Charice Pempengco raises bar for all female singers with incredible vocal range

September 5, 2009 by vongsundara 

LATEST UPDATES
September 5, 2009: Fixed broken links for embedded YouTube clips.
March 17, 2009: Added video and comments for Through The Rain and My Heart Will Go On.
February 25, 2009: Added some information regarding Charice’s vocal range.
February 1, 2009: Original post date.

Sometimes in life, I witness someone so talented and driven that it inspires me to work harder on my own craft. Charice Pempengco is the most recent example of this.

I recently stumbled upon videos of a fantastic young singer from the Philippines named Charice Pempengco on YouTube. It seems as though I’m a little behind the times, as Ellen Degeneres and Oprah Winfrey discovered Charice Pempengco a few months back, and Charice has since gone on to widespread fame after appearing on Oprah three times now.

I am a huge fan of talented vocalists; I won’t listen to any musicians or bands whose vocals aren’t at least up to par (which is why I can’t stand punk music and a lot of pop rock). I’ve recently taken my obsession to YouTube, as it’s the perfect venue to compare vocalists in live performances. In fact, there are many videos that splice separate performances of the same song by different artists together, which makes my life easier when I’m trying to compare different vocalists.

The last big-hype vocalist to come along was Leona Lewis. I searched for all the big-time songs that young female vocalists sometimes use to announce themselves to the world. These songs generally consist of power ballads made famous by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and other legendary divas. While I do love Leona Lewis — I listen to her album quite often — I definitely thought her promoters did her a disservice by promoting her as the next big voice in the world, as Leona is more in the mold of an Alicia Keys, a great stylized vocalist with a unique quality to her voice. Compared to the Mariahs and Whitneys of the world, though, Leona falls well short. Her lower register is almost non-existent, her chest voice range is also limited causing her to switch into falsetto a bit more quickly than I would like (though she does have a fabulous falsetto).

Enter 16-year-old Charice Pempengco. Now, I’ve heard a lot of good young singers who were considered great because they sounded like adults (Bianca Ryan and a young Christina Aguilera for instance). Charice Pempengco goes beyond this classification, as she is the best female vocalist in the world right now regardless of age. Her low register is powerful, steady and clear while her chest voice is full and lush and has the greatest range of any chest voice I have ever heard. Combine this with an equally great head voice and an incredibly full falsetto and you have the best vocalist I think I’ll hear in my lifetime.

After watching her performances on YouTube, I became transfixed to my computer monitor and literally stayed awake for overnight listening to her music, basically having to go to work the next day with zero sleep. Below I have compiled a list of must-see (and must-hear) performances by Charice Pempengco thus far in her career. I’ll be updating this article with new performances as they happen, so check back often.

Charice’s vocal range can be considered mezzo soprano though her upper register can be classified as dramatic soprano. The highest note I’ve heard her sing live is a G#5 in One Moment in Time.

I did see one hiccup as far as vocal performances go, though, and that was Charice’s rendition of Against All Odds (she was following the Mariah Carey version). Given, it was an improvised performance that was not planned, but it does sound like Charice does not have the same range in her head voice as Mariah Carey does, though really no one but Mariah has had the range (Charice does beat Mariah in the range of her chest voice though).

Charice Pempengco has now been signed and is working on an album produced by David Foster, which should help correct her one flaw (if you can call it that), which is finding her musical identity. Fortunately for Charice, though, there are two ways to prove yourself, either find your own style or outdo the masters at their own styles. Sometimes finding individual style is important because you don’t want to come off as a second-rate Whitney Houston when singing her songs, but when you can actually destroy the original version with your vocals alone, perhaps originality isn’t all that necessary. David Foster has produced a couple of arrangements specifically for a couple of Charice’s performances, and I look forward to hearing more arrangements that can take advantage of her unique vocal strengths.

Charice Pempengco performs Whitney Houston’s One Moment In Time on ASAP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZtyYGS5rGY

This is the first song that clearly demonstrated to me that Charice has basically surpassed all divas in her generation along with the previous generation, which was a particularly thin generation as far as divas go, having only really produced Christina Aguilera, who is definitely great but not at all on the same level as the all-time greats. Charice on the other hand can stand toe-to-toe with the Mariah-Whitney-Celine generation.

One Moment In Time is one of Whitney Houston’s signature songs, and Whitney performed this song live at the Grammy Awards during her prime in a very-much hyped and important performance, so it’s a good song to use for comparative purposes (you can search YouTube for Whitney’s performance if you’d like to compare).

Charice’s performance is absolutely ridiculous. Not only does she show great control in her vocals, but her performance during the climax of the song completely blows Whitney out of the water, which isn’t something I thought was possible. At one point in Whitney’s performance, she has to drop an octave after hitting her high note. Not only does Charice hit the same high note, but instead of dropping an octave for the following notes, Charice extends the climax and actually moves UP a key beyond what Whitney is able to do, even hitting a G#5.

Charice Pempengco sings Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Surive on Good Morning America

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEImOOA2rh4&feature=related

Charice Pempengco appeared on Good Morning America with David Foster. The arrangements were produced by David Foster specifically for Charice, and the results are spectacular. I can’t wait to hear Charice sing songs that were written specifically for her. This is definitely the most polished that Charice appears, as she is under 15 and still developing in most of the other videos shown below.

Charice Pempengco sings The Prayer with Tyler Hamilton in Edmonton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0eKts2Y9-s&feature=channel_page

Charice Pempengco sings David Foster’s song The Prayer with Tyler Hamilton during David’s charity concert. Charice shows her control and great ability to harmonize on a classically styled song, showing that she can be operatic in addition to her pop ballad stylings.

Charice Pempengco sings Beyonce’s Listen at 15 years old

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SQwMh-AsLs

This video is credited as being the first ever of Charice Pempengco on YouTube. Charice has already surpassed Beyonce easily at this age singing this song on basically a karaoke machine. It’s funny how great Charice sounds that a lot of the commenters still think she was lip-synching, haha.

Charice Pempengco sings And I Am Tellng You I’m Not Going on Paul O’Grady Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3ewWvUdSqQ&feature=PlayList&p=D1381374DC68A005&index=0&playnext=1

This is one of the songs that it seems all the new divas have attempted to sing and thus it’s a great display of Charice’s powerful voice in comparison with her contemporaries. Charice’s version is equal to Jennifer Hudson’s Oscar-winning rendition, though a little more crisp but with less emotion impact.

Charice Pempengco sings Whitney Houston’s Run To You on Boy & Kris

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGePgO0hndc

Run To You is an impossibly difficult song to sing live. In fact, search on YouTube and you will not find a video of Whitney Houston singing it live at all. There is a version of Christina Aguilera singing it live, though, and Christina definitely avoided some of the bigger notes and had difficulty throughout the entire song, which says a lot as Christina Aguilera is perhaps the top vocalist of her generation. Charice Pempengco seemingly has no difficulty with maintaining chest voice on some notes that Christina isn’t able to achieve even with head voice.

Charice Pempengco sings Heart’s Alone in Houston, Texas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OzToEkJ-vc

Alone has quickly become a great power ballad with the signature high note coming during the climax of the song. In fact, there’s a video on YouTube comparing multiple songstresses attempting just that single note alone. The last notable version of this song was sung by Carrie Underwood on American Idol. Charice Pempengco blows Carrie’s version and even the original version away with her control on all the notes including the money high note, showing no strain at all in delivering the chorus.

Charice Pempengco sings God Bless America at Barack Obama’s Pre-inaugural Ball

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJUg3wHoRIY&feature=related

Charice Pempengco delivers yet another stunning performance with very little musical accompaniment, which is great because it allows us to hear Charice’s voice in its purest form.

Charice Pempengco sings Fantasia Barrino’s I Believe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYFZjWpADIU&feature=related

Charice Pempengco sings Fantasia Barrino’s signature ballad, I Believe, a song many felt could only be sung by Fantasia. Once again, Charice blows away the original. This song is a great demonstration of the power and control of Charice’s low register during verses.

Charice Pempengco sings Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing and I Will Always Love You at Andre Agassi’s Grand Slam for Children

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M7St70jmsA&feature=channel_page

Charice Pempengco blows away a crowd of billionaires and millionaires with her spot-on vocal performance of Whitney Houston’s classics from The Bodyguard. Charice is the only singer other than Whitney Houston whom I have seen stay in chest voice throughout almost the entirety of both songs.

Charice Pempengco sings Mariah Carey’s Through The Rain

Charice Pempengco has taken on a lot of Whitney Houston and Celine Dion songs but not a lot of Mariah Carey songs. I still haven’t heard Charice sing Mariah Carey with full band accompaniment, but if this video is any indication, Charice singing Mariah Carey would be phenomenal. Charice has an impromptu a cappella performance of Mariah’s Through The Rain. In the opening sequence, Charice avoids a few of Mariah’s higher notes, which had me a little worried, but I think it’s because she wanted to stay in her chest voice. Well, Charice amazed me again because the closing three notes of the song were ridiculous. Charice has a habit of taking an already high song and going up a key versus the original interpretation. I didn’t think anyone could do this to a Mariah Carey song, but Charice just did. Absolutely amazing. Now I want to hear Charice sing We Belong Together. That would be amazing.

Charice Pempengco sings Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCT9h22224Q

This is perhaps Charice Pempengco’s most haunting vocal in a live performance. The backing is stripped down to a simple piano accompaniment and Charice’s vocal quality is allowed to shine through. Dare I say it, but I like this version better than the original, which is crazy because I love the original version too.

Related Posts
  1. Charice Pempengco’s voice sparkles in Fingerprint, preview single off new album
  2. Charice Pempengco’s incredible journey from poverty to international stardom
  3. Tatiana Del Toro impresses with passionate vocal, American Idol 8 Top 36 Group 1
  4. Tatiana del Toro – Performance Profile, American Idol 2009 Season 8
  5. Personal Performance Review and Recap: Homo Night in Canada 2009
  6. Susan Boyle performance emotional but technically inferior? Susan Boyle’s “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Miserables, Britain’s Got Talent 2009, West Lothian, Blackburn, Glasgow, Scotland
  7. Tatiana del Toro mistreated and Top 13 announced, American Idol 8 Wildcard
  8. Mamma Mia! has made me a huge fan of ABBA
  9. Adam Lambert’s powerful high register steals the show, American Idol 8 Top 36 Group 2
  10. Adam Lambert vs. MJ’s Black or White, American Idol 8 Top 13, Michael Jackson

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46 Responses to “Charice Pempengco raises bar for all female singers with incredible vocal range”

  1. francis on February 1st, 2009 7:45 PM

    hey i really enjoy everything you post, and i agree 100%, some of her song are just much better than the original.

    btw im also impressed with her version of “to love you more”, “go the distance”

  2. gl on February 2nd, 2009 3:43 AM

    Ur righ charice is more than the original she is really amazing….. thanks for the blog…..

  3. Ronald on February 2nd, 2009 8:09 AM

    She is amazing. Her version of “run to you” always gives me chills no matter how manny times i listen to it.. Her latest performance of “Go the distance” is also really impressive.

  4. Yobhtron on February 2nd, 2009 6:02 PM

    I reckon you still haven’t checked her performances in Big Brother Big Sister event. Her renditons are amazing. Search it on YouTube and enjoy.

  5. rox on February 2nd, 2009 6:03 PM

    she’s one in a million singer in our new generation who sings better than the original though she’s only 16 years old.she’s indeed the world’s most talented girl.

  6. tonz on February 2nd, 2009 6:18 PM

    Although I failed or couldn’t put in words the way you just did, but I always knew that there are always something intangible in Charice voice and singing ability that mesmerized me every time and all the time that I listened to her videos even in YouTube.

    Thanks. You just educated me.

  7. bbelj on February 2nd, 2009 6:50 PM

    wow great blog….thanks for this……. if you want to know more about charice……please visit charicediva.com and charicemania.com……….they have the most comprehensive and up to date information regarding everything charice..and then some

  8. justcharrie on February 3rd, 2009 8:54 AM

    Vong you speak with your heart. You’re right about Charice. Please continue your blog about Charice you’re doing a great job.

  9. alien on February 3rd, 2009 8:34 PM

    This is a nice blog and shows off Charice’s greatest performances. I like how you analyze and describe the perfs.

  10. jjeyc 10 on February 5th, 2009 3:15 PM

    thanks! wished i could write as good as you did but by the way you blew me away of how you described cha in all her performances! she is the world’s youngest diva and i can’t wait to see what is in store for her on her upcoming album. again thanks for supporting cha(“,)

  11. Janee on February 6th, 2009 6:49 AM

    Thank you so much for this particular blog post. It is so articulate, beautifully written and thorough. And mainly makes light of why so many of us have become believers of the talent of this young lady, but don’t have the talent to say it in words. More power to you and thank you again. This has been truly an enjoyable read for me…

  12. yousef nour awad on February 16th, 2009 10:43 PM

    FEBRUARY 17,2009

    DEAR CHARICE,
    HI! CHARICE, HOWS YOUR DAILY ROUTINES, I HOPE YOU WILL NOT NEVER CHANGE STAY AS YOU ARE! ALWAYS PRAY TO HIM! I HOPE SOMEDAY TO SEE HERE IN KUWAIT COZ A LOTS OF FILIPINOS TOO WAITING FOR YOU. CAN I REQUEST SOMETHING IF YOU DON’T MIND, SEND ME YOUR BEAUTIGUL PHOTO IN MY E-MAIL. WE WISH THE BEST FOR YOU!!!
    PLS. CAN YOU GAVE IT TO ME YOUR, E-MAIL

    YOUSEF NOUR,
    KUWAIT
    YUYU_YOUSEF@YAHOO.COM
    0096566291333

  13. DADALEX on February 21st, 2009 9:59 PM

    OUR PRINCESS CHARICE IS INDEED “THE GREATEST SINGER THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN” ,,,…AND SHE IS 100% FILIPINA ;;”’ NOBODY CAN COMPETE WITH HER………..AMEN,,,,,…..

  14. fxbeliever on March 1st, 2009 6:01 PM

    I absolutely agree with you, vhong…i could not have said anybetter…CHARICE IS simply amazing….great great blog keep it up.

  15. keana on March 1st, 2009 6:27 PM

    hey,,, nice articles, and commentaries,,,, well worded and very extensive review about Charice,, you should teach the judges how to appreciate and hear how a real talent would sing.. You sound to have more musical know-how and really put them into the right perspective.. thanks a lot for this please keep posting,, if you have YT account promote this,, good for Charice; and her upcoming album GO MING!!! i coulld spent more hours watching her than sleeping.. LOL

  16. meliton16 on March 5th, 2009 1:23 PM

    great article. what more can i say to the most talented singer,child,girl in the word.
    charice is a big wower. only i wish and pray that she!s always in good health.and most
    never forget your past.she is a pride of all pilipino.esp. in the music industry. and to you, and all the charice believers
    thank you for the space. hope you continue supporting our pride……………..

    CHARICE……..WE LOVE YOU.
    you made (us) pilipino PROUD***************

  17. cableguytoo on March 6th, 2009 6:13 PM

    thank you, great blog,,, i want to add my two cents worh but there's nothing more to say ', you said it all,,,

  18. anna on March 9th, 2009 12:59 AM

    hey, you really do your homework well, well said…….

  19. elsa from spain on March 9th, 2009 1:05 AM

    very descriptive, i appreciate the detailed observation you have made with Princess Charice who at my age 50 never followed a singer with such great interest that any articles about her, i had to read…YOURS IS THE BEST REVIEW…you hit the word that we want to express…am not musically knowledgeable in terms…but i felt who a great singer for me and Charice at her age challenge in her own way, proven in her way, what is really a Singer can attain and give…with all our support as fans, Charice will never failed. Thanks for sharing your best revew and for me, it is SOBRESALIENTE…aqui en españa, an OFW from the Philippines.

  20. anett mayer on March 10th, 2009 6:52 AM

    woow great cha keep up the good work LOVE YOU ALWAYS

  21. CBToronto on March 10th, 2009 8:35 AM

    Thanks for your write up / review / commentaries about Charice. I enjoy reading about this. I hope you will continue writing about her. We all need to support our young Diva.

    I believe you have a broad knowledge about music. You could distinctively describe those high notes beautifully sung by Charice.

    Thank you for sharing your blog and more power to you.

    God bless to you Charice.

  22. slasher on March 10th, 2009 1:22 PM

    i love charice!

  23. star on March 10th, 2009 2:50 PM

    Hard to believe but she still has so much to room to grow.

  24. FuzzyWuzzy on March 10th, 2009 7:28 PM

    The videos posted here are excellent but wait till you hear her belt a note non-stop for 18-19 seconds. Look for this title in YouTube.

    Charice Pempengco – sings Barry Manilow Medley

    Among all her songs this one not just blew me away but blew my mind also, no singer I’ve heard suspend a note this long. This kid is a real wonder. I can also relate to what you said that you it took me until morning too just search all her videos.

  25. jds-bayarea on March 12th, 2009 4:10 PM

    Vong,
    Very good analysis with music lingo put into it. I have a a request though. Please review these 2 songs/performances by Charice which is missing in your embedded videos. You can see them in youtube or see falsevoice youtube channel for the long versions:

    1. And I’m telling you I’m not going — in StarKing show – Korea (her first visit) in 2007. This is the performance that really jumpstarted/accelarated her rise and merited an invitation from ellen de generes, paul o grady, and Oprah. Her rendition of this song in that show is the best she ever did, even unsurpassed (in my opinion) by those later renditions of the same song, especially the last part (which is somehow not the same anymore for those succeeding performances). And the stage presence, my God, captivating. (see also her 2nd visit where she showed some dance moves)

    2. My Heart Will Go On – in Oprah Show (2nd visit). This one is full of emotion. What do you think of that? There is a youtube video that in one play will play all the 4 parts consecutively.

    Please vong, review these 2 great performances and tell us your fair assessment – what to improve?

    Thanks a lot. More power to Charice! God Bless.

  26. sunflowersarles on March 19th, 2009 1:01 AM

    Thanks for your write-up on Charice. I really love this girl. Amazing.

  27. tipenski on March 19th, 2009 1:53 PM

    Vong, very well written review / analysis of Charice's vocal talent. I do drop by now and then to see your latest update on Charice's performances and you do not disappoint. I really do enjoy your write-up.

    Thanks again.

    BTW, I don't know if you've noticed but Charice was SITTING down when singing 'Through the Rain'. Check out also (if you haven't already) her Big Brother Big Sister performance 'All By Myself' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p_jMvPxL_M) also sitting down. Ridiculously amazing!

  28. ketchketc on March 19th, 2009 8:49 PM

    I like reading your blog…wish to read more from you.

  29. star on March 31st, 2009 1:56 PM

    Just finished going through some Adam Lambert music videos. Amazingly high male register. Doing a fantasy with Charice and her rich low tones would create a masterpiece that would be the end all and be all of duets..looking forward to that collaboration.

  30. Rick Sobrevinas on April 7th, 2009 8:43 PM

    Vong, your critique, observations and insights on Charice's singing are very articulate and so on target, providing stylish clarity to the dumbfounding brilliance of the massively emotive character of the youngster's performances. You've brilliantly defined Charice's place in the pantheon of the transcendent divas of Pop Music.

    I'm looking forward to your future reviews!

  31. vongsundara on April 19th, 2009 11:07 PM

    What do you think is Charice's best performance?

    [polldaddy 1552388 http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/1552388/ polldaddy]

  32. vongsundara on April 19th, 2009 11:07 PM

    What do you think is Charice's best performance?

    [polldaddy 1552388 http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/1552388/ polldaddy]

  33. rob on June 30th, 2009 11:45 PM

    The vocal chest range of charice is not exceptionally big. Her highest is G5#, so is Mariah's (listen to old live performances of if it's over). Jennifer Hudson, Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan and some other ladies go way beyond that BUT i agree Charice has beautiful tone quality!

  34. Red on August 23rd, 2009 2:39 AM

    wow… r u a music teacher? that was an amazing evaluation and comparison on charice voice and performance…. bravuraaaa…. keep on posting such enteresting articles about Charice…. Luv Yah….

  35. marie on September 6th, 2009 9:11 AM

    thanks, I enjoyed this. So your profile doesn't talk about your background in music? It looks like you're a comedian. Just wondering.

  36. Fly N Dance on December 14th, 2009 8:23 PM

    I am not a musical genius, but I know a superb music & vocal quality when i heard one..

    and so far Charice is one of them..

    I usually go for male vocals, more of alternative rock type..i go crazy for vocals of john legend, jason wade of lifehouse, jason mraz, bamboo (phil loc artist), james morrison…

    and then there goes Charice, she’s the only one female artist who really captivated me..Now i’m a certified Chaster! lol..

    Super nice blog by the way…very interesting!

  37. violet on April 17th, 2010 4:26 AM

    Thanks for ur blog. I enjoyreading every bit of it. The song that I always enjoy listening is Charice rendition of Oh Holy Night similar to Celine Dion its UNCAD channel. And next is Listen and Just Dance ,Charice sang this song during the Celibrity Fight Night of Muhammad Ali this year. Thanks again. I LOVE CHARICE. MABUHAY

  38. Buboy on April 18th, 2010 7:25 AM

    Napakalupet!

  39. Markin Gomez on July 4th, 2010 6:06 PM

    Kudos for a great article. Im not much of a reader type but your writing glued me til the last paragraph. I love it!

  40. mingteedee on July 9th, 2010 1:20 AM

    you are right…it glued me so much to this article I had to understand vividly every word her had to say…such interesting obsevation. Very well said!

  41. adam on July 23rd, 2010 4:53 AM

    Hi, just visiting can you add this Charice Pempengco first performance in Oprah in your collection of Charice's performance. Coz I think this is the only missing on it. :-)

  42. henry on December 3rd, 2010 9:19 AM

    hindi ba nasa genes pag maganda ang bosses?

    http://www.greenbodytalk.com/forums/chitchat-and-…

  43. Starbuck245 on April 28th, 2011 5:20 PM

    Wonderful post, bung. I hope you can find time and desire to update your thoughts on subsequent cha performances since 2009. I’m sure I am not alone my appreciation for your thoughtful and insightful reviews of past cha performances. 15′ 16 vs. 18′ 19

  44. Sharon Battisti on May 30th, 2011 8:54 AM

    I love charice and her voice, thanks for this article ^^

  45. xDriftAway90x on July 9th, 2011 9:11 PM

    wonderful entry on charice!!!

  46. Bob on January 26th, 2012 12:10 AM

    Too the bad the audience was so RUDE and could not shut up to really listen to her

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