Top 10 Songs with the Best Multi-Layered (Overdubbed) Vocals
This technique is known as multi-tracking style, overdubbing, multi-layered vocals.This is what Freddie Mercury does on Bohemian Rhapsody and some other songs - it sounds like a choir because he sings different vocal lines that are recorded separately and then are put together so you hear several vocal layers at the same time.
This list should focus on how good the multi-layered vocals / harmonies are, and not on how good or popular the songs are.
This is the iconic song that popularized the mentioned technique. To a huge extent this song gained its popularity thanks to Freddie multi-layered vocals. Truly amazing.
Masterpiece written by the genius Freddie Mercury, aka Mr. Bad guy, aka Mr. Fahrenheit, aka The great pretender.
Mercury and Caballé (female opera singer) sing alternately their solo lines, sometimes merging into a duet. When singing the chorus "Barcelona" and a few other parts for the studio version, Mercury dubs over his voice in his usual multi-tracking style.
It's no secret that Hansi Kürsch was influenced by Freddie. Hansi is known namely for using this technique and I dare to say currently he's the best.
Hansi vocals at the end of this song is the most beautiful, moving and crafted thing I have ever heard in modern music. There are no other singers - he did all overlapping vocal harmonies. Hansi is mostly known for his powerful and somewhat demonic voice but here he sounds like an angel, literally. He's the most versatile singer I've ever heard.
Hansi Kürsch again - this time he used massive overdubbing and created a huge choir effect. The overlapping vocal harmonies in this song are more complex. A perfect song overall, if you ask me (not only for the vocals).
Vox by Zack Stevens. I guess most of you never heard of him but give a listen to his work.
Hansi Kürsch sings all lead and backing vox with harmonies. This song isn't considered among their best songs because it's mellow but it demonstrates beautiful vocal harmonies with moderate overdubbing. Play the sample to hear the type of vocals. Pure bliss.
Overdubbed vocal harmonies here are so beautiful that I can't describe them. The song is a very soft and beautiful acoustic ballad.
The technique is used mainly in the intro and outro. Makes this song special.
It's mostly in the intro and outro, especially the outro. Beautiful work.
Just listen to it...
It's so good... I actually can't stop listening to it.
This song is with moderate overdubbing.
It was a bonus track to their 2015 album - I guess they didn't put it on the album because it's not very heavy.
Used several times in this song but mainly at 6:00-6:40.
Even on the sample you hear a choir but there's no choir - it's only one singer who properly used this technique.
Pretty much the Bohemian Rhapsody of the 2000's. Its powerful lyrics tell a 9 minute long story of the teenage fantasy of being a runaway.
I can't even count how many vocal layers this song features.
