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

[BlackBucketOfCheese]

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.

There are quite a few singers listed here however, who have very average voices
Gary Barlow, Robbie Williams, Ed sheeran.
They can sing though.

I saw Boyzone many years ago and Ronan could sing ok then . Elton John can’t sing anymore but was fine live back in the day . I saw George Michael live a few times and he could definitely sing . I saw Paul Young as a support act in 2019 ish and it was absolutely diabolical , I think I saw him in the 80s and I can’t remember him being that bad but it was dreadful to the point of being funny . I do think as people age they need to realise that maybe things aren’t as good as they once were .

Paul McCartney - I struggle to understand the obsession with him

I hate Ariana Grandes voice, it's like nails on the chalkboard.

I tend to separate out someone like Neil Young, who really isn't known as a singer, from pop singers, who often are singing other people's songs - the singing is supposed to be what they are good at!

A lot of them can't sing now, they are made to sound ok through tech. Ikind of don't get the point.

I'm with you, onemorecupofcoffee. I love the sound of Dylan's voice and would rather hear him sing his songs than anyone else. The Rolling Thunder performances in particular sound amazing, I could listen to them every day and never tire of the sound of Bob's voice.

Heather Small from M People. She sounds like she has something in her mouth.
Their hit song ( Search for Something?) goes right through me like nails on a blackboard.

Bono, and I say that as a big 80’s U2 fan.

I'm inclined to the view of a few posters upthread, that auto tune has made it unnecessary to have any skill or talent whatsoever.

As long as you look good prancing about in skimpy clothing, you're in

I have noticed that invariably the best singers on those talent shows don't win, they get passed over for the pretty ones, men or women.

Amy Winehouse RIP

@Skyla2005

Paul McCartney is shocking

That's who I was coming on to say! He's terrible!

Rhianna
Jess Glynne
Paul McCartney
Mel C
Geri Halliwell
James Blunt
Mariah Carey
Kylie

Who thinks George Michael can't sing?

He started back when it was much more common for pop stars to be able to really sing, and he could perform live as well, which is where you discover many singers really aren't that great, no matter what comes out of the studio. And many of his songs are quite challenging.

Not liking his music is another thing altogether.

There's a world of difference between singing, and vocalising, I think.

A lot of pop stars are really vocalists rather than singers. That's not a dig as generally their job isn't really just the singing bit but more fronting a band or a show.

I'd say Sting certainly used to be a good singer. But most pop singers (according to an opera teacher friend) don't look after their voices until it's too late. It's all very well hitting those notes when you're 20. Just try it when you're 60.

Another vote for Celine Dion and Madonna, and I raise you Bette Midler

EnglishGirlApproximately OMG That's like some drunk geezer down the pub trying to do Elton while his jaw is in spasm!

Kylie or Madonna - never got.
Ronan Keating - it's like he holds his breath while he sings. Can't quite find words to describe that nasal tone.

Has anyone seen this? Ironically, also a singer I don't rate, but even he can sing better than this cover.

Madonna absolutely definitely.

And Rod Stewart. Can’t bear his voice

God help us, there is nobody you lot wouldn't name! 😄

@DGRossetti

There's a world of difference between singing, and vocalising, I think.

A lot of pop stars are really vocalists rather than singers. That's not a dig as generally their job isn't really just the singing bit but more fronting a band or a show.

I'd say Sting certainly used to be a good singer. But most pop singers (according to an opera teacher friend) don't look after their voices until it's too late. It's all very well hitting those notes when you're 20. Just try it when you're 60.

Yes, there is some truth in this. Being a lead vocalist is also about things like personality.

@LemonadeBudget Bruce Springsteen 😱 he's absolutely amazing live. I went to see him in Coventry a few years ago, outdoors and he managed to sing a set for 3 hours with no support act. Best concert I've ever been too and I've been to loads.

Being a lead vocalist is also about things like personality.

There's another category of great frontpersons ... and if you combine it with the list of singers, you sort of get a Venn diagram of classicness. And it's probably almost always going to have Freddie Mercury at the top. Truly they broke the mould .

These posters saying that George Michael, Beyoncé and Adele can’t sing. Who do they think is a good singer?

Not liking their style of music doesn’t mean that someone can’t sing. And these professionally trained “friends” that are scathing of famous singers always seems like petty jealousy.

Sam smith - sings through the back of his throat and nose.
Cheryl Cole - just plain awful and can't sing a note
Katy perry - sounds like a cat being strangled
Britney - woeful
Janet Jackson - can't sing for toffee
Madonna - what voice she had (which wasn't much) has gone, she should give it up!
Mark Owen - awful voice
Justin Beiber - woeful live

Think this is the actual version of it. I don't think that the crowd booed in reality. It's still god-awful.

Liam Gallagher 😱 another person who is fantastic live!

I never understood the love for David Bowie to be honest.