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.
The Top Ten
1 Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

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.

2 Barcelona - Freddie Mercury & Montserrat Caballé

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.

3 Heaven Denies - Demons & Wizards

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.

4 The Throne - Blind Guardian

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).

5 Chance - Savatage

Vox by Zack Stevens. I guess most of you never heard of him but give a listen to his work.

6 Carry the Blessed Home - Blind Guardian

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.

7 Morphine Child - Savatage
8 Harvest of Sorrow - Blind Guardian

Overdubbed vocal harmonies here are so beautiful that I can't describe them. The song is a very soft and beautiful acoustic ballad.

9 Damien - Iced Earth

The technique is used mainly in the intro and outro. Makes this song special.

10 My Last Sunrise - Demons & Wizards

It's mostly in the intro and outro, especially the outro. Beautiful work.

The Contenders
11 Because - The Beatles
12 Nightfall - Blind Guardian
13 Jesus of Suburbia - Green Day

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.

14 I Just Wasn't Made for These Times - The Beach Boys

I can't even count how many vocal layers this song features.

15 When the Party’s Over - Billie Eilish
16 Bang Bang - Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj

It's so good... I actually can't stop listening to it.

17 Distant Memories - Blind Guardian

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.

18 I Am - Theocracy

Used several times in this song but mainly at 6:00-6:40.

19 Wheel of Time - Blind Guardian

Even on the sample you hear a choir but there's no choir - it's only one singer who properly used this technique.

20 Turn the Page - Blind Guardian
21 Skalds and Shadows - Blind Guardian
22 Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy - Queen
23 Concrete and Gold - Foo Fighters
24 I’m Not in Love - 10cc
25 Somebody to Love - Queen
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