3 Classic Songs That Feature a Surprising Spoken Word Part
Several landmark recordings in popular music have successfully integrated spoken passages alongside conventional singing to create distinctive artistic impact. Diana Ross's 1970 solo interpretation of 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' opens with her speaking the introductory lines—a creative choice that Motown's executive leadership initially opposed, yet the technique ultimately became an integral part of the track's arrangement.
Elvis Presley's 'Are You Lonesome Tonight' similarly relies on considerable dialogue throughout its structure to deepen emotional resonance. Michael Jackson's 'Thriller,' released in 1983, concludes with a distinctive rap-spoken section performed by actor Vincent Price, making it an essential component that contributed to the song's enduring cultural significance.
- Three classic pop and soul recordings—Diana Ross's 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' Elvis Presley's 'Are You Lonesome Tonight,' and Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'—each feature significant spoken-word passages that enhanced their artistic impact
- Ross opens her 1970 solo version with spoken lines (which Motown's leadership initially resisted), Presley incorporates substantial dialogue throughout his track, and Vincent Price delivers a rap-spoken section on Jackson's 1983 hit
- These examples demonstrate how spoken passages became an inventive compositional technique embraced across different eras and genres of popular music