I recently made a list of 5 easy rock songs for men and couldn’t leave out women. People often ask me where to start singing, and rock can seem like an intimidatingly epic genre. However, there are lots of songs you can choose to get you on your way. 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.
I Love Rock 'N' Roll - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Range: (G3 - G4) - Best for Low/Mid Voices
"I Love Rock 'n' Roll" is a rock song written by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker and first recorded by the Arrows in 1975. It is best known for its 1982 cover version by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, which is the version we will be looking at. The verse song might be towards the lower end of the range for higher voices. (Don’t worry, I have some pieces coming up for higher voices). But with a range of G3 -G4, it has a smaller range and doesn’t venture too high. It is repetitive and catchy, so easy to remember. The phrases are short with lots of breaks, so you have plenty of time to breathe. The higher phrases can be speak-sung, so if you struggle with pitching, it is a great place to start without singing overly.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar
Range: (B3-B4) - Best for Mid/High Voices
"Hit Me with Your Best Shot" is a song recorded by American rock singer Pat Benatar and written by Eddie Schwartz. In 1980, it was released as the second single from her second album, Crimes of Passion, which became her biggest-selling album. This one is better for mid to higher voices with a range of B3-B4. It could be over the break for some people, so it is worth giving it a go to see if it works for you. This is another catchy song with lots of repeats, easy to remember lyrics and lots of space for breathing. It has one held note at the end, which sounds like it is challenging. However, it is as high as the highest note in the chorus, so don’t be intimidated. If you do struggle with it, the song will still sound great if you shorten the note.
Knife Under My Pillow - Maggie Lindemann
Range: (G3-A4) - Best for Mid/High Voice
Knife Under My Pillow is a song recorded by Maggie Lindemann as part of her EP Paranoia, released this year in 2021. Inspired by the paranoia you get after watching a horror movie, this song is fun modern pop/rock/emo. This song sits pretty mid-range for mid to higher voices with a range of G3-A4. If you are an alto, it could sit over the break, so give it a try and see if it works for you. It has short phrases with space to breathe. There are a couple of slightly held notes in it which can be a great start to working on breath support. However, if you aren’t ready, you can always cut these short. This one is all about keeping a steady rhythm and making the words crisp and clear, so focus on that, and it will work.
Celebrity Skin - Hole
Range: (E3 to A4) - Best for Low Voices
"Celebrity Skin" is the tenth single by American alternative rock band Hole, released in 1998. It is the debut single from their third studio album of the same name and is Hole's most commercially successful single. The lyrics, written by singer Courtney Love, contain several literary references. The line "Oh, look at my face / My name is might-have-been" is directly lifted from the opening verse of Dante Gabriel Rossetti's poem, while the phrase "pound of flesh" originates from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. This one is arguably the most challenging on the list and is better for lower voice types as it dips down to an E3 in the verses. The choruses go up to an A4. However, most of the melody is around the F4, and you can adapt it to avoid that higher note if needs be. This is an enjoyable song with short phrases and space to breathe. It is all about attitude, so although it’s the toughest in the group, it doesn’t need to be sung perfectly to sound great.
Because of The Night - Patti Smith Group
Range: (F#3- G4) - Best for Mid/Low Voices
"Because the Night" is a song written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith that was first released in 1978 as a single from the Patti Smith Group 1978 album Easter. Bruce Springsteen originally wrote it for his album Darkness on the Edge of Town but gifted it to Patti when working in the same studios as him. She recorded it with some of her lyrics, and it became her biggest hit. This one sits in a comfortable mid-range for most voices, but with a range of F#3 - G4 can dip a little below some higher voices range, so if you have a higher voice, give it a go and see if it works for you. This song has fluid, smooth phrases in the verses and short accented notes in the chorus. It has lots of space for breathing and is an excellent start for understanding phrasing. This song sounds great in most peoples voices and with all of these songs, sing with attitude, and you are onto a winner.
