The Ultimate "Sprock" Anthem
"Love Is a Crime" featured on the Chicago movie soundtrack, and it perfectly encapsulates Anastacia's self-styled "Sprock" genre—a mix of Soul, Pop, and Rock. It requires a vocalist who can command the lower register with attitude while belting high notes with intense, raspy power.
The song lives in the pocket. It's not just about hitting the notes; it's about the rhythmic delivery. If you sing this straight on the beat without the syncopated bounce, it will lose its energy. Let's look at how to tackle the vocal dynamics.
AI Coach Tip: Safe Gritting
Anastacia's signature "growl" comes from false chord engagement, not by squeezing your true vocal cords. If your throat tickles or hurts, stop immediately. Focus on "twang" (nasal resonance) to get the cutting sound first, then add texture.
Phase 1: The Verses (Attitude)
The verses sit in a comfortable range for Mezzo-Sopranos and Contraltos. The key here is articulation. The lyrics "I've got a lot of love, and I've got a lot of time" need to be delivered with a percussive attack.
The Trap: Getting too "breathy." Anastacia's sound is thick and cord-connected. Keep your vocal cords adducted (closed) to maintain that solid chest resonance.
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus Climb
As you move into "If I had a dime for every time...", the melody ascends. You need to increase your breath support (engage your core) to prevent the voice from thinning out. Imagine pushing down against the floor as you sing higher to ground the sound.
Phase 3: The Power Belt Chorus
The chorus explodes with "Love is a crime!" This requires a confident mix-belt up to C5 and D5. To achieve this power without strain:
- Vowel Modification: Don't sing a wide "Love," modify it slightly towards "Luhv" or "Lav" to keep the throat open.
- Placement: Aim the sound towards your nose and hard palate (the mask). This forward placement amplifies the sound naturally.
- Retract False Folds: Ensure you aren't constricting your throat. The power comes from the diaphragm, not the neck muscles.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main melody consistently belts up to a D5, but with ad-libs and harmonies, it can venture higher into the E5 range.
The verses might feel a bit bottom-heavy (around F3/G3). You can try brightening your tone or transposing the track up +2 semitones in the Singing Coach AI app.
Anastacia has a natural texture, but she also uses controlled distortion. You can mimic this safely by using vocal fry at the onset of notes or careful pharyngeal constriction (twang).
