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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think Ronan Keating can’t sing? Which other famous singers can’t sing?

519 replies

BlackBucketOfCheese · 05/03/2021 14:23

When I was a teenager I thought Ronan Keating had a great voice (despite not being my type of music) but I think I probably just fancied him. I’ve just heard one of his songs from around 1999 pop up on a Spotify playlist and he sounds like a goat yelping into a Pringles can.

I know lots of pop stars can’t sing for shite but in my head I had him in a bracket of people who can sing nicely - despite probably not having listened to his music for 20+ years.

Can RK sing?

Which other pop stars who people think are decent singers actually turn out to sound like a farm yard animal with trapped wind.

OP posts:
Catford · 08/03/2021 23:13

Club style

Catford · 08/03/2021 23:14

he sounds like a goat yelping into a Pringles can Grin

Bloodypunkrockers · 08/03/2021 23:24

@gingganggooleywotsit

Glad to see so many agree about Jess Glynn she cannot sing for toffee. As I mentioned up thread a singer friend of mine has recorded with her and said she had an appallingly flat voice. Apparently she only got a record deal because her mum is in the music industry! I know I’m being bitchy but it’s true!
I've always described her as a flat sheep. Her voice has a visceral effect on me. I have to turn radio off when she comes on to murder another song
Serin · 09/03/2021 00:08

The problem with Elton and Macca seems to be too much botox.

I cant stand Sophie Ellis-Bextors voice, but then she probably wouldn't rate mine.

Ian Brown is exempt from criticism as he doesn't need to sing. His music sings for itself.

DrSbaitso · 09/03/2021 07:51

I just listened to These Days (Glynne, not Bon Jovi)...the autotune or whatever it is is horrid.

I hate it when I hear a song that I think I'd like if only it were sung, produced and mixed better.

SinisterBumFacedCat · 09/03/2021 09:05

I love Sophie Ellis Bextors voice! And Kylie and Debbie Harry. How the hell can anyone listen to Rapture and say Debbie Harry can’t sing?

Alwayswrongneverright · 09/03/2021 09:52

Always knew Cheryl couldn't sing, but I was shocked at how awful she really is after watching that video, so so bad 😩😩
Nicole schertzinger is an amazing singer, I didn't realise how great she was until I saw her sing on the x factor, pussycat dolls didn't do anything for her voice

notacooldad · 09/03/2021 10:29

I really do think people are saying certain people can't sing when they mean they don't like their style or sound.
There's loads of artists named on here that I wouldn't walk to my local to see playing in an open mic night but are bloody good singers and have sold millions of albums. They are just not my taste.
There's also plenty of singers who aren't good at all but they have charisma and a personality that attracts people to them.

Bloodypunkrockers · 09/03/2021 17:46

I don't like Jess glynne's style or sound but I'm pretty sure in my assertion that she can't sing

I'm not confused

lovegivelive · 09/03/2021 23:22

Paul McCartney at the Olympic opening ceremony was absolutely embarrassing

MooseBreath · 09/03/2021 23:42

Ed Sheeran can't rap. It sounds forced and he tries to put in too many syllables in each line.

Rihanna's voice is grating.

I can't stand Florence Welch's voice either.

Ellie Goulding and Jess Glynn's sound weak.

SmokedDuck · 10/03/2021 02:32

@DrSbaitso

I just listened to These Days (Glynne, not Bon Jovi)...the autotune or whatever it is is horrid.

I hate it when I hear a song that I think I'd like if only it were sung, produced and mixed better.

I find that a lot of pop music now seems horribly produced.It's very thin.

If you hear one of these songs back to back on the radio with something a bit older, it becomes very clear how much more there is in the older song. Layers of sound. And this is the same station and the same radio and speakers, so it's not a difference in those things, it's the recordings.

JoyIsCounterfeit · 10/03/2021 03:57

I came to police the thread & make sure no-one disparaged Nicky Wire & James Dean Bradfield. Idiosyncratic, yes, but at least they aren't charging up & down octaves like a confused shopper on a mall escalator, unlike the screechy 'divas' of both sexes.

beguilingeyes · 10/03/2021 05:35

I was in the stadium that night and he sounded fine. I don't know what the BBC did to the sound recording but they totally screwed up.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 10/03/2021 07:04

@lovegivelive

Paul McCartney at the Olympic opening ceremony was absolutely embarrassing
But he's nearly 80! He was a good singer in his prime. No one sounds that good when they're 80.
beguilingeyes · 10/03/2021 07:13

Paul McCartney wrote Eleanor Rigby when he was 24. Including the genius line 'wearing a face that she keeps in a jar by the door' which is so good it stops me in my tracks...and people judge him on one song from a TV broadcast of a concert they weren't at when he's in his 70s. Go listen to Golden Slumbers and tell me he can't sing.

miserablecat · 10/03/2021 07:51

I think there is a difference between older singers who had great voices in their prime but (not unreasonably) dont sound great live any more, and singers that have never been all that.
Elton John and Paul Mc Cartney are 2 examples. Great singers and songwriters but probably not the powerhouses they once were.
Kylie and Madonna imo have never really had amazing voices but have a kind of star quality and performance value that (at least in the past) has almost made the quality of their voices secondary consideration.
Paul mc cartney at the olympics and lots of stars that were past their prime featured at the Queens Jubilee concert.i remember at the time wondering if they were chosen for the queen so she got familiar music and names, but felt a bit disappointed they didnt have many current singers who would have sounded better live. It's not as if Paul Mc Cartnry,Cliff Richard ,Elton John et rl needed the money (or exposure)

fluffysocks89 · 10/03/2021 16:43

@beguilingeyes

Paul McCartney wrote Eleanor Rigby when he was 24. Including the genius line 'wearing a face that she keeps in a jar by the door' which is so good it stops me in my tracks...and people judge him on one song from a TV broadcast of a concert they weren't at when he's in his 70s. Go listen to Golden Slumbers and tell me he can't sing.
I absolutely agree. What about “Shes Leaving Home”, the lyrics are genious, and the harmonising between Lennon and McCartney is superb. Imo they have never been equalled.
KizzyWayfarer · 10/03/2021 17:18

Thank you @RichardMarxisinnocent and @GlendaSugarbeanIsJudgingYou for the George Michael videos. God that man had a gorgeous voice.

woodhill · 10/03/2021 18:04

He sang well when he was in Wings too

On the White Album - I will and agree Golden Slumbers is amazing

beguilingeyes · 10/03/2021 18:40

She's leaving home is my favourite Beatles song. Last time we saw him at the O2 he brought Ringo on for the encore. Bliss

beguilingeyes · 10/03/2021 18:41

@woodhill

He sang well when he was in Wings too

On the White Album - I will and agree Golden Slumbers is amazing

Guy Garvey has done a really lovely version recently for charity.
AlecTrevelyan006 · 10/03/2021 18:45

the weird thing about McCartney at the Olympics is that he was miming anyway (as did all the artists)

TracyHorrobin · 10/03/2021 18:53

Elaine Paige. Made a career starring in musicals. Unbelievable.

lollipoprainbow · 10/03/2021 18:53

heather small ! Hate her voice