Demi Lovato is widely recognized as one of the most powerful vocalists in contemporary pop music, and her song “Let You Go” is a stunning showcase of her abilities. From thick vocal folds to sky-high belts, there’s an incredible amount that aspiring singers can learn from breaking down her technique in this performance.
Whether you’re working on breath support, tongue placement, or finding your own belt, this analysis of “Let You Go” will give you practical takeaways to bring into your own vocal practice.
Thick vs. Thin Vocal Folds in Demi Lovato’s Singing
One of the most fascinating things about Demi Lovato’s approach to “Let You Go” is how she navigates between thicker and thinner vocal fold positions. In the opening of the song, Demi sings up around a G#4, which is surprisingly high even though it sounds effortless coming from her.
At this point in the range, she appears to be using a thicker vocal fold position with just a slightly thinner contact — thinner for her, that is. You can hear a bit of breathiness layered in, but the core of the sound still carries that signature Demi Lovato weight and presence.
As the song moves higher, particularly around C5, the sound shifts into something more hollow and airy. This quality leans closer to a falsetto than a true thin vocal fold or head voice, because the vibrato drops away and there’s less of a defined core to the tone.
Distinguishing between head voice, falsetto, and variations of thin vocal folds is one of the trickiest areas of vocal technique, and “Let You Go” is a great example of why even experienced coaches debate these categories.
Belting Technique in “Let You Go”
Demi Lovato is famous for her powerful belts, and this performance doesn’t disappoint. What’s interesting is that in this rendition of “Let You Go,” she seems to favor a more contemporary, stylized belt rather than a full, classic “yellow” belt. This means the sound is slightly less brassy and more suited to close-mic singing, which is a smart choice for the emotional tone of the song.
When we talk about belting, what we’re really looking for is a shift in the formant structure of the sound — essentially, the way the resonance is shaped inside the mouth and throat. Demi Lovato manages to belt high while keeping her mouth relatively closed, which is a testament to how well she controls her resonance. For singers working on their own belt, here are some key things to pay attention to:
- Listen for the difference between a bright, spread-lip belt and a darker, forward-lip belt.
- Notice how Demi keeps her volume and intensity without relying on jaw movement.
- Observe that belting doesn’t always mean maximum volume — stylistic choices matter.
Jaw Relaxation and Independence
A recurring theme throughout “Let You Go” is jaw movement, and it’s a critical lesson for any developing singer. Demi Lovato does show some jaw engagement as she moves into higher notes, where the jaw shifts in sync with the pitch. While this is something she can absolutely get away with at her level of expertise, it’s an area where less experienced singers can run into trouble.
The jaw should ideally move independently of the pitch. Your vocal folds handle the pitch; your jaw’s main job is simply to allow enough space for the sound to come through — roughly a finger’s width of opening. When the brain recruits the jaw to “help” hit higher notes, it can actually create tension and hinder the sound rather than support it.
A practical exercise to check your own jaw tension while singing Demi Lovato songs or any challenging material:
- Place your fingers on the muscles at the hinge of your jaw while you sing.
- Feel for any pushing out or tightening as you go higher in pitch.
- Give yourself a gentle jaw massage during your vocal warm-ups to release built-up tension.
Tongue Position: The Hollowing Myth
One of the most important takeaways from this breakdown of “Let You Go” is the discussion around tongue position. As Demi Lovato ascends into her higher notes, her tongue visibly hollows out. This is something that happens naturally — the larynx pulls a portion of the tongue root downward as a reflexive response to protect the airway. It is not something singers should deliberately train or force.
This point is grounded in myofunctional therapy, not just opinion. The tongue hollowing is an involuntary reflex, much like trying to make your heartbeat speed up without physical exertion. When the larynx rises for higher pitches, it will take part of the tongue with it whether you want it to or not. The goal in vocal training is not to create this hollowing but to manage it so it doesn’t choke off the sound.
What singers can do instead when working on songs like “Let You Go” by Demi Lovato:
- Allow the tongue to gently bunch and lift slightly away from the bottom teeth.
- Avoid pressing the tongue flat or deliberately pushing it backward.
- Work with a coach to find the right tongue adjustment for your specific anatomy and range.
This small shift in tongue management can open up more space, add clarity to high notes, and make the upper range feel significantly easier.
Breathing and Body Support
Demi Lovato takes short, sharp, high breaths before her big phrases in “Let You Go,” and this is a deliberate technique. These quick inhalations activate the upper back and upper chest muscles, which help build the subglottic pressure needed to sustain those thick, powerful sounds at high pitches. Subglottic pressure refers to the air pressure building beneath the vocal folds, and it’s a key ingredient in strong, supported singing.
Body posture also plays a significant role. When singers bring their shoulders forward, it activates the sternocleidomastoid — the large muscle on the side of the neck — which can create a chain reaction of tension through the throat and tongue root. Keeping the shoulders back and down allows that muscle to stay more economical in its engagement, which supports a freer, more open sound.
Demi Lovato is clearly in excellent physical shape, and that level of fitness genuinely contributes to vocal stamina. Singing a demanding song like “Let You Go” from start to finish requires not just vocal skill but whole-body endurance.
Lip Placement and Resonance
Toward the end of “Let You Go,” Demi Lovato brings her lips forward into a more rounded position, and this has a noticeable effect on her tone. Forward lip placement tends to darken the sound and can also encourage the soft palate to lift, which improves resonance by reducing nasal airflow.
In contrast, spreading the lips pulls the sound brighter and can sometimes push the pitch sharper than intended. For the emotional arc of a song like this, where the ending calls for depth and weight, that forward lip position is a smart stylistic and technical choice.
If you’re working on your own singing and find your belt sounds too thin or bright at the top, experimenting with bringing the lips slightly forward can make a real difference.
Thyroid Tilt and Emotional Connection
Demi Lovato’s performance of “Let You Go” shows clear signs of thyroid tilt, which is the tilting of the thyroid cartilage — the top part of the larynx. This tilt is one of the primary mechanisms that differentiates singing from speaking, and it’s essential for accessing higher pitches with a connected, resonant quality.
You can often spot thyroid tilt in action when a singer furrows their brow slightly or takes on a “cry” quality in the sound. Demi shows both of these tendencies, and that cry quality is exactly what helps her access the upper range without flipping into a disconnected falsetto.
It’s not that the facial expression causes the tilt, but the emotional engagement and the physical mechanism often go hand in hand.
Key Takeaways for Your Own Vocal Practice
Demi Lovato has been singing professionally since childhood, so her level of control in “Let You Go” reflects decades of development. That said, every technique she demonstrates — from breath support and tongue management to jaw independence and resonance shaping — is something that any singer can work toward with consistent, informed practice.
The most important things to remember are that the body must support the sound, the jaw and tongue need to work efficiently rather than forcefully, and the style of your belt or head voice should serve the song and your own artistic vision.
Demi Lovato’s version of “Let You Go” is a masterclass in blending technical skill with emotional delivery, and it’s a fantastic reference point for singers at any level.
If you want to learn more about how you can learn to implement these singing techniques into your own voice, let’s sit down for a chat and discuss if the vocal academy is the right fit for you. You can join us here.