The Ultimate Synth-Pop Challenge
"The Sound" is a definitive track from The 1975's second album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful yet So Unaware of It. It combines 90s house piano riffs with Matty Healy's signature conversational lyricism. While it sounds like a straightforward pop song, the challenge lies in the stamina required to maintain the rhythmic flow and the clean transitions into the upper register.
To sing this well, you need agility. The verses are dense with lyrics, requiring precise diction, while the chorus demands a lighter, more resonant placement. Let's break down exactly how to tackle it, section by section.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Diction
The verses are fast. Our analysis shows users often slur the line "It's not about reciprocation, it's just all about me." Practice this section slowly to ensure every syllable is crisp before speeding up.
Phase 1: The Verses (Chest Voice)
The song stays largely in C Major. The verses sit in a comfortable mid-range for Tenors and Baritones (C3-G4). The delivery here should be almost spoken-word but with melodic intent.
The Trap: Because the lyrics come fast, singers tend to run out of breath. Plan your breath marks at the commas in the lyrics to avoid gasping for air mid-sentence. Keep the tone forward and bright.
Phase 2: The Chorus (Falsetto Switch)
The chorus ("Well I know when you're around 'cause I know the sound") lifts the energy. Matty flips into a falsetto/head voice mix here, hitting notes up to E5.
- Placement: Don't push your chest voice too high. Allow your voice to "flip" into a lighter coordination.
- Dynamics: Even though it's the chorus, the volume shouldn't be shouted. The synth production fills the space; your vocal should float on top.
- Pitch: The "I know" jumps are quick. Use the Singing Coach AI pitch tracker to ensure you aren't sliding up to the note, but hitting it cleanly.
Phase 3: The Bridge & Outro
The energy peaks in the final minute. The repetition of "I know the sound" requires endurance. You need to keep the placement high in your cheekbones (mask resonance) to avoid vocal fatigue.
Try to maintain a smile while singing the outro—this naturally lifts the soft palate and brightens the tone, matching the optimistic house-pop vibe of the instrumentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest sung note is an E5 in the falsetto chorus. The chest voice melody generally stays below G4.
The Sound is in C Major. This makes it relatively easy to play on piano, but the vocal melody jumps around the scale quickly.
Use the "Practice Mode" in our app to slow the track down to 75% speed. Master the rhythm and articulation first, then gradually increase the speed back to normal.
