The Art of Attitude and Phrasing
Me & Mr Jones is a standout track from Amy Winehouse's iconic Back to Black album. While it doesn't span a massive number of octaves, it is a masterclass in style, attitude, and rhythm. The song tells a cheeky story of rebellion and romance, famously referencing the rapper Nas (Mr. Jones) and Slick Rick.
To sing this well, you need to abandon strict, "on-the-grid" pop timing. Amy's genius lies in her ability to sing behind the beat—a technique known as "back phrasing"—which gives the track its relaxed, conversational, yet incredibly tight groove.
AI Coach Tip: Don't Rush!
Our data shows 80% of users sing the verses too early. Relax into the groove. Let the snare drum hit before you finish your phrase. It should feel like you are dragging slightly, without losing the tempo.
Phase 1: The Verses (Low & Conversational)
The song starts low, hovering around E3-A3. "Nobody stands in between me and my man." This range requires a warm, chest-heavy resonance. Do not try to make this sound pretty or breathy; it needs to be direct and grounded.
The Trap: Losing clarity on the low notes. Keep your vocal cords connected (vocal fry can be used stylistically, but don't lose the pitch). Use glottal attacks on words like "Only" or "Ignorant" to emulate Amy's percussive style.
Phase 2: The Chorus (The Belt)
The energy lifts for "What kind of... is this?" Here you need to access your upper chest voice or a strong mix. The notes typically hit around C5. It's not a screamy rock belt, but a soulful, "complaining" wail.
- "Me and Mr Jones": Keep the vowels open. Amy often modifies vowels to sound more open-mouthed (e.g., "thing" sounds like "fing").
- Dynamics: The chorus should be significantly louder than the verse. Use the contrast to tell the story.
Phase 3: The Bridge & Outro
The bridge ("He was my guy") moves into a call-and-response with the backing vocals. This section is melodic and requires good breath support to sustain the phrases. As the song fades, Amy adds ad-libs that float into the head voice—keep these light and playful.
Focus on the "London" accent. Amy doesn't Americanize her singing voice. Flatten your vowels and drop the "R"s at the end of words for authenticity.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest belted chest-voice note is a C5. However, the emotional intensity makes it feel higher. It sits right in the "break" for many female voices.
This song is perfect for Contraltos and Mezzo-Sopranos. The low verses (E3) can be tricky for Sopranos, while the highs are very accessible for lower voices.
The song is widely believed to be about the rapper Nas (Nasir Jones), whom Amy admired greatly. The lyrics also reference a Slick Rick gig she didn't want to miss.
