The Viral Lo-Fi Anthem
Released on Steve Lacy's 2022 album Gemini Rights, "Bad Habit" became an instant classic, dominating both TikTok and the Billboard Hot 100. It combines a gritty, garage-rock guitar loop with smooth R&B vocals. The song is deceptive; it sounds effortless, but the vocal precision required to maintain that "chill" vibe is significant.
To sing this well, you need to balance a conversational chest voice in the verses with a light, airy falsetto in the chorus. You cannot "push" this song. It requires a relaxed, almost lazy delivery, while staying perfectly on pitch.
AI Coach Tip: Watch the Hook
On the line "I wish I knew you wanted me," many singers tend to rush the rhythm. Our analysis shows that laying back on the beat (singing slightly behind) improves the stylistic accuracy score significantly.
Phase 1: The Hook (0:00 - 0:45)
The song opens immediately with the chorus. The melody descends in a repetitive, catchy pattern. The challenge here is breath control. The phrases are relatively long, and you need to maintain a consistent volume.
The Trap: Don't sing this too aggressively. Keep your volume at a 4/10. It should sound like you are singing to yourself in your bedroom, not performing to a stadium.
Phase 2: The Verses & Falsetto
As the song progresses, Steve Lacy utilizes his falsetto range extensively, hitting notes up to Ab5 in the background harmonies and ad-libs. When switching to lines like "can I bite your tongue like my bad habit," ensure your mix is heady and light.
- Passaggio: You will be crossing your vocal break constantly. Warm up your voice with sirens to smooth out the crack between chest and head voice.
- Diction: The articulation is purposefully relaxed. Don't over-enunciate. Soften your consonants.
Phase 3: The Beat Switch (Outro)
The song famously breaks down into a different beat ("biscuits and gravy"). The vocal style changes here to a more rhythmic, almost spoken-word delivery. Focus on the pocket of the beat rather than melodic perfection in this section.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest sung note is an Ab5, found in the falsetto ad-libs. The main melody stays comfortably within the mid-range for Tenors.
Yes. Unlike power ballads, this song doesn't require massive lung capacity. It is excellent for learning pitch control and falsetto transitions.
Technically, this is done in production, but vocally, you can achieve it by reducing nasal resonance and singing with a "straight tone" (no vibrato) for most of the track.
