Polly, I have SO been there and I have even written melodies and recorded demos in which I've known, going in, that I'm going to blow my vocal out, all because I didn't want to change the key. I'm my own worst enemy as a composer and vocalist. In the end, it's not worth it.

I might want to sing something in D#, but Bb is where I need to be. I know what you're saying regarding key changes reflecting the players, but that's what capos are for. When you're performing and you know there's a note coming in the chorus or the bridge that you're afraid of nailing, I call that the "donkey note." If you miss it, you sound like a donkey! LOL. It's all on you as the singer - if you miss that note, you bring the players down with you.

Why risk it? Drop it down a half step or even a whole step, providing you can hit the lows. A song's not worth recording if you can't sing it live. I listened to your songs via the link you provided and I thought you sounded great. But, if you're killing your voice to do what you did, just drop it down.

http://www.julesbloeth.com
http://www.songramp.com