The Anthem of the New 80s
"Blinding Lights" is the defining track of The Weeknd's After Hours era. With its pulsating synths and driving beat (171 BPM), it reignited a global obsession with 80s synth-pop. Vocally, it may seem simple due to the repetitive hook, but it is deceptively difficult to maintain the required energy and brightness.
The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) utilizes a piercing, forward-placed mix that cuts through the heavy electronic production. To score high on this track, you need agility, breath stamina, and the ability to transition smoothly into the upper register without straining.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Tempo
This song moves fast. Many users drag behind the beat during the verses. Keep your consonants crisp and short to stay locked in with the drum machine.
Phase 1: The Verses (Low & Moody)
The verses ("I've been tryna call...") sit in a lower, more comfortable range (F3-Ab3). This is your chance to conserve energy. The tone should be slightly breathy but supported, reflecting the lonely, late-night lyrical theme.
The Trap: Don't get too quiet. Even though it's the verse, the driving bassline requires you to project enough volume so the AI can detect your pitch accuracy.
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus (The Build)
As he sings "I look around and / Sin City's cold and empty," the pitch begins to rise. You need to start shedding the breathiness and adding more "cry" or compression to your voice. This prepares your vocal cords for the high notes coming in the chorus.
Phase 3: The Chorus Hook (High Mix)
The iconic hook "I'm blinded by the lights" and the subsequent "Ooh" vocalizations hit a C5. For most male singers, this is right at the "break" or bridge.
- The "Ooh" Melisma: This needs to be bright. If you try to pull pure chest voice up here, you will flat the note. Use a "heady mix"—allow the resonance to move up into your nasal cavity/mask.
- Vibrato: The Weeknd uses a fast, shimmering vibrato at the end of phrases. Try to mimic this for a higher style score.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main vocal melody hits a C5 (in the chorus and "Ooh" hook). There are ad-libs and harmonies that float around Eb5 depending on the live version.
The original is in F Minor. If the C5 is too high, try lowering the key by -3 semitones (to D Minor) in the Singing Coach AI app. This brings the high note down to an A4.
You can use falsetto if you are a beginner, but for the authentic sound, you want a "reinforced falsetto" or "mixed voice" to match the intensity of the synth lead.
