As we trek on through the 21st century, music continues to become more peculiar. Not peculiar in a bad way, but in a way that seems entirely unfamiliar to listeners. That said, the days of French melodies and towering crescendos are seemingly over. Now, we have and will continue to enter a musical space ruled by contemporary techniques
Given these techniques in the creative process, musicians and producers alike have thought of unique ways to utilize vocals and instrumentals to capitalize off the new tools. One of those ways is whisper singing. If you are confused about what this is, it’s exactly what it sounds like—musicians whisper into the microphone to sing a verse. Here are three songs that perfectly utilize the musical style.
Released in 2019, “Bad Guy” is one of Eilish’s most successful hits. Reaching the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, the No. 2 spot on the UK charts, and No.1 on 16 different international charts, Eilish outdid herself with this one. It is a great song overall, however, one of the most alluring and enjoyable segments of the song is Eilish’s whisper singing.
Opening the song by whispering the verses, Eilish captures the attention of listeners right off the bat. It is her hook matched with the bass that makes the song sleek, sexy, classy, and rebellious all at the same time.
Even though this song has become the background music to many memes over the years, it is still an exemplary use of whisper singing. Released in 2001, Drowning Pool seemingly was ahead of their time when it came to utilizing the technique as an introduction to the body of their song. Like Eilish, they use the song as a hook and set-up to the impending bass drop.
Whispering Let the bodies hit the floor three times before breaking out into their screamo style, Drowning Pool not only surprises listeners but also gives them the energy required for a metal song. In whatever capacity you may know the song, it is the definition of the calm before the storm.
3. “Wait (The Whisper Song)” by Ying Yang Twins
Oddly enough this song has also become the tune surrounding a ton of memes. Why is that? Anyways, unlike the rest of the songs on this list and whisper songs in general, the Ying Yang Twins whisper the entire song. It is a bit comical, as listeners are waiting for a bass drop or a break in the verse that never comes. However, that is seemingly part of the song’s appeal—its comical uniqueness and unprecedented nature.
The whispering makes the song catchy, memorable, seductive, and overall, just fun to listen to. It is most likely, and possibly the only song in which the vocals are entirely comprised of whispering. Props to the Ying Yang Twins for taking a risk and having it pay off immensely.
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