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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:
MasterBeth · 09/02/2025 10:04

Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 09:57

Elton made the comment. Do you think he is simple minded? I just agreed with him. CD doesn't get the respect he deserves in this country as evidenced by many posters on this thread.

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No, but I do think Elton John is a massive egotist whose 50 years in showbiz has given an extraordinary sense of his own importance. I certainly don't think he has any more justification to decide who "the best vocalist" is than you or me or anyone. It's not a reasonable concept. No-one can judge who "the best" is. All of us can only say who we like the best.

Original poster
Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 10:05

ObelixtheGaul · 09/02/2025 09:59

I don't think it's quite true that CD willingly gave permission to Francis. As far as I am aware, CD's manager thought the best way for CD to deal with it was for CD to appear to take it with good nature, and even go on the show. Francis would have continued with or without endorsement from CD.

CD was placed in the rather awkward position of either looking like a whiny celeb who can't take a joke, or putting up with it and smiling through gritted teeth.

It's quite difficult to judge how much of an impact Leigh Francis had. I'd say I only really think of CD in terms of Leigh Francis, but that might be where the damage came in. Awful timing. CD wasn't an established artist as the time. His big mainstream hit was completely overshadowed by LF taking the piss. The tune became inseparable with the comedy, making the song itself a joke. It's hard to know what would have happened to the song and the artist in terms of the mainstream music scene if LF hadn't come up with Bo Selecta.

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So true well said.

OP posts:
Original poster
Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 10:08

MasterBeth · 09/02/2025 10:04

No, but I do think Elton John is a massive egotist whose 50 years in showbiz has given an extraordinary sense of his own importance. I certainly don't think he has any more justification to decide who "the best vocalist" is than you or me or anyone. It's not a reasonable concept. No-one can judge who "the best" is. All of us can only say who we like the best.

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I wonder whether Elton made the comment because CD had been overlooked and had been bullied for so long. Elton was probably saying there is a world class talent here let's recognise this and support CD.

I also wonder whether CD has improved over time and is now at the top of his game.

OP posts:
BatchCookBabe · 09/02/2025 10:14

MasterBeth · 09/02/2025 10:04

No, but I do think Elton John is a massive egotist whose 50 years in showbiz has given an extraordinary sense of his own importance. I certainly don't think he has any more justification to decide who "the best vocalist" is than you or me or anyone. It's not a reasonable concept. No-one can judge who "the best" is. All of us can only say who we like the best.

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Exactly this. To say 'oh but ELTON JOHN said Craig David is a great singer/the best singer so he definitely is' is absolutely farcical. 😂 Elton was probably pissed when he said, (and taking the piss!) Must have been, because 'Craig David is the best singer in the UK' is a load of bollox. He's average at best. That is why his 'success' dwindled quite quickly, and his career never got back on track.

BatchCookBabe · 09/02/2025 10:15

Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 10:08

I wonder whether Elton made the comment because CD had been overlooked and had been bullied for so long. Elton was probably saying there is a world class talent here let's recognise this and support CD.

I also wonder whether CD has improved over time and is now at the top of his game.

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Why are you obsessed with trying to make everybody believe Craig David is the best singer/artist in the world, and is just soooooooo amazing? You sound utterly obsessed with him. It's really odd LMFAO 😂

Gloriousgardener11 · 09/02/2025 10:16

He gives me the creeps and I find his voice too warbly so I tend to turn him off if he’s on the radio.

Original poster
Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 10:17

BatchCookBabe · 09/02/2025 10:15

Why are you obsessed with trying to make everybody believe Craig David is the best singer/artist in the world, and is just soooooooo amazing? You sound utterly obsessed with him. It's really odd LMFAO 😂

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Haven't you got some batch cooking to do babe? No one is making you hang around on this thread lols.

OP posts:
SallyWD · 09/02/2025 10:22

I think he's very talented but it's a bit of a stretch to say he's the best vocalist in the UK. I'm sure others are equally good.
I know what it's like when you see a performer live and you feel like "Wow, they are AMAZING!!" But it doesn't mean they're the best.

butterfly0404 · 09/02/2025 10:22

He's ok, I've seen better singers in local pub bands though. Can't knock his success but he's got very lucky I'd say.

RobertaFirmino · 09/02/2025 10:23

His music isn't my thing but I wouldn't say he was crap. He's a much better singer than I am. I don't want him all over my boink though.

YourChirpyFatball · 09/02/2025 10:26

Irrespective of age, image etc I would say Tom Jones puts most singers into the good to ok singers category. I loved "Walking Away" and the video to it. Couldn't stand Leigh Francis.
My favourite singers are Justin Currie formerly of Del Amitri. Paddy McAloon from Prefab Sprout and Ricki Ross of Deacon Blue. Not UK but throw in Neil Finn of Crowded House and I'm in paradise, oh forgot Phil Collins.:)

Original poster
Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 10:34

YourChirpyFatball · 09/02/2025 10:26

Irrespective of age, image etc I would say Tom Jones puts most singers into the good to ok singers category. I loved "Walking Away" and the video to it. Couldn't stand Leigh Francis.
My favourite singers are Justin Currie formerly of Del Amitri. Paddy McAloon from Prefab Sprout and Ricki Ross of Deacon Blue. Not UK but throw in Neil Finn of Crowded House and I'm in paradise, oh forgot Phil Collins.:)

I've seen the finn brothers of crowded house they were great live.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 09/02/2025 10:35

Are we talking in terms of pop voices? Tom Jones did come to mind. We have some amazing opera singers in and from the UK. I go to cathedral services around the country and we also have exceptional choirs. Voices come in all styles and so what is the best voice, is subjective and Elton John doesn't get the final say.

Original poster
Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 10:36

Ponoka7 · 09/02/2025 10:35

Are we talking in terms of pop voices? Tom Jones did come to mind. We have some amazing opera singers in and from the UK. I go to cathedral services around the country and we also have exceptional choirs. Voices come in all styles and so what is the best voice, is subjective and Elton John doesn't get the final say.

Edited

Agreed we are all allowed an opinion on this. Maybe we should have a national vote!

OP posts:
JingsMahBucket · 09/02/2025 10:39

BatchCookBabe · 09/02/2025 10:15

Why are you obsessed with trying to make everybody believe Craig David is the best singer/artist in the world, and is just soooooooo amazing? You sound utterly obsessed with him. It's really odd LMFAO 😂

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Why are you being a bully on this thread? You sound like a teenager targeting a classmate that just enjoys something.

Original poster
Blisssful10 · 09/02/2025 10:43

JingsMahBucket · 09/02/2025 10:39

Why are you being a bully on this thread? You sound like a teenager targeting a classmate that just enjoys something.

Edited
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Agreed. Typical mentality of a KL fan.

OP posts:
MugPlate · 09/02/2025 10:43

Well there’s lots of factors to being the best.

Best at being punctual, rehearsing, respecting support musicians/roadies, warming up, taking bookings of various sizes without ego overriding, hitting notes, vocal range, staying in tune, remembering lyrics/moves.

Maybe he’s the best touring male solo R&B singer we have. If he puts on a show and leaves the crowd feeling they got their monies worth, that’s not without value.

andyouwillknowusbythetrailofdead · 09/02/2025 10:45

Florence Welch wants a word.

MasterBeth · 09/02/2025 10:52

MugPlate · 09/02/2025 10:43

Well there’s lots of factors to being the best.

Best at being punctual, rehearsing, respecting support musicians/roadies, warming up, taking bookings of various sizes without ego overriding, hitting notes, vocal range, staying in tune, remembering lyrics/moves.

Maybe he’s the best touring male solo R&B singer we have. If he puts on a show and leaves the crowd feeling they got their monies worth, that’s not without value.

"And the Most Punctual Vocalist 2025 award goes to...."

ObelixtheGaul · 09/02/2025 10:55

GrammarTeacher · 09/02/2025 10:02

And I suspect the same is true of Mel B. Were they really able to say, no actually I don’t like the clearly racist idiot making fun of me and the nation joining in.
It may make me sound po-faced but it’s not funny and he’s creepy.

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At the time, I'd say probably not. If she'd publicly objected, I imagine she would have been regarding as being up her own arse. I seem to remember he also did the black chat show lady whose name escapes me at the moment, giving her an awful Jamaican accent which she didn't have and saying 'rice and peas' a lot.
I get that the comedy was supposed to be in the fact that he wasn't even attempting accurate impersonations, but even so...

MasterBeth · 09/02/2025 10:56

andyouwillknowusbythetrailofdead · 09/02/2025 10:45

Florence Welch wants a word.

It never ceases to amaze me what different people consider as "the best", which is why any concept of "the best vocalist" is just ludicrous.

There is only ever "my favourite" or "to my taste."

Craig David and Florence Welch! The best vocalists!?!?!

saltandvinegarchipsticks · 09/02/2025 11:00

To be fair, I’ve not heard much of him live but the songs I know of his are far from vocally challenging so I’m not sure it would be fair to say he’s the best vocalist unless he’s now singing very different styles of music. (I do hate his music though, I can’t get past the name checking and find the lyrics silly).

I agree with Tom Jones personally. Or Steve Balsamo.

one thing we do agree on is the utter bellendery of Leigh Francis.

Oblomov25 · 09/02/2025 11:21

I can't stop humming 7 days now! Thanks op. Not! Monday .....

Oblomov25 · 09/02/2025 11:25

I agree with @YourChirpyFatball re singers with great voices. Crowded house, savage garden, Keane, journey, teddy pendergrass. Plus loads of others.

KiwiOtter · 09/02/2025 11:26

Craig, is that you? 😂