Storytelling and Psychedelic Groove
"Raspberry Beret" is one of Prince's most recognizable pop hits from the 1985 album Around the World in a Day. Unlike his high-falsetto funk tracks or screaming rock ballads, this song sits comfortably in a mid-range chest voice, making it accessible to many singers. However, the true challenge is nailing the "cool" factor—the rhythmic delivery and the storytelling nuance.
To sing this well, you need to relax your jaw and focus on diction. Prince's delivery is almost spoken in the verses, but with a very specific melodic contour that drives the song forward. Let's break down the technique.
AI Coach Tip: Watch the Phrasing
Singers often drag the tempo during the verses ("I was working part-time..."). Prince sings these lines slightly ahead of the beat to create urgency. Keep your consonants crisp and don't linger on vowels.
Phase 1: The Verses (The Story)
The song begins in A major. The verses are narrative-driven. "I was working part-time in a five-and-dime" should be sung with a clear, chest-dominant tone. You aren't trying to belt here; you are talking to the audience.
The Trap: It's easy to sound monotonous. Vary your dynamics. Notice how Prince emphasizes words like "boss" and "lazy" to add character to the story.
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus & Chorus
The energy lifts as the lyrics move to "Thunder drowns out what the lightning sees." You need to add more brightness (twang) to your voice here to match the rising instrumentation.
- The Hook: "She wore a Raspberry Beret..." This line is the earworm. Ensure you hit the pitch center perfectly on "Beret."
- Tone Color: Unlike the verses, the chorus requires a smile. Literally smiling while singing this section will brighten your tone and help you match the pop-psychedelic vibe.
- Breathing: The lines are long. Take a quick, deep diaphragmatic breath before "I think I love her" to sustain the phrase.
Phase 3: The Bridge & Ad-Libs
As the song progresses, Prince introduces more vocal textures, including his signature high-pitched whoops and backing vocals. The bridge ("Rain sounds so cool...") drops in dynamic intensity but requires strict rhythmic accuracy.
If you want to tackle the ad-libs near the end, you'll need to flip into your head voice/falsetto. Keep these light and playful; do not push chest voice up to these notes or you will sound strained.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest belted note in the main melody is an A4. However, Prince's backing vocals and ad-libs often reach higher into the 5th octave using falsetto.
Yes! This song is excellent for Baritones. The verses sit in a very comfortable range (E3-A3). The chorus goes up to A4, which is achievable with a good mix voice.
Prince had incredible rhythm. Practice singing the song while clapping on the 2 and 4 beats. Focus on the rhythmic "bounce" of the words rather than just holding long notes.
