People often ask me where to start singing, and it can feel intimidating. However, there are lots of songs you can choose that feel great to sing and help you build your confidence. When people start singing, they often run into pieces that feel too low or too high. I’ve picked five songs covering different ranges and eras, so hopefully, there will be something for everyone. As people have various ranges, I’ve chosen songs that will be in a comfortable range for various people, so you might have to try them out to see which ones work for you. I’ll link in the entire song and a karaoke track in the description below so you can give them all a go after the video.
Bill Withers - Lovely Day
Range: (E3 - B3 with optional higher section up to an E4 ) - Best for All Voice types.
"Lovely Day" is a song by American singer Bill Withers and Skip Scarborough. It appears on Withers's 1977 album Menagerie. The song is notable for Withers's sustained note towards the end, which, at 18 seconds long, is one of the longest ever recorded on an American Top 40 hit without help from effects. With this said, don’t be intimidated. Of course, this is a great song to get started on breathing, as although there are extended notes, there is the time within the piece to make sure you breathe fully. You don’t need to get to the end of the note to make it sound good. You can cut it short or switch to the repeated “lovely day” backing vocals. With a range of E3-B3 on the main melody, it is comfortable mid-range for most men. There is an optional high section that goes up to an E4 on the last verse and chorus if you feel adventurous. If you find this a little high, you can take the same melody as the earlier verses. This is an adaptable full of joy song that you can fit around your voice
Don’t Worry, Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin
Range: (B2 - B3 with optional head voice B4) Best for Mid/Low Voices
"Don't Worry, Be Happy" is a song by American musician Bobby McFerrin released in 1988. It was the first acappella song to reach number one in the U.S. which it held for two weeks. The song was inspired by posters and business cards printed around the US by an Indian Mystic saying “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. Bobby McFerrin loved the simplicity and charm of the expression. This is a fun song that has options to play around with octaves and head voice. It also sounds great if you drop the head voice oo section down the octave or whistle it if you want to and there is also the option to sing the bassline if you are a low singer, which is fun. There are technically some lower notes if you count his pitched speaking. However, you can pitch these to fit your voice. The main melody sits between a B2 and B3 and it is a great song to get you started with understanding how different pitches feel in your body without having to sing overly. This is a catchy song so easy to remember, has loads of space to breathe and can be easily adapted to fit your voice. I’ve written that it is better for Mid and Low voices. But, as the lower notes are spoken, it can be sung by high singers as well. And it just leaves you with a big smile on your face!
Love Me Tender - Elvis
Range: (A2 - F#3) - Best for Mid/Low Voices
"Love Me Tender" is a 1956 song recorded by Elvis Presley and published for the film of the same name. The words are credited to Ken Darby under the pseudonym "Vera Matson", his wife’s name, and Elvis himself. However, the songs melody was adapted from American Civil War Ballad "Aura Lee". This song is catchy with a simple melody and structure, so easy to remember. It has short phrases and lots of space to breathe and is an excellent start to working on legato phrasing, making sure every note is joined and smooth with the breaths between each phrase. With a range of A2 to F#3 this song can be a little low for high voices but sits comfortably for mid to low voices. Of course, there are higher backing tracks on youtube, so if you have a higher voice and struggle with the low notes, you can also sing it in a higher key. This is a beautiful song for romantic among you.
Jack Johnson - Banana Pancakes
Range: (E3 - E4) Best for Mid/High Voices
“Banana Pancakes” is a song written by American Singer/Songwriter Jack Johnson and Steve Harang. It was first released in 2005 as part of Jack Johnson’s album In Between Dreams. Written initially to distract his wife when he wanted her to stop what she was doing and get her to hang out - it was eventually was developed into a complete song. This song is a little more complex than the others songs I have picked in terms of medley and is towards the top of chest voice for lower singers. However, with a range of E3 to E4 it will sit comfortably for mid/high voices without venturing too high. This one is fun and bouncy. Again I have chosen something with loads of breathing room. There are some small runs in it which might need a little attention or can be missed out entirely. This is such a happy chill vibe song that it is bound to leave you feeling great and is a great song to bring to summer parties.
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
Range: (C3 - D4) Best for Mid Voice
“What A Wonderful World” is a song written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released in 1967 as a single, which went straight to No.1 in the UK. With a range of C3 to D4, this song sits solidly in the mid-range for most men. It might need to be taken down a couple of step for lower voices and, on the other side, can be sung up a little to make it more comfortable for higher voices. The main challenge in the song is its dynamic melody. However, it is a slower song, so you have lots of time to think it through as you go. If you are struggling, try singing it with the slow-mo feature on youtube until you feel comfortable and accurate with the melody. It has lots of short, smooth phrases with space for breathing and is just one of the most joyful songs ever written.
