Mastering the Emotion of Dear Evan Hansen
"Words Fail" is the 11 o'clock number from the smash-hit musical Dear Evan Hansen. It represents the emotional climax of the show, where the protagonist finally confesses his deception. Singing this song requires a delicate balance: you must convey an emotional breakdown without actually breaking down your vocal technique.
Ben Platt's original performance is iconic for its raw, "cry-like" quality. To achieve this, you need to master your mixed voice and understand how to use breathiness as a stylistic choice rather than a technical flaw. Let's break it down.
AI Coach Tip: Manage Your Air
Because the song is conversational, singers often take shallow breaths. For the long phrases in the chorus ("No, I'd rather pretend I'm something better than these broken parts"), engage your lower abs deeply before starting the line to avoid running out of air.
Phase 1: The Confession (Intro - 1:45)
The song starts in F Major with a recitative style. The rhythm here is dictated by the lyrics. "I guess I should've known" should sound like a thought occurring in real-time. Keep your volume low (mezzo-piano) and focus on diction.
The Trap: Rushing. Don't anticipate the beat. Let the piano lead you, and stay slightly behind the beat to create a sense of hesitation and vulnerability.
Phase 2: The Spiral (1:45 - 3:30)
As Evan tries to explain himself ("I never meant to make it such a mess"), the key modulates and the range shifts upward. You need to start mixing here. Don't pull your chest voice up too heavy, or you will fatigue before the end.
- Resonance: Aim for a "forward" placement, vibrating in the mask of the face, to keep the tone bright and youthful.
- Dynamics: Begin to increase volume, but save your loudest volume for the bridge.
Phase 3: The Climax (3:30 - End)
This is the hardest part of the song. The line "No, I'd rather pretend" sits high in the male tessitura, hitting sustained G4s and A4s. Ben Platt uses a high-larynx belt here to create a "stressed" sound.
To do this safely, use a "cry" onset (imagine whimpering before you sing the note). This tilts the thyroid cartilage and thins out the vocal folds, allowing you to hit those high notes with power but without the strain of a full chest belt.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest belted note is an A4 (on "pretend"), though Ben Platt often adds riffs or emotional cracks that can reach higher or vary the melody.
The original key is high, suiting a Tenor. However, Baritones can sing this by transposing it down 2-3 semitones in the Singing Coach AI app, or by using a lighter head-mix for the high notes.
Focus on the text. Treat the lyrics as a monologue first. The breaks in your voice should come from the emotional intention of the words, not from a lack of support.
