Mastering the 1975's Signature Style
"Girls" is a quintessential pop-rock anthem that borrows heavily from 80s funk and pop. Released on their self-titled debut album in 2013, it showcases Matty Healy’s distinct vocal style: playful, rhythmic, and incredibly dynamic. The challenge lies not just in the pitch, but in the attitude and the rapid switching between vocal registers.
To sing this well, you need to be comfortable acting. The delivery is cheeky and conversational in the verses, contrasting sharply with the melodic, soaring falsetto of the chorus. Let's break down exactly how to tackle it, section by section.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Diction
Matty Healy is known for his unique vowel shapes and occasional slurring for stylistic effect. However, the AI requires rhythmic precision on lines like "bite your face" and "seventeen." Keep your consonants crisp to maintain the groove.
Phase 1: The Rhythmic Verse
The song starts in B Major. The verses are sung in a chest-dominant mix, but the volume shouldn't be too heavy. It’s almost spoken-word in its delivery.
The Trap: Dragging the tempo. The 16th-note guitar riff drives this song, and the vocals must lock in tight with the snare drum. Practice the lyrics slowly to ensure you don't trip over words like "situation" and "salvation."
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus
Here, the melody smooths out. "I know you're looking for salvation in the secular age..." requires more breath support. You need to sustain the notes slightly longer than in the verse to create a sense of building tension before the chorus drops.
Phase 3: The Falsetto Chorus
This is the signature hook. The line "They're just girls" flips immediately into a high falsetto or head voice (hitting an F#5).
- The Flip: You must transition cleanly from your chest voice to head voice without a "break" or crack. Keep the sound light and placed forward in the "mask" of your face.
- Desperate: The word "desperate" in the chorus is also sung high. Avoid shouting this note; let your head resonance do the work.
- Attitude: The chorus is catchy and fun. Smile while you sing it to brighten the tone naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions
The lead vocal melody reaches up to an F#5 in falsetto during the chorus. The chest voice sections stay relatively comfortable for a tenor range.
It is difficult to capture the essence of the song without the falsetto. However, you can try singing the chorus in a strong mixed voice, or transpose the song down -2 or -3 semitones in the Singing Coach AI app to make the high notes more accessible.
Focus on the "whiny" or "bratty" tone character. This is achieved by narrowing the pharynx (twang) and using very specific British vowel modifications, almost closing off the sound on words like "face" and "age."
