Mastering the Ultimate 80s Dance Anthem
"Together Forever" is often considered the spiritual successor to "Never Gonna Give You Up." Released in 1988 on the album Whenever You Need Somebody, it showcases Rick Astley's powerful baritone voice against a relentless high-energy beat. Unlike modern pop which often relies on breathy tones, this song requires full, resonant chest voice engagement.
To sing this well, you need to balance deep low notes in the verses with a strong, sustained belt in the chorus. The key challenge is maintaining vocal agility while delivering the power required for 80s dance-pop.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Larynx
Because the beat is so energetic, singers often tense their neck, causing the larynx to rise. This thins out the tone. To get Rick's signature sound, practice the verses with a 'dopey' or yawning sensation to keep the throat open.
Phase 1: The Verses (Low Control)
The song starts in F# Major. The verses ("If there's anything you need...") sit low in the range. You need a solid connection to your speaking voice here.
The Trap: Many singers lose volume or clarity on the lowest notes. Ensure you are using good cord closure. Do not whisper the low notes; speak them on pitch with confidence.
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus Climb
The energy builds on "I would move heaven and earth." This is where you need to start increasing your breath pressure. You represent the bridge between the relaxed verse and the explosive chorus.
- Breath Support: Take a quick, deep breath before "to be together forever with you."
- Dynamics: Don't give 100% volume yet; save your peak power for the chorus hook.
Phase 3: The Chorus Belt
The line "Together forever and never to part" is iconic. It sits in a comfortable mid-range belt for baritones (around C#4 to F#4). The difficulty isn't the height of the notes, but the consistency.
Rick Astley uses a very clean, forward placement. Imagine the sound vibrating behind your front teeth. This "mask resonance" helps you cut through the synthesizer mix without straining your vocal cords.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main melody reaches up to an F#4, with some ad-libs and harmonies pushing toward G4. It stays firmly within the chest/mix register.
It might feel a bit low in the verses. You can transpose the track up +2 semitones in the Singing Coach AI app to make the verses shine, or work on your lower range resonance.
The 80s "SAW" (Stock Aitken Waterman) sound relies on very rhythmic, staccato phrasing and limited use of breathiness. Sing with a smile to brighten the tone.
