FMJP
HideOuter Senior
Here I've attached a video where the guy explains Michael's voice as he aged. For those that don't want to watch the video (it is rather long at about 17 minutes) heres the main points:
-Michael's high speaking voice quite possibly could be a result of the physical abuse he suffered as a child (among other factors like a stylistic choice)
- Because he continued singing through puberty and got no break and wasn't able to pause and let his voice develop naturally, his vocal growth was stunted
- Singers usually have 15-20 years of their prime singing, so basically, the video says he maxed out at about 21-22 (when Off The Wall came out) and because of that, we never got to really hear Michael's full adult vocal capabilities- granted he still sounded amazing, just not what we could have heard if he had been given the right treatment as a teen
- Most of his songs as an adult tended to stay in a four note octave/ range, and his shows became more about a spectacle rather than about the singing (focused on the dance over the voice)
- His raspy voice as he aged is partially a result from the damage done from his vocal forming years- (however I believe it was also partially a stylistic choice.)
- His studio albums rely on vocal layering so his voice isn't required to exert as much force
- His physical health really played a major role in his singing ability
If I missed any points let me know, but thats the brief summary of the video. What are your guys' thoughts. I think its kind of interesting we technically (by the logic in the video) didn't see Michael's adult voice at its full potential. Although I'd argue that we got close
ex: Earth Song, the BAD album where his voice is very powerful, Elizabeth I love you).
His singing voice got progressively thinner through the years, although he never sounded bad persay, he definitely sounded weathered,
Ex: compare WBSS remix vocals with the original vocals, he sounds nearly identical as in 82' but his voice sounds thinner
My thoughts on this are basically: Good perspective, definitely something I had never though about in perspective with his live singing and his overall singing voice (and with the stuff about the fake high voice), but some of his vocal nuances such as the rasp I feel were in part choices he made to imitate his idols like James Brown. What do you all think?
- Please let me know if I sound like one of those MJ fans to over-analyze things or who misunderstand some ideas and concepts entirely (haha)