A Tribute To Nick Carter’s Crazy Level Of Vocal Talent

Well here I am, and I won’t lie. This post was a great excuse to go through lord knows how many videos and find the ones that best showcase just how insanely talented Nick really is. I’ve talked about this before of course because Nick is a really diverse artist who gets dismissed far too easily in my opinion just because he’s a Backstreet Boy. It’s bullshit, if you want me to get really really blunt about it. He’s showcased just how skilled he was as a kid and how far he’s come over the years in multiple ways. I’m here to prove a damn point and to basically remind fans and non-fans alike of why we all became fans to begin with. Because housed in our geeky, funny, nerdy, family man is a voice that makes you stop and pay attention.

So let’s get into why we’re all really here.

Now we all know that Nick started getting vocal training again around 2006, or so he said on an episode of House of Carters when he was explaining to his brother that there’s no shame in brushing up on your skills. Well said Nick! Because really it showed in the later albums that he has busted his ass as Kevin would say. Damn if we don’t all appreciate it too. But I do think a lot of people forget that Nick’s always been able to hold a note for what feels like five years. Don’t believe me? Watch his performance of what was then known as Heaven In Your Eyes which later morphed into the song as we know it today, I Need You Tonight. Specifically at one minute, thirty seconds in.

When Nick goes for a note? He GOES for it.

Perfect example would be during the This Is Us era. Now I know that whole era is controversial as hell. But you can’t deny that you could tell Nick was definitely working like hell to serve us the best damn vocals possible. I miss seeing them do the title track live. And do you know why? Because there’s this moment where he goes to sing ‘believe, believe in me’ and will literally keep holding that note, belting until he runs out of air. It’s insanity! This one can specifically be found at two minutes. I literally think he only stopped because he needed to take a breath.

Now this one, wasn’t one that wouldn’t have occurred to me. This right here is why I’ll at times ask me what you guys think. Because we’re not all the same, you know? With this choice that got tweeted my way, we all know about Nick’s love of Journey. But of course the cover I immediately thought of was Open Arms, a song he’s done off and on for years. But Faithfully was one he did over and over again at soundchecks throughout the I’m Taking Off tour. It’d been ages since I thought about that however and man, he does this song so much justice. I know he admires and respects Steve Perry so much. I’d say he’d be happy with Nick’s take of it. Not only does his voice soar flawlessly throughout the song which is beyond challenging (Steve Perry is a legend for a reason) but you can feel his passion and love for the song itself.

But let’s go back in time a bit again. I can’t do a post like this without showcasing Nick on what is arguably their best known song in history. This moment in the song is absolutely the climax and it wouldn’t be the same without Nick’s patented power vocal. And of course this was back when his voice was still maturing into what we know it as today.

People seem to forget he’s always had a stand out voice. He’s definitely become more refined over the years but the raw gift itself has always been there. And you can try to fight me. I’ll go get more videos to prove you wrong. Like what about his cover of Heaven here?

But let’s fast forward again. Because I’d be fully remiss if I didn’t take the time to talk about The Masked Singer.

I had to. I was asked if I would when I said I’d be doing this post. Of course I was going to! One of Nick’s biggest gifts is his abilty to do so many things vocally. He’s said sometimes it’s a curse. I’ll disagree here. But my point is, if anything showed how absolutely capable Nick is of using his voice to transform any genre, it was that show. But then the question of course was what song would I pick? I narrowed it down to two but then I couldn’t decide. So here I am showcasing both because this is my blog and hopefully you guys won’t be terribly mad at me flooding this post with half a dozen videos. Hell, I warned you guys this would be long anyway!

This song you could almost argue was his best performance though it comes damn close and down to preference I think when you finally have to choose between the two. What makes this even more impressive is when we later learned that his mask was super top heavy so he had to fight to fit his mike in and be able to sing through it as it could mess with what was essentially his breath control. How the hell did he do that? I have no idea. I’d love to ask him. Hey Nick! If you see this, can you tell us? His vocals are smooth when they need to be, have that rock rasp when the song calls for it, and of course featuring the power belts.

Alright, we definitely must talk about Open Arms. Obviously I wanted to include his unmasked performance but again, the show wasn’t the first time he sang the song. Probably why he saved that song for the end. No risk of people guessing! Even though we all knew it was him anyway. The first video is just audio, I looked and I couldn’t find anything but audio to photos. Which is fine I suppose, I can make it work. It’s just a comparison. This is from 1996, where Nick was young and dealing of course with puberty. The cover isn’t perfect but damn if it’s not impressive for a sixteen year old Nick Carter.

After you listen to that, I want you to watch his unmasked performance again. This video has over a million views. More than any of the others from that season’s finale performances. There’s a reason for that people. The cover is just that damn good. This is a Nick who knows exactly what his voice can do and how to use it. And I’m not just talking about the belts. He knows when to go high and how to do so.

Because sometimes great singing isn’t about the big notes.

Hey what a perfect lead into my next video!

This song makes me cry now. It used to be just the music video but now it’s both. Probably because it hits very very personal for me, with my parents. Too close to home really. I played this live performance specifically for this post because I knew the example I needed would be found here, and I got teary eyed. This song isn’t the power ballad that Falling Down is, and that’s okay. This song is soft and gentle, just like the message it seeks to give. His voice is controlled here, soft and gentle.

Another example of his controlled singing, something simple? Watch him sing Special a capella.

Sometimes that takes as much skill as it does going for the big vocal moments, you know? And I say this as someone who adores Christina Aguilera (that’s a whole ‘nother topic though). But when he does do a power ballad, he knows just how to reach in and hit every feeling you have.

Of course I’m talking about Falling Down. I think here the videos will speak for themselves.

I’m sure you’ll get chills. I do.

Now I’m sure you’re like ‘okay Rose, you’re making your point, what more does she have to say’? The answer is a lot! Because each Backstreet Boy adds an undeniable piece, a flavor to the group I suppose you can say. Like I could argue that AJ adds the soul to the group vocally and I’d stand by that. But Nick? Nick? Nick provides the passion, Nick gives that energy. He’s said before that he performs every time like it’ll be his last time on that stage and personally speaking? I think that shows in just how he uses his voice.

Listen to him here on Unmistakable, another song I think they need to bring back damn it. (Stop ignoring Unbreakable and This Is Us outside of Undone!) I should probably give a time stamp but really I think his parts throughout the song need to all be heard. So I’m not doing it.

And I think Weird World is a solid example showcasing his ability to go across various ranges. I’m no musician, I’m no singer. I’m just someone who knows talent when I see it. Then writes about it because she’s a nerd who loves to do it.

I honestly don’t think Incomplete would have the impact it does without Nick on the chorus. In fact the photo I used for this post? It’s from Nick singing that song during the residency. A couple of you guys linked me to videos of Nick singing it from different Vegas shows and I knew I needed to acknowledge the fact that he helps make Incomplete the power ballad it is. This isn’t a dig at any of the other Boys either. I’m a fan of the group as a whole first and foremost before any of them solo (still love you though Nick, obviously or this blog wouldn’t exist), but I don’t think any of them could pull off his parts and leave the kind of mark he does.

I think what I’ve always enjoyed most though about when Nick does covers, is it’s like he’s showcasing another piece of himself. About the kind of songs he loves, about what it might mean to him, and the thought put into how he can turn it around and make it his own. This video is one I took personally and it’s just so good I couldn’t in good conscience not include it here in this post. I just couldn’t.

You see that’s what so cool about Nick. He can do any genre. I mean we even learned he can do country. Thanks to BSB’s little team up with Florida-Georgia Line. Who would’ve thought? The reason why I’m making sure to include this is because he uses his lower register for country, which isn’t something we always see. Maybe I’m wording this wrong and to the vocal experts and musicians out there, I’m sorry. But his voice is deeper here and he tends to stay in the middle of his range I’ve noticed, or goes high.

He also does so here when the group covers H.O.L.Y. and beautifully I might add.

So if you have that person in your life who dismisses your fandom because Nick is “just a guy in a boyband”. Maybe show them this post. Show them that he does far more than just your typical pop songs. And even when they are pop songs like say I Got You, he slays them to pieces!

Maybe point out that he’s a rock lover deep down.

Not that makes him any more credible. No. His talent is undeniable either way.

But hey, some people need help singing the light.

When he sings, he sings the shit out of whatever song he’s trying to do. (Even when he forgets the lyrics at times like he does above, ha!) He puts his all into every performance and leaves that stamp that only Nick Carter can do. So your fans salute you Nick. We love the energy, the passion, and every bit of yourself that you leave upon that stage. That’s why we’re still here, why we’re still sticking around. We don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Isn’t that way the Crocodile was such a fan favorite on The Masked Singer? Because people who aren’t fans didn’t believe it was him, they thought he was too good. I know I rubbed it in people’s faces when he got revealed. When you’re this good, that skill speaks for itself.

Like I’ve said multiple times in here…I’m no expert.

But you know what? You don’t have to be, to acknowledge just how damn good he is.

We can’t wait to see what wonderfully powerful performances that lie ahead once live shows are possible again. Because honestly? We know Nick will be better than ever before. That’s just how he is. Before I go, I’m leaving one last video. Why? Well, cause I can! Especially since I almost forgot and this song is definitely one that shows off him putting his all into a song, and really making it soulful.

With that, I think I’ve proven my point about Nick’s insane amount of talent.