Mastering the Pop Rebel Sound
Released in 2013 as the lead single from Bangerz, "We Can't Stop" marked a major shift in Miley Cyrus's career. It’s a downtempo pop/R&B track that relies heavily on "swag" rather than vocal acrobatics. The challenge here isn't range—it's attitude.
To sing this well, you need to master the art of the conversational tone. It's about sounding relaxed, almost lazy, while maintaining perfect rhythm and pitch. Let's break down exactly how to tackle it, section by section.
AI Coach Tip: Focus on the "Fry"
Miley uses "vocal fry" (a creaky sound in the low register) at the start of phrases. Our analysis suggests relaxing your vocal cords on the verses to capture that authentic, gritty texture.
Phase 1: The Verses (Low Register)
The song stays in E Major. The verses sit low in the female range (E3), which can be tricky for Sopranos. You need a solid chest voice connection.
The Trap: Because it's low and conversational, singers often lose breath support, causing the pitch to go flat. Keep your core engaged even when singing quietly to maintain the pitch on "Red cups and sweaty bodies everywhere."
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus (Rhythm)
The energy builds here. "To my home girls here with the big butt..." requires precise rhythmic delivery. The melody is repetitive, so the interest comes from the groove.
- Diction: Miley intentionally slurs words to fit the "party" vibe. Don't over-enunciate consonants or it will sound too musical theatre.
- Placement: Move the resonance slightly forward into the mask (nose/cheekbones) to get that brighter pop sound ready for the chorus.
Phase 3: The Chorus (Anthemic Mix)
The chorus ("And we can't stop...") is an anthem. It sits in a comfortable mid-range, but it needs to sound full. This requires a balanced mix voice.
Don't push too hard. The power comes from open vowels, not straining your throat. Think of the sound as a chant that you want a stadium to sing back to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main melody hits a C#5 comfortably, but there are background ad-libs and harmonies that reach up to an F#5.
It's actually a great song for beginners because the range is not extreme. The difficulty comes from capturing the specific style and rhythm.
Relax your throat and speak the lyrics on pitch rather than "singing" them. If you can't reach the E3, you can transpose the track up +2 semitones in the Singing Coach AI app.
