Top 10 Longest Notes Held By Singers

Top 10 Longest Notes Held in Songs

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten longest continuous notes held in songs. One breath, no pitch changes; just one impressively long note.

#10: “All Out of Love” (1980)

Air Supply

We’re starting off strong with this hit from the band aptly named Air Supply. “All Out of Love” is an unforgettable ballad full of cheesy ‘80s soft rock goodness. Vocalist Russell Hitchcock conveys the agony of a lost love through his emotional singing, culminating in an impressive 16-second-long final note. It goes on for so long, you might find yourself wondering if the band was named for Hitchcock’s impressive lung capacity. This song once held the record for longest note in a U.S. hit song, until it was passed by another entry on this list just three years later.

#9: “Dim All the Lights” (1979)

Donna Summer

This late ‘70s disco track was once named one of the sexiest songs ever recorded by Billboard, but it also boasts a world record. This hit, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, contains a note sustained by Summer for 16 seconds. Therefore, this song holds the record for the longest same-pitch vocal note in a U.S. hit single by a female artist. The Queen of Disco broke many chart records throughout her incredibly successful career, but this record highlights her impressive vocal ability. Summer was one of the greatest singers of her time, and this hit affirms that.

#8: “Lovely Day” (1977)

Bill Withers

One of the most famous entries on this list, Bill Withers’ 1977 single “Lovely Day,” has made beautiful days even brighter for decades. With simple, cheerful lyrics and a melody sure to stick in your head, this song is unforgettable for many reasons. One in particular is the notable extended note Withers holds at the end of the song. For 18 seconds, he belts out a clear high E on the word “day.” Perhaps it represents getting lost in the beauty of a lovely day, or an effort to make the day last as long as possible. Either way, it’s a clear indicator of Withers’ impressive vocal talents.

#7: “A Piece of Sky” (1983)

Barbra Streisand

Known for powerful lungs that could sustain the final note of a showtune seemingly forever, Babs making this list comes as no surprise. Her longest held note in a recorded song comes from the “Yentl” soundtrack. “A Piece of Sky” marks the Yentl character's triumphant ending, sung on board a ship bound for her new life in the United States. The whole musical builds to this song, which in turn builds to its final line. As Streisand belts out “Papa, watch me fly!”, the camera cinematically zooms out as she sustains her final note for 19 powerful seconds. It's incredibly reminiscent of “Don’t Rain on my Parade,” but somehow even longer.

#6: “Hallelujah” (1994)

Jeff Buckley

Originally written by Leonard Cohen, “Hallelujah” owes much of its success from covers. One rendition by John Cale popularized the song when it was featured in the “Shrek” soundtrack, while Jeff Buckley’s cover was named one of Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Buckley’s take on the song has been praised as incredibly beautiful and intimate, but wouldn’t see major success until after his tragic death in 1997. It’s an incredible rendition, but the reason it’s earned a spot on our list is the haunting 19-second-long note that Buckley sustains toward the end. A gorgeous ending to an absolutely stunning song.

#5: “When I’m With You” (1983)

Sheriff

It doesn’t get more ‘80s than this power ballad from the Canadian soft-rock band Sheriff. “When I’m With You” takes you back to the days of feathered hair and men in silk blouses, all led by Freddy Curci’s leading vocals. Curci closes out this romantic number with an impressively long falsetto note, held for 19.3 seconds. This extended note grants this song the world record for longest-held vocal note in a U.S. hit single. “When I’m With You” was a sleeper hit, peaking at No. 1 on U.S. charts in 1989, six years after the single’s release.

#4: “Summer Moved On” (2000)

A-ha

You’re probably familiar with this Norwegian synth-pop band from their 1984 hit “Take On Me.” Lead vocalist Morten Harket proves his superior vocal abilities once again in their 2000 single “Summer Moved On.” After a six-year-long hiatus, this song ushered in A-ha’s comeback era and saw their music updated for the new millennium. At the end of this powerful ballad, Harket holds a single note on the word “ask” for 20.2 extraordinary seconds. Though the single had only modest success in the United States, it was a hit in Europe. Because of this, “Summer Moved On” holds the record for longest same-pitch vocal note in a UK hit single.

#3: “The Grudge” (2001)

Tool

This might be a controversial one, depending on your definition of singing. This song by the alternative metal band Tool has a distinct heavy sound, complete with angry scream-singing. Vocalist Maynard James Keenan alternates between singing and screaming the lyric’s reference to mythology and astrology. At one point, Keenan screams for 24 seconds straight on a single breath. Although not technically singing in the traditional sense, it does maintain a commanding consistent tone and sound. Like every other entry on this list, “The Grudge” demonstrates remarkable breath control and a truly epic vocal performance. Therefore, it definitely deserves a spot on this list.

#2: “The Other Side of the Rainbow” (1982)

Melba Moore

If you’re in need of a little inspiration, look no further than this soaring number from R&B singer winner Melba Moore. Beginning her career on the stage, Moore won a Tony Award in 1970 for her performance in “Purlie,” before transitioning to a music career. Her Broadway-caliber voice is on full display in this song about following your dreams, with a gospel choir singing backup as Moore lifts the listener’s spirits to new heights. The final high note is a doozy, lasting for a whopping 36 seconds. It’s the longest studio-recorded note by a female singer and a signature of

Moore’s vocal style. Even Barbra Streisand wanted to know how Moore could hold such long notes, but she never reveals her secrets.

#1: “Everything Must Change” (2011)

Tee Green

In 2011, vocalist Tee Green wanted to go for the world record. In a rendition of Benard Ighner’s “Everything Must Change,” he broke the record for longest-held vocal note in a studio recording with his breathtaking 39-second-long note. Long notes are Green’s specialty. He says he’s shown off this skill at parties to raise money for charity. Although he isn’t known popularly as a recording artist, he’s worked professionally in the music industry as a vocalist and vocal coach for more than 30 years. Green clearly has a unique talent in his field, and he definitely deserves to hold this impressive world record.

Who did you expect to see on this list, and who surprised you? Let us know in the comments!