The Song That Defined Modern R&B
Wicked Games is the breakout single that introduced the world to The Weeknd's haunting, atmospheric style. Released on the House of Balloons mixtape in 2011, it combines gritty lyrics with a smooth, soaring vocal performance.
To sing this well, you need to master the art of "cry" in your voice. It requires switching between a vulnerable chest voice in the verses and a powerful, piercing falsetto in the chorus. Let's break down exactly how to tackle it, section by section.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Breath
Many singers add too much air to their voice to mimic The Weeknd. This causes pitch instability. Keep your vocal cords connected even when singing softly to maintain a score above 85%.
Phase 1: The Verses (0:00 - 1:15)
The song starts in a lower, conversational range (around E3-A3). The lines "I left my girl back home" should be sung with a chest-dominant mix, but kept at a low volume. The goal here is storytelling, not power.
The Trap: Don't swallow your words. While the mood is dark, your diction needs to be crisp so the AI (and your audience) can understand the lyrics.
Phase 2: The Chorus (1:15 - 2:05)
This is the technical hurdle. The line "Bring your love, baby, I could bring my shame" requires a seamless transition into your head voice or falsetto.
- The Flip: You must flip into head voice on the higher notes without a noticeable "crack." Practice yodeling slowly to smooth out this break.
- Sustain: The notes are held longer here. Ensure you have enough breath support to hold the pitch steady without wavering flat.
- Vibrato: The Weeknd uses a fast, shimmering vibrato at the tail end of these phrases.
Phase 3: The Climax (3:30 - End)
As the song progresses, the emotional intensity builds. On "So tell me you love me," you can add more "twang" or pharyngeal resonance to your head voice to give it a desperate, pleading quality. This helps your voice cut through the heavy bass and synthesizer production.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest sustained note is around a C#5 in head voice, though ad-libs may vary. The chest voice stays relatively low.
While written for a Tenor range, Baritones can sing this by relying heavily on falsetto for the high parts. You can also transpose the track down -2 semitones in the Singing Coach AI app.
Focus on "flow phonation." Imagine sighing while you sing. You want air moving, but you still need core muscle support from your diaphragm.
