Wheatus Singer Reveals the Reason Behind ‘Female Part’ in ‘Teenage Dirtbag’
Wheatus Singer Reveals the Real Reason Behind the Iconic ‘Female Part’ in ‘Teenage Dirtbag’
Whether it’s a birthday bash, wedding, or even a bar mitzvah, no party playlist is complete without spinning Wheatus’ smash hit ‘Teenage Dirtbag’.
The song, which remains Wheatus’ most famous track, continues to thrill fans nearly 24 years after its release. You’d think lead singer Brendan B. Brown would be tired of performing it, but his enthusiasm remains as strong as ever. However, recent performances have sparked curiosity among fans about whether he can still hit that iconic high-pitched ‘female’ note in the song.
For those unfamiliar, it’s the part where the voice declares she has two tickets to Iron Maiden and hopes for a “yes” on Friday. Many assumed a woman was brought in to sing this segment, but Brendan Brown himself is behind those famous lines.
In an interview with The Guardian in 2019, Brown shed light on why he took on both vocal parts in ‘Teenage Dirtbag’. He explained, “The boyfriend character was based on a nameless conglomeration of many d**chebag bullies who wanted to show you their father’s gun. I sang both the male and female parts because, when I was getting beat up, a lot of bullies were homophobic. I wanted to irritate them by putting on a female voice.”
Hats off to you, Mr. Brown, for delivering that iconic snippet and for standing up to the bullies in your own unique way.
Despite his continued prowess, Brown revealed he often faces the same annoying question from fans during his solo acoustic tour across the US with Gabrielle Sterbenz. They frequently ask, “Does he sing it differently because he can’t do it anymore?”
Clarifying on TikTok, the 50-year-old singer explained, “The answer is no, I can still sing it. I’m very lucky that my voice still holds up at the age of 50, and I can still hit all the falsettos. I do get tired and sick, but that’s not the issue here. What’s happening is I was trying to sing in a way where I could hear myself over the crowd.”
Brown assured fans that his higher harmony is not the result of any effects, processors, or harmonisers, but purely his natural voice. “I started singing along to Prince, Geddy Lee, Cyndi Lauper, and Bon Scott before my voice changed when I was 7 or 8 years old. My mother taught me how to harmonise early on, watching her sing harmonies to old Motown songs.”
He continued, “That’s what’s going on in ‘Teenage Dirtbag’. I tried something new; I didn’t mean to make anyone think I couldn’t do the original. I just wanted to hear myself.”
Fans on social media were delighted to see Brown playing his guitar and belting out those female vocals but were surprised he had to explain his vocal abilities. One user commented, “Brendan’s vocal range just knows no bounds,” while another added, “The harmony is higher, so how could you not be able to sing the original? Silly internet.”
With his unwavering talent and unique vocal abilities, Brendan B. Brown continues to captivate audiences, proving that his voice is as strong and versatile as ever.
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