The Ultimate Wedding Ballad
"This I Promise You" stands out in the *NSYNC catalog. Written and produced by Richard Marx for the album No Strings Attached, it steps away from the upbeat pop dance tracks and focuses entirely on vocal blend and emotion. It is a quintessential boy band ballad that requires more than just hitting notes—it requires sincerity.
To sing this well, you need to channel the smooth, breathy texture of JC Chasez and Justin Timberlake. It’s less about power and more about control and sustained phrasing. Let's break down exactly how to tackle it, section by section.
AI Coach Tip: Manage Your Air
Because the song is slow and emotional, singers often release too much air in the verses (breathiness). This leaves you gasping before the end of the line. Practice singing the verses with a "held back" breath to maintain stamina.
Phase 1: The Verses (0:00 - 1:04)
The song begins in D Major. The opening lines "When the visions around you..." are sung low in the range (A2 to D3). This can be tricky for Tenors who aren't used to their lower register.
The Trap: Don't try to "push" these low notes to make them louder. Keep them conversational and intimate. Use a microphone proximity effect if you are recording—get close to the mic for that warm, radio sound.
Phase 2: The Chorus (1:05 - 1:47)
The energy lifts here. The melody ascends to F#3 and G3, eventually touching A3. You need to switch from that breathy verse tone to a clearer, more resonant chest-mix.
- "And I will take you in my arms": Needs a smooth legato line. Don't chop the words up.
- "This I promise you": The title line. Deliver this with a slightly brighter tone to make it "ping" and stand out as the hook.
- Harmonies: If you are singing with the app, listen for the 3rd and 5th harmonies above the lead. They are crucial for the *NSYNC sound.
Phase 3: The Bridge & Key Change (2:55 - End)
This is the emotional peak. The song builds intensity leading into a modulation (key change). The instrumentation thickens, and you need to match that energy vocally.
The final choruses feature ad-libs and vocal runs that utilize the pentatonic scale. The high note ad-lib ("Youooo!") requires a confident head voice or a very light mix to avoid straining. Keep the throat open and the jaw relaxed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest belted chest/mix note in the main melody is around A4. However, the ad-libs and harmonies reach higher into the 5th octave using head voice.
Yes. The verses are actually very comfortable for baritones. You may need to modify the vowels on the higher chorus notes to keep them from sounding too "shouted," or transpose down -1 semitone in the app.
The studio version features JC Chasez singing the first verse and Justin Timberlake singing the second verse, with both trading lines in the bridge. You can choose either style to emulate.
