So let's talk about Susan Boyle

[Yuri-G]

Her "Cry Me A River" is a million times more impressive than her "I Dreamed A Dream", although I'm not sure how much of that can be attributed to studio-edited vs. live performance discrepancies. And although I do hate to be a downer, her performance on the show was hardly heart-wrenching in and of itself; I'm not sure where this "pure emotion that goes into her singing" business is coming from in the context of that particular song.

Another thing that confuses me is that this isn't a unique occurrence on Britain's Got Talent, X-Factor and whatever else - there's a handful of these kinds of stories appearing on these shows year in, year out, in which someone who looks like your typical no-hoper wannabe shuffles on-stage, is looked upon by everyone present with a great deal of skepticism before they start and then bowls everyone over the second they open their mouths. Why is this particular one special? Because she sang "I Dreamed A Dream"? Because they played a goofy oboe number whilst she was introducing herself backstage in order to ensure that the viewers at home had the same low expectations as the live audience?

Or maybe I'm just a stone-hearted individual, who knows?

the "pure emotion business" was more about Cry Me A River than I Dreamed A Dream, although there was a lot of emotion in the latter too. I really liked the dynamics in Cry Me A River, which I admit could have been done in the studio. on the other hand, I Dreamed A Dream could have been less impressive simply due to the pressure of performing in front of millions. still, there were a lot more beautiful dynamic rises and falls in CMAR, and her tone quality overall was far more impressive.

although, I must say, one of the reasons her performance on Britain's Got Talent really got to me is because it seemed like the song could be written about her life in some ways, not in the sense that the lyrics directly related to her life but just in the overall sense that she was a woman who seemed to be destined to die alone, sad and pathetic. of course, she never even had the earlier success in life that Fantine did, so it's not a perfect fit.

and yes. you are stone-hearted.

[Iku]

She is a great singer. She puts alot of emotions and souls into her singing. +1 Her " Cry Me A river" is fucking fantastic too.

[Xavier]

A lot of haters.

I've seen Les Mis on Broadway twice, and have the original recording on CD, and none of the renditions I've heard have been nearly as good as this one.

Whether or not you think shes fantastic, I don't see how anyone could claim her voice isn't good. You would have to have unrealistic standards to call this performance out.

As for the emotional response, her story and the song match perfectly together. Its very easy during the song, where the lyrics are "that my life would be so different from this hell I'm living", to imagine that she might as well be singing about herself, a 47 year old single, unattractive woman who has never known success but certainly could have if things had gone differently.

I don't know, just some of this comments are sad. The more I think about it, the happier and happier I am for her. I hope she makes a bajillion dollars.

[drwaffles]

Whether or not you think shes fantastic, I don't see how anyone could claim her voice isn't good.

I'll reiterate - no one here, as far as I can see, is trying to claim that at all. You'd be an idiot to say she's not got a good voice, the point being made is that it's not as mind-blowing as everyone in the English-speaking world is trying to make out. Sure, classical music is "my thing", and that coupled with my innate cynicism is bound to make me harder to impress than your average Britain's Got Talent viewer (apologies if that sounded snobbish, wasn't my intention), but I'm just being honest.

Anyway, I think everyone's past caring about each others' opinions at this point so I'll let it rest. I do wish her good luck in the contest and all her future endeavors, she certainly deserves some recognition.

[Demosthenes11]

for some reason I think the only reason people think this is because she is ugly as sin. If she were pretty no tears would have been shed, and that's just stupid. Mass media really has made people internalize ugly people can't be good at things, and when they are it's so fantastically amazing that it brings them to tears because it shows "Ugly people can be good too!"

It's so backwards...

[Rhinox]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tmz.com/m...493948_pcn.jpg

[Reapz]

NIPPLESSSSSSSSSS

[drwaffles]

X-ray plz.

[Bwelch]

X-ray plz.

Don't even.. ><

[thestalkmore]

Paul Potts was way better than this chick

[Yuri-G]

As for the emotional response, her story and the song match perfectly together. Its very easy during the song, where the lyrics are "that my life would be so different from this hell I'm living", to imagine that she might as well be singing about herself, a 47 year old single, unattractive woman who has never known success but certainly could have if things had gone differently.

Exactly what made it get to me, to the word.

[Iku]

Ok, what is so great about Susan Boyle is that she cracks out some jokes and very homely, friendly. On logical sense, she probably did some bad performance for that 3 min of fames. No one expected her singing voice is so different than the one she spoke with.

Also, last verse is so wonderful.

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living <=< she seems angry
So different now from what it seems <=< disappointed
Now life has killed
The dream I dreamed. <=< sadness


I always tried to avoid music class and got like D in my music class. But in my opinion, she is fantastic.

[Firedemon]

I fucking love everybody's reaction when she starts to sing. Owned millions of people watching.

[Septimus]

for some reason I think the only reason people think this is because she is ugly as sin. If she were pretty no tears would have been shed, and that's just stupid. Mass media really has made people internalize ugly people can't be good at things, and when they are it's so fantastically amazing that it brings them to tears because it shows "Ugly people can be good too!"

It's so backwards...

OK, this just bugs me. She is not ugly, she is fairly average looking for a 47 year-old woman. I worked in an office filled with women that looked like her, surrounded by a university brimming with women who looked like that. She's not ugly as sin, and unless you come from some freaky mutant tribe of supermodels you have cousins, aunts, and/or other relatives that look like her. You have it backwards, it's not that the mass media has made people think that ugly people aren't good at things, it's that the mass media has made people believe that if anyone is not drop-dead gorgeous that they are ugly as sin.

So, in summation, average looking woman with phenomenal voice filled with a natural soul that people don't really expect out of music anymore because we are used to pretty people who don't know how to sing.

[Cairthenn]

I cried a bit when I first saw the performance, I'll admit. It was touching and sweet, a little surreal dream come true conjured up by good television, ie. it did exactly what it was supposed to do.

This was fine and all, but then when the news started hyping her up, saying "she's stole the hearts of not only the UK but America as well, and has already won the competition," it started to piss me off. She has a good voice, and she is a fantastic singer. Her modest look arouses some pity to which you just can't help but be taken back by if you had no clue who she was (obviously this won't happen anymore).

It was an excellent performance and it was a very touching arrangement for the show, but the media needs to relax; she's (and don't kill me for this) not the best thing out there.

[zoobernut]

'Young Stevie Wonder' steals spotlight from Susan Boyle - CNN.com

somewhat related to Susan Boyle, 12 year old boy kinda steals the spotlight from her in his performance.

[melbufrauma]

im sick and tired of hearing about this nasty bitch

[EternalSnow]

im sick and tired of hearing about this nasty bitch

Don't be a fucking dbag!!

Anyways she is truly an inspiration and is a very amazing singer. She seriously is a world phenomenon!!

[melbufrauma]

im sick of seeing her nasty fucking twat everywhere i look she is annoying

[Demosthenes11]

OK, this just bugs me. She is not ugly, she is fairly average looking for a 47 year-old woman. I worked in an office filled with women that looked like her, surrounded by a university brimming with women who looked like that. She's not ugly as sin, and unless you come from some freaky mutant tribe of supermodels you have cousins, aunts, and/or other relatives that look like her. You have it backwards, it's not that the mass media has made people think that ugly people aren't good at things, it's that the mass media has made people believe that if anyone is not drop-dead gorgeous that they are ugly as sin.

So, in summation, average looking woman with phenomenal voice filled with a natural soul that people don't really expect out of music anymore because we are used to pretty people who don't know how to sing.

Ugly = penis does not want. I know you will turn this around and be like "im gay lolz" but by and large that is what it comes down to. If someone is of the sex you are attracted to, and you do not want to do them ever, they are unattractive = ugly. I understand that she is probably just average for her age, but that doesn't change the fact that 50 year old British women are, by and large, ugly and people don't want to have sex with them. Compound this with her never even being kissed...everyone just feels sorry for her.

phenomenal voice is quit overexerting her voice. I think some of you are ridiculous for thinking she is better than broadway musicians. Does she have a great voice? of course. Is it one of the best voices ever heard? not even close.

And this natural soul bullshit is what is making me the most angry. You saw a 1 minute introduction of the women - a middle aged women from England who wants to sing is about all you learn in that time - and then she sings. If I go on national TV and say I want to be a mathmatician and then do math, does that mean I have soul? no, it makes me someone that wants to do something. The fact is, you knew nothing of the woman but wanted her to be an inspiration and full of soul just to spite all the mean people in the world. that is why it's a farce