The Anthem of Buffalo
Released on the 1998 smash-hit album Dizzy Up the Girl, "Broadway" is a masterclass in alternative rock songwriting. Johnny Rzeznik wrote the song about his hometown of Buffalo, New York. Unlike some of the band's acoustic ballads, this track relies on a driving rhythm and a vocal performance that balances weariness with energy.
To sing "Broadway" effectively, you need to master the transition from a conversational, slightly breathy verse to a full, open-throated chorus. It's less about hitting incredibly high notes and more about capturing the specific "raspy" texture of Rzeznik's voice without damaging your cords.
AI Coach Tip: Watch the Phrasing
Rzeznik has a tendency to sing slightly behind the beat in the verses to create a "laid back" feel. Our analysis shows users often rush the line "See the young man sitting in the old man's bar." Relax and sit in the pocket of the groove.
Phase 1: The Verses (Storytelling)
The song starts in a comfortable speaking range. The goal here is clarity and emotion. The lyrics depict a scene of repetition and stagnation, so your tone should reflect that—slightly tired, but observant.
Technique: Use a "speech-level" approach. Don't add too much twang yet. Keep your larynx neutral. Listen closely to how Rzeznik adds a slight breathiness to the end of phrases like "waiting for his turn to die."
Phase 2: The Chorus (The Belt)
When the line "Broadway is dark tonight" hits, the energy shifts. The vocal melody jumps up to the G4 range. This is where you need to engage your diaphragm.
- Vowel Modification: On the word "dark," modify the vowel slightly towards "dah-rk" to keep the throat open. If you spread your mouth too wide on the 'a', you risk straining.
- The Mix: This isn't a pure chest belt; it's a gritty mix. Imagine projecting the sound towards your hard palate to get that rock resonance.
- Dynamics: Ensure you are significantly louder here than in the verse to match the intensity of the guitars.
Phase 3: The Bridge & Outro
The repetition of "Broadway is dark tonight" at the end requires stamina. The challenge is maintaining the gritty texture without fatigue. If you feel a tickle in your throat, you are relying too much on your throat muscles and not enough on breath support.
To create the "rasp" safely, do not grind your vocal cords together. Instead, try to find a clean note first, and then relax the false vocal folds slightly to introduce noise to the signal. This is an advanced technique best practiced at low volumes first.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest consistent belted note is around a G4, though there are brief ad-libs that might touch A4 depending on the live version.
Yes. The range is very accessible for most male voices (Baritones and Tenors). The main challenge is styling and rhythmic phrasing.
Johnny uses a "chest-heavy mix" with a lot of air flow. Practice sighing into your notes to get that breathy texture, then add compression for the rock parts.
