe a little tired until the next day. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2014, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/14 "2014-07-30T04:21:46Z")
I just realize you may not know what I mean by “tired” above. I don’t mean cramping or anything. Just that she might not have the energy to keep on singing quite so high. Her voice would still sound fine, and it wouldn’t hurt. You know, sorta like how, after a workout, even if you don’t stress yourself, you might not be able to work quite so hard for a while until you get some rest. There’s a huge difference between that and actually hurting your voice, like Grande apparently did. Singing should not make you hoarse or hurt. (A little hoarseness is more common in the pop scene, as few sing with “perfect” technique, but not for days afterwards. That means you hurt something.) ---
**Author:** ![MusicAddict95](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@MusicAddict95](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MusicAddict95)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2014, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/15 "2014-08-04T16:17:42Z")
Sorry, but no one can use the whistle register as powerfully as Mariah Carey or Minnie Riperton. They are the masters of it and the best ones at that. ---
**Author:** ![MusicAddict95](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@MusicAddict95](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MusicAddict95)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2014, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/16 "2014-08-04T16:18:47Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I read about this, too, and the fact that it’s hurting her voice means she’s not quite doing it right. It seems that she pushed too hard to try and get a bigger sound for the recording. It’s a delicate thing, and you have to take it slow. And it’s a good idea to build up the rest of your upper range to give it some background. > > It can become really strong. The flageolet register (the more formal name for it) is used a lot by coloratura sopranos–those ones that do a lot of melismatic lines–when they get really high in their voice. It’s a much bigger sound than the pop “whistle register” version singers like Mariah Carey use. Listen to [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-GPxk8n0aE) for examples. The first singer hits a glorious high B-flat at [0:52](http://youtu.be/J-GPxk8n0aE?t=52s) in full flageolet, though I’d understand if you thought it was normal old head voice. And I don’t hear any pushing at all, so her voice was probably fine afterwards, if a little maybe a little tired until the next day. Sorry, but no one can use the whistle register as powerfully as Mariah Carey or Minnie Riperton. They are the masters of it and the best ones at that. ---
**Author:** ![MusicAddict95](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@MusicAddict95](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MusicAddict95)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2014, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/17 "2014-08-04T16:20:34Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I read about this, too, and the fact that it’s hurting her voice means she’s not quite doing it right. It seems that she pushed too hard to try and get a bigger sound for the recording. It’s a delicate thing, and you have to take it slow. And it’s a good idea to build up the rest of your upper range to give it some background. > > It can become really strong. The flageolet register (the more formal name for it) is used a lot by coloratura sopranos–those ones that do a lot of melismatic lines–when they get really high in their voice. It’s a much bigger sound than the pop “whistle register” version singers like Mariah Carey use. Listen to [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-GPxk8n0aE) for examples. The first singer hits a glorious high B-flat at [0:52](http://youtu.be/J-GPxk8n0aE?t=52s) in full flageolet, though I’d understand if you thought it was normal old head voice. And I don’t hear any pushing at all, so her voice was probably fine afterwards, if a little maybe a little tired until the next day. Sorry, but no one can use the whistle register as powerfully as Mariah Carey or Minnie Riperton. They are the sole masters of it and the best ones at that. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2014, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/18 "2014-08-04T16:52:07Z")
Kina Grannis, particularly [Say Something.](https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=kina%20grannis%20say%20something) ---
**Author:** ![MinnieTheeStorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@MinnieTheeStorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MinnieTheeStorm)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2024, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/19 "2024-03-14T17:28:26Z")
Most songs by Natalie Jane have good whistle tones, and she is on par with Mariah at this point. If you want fun whistle tone runs, check out her cover of Crazy and her own songs Seven, I’m Her, and Mentally Cheating. Kelly Clarkson’s song Love So Soft has a whistle note in it, and Faouzia’s song Hero has a note very close to a whistle note. ---
**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2024, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-with-whistle-register/692034/20 "2024-03-14T22:59:27Z")
Gimme Shelter, Rolling Stones. Merry Clayton.