A Masterclass in Vocal Mashups
"Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)" is a brilliant fusion of four classic Elton John songs, most notably "Rocket Man" and "Sacrifice." The track relies heavily on the interplay between Elton's grounded, rhythmic delivery and Dua Lipa's floating, ethereal melody.
To sing this well, you need to decide which role you are taking or learn to switch seamlessly between registers. The track sits in a disco pocket, meaning your timing must be locked into the beat, but your tone should remain relaxed.
AI Coach Tip: Dua's "Airy Mix"
For the "Rocket Man" chorus, avoid pushing your chest voice. Dua uses a breathy, head-dominant mix. Imagine you are sighing the notes rather than shouting them to achieve that modern pop sound.
Phase 1: The "Rocket Man" Chorus (Dua)
The hook, "And I think it's gonna be a long, long time," is sung in the upper register. The key challenge here is maintaining pitch stability while keeping the volume relatively soft.
- Placement: Keep the resonance high in your "mask" (nasal area/cheekbones).
- Legato: Connect the words smoothly. Do not chop up the phrasing.
- Breath Support: Even though it sounds airy, you need consistent airflow to prevent the notes from going flat.
Phase 2: The "Sacrifice" Verse (Elton)
Elton's part ("Cold, cold heart / Hard done by") sits much lower in the range (around G#2 - C#3). This section requires a conversational tone.
The Trap: Singers often lose energy here because the notes are low. Ensure you articulate the consonants ("Hard," "Stone") clearly to cut through the bass-heavy mix. You want a warm, chest-heavy resonance.
Phase 3: The Blend & Groove
When the parts overlap, timing is everything. PNAU's production is quantized to a strict disco grid. If you drag behind the beat, the song loses its danceability.
Practice with a metronome or the Singing Coach AI click track. Focus on the downbeats of the measures, especially when entering with "And I think it's gonna be..." to ensure you lock in immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
It mashes up "Rocket Man" (Dua's chorus), "Sacrifice" (Elton's verse), "Kiss the Bride", and "Where's the Shoorah?".
Yes! Elton's parts are perfect for Baritones and Basses. If you want to sing Dua's parts, you can use your falsetto or transpose the key in the Singing Coach AI app.
The PNAU Remix is in Db Major (or C# Major). This is slightly different from the original keys of the source songs, adjusted to make the mashup work seamlessly.
