Anne Shelton - Britain's Popular Vocalist

Anne Shelton was one of Britain's most popular vocalists of the 1940s whose musical career survived into the 1980s. She was best known for having recorded the original version of the song 'Lili Marlene' and her version of the song 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square' became the anthem of the World War II home front and was closely associated with her.

Vocal Technique of Anne Shelton

Anne Shelton was admired for her clarity of tone, her ability to place her voice accurately and the purity of her vowels. Her style was not showy or operatic, but relied on her innate sense of phrasing and her excellent diction. Shelton's voice had a limited range, but she knew how to use it to great effect. Her unique skill lies in using singing to convey emotions, particularly those of hope and optimism.

Songs of Anne Shelton

• A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square - This song highlights Anne's voice's ability to convey emotions effortlessly. It has a lovely melody, heartfelt lyrics, and a message of hope. It is an excellent example of the type of song that was so important to morale in the war years.
• Coming in on a wing and a prayer - Another song that Anne Shelton made her own was "Coming in on a wing and a prayer." It has an optimistic feel, reflecting the will of the crew to survive.
• Lili Marlene - Anne Shelton made her name with this song, recording the first British version in 1944, and she sang it throughout her career. It is a wistful tune about a soldier who is far away from the woman he loves.

How to Sing Like Anne Shelton

To sing like Anne Shelton, you need to work on the clarity of your voice. Start with good breath work by practicing Singing Carrots’ breathing basics page because good breath work is essential. Anne Shelton's voice was not showy, so don't try to force the notes – keep your throat relaxed with pure vowels. Practice singing with different emotions as Anne became well known for conveying emotion in her performances.

Singing Carrots Exercises:

• To improve your diction, use the articulation exercise called Finger Bite provided in Singing Carrot resources.
• For Pitch control, use pitch accuracy test, and pitch training resources to improve accuracy.
• For learning Lili Marlene, use Singing Carrots Song search tool to find songs that match your vocal range and difficulty.