How to sing Girls Like You

Mastering the Modern Pop Anthem

Girls Like You is a testament to Adam Levine's mastery of the upper-mid tenor range. While the melody feels effortless and casual, maintaining the pitch accuracy and tone over the repetitive loops requires significant breath control and stamina. The song stays firmly in C Major but sits in a tessitura that can tire out untrained singers quickly.

To sing this well, you need to master the art of the "mix." You cannot pull heavy chest voice up to the high notes in the chorus, nor should you rely entirely on a weak falsetto. It requires a balanced, bright placement.

Phase 1: The Verse (0:00 - 0:50)

The verses are conversational and sit in a comfortable range (G3-C4). The challenge here isn't range, it's groove. The vocal line interacts with the acoustic guitar loop.

The Trap: Because it's low and easy, singers often go flat or lose energy. Keep your soft palate lifted and engage your diaphragm even on the quiet notes to keep the pitch centered.

Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus Climb

As you approach the line "'Cause girls like you run 'round with guys like me," the melody begins to climb. You need to start lightening your vocal weight here. If you are singing too heavy in the verse, you will hit a wall in the chorus.

Phase 3: The Chorus Hook

The chorus is the stamina test. It hovers around F4, G4, and A4. For a male vocalist, this is the "passaggio" or bridge area.

• Forward Placement: Visualize the sound vibrating in your "mask" (nose and cheekbones). This "twang" helps you hit the A4 without straining your throat.
• Volume Control: You don't need to shout. The power comes from resonance, not air pressure.
• Ad-libs: In the final choruses, Levine flips into falsetto hitting C5. Practice this transition slowly to avoid cracking.

Frequently Asked Questions