El DeBarge Had to Be Pressured Into Singing His Iconic Falsetto on "I Like It"

El DeBarge’s signature falsetto is one of the most recognizable sounds in R&B history, but it turns out he wasn’t always confident in using it. When recording "I Like It", one of the biggest hits for DeBarge, El initially hesitated to hit the now-iconic high notes that helped define the song’s success.

His older brother, Bobby DeBarge, was already a well-known falsetto master as the lead singer of the group Switch. With Bobby setting such a high standard, El was reluctant to step into that vocal territory. However, those around him saw his potential and pushed him to embrace his falsetto, resulting in one of the most beloved R&B performances of all time.

Thanks to that encouragement, El DeBarge delivered a timeless vocal performance on "I Like It", helping solidify his place as an R&B legend. His ability to blend smooth vocals with heartfelt emotion continues to influence artists today.