Did Charlie Puth lift a vocal run from Justin Timberlake?

Did Charlie Puth Lift a Vocal Run from Justin Timberlake?

Charlie Puth’s vocal run in his song “If You Leave Me Now” featuring Boyz II Men has drawn comparisons to a similar run performed by Justin Timberlake in the ‘N Sync song “Gone.” The question arises whether Puth intentionally lifted the run from Timberlake or if it is merely an allusion or coincidence. To evaluate this, it is essential to understand the context of melisma, its origins, and its influence on modern pop/R&B music.

Melisma as a Characteristic Marker

Melisma refers to the technique of singing multiple pitches on a single syllable. It has become a characteristic marker in modern pop/R&B music. This vocal embellishment adds a unique and expressive quality to performances, allowing artists to showcase their vocal agility and creativity.

The Origins of Melisma

Melisma originated in black gospel and church-influenced soul music. Influential artists such as Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles popularized this style, leveraging its emotional impact and improvisational nature. Over time, melisma evolved and found its way into various musical genres, including pop and R&B.

The Exaggeration of Melisma in the Late ’90s and Early 2000s

In the late ’90s and early 2000s, white R&B artists like Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera embraced melisma as a prominent feature in their songs. This era witnessed the exaggeration of melisma, pushing the boundaries of vocal acrobatics and showcasing impressive vocal runs. Timberlake, in particular, incorporated melisma in his performances, contributing to its widespread popularity.

Melisma as a Stylized Technique

Today, melisma has become a stylized technique ingrained in the pop/R&B genre. It is not uncommon to hear similar vocal runs performed by different artists in different songs. As with blues guitar riffs, certain melodic patterns and vocal runs have become recognizable and widely imitated, blurring the lines between inspiration, coincidence, and conscious imitation.

The Influence on Charlie Puth

Regarding Charlie Puth’s vocal run in “If You Leave Me Now,” it is possible that he has been influenced by Justin Timberlake, given Timberlake’s impact on the genre and Puth’s position as a contemporary pop artist. However, it is unlikely that Puth intentionally lifted the vocal run from Timberlake. Puth may have drawn inspiration from a broader pool of influences, including his backing singers, R&B vocal legends Boyz II Men, who predated Timberlake and are known for their soulful vocal style. Their influence on Puth’s musical approach and vocal delivery cannot be overlooked.

Additional Lyrical Similarity

It is worth noting that, apart from the vocal run, there is a lyrical similarity between Puth’s song and Chicago’s 1976 hit “If You Leave Me Now.” Both songs feature lyrics that revolve around the theme of losing someone and the emotional impact it carries. While this lyrical similarity is intriguing, it does not directly address the question of whether Puth lifted the vocal run from Timberlake.

In conclusion, while there are similarities between Charlie Puth’s vocal run in “If You Leave Me Now” and Justin Timberlake’s vocal run in “Gone,” it is challenging to definitively attribute it to conscious imitation. Melisma has become a stylized technique in contemporary pop/R&B music, and it is not uncommon for artists to employ similar vocal runs. Puth’s influences likely extend beyond Timberlake, with Boyz II Men and other musical sources shaping his artistic style. Ultimately, the question of whether Puth lifted the vocal run from Timberlake remains open to interpretation.

Sources:

• Music Fans Stack Exchange (URL: https://musicfans.stackexchange.com/questions/6720/did-charlie-puth-lift-a-vocal-run-from-justin-timberlake)

FAQs

What is melisma and why is it significant in modern pop/R&B music?

Melisma is the technique of singing multiple pitches on a single syllable. It adds a unique and expressive quality to performances and has become a characteristic marker in modern pop/R&B music.

Where did melisma originate and who popularized it?

Melisma originated in black gospel and church-influenced soul music. Artists like Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles played a significant role in popularizing this style and its emotional impact.

How did white R&B artists like Justin Timberlake contribute to the use of melisma?

In the late ’90s and early 2000s, white R&B artists like Justin Timberlake embraced melisma as a prominent feature in their songs. They exaggerated its use, pushing the boundaries of vocal acrobatics and showcasing impressive vocal runs.

Are similar vocal runs common in different songs by different artists?

Yes, melisma has become a stylized technique in contemporary pop/R&B music. It is not uncommon to hear similar vocal runs performed by different artists, as certain melodic patterns and vocal runs have become recognizable and widely imitated.

Did Charlie Puth intentionally lift the vocal run from Justin Timberlake?

It is unlikely that Charlie Puth intentionally lifted the vocal run from Justin Timberlake. While Puth may have been influenced by Timberlake, his broader pool of influences, including R&B vocal legends Boyz II Men, suggests that the vocal run may be a result of various inspirations rather than conscious imitation.

Could Boyz II Men’s influence have contributed to Charlie Puth’s vocal style?

Yes, Boyz II Men, as Puth’s backing singers, are known for their soulful vocal style. Given their predated Timberlake, they could have had a significant influence on Puth’s vocal delivery and overall musical approach.

Are there any other similarities between Puth’s song and Timberlake’s work?

Apart from the vocal run, there is a lyrical similarity between Puth’s song and Chicago’s 1976 hit “If You Leave Me Now.” Both songs revolve around the theme of losing someone and the emotional impact it carries.

Can we definitively say if Puth lifted the vocal run from Timberlake?

No, it is challenging to definitively attribute the vocal run in Puth’s song to conscious imitation. Melisma’s stylized nature and the presence of various influences in Puth’s style make it difficult to determine with certainty if he lifted the run from Timberlake.