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AIBU?

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Original poster

To say that Craig David is the best vocalist in the UK?

230 replies

Blisssful10 · 08/02/2025 21:53

Saw CD in Milton Keynes last night and his voice was of incredible - of angelic perfection. It was incredible to hear him live. I read today that Elton John said in 2013 that he thought CD had the best voice in the UK.

Just can't stop thinking about how good CD sounded last night!

OP posts:
LadyGAgain · 09/02/2025 00:12

Blisssful10 · 08/02/2025 22:00

CD's voice sounds better than ever. You would think thay after 2.5 decades singing live on tours and festivals there might be some strain or sign of damage to his vocal chords. His voice seems only to have improved and he sang for 2 hours but could have kept going, it looked so easy for him. It made last night even more special for me because I wasn't expecting his voice to sound so fresh.

I agree. I think he is amazing. I remember buying 'Born to do it' on CD when it came out. And it is still jaw droppingly brilliant. Back then it was on repeat and everyone was talking about it.

Crinkle77 · 09/02/2025 00:16

I liked his early stuff but the recent stuff all sounds the same and a bit bland except the song he did with MNEK which was brill. Plus since living in the States he has picked up American speak. He sounds like a self help book.

MrsPepperpotsCat · 09/02/2025 00:44

I can't bear his music. Never could and have to switch him off when he comes on the radio.

But that's not to say he's not a nice chap. He might well be. So good luck to him.

TheNewSchmoo · 09/02/2025 00:48

Reugny · 08/02/2025 21:57

That's because you saw that "comedian" making fun out of him and ruin CD's career for years.

Show quote history

No. It isn't. It's because of the way he presents himself. I came to the conclusion he is creepy all by myself.

Whats your flava cemented my view.

RaraRachael · 09/02/2025 00:52

I heard him interviewed recently and lost count of the times he said "wholesome". Every bloody thing was wholesome.

OP you obviously think he's amazing, just don't expect the rest of us to agree with you.

Oblomov25 · 09/02/2025 02:23

CD voice does nothing for me. Big fan of GM voice and his vocal range was amazing.

onceuponatimelived · 09/02/2025 04:13

Absolutely not. Respectfully.

Original poster
Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 06:00

Should have qualified this thread earlier by saying I know a fair bit about music myself, got to grade 6 piano, had composition lessons, play the trombone. Have seen countless live musicians and vocalists. So I do have a fair bit of experience to draw from. What I saw on Friday night in mk will stay with me. CD has only improved. Recommend him live wholeheartedly if you can get to a date on the tour.

OP posts:
Member984815 · 09/02/2025 06:05

I saw him last year at a festival and I agree , he was amazing , 5ive were also there but now only have 3 members .

Original poster
Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 06:13

Member984815 · 09/02/2025 06:05

I saw him last year at a festival and I agree , he was amazing , 5ive were also there but now only have 3 members .

Thank you @Member984815 glad you got to experience CD live too. .

OP posts:
Simonjt · 09/02/2025 06:17

I had the misfortune of seeing him, he was so bad and his vocals were so awful it made the performance quite funny, he was also doing some very very weird ‘dancing’.

LovelySunnyDayToday · 09/02/2025 06:25

Love that you're on Mumsnet, Craig.
💛👍

LBFseBrom · 09/02/2025 06:28

Blisssful10 · 08/02/2025 21:53

Saw CD in Milton Keynes last night and his voice was of incredible - of angelic perfection. It was incredible to hear him live. I read today that Elton John said in 2013 that he thought CD had the best voice in the UK.

Just can't stop thinking about how good CD sounded last night!

I don't know about 'best' but he is certainly excellent. He is also one of the good guys (as far as we can tell), I like him very much, always have.

GrammarTeacher · 09/02/2025 06:28

BatchCookBabe · 08/02/2025 22:14

Leigh Francis is that comedian... Now worth almost 8 million pounds... (A bit more than Craig David I think!) 😆

From wiki...

Leigh Izaak Francis (born 30 April 1973), who is often known by the name of a character he plays, Keith Lemon, is an English television presenter, comedian, actor, and writer. He is best known for creating and starring in Channel 4's sketch comedy show Bo' Selecta! (2002–2009) and presenting the ITV shows Celebrity Juice (2008–2022) and Through the Keyhole (2013–2019). His other comedy shows include Lemon La Vida Loca (2012–2013), The Keith Lemon Sketch Show (2015–2016), and The Keith & Paddy Picture Show (2017–2018). Francis has taken a step back from TV, and continues to produce content for his YouTube channel, where he posts sketches in the vein of Selecta and other characters. In early 2024, Francis went on tour, called 'My First Time.'

You're welcome. Smile

Wasn't his impression of Craig David just sooooooooooooooo hilarious?! 😆 Proper made me howl it did. Still does! 😂

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A white person pretending to be Craig David in that ridiculous way cracks your up? Really?

soberfabulous · 09/02/2025 06:31

I adore CD. Aside from his voice and his music, he's had to endure a lot. His interview with Elizabeth day on her how to fail podcast was incredible.

Link is below if you'd like to listen.

podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/how-to-fail-with-elizabeth-day/id1407451189?i=1000589517155

Snoken · 09/02/2025 06:50

Craig is a fairly average and unintersting singer in my opinion. There is nothing really interesting about his voice but perhaps his voice is quite stable.

I think Adele, Annie Lennox and Freddie Mercury are/were all better vocalists. I think Sade, Amy Winehouse and David Bowie all have/had more interesting voices than CD.

MikeTruk · 09/02/2025 06:53

I’m a big CD fan, have seen him live and honestly it does stay with you! Would love to see him live again at some point.

Unless you’re a fan of rnb / garage you can’t really understand the effect Rewind had when it came out, people just lost their minds when it dropped in a club 😂 I can understand if you’re not a fan of the genre the “Craig David” name dropping in the track could sound a bit cheesy and I think that’s what Leigh Francis latched onto… but it’s one of those IYKYK things about the genre I guess. To me LF just isn’t funny at all!

I’d highly recommend the recent episode of Mo Gilligan’s podcast where he interviews Craig, really funny and a great insight into his career (i think the podcast is called beginning, middle, end).

jellyfishperiwinkle · 09/02/2025 06:55

Raye is the best British vocalist.

I prefer CD to Leigh Francis though, LF is properly creepy and unfunny.

GrammarTeacher · 09/02/2025 07:09

Leigh Francis isn’t just unfunny. Bo Selecta was racist. And awful.
But yes, Sade much better than Craig David and Annie Lennox hugely underrated.
And as a fellow Grade 6 Piano (plus Grade 7 Singing, Grade 6 Flute, Grade 5 theory and composition lessons) holder. I don’t consider myself a music specialist (just someone who should have got off her high horse about piece selection by ABRSM long enough to actually do Grade 8!).

Original poster
Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 07:09

Snoken · 09/02/2025 06:50

Craig is a fairly average and unintersting singer in my opinion. There is nothing really interesting about his voice but perhaps his voice is quite stable.

I think Adele, Annie Lennox and Freddie Mercury are/were all better vocalists. I think Sade, Amy Winehouse and David Bowie all have/had more interesting voices than CD.

It's personal taste as well isn't it. I know Annie lennox's music well and Freddie m's. I cam see that Adele has an above average voice but I don't think she is the best of the best.

OP posts:
TemporaryPosition · 09/02/2025 07:11

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 08/02/2025 22:10

Well , I have to let you know gently that the Best Vocalist is Freddie Mercury even though he isn't doing any singing now .

I would wholeheartedly agree with this. Wouldn't occur to me Craig David would even be a contender

Original poster
Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 07:12

GrammarTeacher · 09/02/2025 07:09

Leigh Francis isn’t just unfunny. Bo Selecta was racist. And awful.
But yes, Sade much better than Craig David and Annie Lennox hugely underrated.
And as a fellow Grade 6 Piano (plus Grade 7 Singing, Grade 6 Flute, Grade 5 theory and composition lessons) holder. I don’t consider myself a music specialist (just someone who should have got off her high horse about piece selection by ABRSM long enough to actually do Grade 8!).

Not music specialist but someone who has a passion for music. I love lots of genres of music and feel that I know a good vocalist when I hear one

Also love Austin brown who used to be in Home Free - American accapella group. Austin also has the gift.

OP posts:
Original poster
Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 07:12

TemporaryPosition · 09/02/2025 07:11

I would wholeheartedly agree with this. Wouldn't occur to me Craig David would even be a contender

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That's why I started this thread, CD has become a contender.

OP posts:
Snoken · 09/02/2025 07:19

Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 07:12

Not music specialist but someone who has a passion for music. I love lots of genres of music and feel that I know a good vocalist when I hear one

Also love Austin brown who used to be in Home Free - American accapella group. Austin also has the gift.

Show quote history

Good vocalist, yes perhaps, but you are saying he's the best the UK has to offer.

sageGreen81 · 09/02/2025 07:19

I only know 7 days and rewind. What else did he do? I'm a huge Garage fan.