Mastering the "Psychedelic Frog" Narration
Raconte-moi une histoire is a standout track from M83’s 2011 double album Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. Unlike other vocal tracks, this song is built entirely around a spoken-word narrative delivered by a young child. It tells the surreal and heartwarming story of a special frog.
To perform this well, you need to abandon traditional singing technique (like sustain or vibrato) and focus entirely on acting, timing, and diction. The goal is to sound innocent, wondrous, and rhythmic.
AI Coach Tip: Innocence over Technique
Do not try to project your voice like an opera singer. Our analysis shows that users who keep their volume conversational (mezzo-piano) and brighten their tone by smiling slightly achieve higher "Mood Match" scores.
Phase 1: The Setup (0:00 - 1:20)
The song begins with the child explaining the discovery. The pacing here is crucial. You must leave space between phrases. Don't rush.
The Trap: Many adults try too hard to "sound like a child" by pitching their voice up unnaturally high. This sounds cartoonish. Instead, lighten the weight of your voice and focus on wide-eyed wonder. Speak clearly: "We all want to be the special frog."
Phase 2: The Rhythm (1:20 - 2:45)
As the drums and synths kick in, your narration must lock into the grid. The words act as a percussion instrument here. The AI Coach tracks your rhythmic offset in milliseconds.
- Phrasing: Keep your sentences short and punchy.
- Consonants: Exaggerate your T's and K's slightly to cut through the electronic reverb.
- Breathing: Take quick, silent breaths between sentences to maintain the flow without gasping.
Phase 3: The Euphoric Build (2:45 - End)
The music swells into a massive wall of sound. While you aren't singing melodies, your energy needs to match the intensity of the track. You should feel a sense of joy and release.
Visualize the scene: hundreds of frogs jumping in the jungle. Let your voice reflect that chaotic happiness. Even though you are speaking, your pitch intonation should vary more dynamically here to match the rising chords.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily spoken word. However, in the Singing Coach AI app, we judge your performance based on rhythmic accuracy, pitch intonation (speech melody), and emotional dynamic range.
Resonance placement is key. Move your voice "forward" into the mask of your face (the nose and cheekbones) rather than speaking from your chest. Keep it light and breathless.
Yes. The charm of the song is the storytelling. A deep voice can work beautifully if you focus on the "wonder" and softness of the delivery rather than the pitch height.
