Please rec if you don't get the Susan Boyle phenomenon

[nonconformist]

I saw her video clip from Britan's Got Talent right when it hit the scene. I thought it was nice. She sang good, and she proved the doubters in the audience and judge's table wrong.

But Jesus H Christ on a reality show, people are acting like she is the best singer to ever walk the planet in the history of time. As I post this, there are 3 Susan Boyle threads just in the last 10 threads posted on GD. And it's 6:40 on a Saturday morning. What the fuck, man?

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. Thank you. Exactly. People need to turn off the TV and go outside for awhile!

[taterguy]

2. I understand it, I just disagree with it

People who wish their life was better enjoy the "It could happen to me" fantasy.

[opihimoimoi]

3. Her voice is pure and unique.....only once in awhile one of these comes along

not polished but good enough to blow the world away.... 30 million hits and still going...

viral

[cali]

4. I'm with you.

it's ridiculous to see all the threads here about her. My response is a "that's nice" and a shrug.

[depakid]

5. My take is- if you don't get it, you don't have a heart

and it would be impossible to explain in words to you.

[taterguy]

6. I have a heart. It belongs to people I know and care about

Not some flickering image on the Internet that's a tool of Satan Cowell

[depakid]

8. Such a limited way of feeling. So cynical

Kinda makes one feel sorry for you.

[taterguy]

13. I'll take the bait. How exactly isn't Cowell a tool of dark forces that are destroying our culture?

[cboy4]

16. It sounds like you're taking more than the bait

[Reterr]

79. Oh please

Yeah everyone who doesn't "get" the celeb culture obsession behind the desire to be loved by everyone in the world that drives trash like American Idol is a sad person. I feel sorry for the people who latch on to these pop culture obsessions and define themselves around them.

[RandomThoughts]

18. Simon Cowell

Tried to call her a tiger, which in the very song she sung were things that come and tear hope away. Within the context of the song, not a great comment.

She rebuffed his comment once, he repeated, she rebuffed again, he moved on.

She did not give any ground to Simon. So I can not consider her his, or anyone else's tool.


But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame


According to info in this Story
This is a recording she did on a charity CD, where she sung for free, about 1000 copies made.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/mediamonkeyblog/2009/apr/17/susan-boyle-cry-me-a-river

[taterguy]

20. Who's making money off her? She's his tool

[RandomThoughts]

24. Are you a tool of the people at DU, because they make money

off of your post through adds?

According to info in this Story
This is a recording she did on a charity CD, where she sung for free, about 1000 copies made.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/mediamonkeyblog/2009/apr/17/susan-boyle-cry-me-a-river

[taterguy]

26. Is DU a dark force that's destroying our culture?

PS: There's only one D in the word ad

[RandomThoughts]

28. Everything at one time or another

is bad, and everything at one time or another is good.

So although I understand why you give Simon a judgement of being bad, he is callous at times, he also has good parts.

And in the same way, DU has both good and bad.

So just answering because you say Simon is bad, and Simon may get some reward from it, in my mind is not a reason to call her a tool. But you have the right to believe as you want. We may just disagree. I am not a big fan of TV, but when they show something cool, or good, I do like it. :shrug: not sure if that makes sense.

Interesting conversation. :)

[taterguy]

29. Do you really understand why I think Simon is evil?

I'm not so sure

[RandomThoughts]

30. No I do not know why you think he is evil

I don't watch his shows, so have only seen a few clips of him.

[taterguy]

32. I guess you missed this thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=8696075&mesg_id=8696075

[RandomThoughts]

35. I think differently on the topic, but you may be joking.

I am not very good with sarcasm.

I understand that understanding the supernatural is tough, and it is good to be cautious and make sure something is not bad. And if you think that supernatural forces are in play, you should see how it makes you feel, and check yourself to see what it might be.

But I think your post was a bit judgemental without offering fair evidence. The three comments you made about what Simon expects, were not attributable to her.

But in matters that you believe those might be, you never know, so I say look at the fruit. What might her song, or her singing do to help, or hurt society, and people that hear it. That is the only way I can judge, so far it looks like its been more good then bad.

Now I do not worship people nor things people do, but I do appreciate good music, especially when it also has a message that things like dreams can come true. I am sure that lady has faults, and people may even try to tear her down, but just judging by the fruits of the performance, I have not discerned any evil intent or backing to it.

You may think differently, for different reasons, you are allowed to think as you wish of coarse.

:loveya:

[inna]

72. holy shit! thanks for pointing that out!

i thought his comment was strange, but i didn't realize the context (i thought i heard the song mention tigers, but i never pay attention to lyrics).

good for her for standing up to Cowell. what a ridiculous comment of his, i'm not sure if he was just being a jerk, or what....

:shrug:

[Lars39]

82. I wonder if he was calling her the tiger that killed the other contestants dreams

of winning? In Simon's mind that could have been a compliment. :shrug:

[RandomThoughts]

27. you actually answer your own question here.

People form groups that they are willing to share empathy with. People have a certain amount of resources, including emotional, (since feeling someones pain is not always easy), people have a limited amount of resources to spread around. Some give everyone a little, and more to closer people, some just give to closer people, a few only feel about themselves, and people have different levels of how much they do share empathy with others.

Your empathy circle may not include people like her, which means you do not have to feel her pain, but you also do not feel her joy as much as others.

Not that complicated.

[CTyankee]

55. Ya know, it really isn't a flickering image. She got voice, man.

Hear her carry those long phrasings. This woman got voice all the way thru , everyhting she is singing.

I totally disagree with your "flickering image" description. Just plain crazy. This woman did a wonderful job and you should be ashamed of yourself.

[nonconformist]

11. See, what is with this?

Of course I have a heart. And I did think that the clip was nice and all. But the OVERREACTION is what I don't get. Thanks for making my point.

[Karenina]

33. You just don't relate to it. Others do.

I'm enjoying the feel-good! YMMV. The issues her "meteoric rise to stardom" bring up are interesting and for many (obviously) quite emotional. They certainly are for me.

I so hope she gets everything she wants out of the experience!

[Myrina]

47. My take is: what does it say about humans as a whole ...

... to immediately write her off and snicker at her simply because she doesn't "look" like a star?
Then once she opens her mouth, she's everyone's darling?

Having been discarded most of my life because of my appearance (been teased and marginalized since I was 8, because I'm "fat") ...
the Boyle phenomenon is just reinforcement of how shallow and trite most humans really are, and how fickle their 'approval' generally
is.


I truly hope Ms Boyle has enough spritual support and true friends to keep her grounded because the only thing humans enjoy more
than "an instant star" ... is tearing that star down to nothing and kicking them to the curb.

[nonconformist]

51. This tends to be my take as well.

The whole situation has a strange sense of irony, doesn't it?

[inna]

74. +1

:sends a virtual hug:

[TankLV]

62. BINGO...

[Reterr]

78. I am sorry the Bush years have rid me of any fascination I have for mindless emotion

And the idea that anyone with a "heart" should get this reality show phenomenon is just childish and absurd. People with "hearts" can find better outlets for their emotion/time than slobbering over Susan Boyle.

[etherealtruth]

7. I kinda like it

Its nice. In a world that can seem ugly the appreciation of unexpected beauty is very comforting.

[non sociopath skin]

9. My New Year's Resolution was not to get suckered in to whatever is this week's Reality TV sensation.

Sorry, Susan.

The Skin

[cboy4]

10. There's only one thing more annoying than mulitple Susan Boyle posts

Another goddam "please rec if" thread. :eyes:

[nonconformist]

12. Thanks.

There is something more annoying, though. People who chime in on threads they hate so they can say they hate them, instead of just ignoring them.

[cboy4]

14. It's ironic that the person (you) who chimed in with a thread about

posts you hate is scolding me for chiming in about the posts I hate.

:rofl:

[nonconformist]

17. Actually, I made a post about not understanding the hype

People act like she's the second coming. I don't get it. I decided not to shit all over those threads.

So, I'm guessing you're not going to be recommending this? :D

[cboy4]

22. Mmmmm hmmmmm

:eyes:

(I'm just giving you a hard time).

:D

[IADEMO2004]

15. We should all pattern our lives after the Movie "Enchanted"

Magic rats and pigeons do all the work and we sing and dance and smile and be happy ever after.

[ninety lives]

19. She has a fantastic voice....

There are also people in your church or community who can sing that well.

[Kolesar]

21. The "latest" page was clogged with tea bagger stories all week, now this

Boyle threads belong in le' lounge.

[greguganus]

23. Jealous? n/t

[AlinPA]

25. IMO, the topic about entertainers belongs in the Entertainment Forum. nt.

[depakid]

31. It's about a lot more than entertainment

[20score]

34. I hate reality shows and never watch them; but if this doesn't get to you on some level,

then just STFU about it.

Really, is this worth mentioning then?

[stuntcat]

37. and I don't even watch TV!

I watch an hour of news on weeknights but the rest of it? :puke: :puke: especially "reality"

BUT I do love music. I've heard two songs from Boyle now and I can hardly wait to get a whole CD of her singing! The big deal being made of how she looks is annoying, that's the trash/pop/plastic culture showing it's pimply white ass-making me ashamed of my whole species, but her voice is worth the praise it's got.

[Norrin Radd]

36. I don't get the fuss, as well.

I guess I'm heartless.

[MercutioATC]

38. The fuss? She's very unattractive..

That's it.

She has a very good singing voice, but it's just that..."very good". There are professional vocalists with better voices.

If she was 10 years younger and attractive, nobody would be making a fuss. The media has found an "idiot savant".

[nichomachus]

40. Not quite as unattractive as you are

Your attitude is extremely ugly.

[Bluebear]

53. Well, that's no revelation.

[MercutioATC]

70. She definitely does not meet the societal standard of "physically attractive".

...and that's my point.

If she was attractive...even average-looking...the media wouldn't give her more than a passing glance. Her voice is good, but it's not THAT good.

The hype stems from the fact that the media found a physically unattractive person who sings beautifully.

That's the truth of the matter as I see it. If that offends you, so be it.

[OneBlueSky]

43. I think she's quite beautiful, actually . . .

guess it's all in the eye of the beholder . . .

[Karenina]

45. I do too! She looks like an 8-yr-old girl to me.

You know that look they have before they're "molded" into society's form...

Her backstage demeanor reminded me of two Brits I met at a wedding. Both were in their late 60's or so, very plain, village peasant looking EXCEPT for this thang that twinkled about them. That 8 yr-old girl thang. During dinner they "let slip" that they were quite fond of line dancing. I offered to teach them a new one. Well, they picked up the "electric slide" in one round, (or rather square) then proceeded to put me through paces! I could barely keep up!!! They knew SO MANY!!! :rofl:

[stuntcat]

46. I do too

And if you listen to her without the audience fainting and those judges gawking she sounds as good as career singers who've been trained.

This is her too, I could listen to her sing ANYTHING! - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI2DxkrgpgQ

[DrCory]

44. I Was Thinking The Very Same Thing...

"The media has found an "idiot savant"."

I hope she doesn't fall for it. I fear they'll "make a monkey" out of her, to quote the Simpson boy.

[Cali_Democrat]

75. You don't have a heart!!!!!

You're evil to the core because you think Susan Boyle's singing is only "very good" and not great.

Plus you said she's unattractive.

FOR SHAME!!!!

How do you live with yourself?

Shame on you.

:crazy:

[peacetalksforall]

39. Genl Disc has become the Lounge?

[The Backlash Cometh]

41. I can explain:

(1) We can't effing believe that our society's prejudices have kept such a talent a secret from the rest of us. (I personally think she should be a singer for movie score, she's that emotionally effective.)

(2) We are ecstatic that she broke the rules. The Aaron Spelling rules, as I call them. She's not 90210 material. She's like one of us. And she made it through.

[Myrina]

50. BINGO!

I just hope that humans' fickle nature doesn't immediately look for ways to tear her down, since we're the ones who've turned her into 'the flavor of the day'.

[The Backlash Cometh]

54. BINGO! Back at you.

Sadly true.

[empyreanisles]

42. Yep. I wish the networks would air 1 hour of live hardcore jazz per week.

Then Americans would truly be exposed to great music.

[HughMoran]

48. I've moved on...

...but I'm not so self-centered in my view as to not allow for those who can't get enough of it. "Hide Thread" works like a charm.

[cherish44]

49. I was pretty blown away by Susan but I think she's becoming overhyped

to the point where YES people are going to get sick of it.

[Warren DeMontague]

52. I don't get it, but I also don't get the "American Idol" talent-instant-celebrity-craze culture that

she is a reaction to.

She breaks the mold. She's the underdog. Hell, I like to root for the underdog. She is seen as a response to an overly superficial, vacuous popular culture.

But as someone who has spent the better part of the last 20 years NOT buying into that dumb-ass, vacuous popular culture in the first place, really, I'm not giving that much of a shit.

Someone just figured out that the best musicians can be frumpy and even overweight?





Wow, no shit.

[donheld]

56. I get it very much cannot stop watching that video

I would unrecommend your thread if I could. She's the ultimate underdog winning in a very big way.

[Hanse]

57. I get it. I just disagree with it.

Susan Boyle is the Atkins diet of spring, 2009.

There were people who thought the Atkins diet was amazing, and important, and going to change everything.

And then there were the people who knew better.

[DainBramaged]

58. Who?

I don't watch network TV no mo. It just sucks. And reality Tee Vee shows, my armpits smell better.

[BlooInBloo]

59. It's an ugly person's version of "sticking it to the man". If you're not on-board, then...

You must BE the man.

[SmileyRose]

65. LOL

Bloo - You always manage to cut through the crap.

Gawd I love you........

I was just about to head off to bed after what you already know is an incredibly awful day - thought I'd find a moment of diversion in just one more thread -- and you have sent me off to bed with a giggle.

THANK YOU!!

[dem629]

66. There are plenty of ugly singers.

This lady just happens to be part of a celeb-obsessed culture's need to, well, obsess over her. It's a little creepy.

[Squatch]

60. Put Susan Boyle's voice in a cute 18 year old's body...

and people would be saying "eh, that's nice...another talented PYT". But, since Susan Boyle looks like she does, that is to say not a stereotypical made-for-television face, the issue boils down to looks and highlights that the current infatuation with her is purely superficial.

[MercutioATC]

71. I got flamed for making the same observation upstream.

I guess it's all in how you word it...


:)

[TankLV]

61. I think she ranks up there with the GREATEST, no question...

If you don't get it, it would be impossible to explain it all to you...

and that's too bad...

[ContinentalOp]

68. WOW, that's incredibly sad to me.

She has a nice voice. And it was an amazing little segment the way it was all put together to craft this perfect little "triumph of the underdog" story. But she's not that great of a singer. I guarantee that there are a million women in churches all across America who would stomp all over her. Hell there are probably thousands of people in rural Ireland alone who would make her sound like Rosanne Barr doing the national anthem. Not all of us are so out of touch with our musical culture and heritage to think that this is really some kind of revelation.

[dustbunnie]

69. Rosanne Barr is another example of a non-skinny-bleached-blonde who made it...

She's a great, funny entertainer who came from very humble beginnings. Her show was probably the last to portray the average working class family on television. There are all kinds of singers and entertainers out there who don't fit the glamor hollywood ideal. Guess it all depends on what you choose to watch. For those who enjoy being glued to shows like AI, the sudden appearance of someone like Susan Boyle must seem like the second (or first) coming of Christ.

[CTyankee]

85. No, her voice is quite good. And I am an opera lover and an opera goer.

I have recordings of the best of them. Boyle is good at what she does, which is carry musical theater music strongly and on key. She doesn't need to be Angela Georghiu singing "Chi il bel sogno di Doretta" as she did in the Met's recent revival of Puccini's "La Rondine."

[omega minimo]

63. After decades of Whitney Houston clones & cookie cutter music acts, why wouldn't people be excited?

:shrug:

[Blue_In_AK]

64. I agree

Great singer, but just one among many. People needed a distraction.

[Individualist]

67. What I don't get is the obsession over American Idol

:shrug:

[dorkulon]

73. OMG ugly people can sing too!

That's about the size of it. I kind of think it's sad that it's such a surprise to people.

[Reterr]

81. What is funny is the reaction of people who call others shallow because *they* bought into this

Wait, people who aren't surprised by the fact that someone who doesn't look like Barbie can sing are the shallow ones?

Because, you spent all your time watching reality tv or whatever is on tv and bought into the media world, those of us who didn't are the dumb, shallow ones?

[Turborama]

76. If you don't like it, why don't you start a poll instead of asking people to recommend your thread?

Isn't this why DU has the "Click here to post a Poll" function?

Anyway, there is obviously a groundswell of interest and unreserved joy about this on DU. If you read through some of those threads you'd find that this story touches people in many more (and much deeper) ways than you describe it.

I found this article that really touched my heart in a reply made to http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x298717">this thread that's been up since early Saturday morning, for example: http:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1171536/They-called-Susie-Simple-singing-superstar-Susan-Boyle-laughing-now.html

This forum has room for a lot of threads and if people aren't interested they drop off the 1st page fairly quickly. All those threads have her name in them, if someone doesn't want to read it or join in, they don't have to click on it, you can even click on the ignore box next to the thread's title and it'll go away, if someone finds the title offensive.

Personally, I find this a very moving touching story for all the obvious reasons and as far as DU is concerned, it's actually a nice change to see a good news story like this getting talked about rather than all the nasty in fighting that's been going on of late. It seems to have a bonding feel about it on DU and globally, which can only be a positive thing. To use the expression Karenina posted in the thread I linked to above, it's a good thing to have such a cathartic story we can all agree on in these very very troubling times we are going through.

Edit to add this story that a few DUers have posted over the past week in reply to people who 'don't get it'. As well as the article above, it really does put the whole phenomenon into context: http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/featuresopinon/display.var.2501746.0.The_beauty_that_matters_is_always_on_the_inside.php

[Reterr]

77. Error: you can only recommend threads which were started in the past 24 h

:(

I was mostly neutral/unaware of it, but I am fast starting to loathe it. The idea that staged reality show nonsense is something so incredibly inspiring and positive is just sad.

[L0oniX]

80. Sorry ...I'm already too busy worshiping Landrew

[tammywammy]

83. I saw a clip of her and then moved on

Honestly, I don't care. I really don't care about some singer on some reality tv show.

[leftstreet]

84. I didn't 'get' it until I came to DU

I'd heard some people talking about it, but as I'd never seen the program I didn't understand the context.

DUers had all the info (as usual!) so now I understand the significance.

[Uzybone]

86. I don't get it, but I understand why others all gaga over it

Being unattractive doesn't mean you cant sing. Its a feel good STORY which people should be able to enjoy (even though I don't enjoy it myself)and I'll leave it at that.

[Bryn]

87. Many clapped. Some didn't. A few beasts hissed.

Your post reminds me of Peter Pan story of Tinkerbell. Tink was sick, dying. She thought she could get well again if children believed in fairies.

Peter flung out his arms. There were no children there, and it was night time; but he addressed all
who might be dreaming of the Neverland, and who were therefore nearer to him than you think: boys and
girls in their nighties, and naked papooses in their baskets hung from trees.

"Do you believe?" he cried.

"If you believe," he shouted to them, "clap your hands; don't let Tink die."

Many clapped.

Some didn't.

A few beasts hissed.

The Susan Boyd story is truly amazing, so magical. Only a few hissing beasts would recommend your post.

[Faygo Kid]

88. FU. Go back to supporting George W, Bush, and his Pioneers.

I am pushing back against this. She's not the best singer ever, but the story is one every DUer should embrace.

Enjoy your big kiss and hug from Phil Gramm.

[nonconformist]

89. Are you fucking kidding me?

Has this really become so insane that when someone isn't freaking the fuck out about this woman on a British reality show that they're a Bush supporter?

Did you seriously just write that?

[taterguy]

90. Do you think D. Boon would have embraced Boyle?

Was he a freeper?

[doctor jazz]

91. I "get" it, but I'm sure sick of hearing about it.

:puke: