The "Tongue-Twister" of 90s Rock
One Week isn't just a catchy pop-rock song; it's an endurance test for your tongue and lungs. Written by Ed Robertson for the Barenaked Ladies' 1998 album Stunt, this track is famous for its improvised-style rapping in the verses contrasting with melodic, harmonized choruses.
To sing this well, pitch is only half the battle. You need the rhythmic precision of a drummer and the breath control of a swimmer. The lyrics move so fast that if you stumble on one syllable, you'll lose the entire verse. Let's break down exactly how to tackle it.
AI Coach Tip: The "Breath Snatch"
You cannot take full breaths during the verses. Our analysis shows top scorers use "breath snatching"—taking tiny, rapid sips of air through the mouth at specific micro-pauses, usually every 4 bars.
Phase 1: The Rapid-Fire Verses
The verses (starting with "Chickity China, the Chinese chicken") are spoken more than sung, hovering around G2-D3. The challenge is diction.
The Trap: Slurring words together. Phrases like "Watching X-Files with no lights on" need crisp consonants (T, K, P sounds). Practice this at 0.5x speed in the app before attempting full speed.
Phase 2: The Melodic Chorus
The chorus ("It's been one week...") provides a massive release of tension. The melody jumps up and requires a switch from staccato speech-singing to a legato (smooth) singing style.
- Lead Vocal: Sits comfortably in the mid-range. Focus on tone quality here.
- Harmonies: Steven Page's upper harmonies add the signature BNL sound. If you are singing lead, keep your volume steady so you don't drown out the imaginary harmony.
Phase 3: The Breakdown (Birchmount Stadium)
The bridge slows down slightly but maintains high energy. The line "Birchmount Stadium, home of the Robbie" requires a bit more vocal weight/grit than the verses. This is where you can add some rock attitude to the performance.
The final outro involves overlapping vocal lines. In the app, choose to follow either Ed (Low/Fast) or Steve (High/Melodic) to ensure the AI tracks your pitch correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically it's alternative rock, but the vocal delivery is heavily influenced by rap. You need to treat the verses as rhythmic percussion rather than melodic lines.
Plan your breaths. Mark your lyrics sheet with breath points. Don't try to sing the entire "Chickity China" verse in one go. Snatch a breath after "drum stick" and "brain stops working."
The lead vocal hits around a G4. It's not particularly high, but it requires stamina because the song is relentless with very few instrumental breaks.
