Mastering the Rockabilly Hit
Released in 1987, "Faith" became the number-one song of the year in the United States and cemented George Michael's status as a solo superstar. It combines a Bo Diddley beat with a rockabilly vocal style that demands attitude, rhythm, and significant vocal agility.
To sing "Faith" correctly, you need to balance a relaxed, cool delivery in the verses with a powerful, forward-placed belt in the chorus. The song relies heavily on stylistic choices—specifically the "Elvis-style" hiccups and glottal stops.
AI Coach Tip: The "Hiccup" Technique
George Michael uses glottal stops for emphasis (e.g., "I-I-I guess it would be nice"). Don't just slide between notes; use a tiny closure of the vocal cords to create that percussive "hiccup" sound. This boosts your style score significantly.
Phase 1: The Verses (0:45 - 1:17)
After the iconic organ intro, the vocals enter in a lower, conversational register. The range here dips down to B2. The key is to keep the sound forward and bright, even on the low notes.
The Trap: Many singers drag the tempo here. The guitar strum is dry and tight, and your vocals must match that precision. Keep your consonants crisp, especially on "Well, I guess it would be nice."
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus (1:17 - 1:33)
The tension builds on "Before this river becomes an ocean." The melody starts to climb, and you need to increase your volume and intensity. You should be transitioning from a speaking voice into a stronger chest mix.
- Breath Control: Take a solid breath before "Before this river..." because the phrase is long and ascends.
- Dynamics: Start medium-soft and get louder by the time you hit "fool myself."
Phase 3: The Chorus & Belt (1:33 - 1:50)
This is the payoff. The line "I gotta have FAITH" hits a strong B4. This is a high note for male singers and requires good technique to avoid straining.
Use "twang" (narrowing the epiglottic funnel) to help you reach the B4 without yelling. Think of projecting the sound towards your nose/mask rather than pushing it from your throat. The word "Faith" has a diphthong (Fay-ee-th); lean into the "Ay" sound for resonance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest belted chest-voice note is a B4 (on the word "Faith"). There are also falsetto inflections that touch lightly on higher frequencies.
It is moderately difficult. While the range is accessible to most Tenors, the rhythmic "groove" and stylistic hiccups are hard to master without sounding cheesy.
George Michael uses a clean tone that breaks into grit only on emphasized words. Don't distort your voice the whole time; use vocal fry or growl sparingly at the start of phrases for attitude.
