The Art of the Scoop
Borrowed from the golden days of jazz and carried through the decades by torchbearers of soul, pop, and rock, the scoop remains a distinctive hallmark that adds that human touch to a song.
Here, we celebrate ten singers who have mastered the art, redefining it within their genres, and who have all made vocal scoops part of their sound.
Understanding the Vocal Scoop
A vocal scoop is a stylistic technique where a singer smoothly slides into a note from below or above, adding expressiveness and emotion to the performance.
It’s an auditory smile, a nuanced stroke of expression that adds warmth and emotional depth to a performance. Rooted in the improvisational spirit of jazz, vocal scooping has transcended its origins, finding lodging in everything from pop anthems to rock power ballads.
The Masterful Ten: Singers Knowns for Vocal Scoops
1. Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston didn’t just sing; she soared. With a career stacked with platinum records, she commanded a voice that was as powerful as it was tender. Houston’s scoops favored the melancholic edges of her ballads, seamlessly blending vulnerability with her indomitable strength.
In songs like “I Will Always Love You,” her use of scooping added a longing that left audiences breathless. Critics have often cited her technique as one that bridges classical precision with pop accessibility.
Whitney Houston Songs with Vocal Scoops:
- “I Will Always Love You”
- “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”
- “Greatest Love of All”
2. Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke’s voice was a river of emotion, and his scoops were gentle currents pulling the listener into his world. Known for hits like “A Change Is Gonna Come” and “You Send Me,” Cooke’s scooping technique glazed his soul-driven narratives with seduction and sincerity. Not only did he lay the foundation for future soul artists, but his style deeply influenced the vocal approaches in rhythm and blues.
Sam Cooke Songs with Vocal Scoops:
- “A Change Is Gonna Come”
- “You Send Me”
- “Cupid”
3. Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin’s mastery over vocal dynamics and textural nuances endowed her with a unique authority in music. Her scoops were emblematic of her ability to convey both grace and power. In tracks like “Respect” and “Natural Woman,” these flourishes underscored her versatility and reinforced her icon status. Franklin’s use of the scoop was less about showmanship and more about storytelling, a clarion call that resonated with raw human experience.
Aretha Franklin Songs with Vocal Scoops:
- “Respect”
- “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”
- “Chain of Fools”
4. Elvis Presley
Swooning fans with his sultry voice and evocative performances, Elvis Presley’s scoops were like velvet drifting across a soundscape. Songs such as “Can’t Help Falling in Love” illustrated Presley’s ability to marry rock’s new rhythms with traditional blues techniques, with scooping as his love letter to blues predecessors.
Elvis Presley Songs with Vocal Scoops:
- “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
- “Love Me Tender”
- “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”
5. Etta James
Etta James, famed for the raw, unfiltered power of her singing, utilized vocal scoops to convey emotional depths that words alone could not reach. Her rendition of “At Last” remains a testament to her poignant storytelling ability aided by impeccable technique, each scoop echoing the depths of love and longing.
Etta James Songs with Vocal Scoops:
- “At Last”
- “I’d Rather Go Blind”
- “Sunday Kind of Love”
6. Mariah Carey
With a five-octave range that has enthralled listeners worldwide, Mariah Carey’s scoops are luxury personified. Known for their opulent vocal runs loaded with emotional heft, tracks like “Vision of Love” illustrate how Carey’s scoops add a dignified sweep to her celebrated high notes. Her music pays homage to the soul tradition while framing it in glossy pop production.
Mariah Carey Songs with Vocal Scoops:
- “Vision of Love”
- “Hero”
- “My All”
7. Frank Sinatra
A maestro of phrasing and expressiveness, Sinatra’s use of scoops delivered his signature smooth, conversational singing style—effortless yet profound. His songs, including “Fly Me to the Moon,” carry the swing and curve of scooping, a testament to its enduring appeal in jazz-infused pop standards.
Frank Sinatra Songs with Vocal Scoops:
- “Fly Me to the Moon”
- “My Way”
- “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”
8. John Lennon
In a world defined by rebellion and new exploration, John Lennon of The Beatles was not just a founding force musically, but vocally inventive. His use of scooping in songs like “Imagine” gave an ethereal quality that complemented his lyrical ingenuity. Lennon used the technique to blend sincerity with the surreal, creating pieces that still resonate today.
John Lennon Songs with Vocal Scoops:
- “Imagine”
- “Across the Universe”
- “Jealous Guy”
9. Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand’s voice embodies both the theater’s grandeur and the understated charm of contemporary stylists. Her scoops, though subtle, add hallmark sophistication, evoking a broad emotional spectrum in music such as “The Way We Were.” Streisand’s technique paved the way for newcomers looking to marry technical perfection with emotional vibrance.
Barbra Streisand Songs with Vocal Scoops:
- “The Way We Were”
- “Evergreen”
- “People”
10. Michael Jackson:
Beyond his unparalleled stagecraft, Michael Jackson’s vocals embodied innovation and expressiveness. His subtle yet intentional scoops across tracks like “Billie Jean” established him as an artist who transcended conventional pop, blending jazz, rock, and soul influences into his sound. Jackson’s music enjoyed the emotive texture lent by these flourishes, a testament to his detailed artistry.
Michael Jackson Songs with Vocal Scoops:
- “Billie Jean”
- “Human Nature”
- “Man in the Mirror”