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Original poster

Spin off: who are the least talented famous singers?

302 replies

WishinAndHopin · 15/12/2024 12:00

Mick Jagger: just shouts tunelessly. He can’t sing at all.

Generally a lot of men in bands, like the Gallagher brothers, Alex Turner, and the singers in the Kinks.

Chris Martin - he’s just an insipid whiner. There was an advert with a woman with a good voice singing while driving a big lorry. I thought “that’s a nice song” and realised that it was actually Yellow by Coldplay. I never even realised it was a decent song because he just sounds so horrendous.

Generally women are held to a much higher vocal standard, and are only ever considered respectable artists if they are also good singers. Men who can’t sing get away with it. But ti balance it here are two women:

Geri Halliwell: Posh gets shit on for her bad singing but at least she had a pleasant enough tone. Geri is far worse - flat as a pancake.

Taylor Swift: such a weak voice. Sounds like mediocre karaoke.

OP posts:
Melodyfair · 15/12/2024 18:35

I actually think the worst singers are the ones who can hold a pleasant tune and are inoffensive with no vocal distinction or looks from each other, think like girls aloud or Martine McCutcheon, that sort of thing, the generic stage school voice, I’m sure I could come up with a long list.

But the 60s produced a lot of acts that weren’t necessarily vocally perfect, but were unique and also didn’t necessarily look cutesy and perfect.

One that always comes up is Cilla Black, she’s an easy target. Someone said who gave here a career, well John Lennon championed her and rated her highly, Brian Epstein adored her, George Martin produced her and also rated her, she was unique and a chart topper, her range was immense and powerful and her sixties recordings exceptional, lots of album tracks that are unknown, of course this defence can be given to many artists. Il admit she definitely lost her way during the 70s and beyond and her 80s onwards output is just awful, but there was a time the woman was unique and if she had disappeared into obscurity in 1967 she would be a celebrated cult act, unfortunately like many celebs they eventually disappear up their own arses, lulu is one of the most arrogant going for example (many more)

YouTubes interesting, Cilla is being discovered by young Americans who love her 60s work, as are many others from back then. Sorry for the side track, but I’ve typed it now, so what the hell (presses post and ducks)

CharlotteLightandDark · 15/12/2024 18:29

Mick Jagger is a rock star, not a ‘singer’ as such. Awesome performer and decent blues harmonica player.

Lana Del Rey has a beautiful, otherworldly voice on record and is amazing at drawing you into her world but she is more a poet and studio artist than a performer really.

She’s not a belter and struggles to project her voice in the big outdoor shows. I’d love to see her in a tiny jazz club but those days are long gone sadly - she sold out 5 stadium dates in about 2 days.

I really dislike Beyoncé and Adele’s voices, I can hear their talented but don’t find them enjoyable to listen to at all.

BigPorker · 15/12/2024 18:16

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Nolegusta · 15/12/2024 18:13

Ellmau · 15/12/2024 18:01

It's usually one or the other (either a great singer or a great songwriter). Rarely both.

But there are some. EG Dolly Parton is amazing at both.

Brandon Flowers is an amazingly talented song writer and his voice just gets better and better.

Nolegusta · 15/12/2024 18:12

Liam Gallagher

User135644 · 15/12/2024 18:11

Ellmau · 15/12/2024 18:01

It's usually one or the other (either a great singer or a great songwriter). Rarely both.

But there are some. EG Dolly Parton is amazing at both.

Yeah Dolly was both.

Whatamidoing301 · 15/12/2024 18:10

Just shows how people all see things differently! I loved Whitney's voice.

My first thought was Madonna but I think she'd be the first to admit her voice isn't that strong however as has been said she brings the whole package and I love her.

I'm not a fan vocally of :

Shane McGowan
Ellie Goulding
Jarvis Cocker
Ronan Keating
Mark Owen
Bjork
Heather Small

TheYeaSayer · 15/12/2024 18:09

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His voice was beautiful when he was young!

Uricon2 · 15/12/2024 18:08

SharpLurker · 15/12/2024 12:19

Nah. Not for me.
I trained for 15 years as an opera singer, singing is all about the technicality for me.
Nothing in the pop charts impresses me - anybody can do it with the technology they use nowadays.

Show quote history

I'm really surprised then that you rate Katherine Jenkins and Russell Watson (the latter is most certainly not classically trained, at all, KJ more blurry) as both their voices and (lack of) technique do not compare favourably with those who have actually had proper training, who are legion and much less appreciated. Classic examples of image and marketing surpassing talent.

Ellmau · 15/12/2024 18:01

It's usually one or the other (either a great singer or a great songwriter). Rarely both.

But there are some. EG Dolly Parton is amazing at both.

BigPorker · 15/12/2024 18:00

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User135644 · 15/12/2024 17:58

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I said was. He's 77.

Piggywaspushed · 15/12/2024 17:56

Well, quite!

Next up, someone will declare Freddie to be average.

BigPorker · 15/12/2024 17:56

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User135644 · 15/12/2024 17:54

Piggywaspushed · 15/12/2024 17:50

Did someone say Elton John???! Come on, now, be sensible.

Elton was a great singer and pianist. Someone else wrote the songs and he put the melody together.

He's one of the best musicians in pop/rock history.

Merryoldgoat · 15/12/2024 17:51

Madonna. I can’t bear her success given how mediocre she is.

Piggywaspushed · 15/12/2024 17:50

Did someone say Elton John???! Come on, now, be sensible.

BigPorker · 15/12/2024 17:50

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WillowTit · 15/12/2024 17:48

agree cilla black

User135644 · 15/12/2024 17:46

CraftyNavySeal · 15/12/2024 12:45

I thought Adele was a good singer until a few years ago I watching the Grammys and there was a country singer on, beautiful voice and so expressive. Next was Adele, who was absolute crap in comparison.

I would put Adele and Taylor on a similar level in that they write good songs and they play to their strengths but neither are particularly skilled when you put them live next to other better singers.

Show quote history

It's usually one or the other (either a great singer or a great songwriter). Rarely both.

User135644 · 15/12/2024 17:44

Samcro · 15/12/2024 17:42

I disagree about mick jagger he has a brilliant voice.
kylie and Madonna are not brilliant singers , they are entertainers.

Artists with the best singing voices usually don't write their own songs anyway or aren't good songwriters.

FuckItItsFine · 15/12/2024 17:43

User135644 · 15/12/2024 17:41

Bob Dylan not talented! One of the best ever songwriters.

A lot of front men aren't the most talented singers but they write the songs or have great stage presence.

Taylor Swift isn't the most talented singer either but one of the best songwriters of her generation.

Edited
Show quote history

I’ve clarified that I only meant his singing voice; he is an incredibly talented songwriter.

saltysandysea · 15/12/2024 17:42

For truely dire singers, obviously Geri Halliwell but she did have the strongest image of the group

Yes, she did have the strongest image but I cannot forgive her for her attempt at Spanish on Mi Chico Latino, especially as her mother is Spanish.

SabreIsMyFave · 15/12/2024 17:42

Arran2024 · 15/12/2024 17:37

Not quite true. She sang with an indie band in the 1990s then the DJ Spiller was looking for a female singer to sing on Groovejet, and he apparently scouted round and chose her specifically for her voice that's how she became famous - her unusual look helped too. Mum was icing on the cake of course.

Show quote history

I still don't believe she would have made it if she had not had a famous mother.

Like when they were auditioning for a teenage girl to play Hannah Montana opposite Billy Ray Cyrus. Billy claims that his daughter Miley (who eventually got the role) had to go through lots of arduous auditions, and screen tests, and worked her ass off to get the role.

Yeah suuuuuure she did mate! 😂

Samcro · 15/12/2024 17:42

I disagree about mick jagger he has a brilliant voice.
kylie and Madonna are not brilliant singers , they are entertainers.