Michael Buble was "Cynical" About Susan Boyle at First
Susan Boyle and the Media Pendulum Effect
As reported by STV and Daily Express, Michael Buble explains, "I was cynical and critical because I had never seen her in that first show where she comes up and says, 'I want to be a singer' and the audience looks at her and says, 'Oh please!' I got goosebumps."
Of course, after seeing the tape, Michael Buble is now a fan. He loves seeing underdog Susan Boyle succeed. He describes her as a "lovely" singer and has expressed interest in working with her in the future.
Michael Buble appeared on X-Factor this weekend to mentor the contestants. According to MTV, Michael Buble's current album is reigning at the top of the Billboard 200 for the second week in a row.
Michael Buble Initially Cynical About Susan Boyle: The Pendulum Effect
In a way, I could understand Michael Buble's initial skepticism about Susan Boyle. Susan Boyle has a beautiful voice and would do well on Broadway or West End. However, given the hype she received over her initial audition, it's only natural to wonder if Susan Boyle's talent is truly worthy of her overwhelming YouTube fame. There are many talented aspiring singers out there who don't receive the recognition they deserve.
The media loves to build people up only to tear them down. From her initial audition to the finals of Britain's Got Talent, it was never really about Susan Boyle's voice, but rather it was about her image and her journey. The world fell in love with Susan Boyle not only because of her singing, but also because of the contrast between her appearance and her voice.
Yet the clock struck midnight for the Scottish Cinderella when she suffered media backlash for being "overhyped" and "overrated." This backlash contributed to her second-place finish on Britain's Got Talent behind dance troupe Diversity.
In a way, the Cult of Susan Boyle is reminiscent to the Cult of Obama. At first, the hype wasn't so much about Susan Boyle herself, but rather the idea that she "made people feel good." People liked seeing the outsider and the Everywoman succeed. Of course, unlike Obama, Susan Boyle actually had substance behind the "Yes We Can" feel-good mania. She has proven that she can actually sing.
It's often said that the pendulum has to swing both ways before finding a middle ground. Having gone through periods of both overhype and backlash, new fans such as Michael Buble will be able to look at Susan Boyle more realistically. Fans will hopefully be able to appreciate Susan Boyle the Singer, not just Susan Boyle the Backstory.
Sources:
Michael Buble - I didn't understand SuBo hype, STV
'New Moon' Soundtrack Fails To Knock Michael Buble From #1, MTV
Published by Tina Molly Lang - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment
Tina Molly Lang is a violinist, violin, piano, and voice teacher. She is also an active writer. Her work has been published in The American Thinker, Active Americans, Yahoo's OMG! and Yahoo News. View profile
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- At first, Michael Buble didn't understand the hype about Susan Boyle.
- After hearing her sing, Michael Buble is now a fan.
- Susan Boyle has gone through periods of both overwhelming hype and media backlash.
11 Comments
Post a CommentInteresting :)
For me, it's Michael Buble that seems to fall short of the appeal...I prefer Harry Connick Jr. in his style category.
Carol, thanks for the feedback. I always appreciate informed comments from people who actually take the time to read. I think we're on the same page with this one. Yes, when I discussed the backlash against SB, I was not suggesting that her career had tanked (though I can see why you could interpreted it that way), only that backlash had cost her the title on BGT. And that hardly means anything when you look at a "loser" like Adam Lambert. :)
I appreciate your "point well taken." :) And yes, I agree with the fact that sales figures don't tell anywhere near the full story. Also, I do agree that Susan Boyle's initial success (and part of her current success) is her story. I was just taking issue to what I thought was the indication that her career had ended before it began. Now, I see that you didn't mean to suggest that. Thanks again.
Thank you, Ms Lang.
You have real journalistic integrity. I can count on one hand the writers who will answer with a "point well taken" and then add positive info, especially about Susan Boyle. Of course, no one will read the additional info except those who read the comments which is a shame but good on you nonetheless.
Welcome back. :) Okay, point well taken. The final section could have been strengthened by citing current sales figures or performances. However, the lack of mention does not necessarily negate my point--that much of the initial hype around Boyle had more to do with her feel-good story rather than her actual musical abilities. And it's a shame because she is quite talented and much more versatile as an artist than she was able to show on BGT (and her upcoming CD is indication of that). Sales figures alone don't always tell the whole story. After all, Spears sold millions of CDs--and to say that it primarily due to her masterful vocal technique would be a stretch.
Okay, Ms. Lang .. you got me back for my sling about following the news. I get it. But, nowhere in your story did you say Susan Boyle is doing well now.
Other than the clock striking midnight, you said: "Having gone through periods of both overhype and backlash, new fans such as Michael Buble will be able to look at Susan Boyle more realistically. Fans will hopefully be able to appreciate Susan Boyle the Singer, not just Susan Boyle the Backstory."
Fans hopefully appreciating does not suggest that they ARE appreciating. You didn't mention the Amazon record, the BBC single, or the AGT performance, even though you could have, as evidence of that pendulum you mentioned. Just pointing out how I, as a reader, am interpreting what you wrote.
I wonder how many people suppose listened to Susan's audition and the subsequent videos before it became about the voice and not the story. 100 million, 200 million, 300 million?
Hype can go only far and as you so accurately stated, without substance, it cannot stand.
Well, I believe Miss Boyle has proven she has substance and then some. She has completed what promises to be an amazing debut album and appears to have a brilliant career ahead of her.
Does she make one feel good? You bet. But she is infinitely more that that.
Very well written Tina I enjoyed this article
Maybe you didn't finish reading the article (there IS a second page). When I wrote about striking midnight, I was referring to what happened on the night of the BTG finale, not the way it is today. She is doing well now, but there was a period where she suffered from backlash, which contributed to losing out to Diversity. As for the Cinderella analogy, midnight struck for Cinderella in the original story, but her happy ending came later on. :)