The Masterclass in Synth-Pop Ballads
All Through the Night is a standout track from Cyndi Lauper's 1983 debut album, She's So Unusual. Written by Jules Shear, it offers a stark contrast to Lauper's more upbeat hits. It is a tender, lullaby-like ballad that requires emotional vulnerability rather than sheer power.
To sing this well, you need excellent control over your head voice and breath support. The song sits in a comfortable range for most, but the challenge lies in maintaining the "airy" quality without losing pitch accuracy or vocal stability.
Phase 1: The Verses (Low Register)
The song begins in Ab major with a gentle synth backing. The opening lines, "All through the night, I'll be awake and I'll be with you," sit in the lower to middle range (G3-C4).
The Trap: Singers often sing this too heavily. Keep the volume at a mezzo-piano. Imagine you are whispering a secret, but with full vocal cord closure. Keep the vowels open and round.
Phase 2: The Chorus Lift
As the song moves into the chorus, the melody lifts. You will need to transition smoothly from your chest voice into a light mix or head voice.
- The Hook: On the phrase "All through the night," let the voice float up. Do not push or yell.
- Phrasing: Cyndi uses rubato (stealing time) here. Listen closely to the delay on the lyrics to capture the relaxed, dreamy feel.
- Resonance: Shift the resonance from your chest to your "mask" (behind the nose and eyes) for a brighter, shimmering tone.
Phase 3: The Bridge and Outro
The bridge adds emotional weight. The synthesizer solo gives you a break, but when the vocals return, they are often accompanied by higher ad-libs (reaching up to Eb5).
During the outro, improvisation is key. The repeated "Oh-oh" patterns require agility. Practice these slowly on a "Nu" or "Mum" syllable to get the placement right before adding the lyrics back in.