The Art of the "Apology" Anthem
"Sorry" is a quintessential track from Justin Bieber's Purpose album, blending dancehall rhythms with tropical house beats. While it may sound effortless, achieving that smooth, breathy tone while maintaining pitch accuracy is harder than it looks. The song requires a delicate balance between a relaxed chest voice in the verses and a light, airy mix in the chorus.
To sing this well, you need to master your "passaggio"—the bridge between your chest voice and head voice. Let's break down exactly how to tackle the distinct sections of the song.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Breathing
The phrasing in "Sorry" is rapid and rhythmic. Many users run out of breath before the end of the pre-chorus. Practice taking quick "sip" breaths at the punctuation marks of the lyrics to sustain the energy.
Phase 1: The Verses (Eb3 Range)
The song starts in a comfortable mid-range for Tenors. The line "You gotta go and get angry at all of my honesty" should be sung with a conversational tone. Justin uses a technique called "vocal fry" at the very beginning of phrases to give it an intimate, apologetic feel.
The Trap: Don't over-enunciate. In this style of pop, the words should flow together almost like a slur. If you articulate too crisply, it will sound robotic against the tropical beat.
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus Climb
As you move to "I know you know that I made those mistakes," the melody begins to climb. You need to lighten the weight of your voice here. Do not drag your heavy chest voice up; instead, start mixing in some head resonance.
- Tension Control: Ensure your jaw is relaxed. Tension here will make the high notes in the chorus sound strained.
- Dynamics: Gradually increase your volume, but don't belt it. The power comes from the rhythm, not sheer volume.
Phase 3: The Chorus & Falsetto (Eb4 - Eb5)
The hook "Is it too late now to say sorry?" sits right in the transition area. Justin flips into a reinforced falsetto specifically on the word "sorry" and the vocal ad-libs that follow.
To hit these high notes cleanly, visualize sound aiming out the top of your head rather than straight out of your mouth. Keep the sound placement high and forward in the "mask" of your face to achieve that bright, pop sheen.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest notes are the ad-libs in the background which reach an Eb5. The main melody typically tops out around Bb4/C5 depending on the variation.
Yes. The stylistic signature of this song is the light, airy quality in the chorus. Using full chest voice for the high parts will sound too aggressive for the genre.
Definitely. The Singing Coach AI app allows you to transpose the track. Lowering it by -2 or -3 semitones makes it very accessible for Baritones while keeping the pop vibe.
