The Soul of Grease
While Grease is known for its high-energy dance numbers, "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" is the emotional anchor of the film. Performed by Stockard Channing as Rizzo, this ballad is a masterclass in character acting through song. It isn't about hitting the highest note possible; it's about conveying vulnerability behind a tough exterior.
Vocally, this song sits squarely in the "Alto" sweet spot, relying heavily on a rich chest voice and a grounded mix. The challenge lies in the dynamics—starting small and conversational, then building to a painful realization without losing control of the pitch.
AI Coach Tip: Don't Over-Sing
Rizzo is singing to herself here. Our analysis shows that users who push the volume too early in the song score lower on style. Keep the first verse intimate and conversational, almost like spoken word on pitch.
Phase 1: The Low Verses (0:00 - 0:50)
The song opens in C Major with a simple melody that hovers around G3 and A3. "I could flirt with all the guys..." requires a relaxed jaw. If you tighten your jaw to "control" these low notes, you will sound muffled.
The Trap: Many singers lose pitch accuracy on the ends of phrases here because they run out of breath. Make sure to take quick, silent breaths at punctuation marks so the ends of your lines don't go flat.
Phase 2: The Emotional Build (0:50 - 1:40)
As Rizzo admits "I could stay home every night," the melody begins to climb. You need to lighten your chest voice slightly to prepare for the ascent. Do not flip into a breathy head voice yet; the character demands a certain "grit" or firmness here.
- "Wait around for Mr. Right": Use a forward placement (singing into the mask of your face) to keep the tone bright and piercing.
- "Do the things I could do": Watch your rhythm. This triplet feel needs to be lazy and legato, not staccato or rushed.
Phase 3: The Climax (1:40 - End)
The bridge leads to the emotional peak on "But to cry in front of you." This hits a sustained C5. While not incredibly high for a soprano, for an Alto singing in a chest belt, this is the money note.
To hit the C5 safely, engage your core support and think of the note as a release of tension, not a push. The song ends on a resolved, quieter note, returning to the vulnerability of the beginning. Ensure you taper your volume off gently.
Frequently Asked Questions
The song ranges from a low G3 to a belted C5. It is an ideal song for Altos or Mezzo-Sopranos who want to showcase their lower register.
Stockard Channing uses a "speech-level" singing technique. Don't try to sound too operatic or polished. Allow some natural vocal fry or texture to creep in at the start of phrases.
Yes. If the G3 is too low for you, use the Singing Coach AI app to transpose the track up +2 semitones. If the belt is too high, you can lower it, though this may make the verses muddy.
