How to SLAY “As Tears Go By” A Cappella By Marianne Faithfull

Two days ago, the world lost an icon.

Marianne Faithfull, a voice that defined generations, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of raw, emotional storytelling through song.

One of the most striking examples of her artistry can be heard through this rare a cappella clip from Jean-Luc Godard’s 1966 film Made in U.S.A., where a 19-year old Faithfull performs the classic As Tears Go By, with nothing but her voice. 

No instruments, no effects—just pure, effortless singing.

Watching it reminded me of my own days singing in my a cappella group at Yale, when every note had to stand on its own. 

Singing without any instrumental support is one of the hardest things a vocalist can do. It demands breath control, resonance, and complete vocal freedom. 

Faithfull had all of that in this performance.

What Makes Her Performance So Striking?

Faithfull’s voice in this clip is delicate, almost weightless, yet completely in control. It’s a masterclass in vocal restraint and storytelling.

• Breath control: She sustains long, flowing phrases without breaking or gasping for air. Every breath is intentional.

• Resonance and ease: She doesn’t force her sound. Her tone is light, floating, and naturally resonant.

• Subtle vibrato and dynamics: Instead of “over-singing”, she lets her vibrato and dynamic shifts create movement, making each note feel alive.

The Thing About Singing A capella 

A cappella singing is brutally honest. Without instruments to lean on, every little detail in your voice is exposed. If your breath control is off, you’ll run out of air. 

If your voice is feeling a little extra tight one day… and you’re obsessing over it: the strain will be obvious to who you’re performing in front of. 

That’s why training your voice to stay relaxed and efficient is so important.

Faithfull’s effortless tone comes from a foundation of healthy vocal function, and that’s exactly what we’ll be working on inside Become A Better Singer Bootcamp.

• Breath control: Learn how to manage airflow so you can sustain long phrases without tension.

• Effortless resonance: Train your vocal folds to vibrate efficiently, making your tone clear and free to sing with more confidence and ease… with and without an instrument. 

• Relaxation and freedom: If you’re used to singing with strain, we’ll show you how to reset your voice and find ease in every note.

Final Thoughts

Marianne Faithfull’s voice changed over the years, from the soft folk sound of her youth to the raspy, weathered tone of later recordings. 

But through it all, she remained a storyteller first, using her voice not for perfection, but for honesty.

If you’ve ever struggled with breath control, vocal tension, or sustaining notes effortlessly, Become A Better Singer Bootcamp will give you the tools to transform your voice and make singing feel easier than ever.

Faithfull’s legacy will live on through her music. 

And as singers, we can learn from the way she trusted her voice to carry the emotion, even when it was completely exposed.

If you want to build that same kind of control, Bootcamp starts Monday, February 10th, 2025. 

Join me and the over 60 singers who have already registered committed to training their voice the right way. You can complete your register here. 

When you do there MIGHT just be a discount in it for you, too, on any one of our Singing / Straw sets ;)

Your not-so-basic-vocal-coach, 

Whitney NIchole