In this week’s Technique Spotlight, we dive into Silk Sonic’s #1 hit Leave The Door Open, spotlighting the duet structure used to feature the duo’s powerhouse vocalists, Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak.

Though the song may pull heavy influence from R&B’s quiet storm era, the song itself was anything but a “quiet storm.”  A mere two weeks after its release, the song blasted into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, initially entering at #4.  And just a few weeks later, the song had reached the top spot not only on the Hot 100, but also on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop and Rhythmic Billboard charts as well as an array of charts throughout the world. The song also earned itself a spotlight live performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, which took place the week before the song hit the Top 10.

​Without question, a slew of factors contributed to Leave The Door Open’s success, including the return of Bruno Mars after an almost two-year absence from the Top 10, its authentic 1970s vibe, intriguing lyrics and, of course, infectious hooks.  But one that may not jump out to the average listener is the song’s strategic duet structure.  Throughout, the song features engaging call-and-response flows between both vocalists; impressive solo moments from both artists, most notably in Mars’s choruses; stacked vocal harmonies; and engaging post-choruses, which bring both artists together to bring excitement to a climax.

Want to learn more about Leave The Door Open‘s duet structure?  Visit the Techniques Library to find out!

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