Unlikely diva grabs A-list attention/Fans of unlikely singing sensation demand album

[Turborama]

Source: CNN

(CNN) -- In the space of a few minutes and a few notes, unemployed Scottish charity worker Susan Boyle won over 3,000 fans. In the space of a few days and YouTube, she has grabbed the attention of millions.

Simon Cowell described Susan Boyle's performance as "extraordinary."

And she also reportedly has A-list fans such as Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher.

She didn't play or dress the part of a star on reality TV show "Britain's Got Talent," but within seconds of beginning to sing, the auditorium knew she was one.

Boyle, 47, told the show she had never been married or kissed, and lives in Scotland with her cat, Pebbles. She still lives in her childhood home in Blackburn, West Lothian, and believes a promise to her mother, Bridget, who died at 91 in 2007, got her on the TV show. The town, in northeast Scotland, is a former cotton and mining center that now attracts commuters to nearby Aberdeen, the key city for the region's North Sea oil industry.

"I wanted to fulfill a wish to my mother that I wanted to do something with my life. Not only that, but I felt like I had a bit more to offer,'" she told Scottish TV's "Five-thirty" show.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/15/talent.show/index.html?iref=hpmostpop

---

Fans of unlikely singing sensation demand album

Source: CNN

(CNN) -- Fans of television and YouTube singing sensation Susan Boyle are demanding she releases an album -- now.

The 47-year-old Boyle, who says she has never been kissed, was catapulted into the spotlight after her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables," on the television show "Britain's Got Talent" at the weekend.

=snip=

A clip of Boyle's performance has now had more than 11 million views on YouTube and the world's media have beaten a path to her door in Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland.

Cowell is reportedly already trying to piece together a record deal for Boyle, an unemployed charity worker, who lives with her cat, Pebbles.

For fans of Boyle, who attracted laughs and sniggers when she first appeared on stage before winning a standing ovation, the album cannot come quick enough. CNN has been inundated with hundreds of messages of support for Boyle.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/16/susan.boyle.simon.cowell/index.html?iref=hpmostpop



-- --- --

It sure is nice to have some good news like this to share, for a change...

Here's the video that's gone viral for those who may have missed it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

[Solly Mack]

1. I hope she gets it all

[niceypoo]

65. Oh, and she will...

I am sure there will be a movie about her life, multiple best selling albums, performance in front of the queen, singing national anthems in front of tens of thousands....high fives everywhere she goes...everything.

[skooooo]

87. no kidding...

It's kind of amazing, isn't it? She came out of nowhere, and now everyone knows who she is.

[Name removed]

105. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tarc]

121. I think I just vomited a little

:puke:

[Name removed]

149. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

171. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hello_Kitty]

176. He probably looks like shit, like most men who slag off on women's appearance.

Notice how it's almost invariably the Rush Limbaughs of the world who make the cruel comments and jokes and not the George Clooneys.

[Dinger]

188. Touché

:headbang:

[TheEuclideanOne]

196. a) George Clooney, b) No and c) Yes

[gabby garcia]

217. I think I'm married to your doppelganger.

hehe

[laylah]

216. ...

WTF is your point? :mad:

[Ben777]

221. What an ignorant remark.

Post your photo and let us make a few judgment calls about your appearance.

[winyanstaz]

200. this is in reply to the guy that is full of vomit.

hey dude..your inner ugly is showing...and its nasty.

[Ben777]

220. What is wrong with you?

Are you that put off by a perfectly ordinary woman?

[Tarc]

251. Perfectly ugly, you mean?

Yea.

[ima_sinnic]

254. oh, Adonis, is that you? in reality, it is a booger-eating, morbidly obese,

pizza-inhaling very unpopular loser in the 10th grade (for the 3rd time). Someone nobody will eat lunch with because it's the Class Pest, the wannabe who tries too hard. The ones the girls elbow each other and snicker about as he waddles by, looking lewdly at their chests.

[Ben777]

268. Post your picture.

Put yourself out there and let us pass judgment on you or are you just OK with making degrading remarks about others?

[Maraya1969]

270. People like you who carry around a lot of bad Karma. And BTW this woman is going to laugh

all the way to the bank at you.

[Hello_Kitty]

258. You suck.

There's no better or more eloquent phrase necessary. You suck. :thumbsdown:

[Hekate]

163. Ha ha. Go do something anatomically impossible to yourself. She's already had a lifetime of ...

... being told she's not physically perfect.

Hekate

[TheEuclideanOne]

167. Funny

Go do something anatomically impossible to yourself.

- That was the funniest slam I have heard in a while. :rofl:

[roguevalley]

170. utterly uncalled for. too sad for you.

[The Hope Mobile]

198. I think its Simon Cowell's long lost twin sister

put their pics up next to each other. Its pretty amazing.

[dipsydoodle]

2. Youtube hits have doubled

from just under 6 million to over 12 million is less than 24 hours.:thumbsup:

[whoopingcrone]

i finally signed up

for an account, just so i could cheer on this amazing woman.
What courage she has.

[whoopingcrone]

41. i finally signed up

for an account, just so i could cheer on this amazing woman.
What courage she has.

[aquart]

111. Not exactly. She knew she could sing. We're the ones who didn't.

It's called having an ace up your sleeve.

[northernlights]

153. yes, exactly. Singing in front of friends and family

and singing in front of a large, sniggering audience are two entirely different things.

Even singing in front of a receptive audience is nerve-wracking. One of the first things to go is your voice -- ever hear of "getting all choked up?" It's real.

Her solid vocal technique held up, and her performance was simply fabulous. She wasn't just singing the song; she embodied it. It was deeply, deeply moving. All the moreso, considering the context.

[roguevalley]

172. she knew she was gonna kill. she is sassy and brave. I love her.

[Lucky Luciano]

189. You bet she knew!

I was impressed by how humble she was though when she was surprised by the three yes votes at the end. Why the surprise?! She CRUSHED it!

Amazing
10 thumbs up!

[JerseygirlCT]

209. I've always been a bit strange that way. Sing for a few people?

Terrified. But put me in front of a real audience and I'm quite fine. Auditions were killers; performing a joy. And I HATE playing charades. Refuse to do it.

[Control-Z]

293. You could tell by her smile

when the music first started, and she prepared to sing. She knew what she had to offer. And about a quarter of the way through, when there was a pause in her vocals, she smiled and nodded subtly, knowingly, right at the judges. She's probably known all her life. It must have been so difficult for her. She deserves the world.

[jus_the_facts]

3. Amazing voice!!

:loveya:

[indepat]

14. Surely one of the finest performances ever by an unknown; hell, one of the

finest ever without qualification. :D :loveya:

[jus_the_facts]

51. Hear Hear!!!

:hi:

[rasputin1952]

4. Talent comes in many packages...

and beauty rises from the soul.

:)

[cobalt1999]

7. True, it's just now a days women are expected to be size 0 and beautiful in order to have talent

Some of the best weren't.


Ella Fitzgerald


Mama Cass


Janis Joplin

[Triana]

9. and that is something that sorely needs to change. n/t

[Hawaii Hiker]

10. Fair enough, but let's be honest, if it would have been

an awkward and/or overweight guy who showed up on that show, who then turned out to have an amazing voice, the reaction would have been the same...

This is a very judgemental world we live in, and neither sex escapes that judgement....

We're all supposed to look like Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

[BlancheSplanchnik]

12. I disagree...

Men are given alot more leeway regarding their looks.

How many movies, tv shows, celebrity shows,magazine covers, and so forth ad infinitum feature men of all physical types, from the gorgeous to the shlubby, young to old.

there is only one mold for women.

I've womdered many times, how much female talent is wasted or never seen at all because of the sex-babe requirement?

I :loveya: Susan for breaking that mold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sure can't wait for her CD!!!!!!!!! the YouTube vid knocked me off my chair, and that was with crummy sound quality!!!!!!!

[Warpy]

29. I sang in high school and one afternoon I went back

into the rehearsal room to pick up something I'd forgotten and heard the teacher singing along to Aida. Her voice was glorious.

She was ugly as homemade sin, and I realized that's why the world at large would never hear her voice.

I'm so sick of the stick insect stereotype. It's robbed us of too much talent over the years.

[kmac3]

318. Response To Warpy

Perfectly said and definitely mirrors my sentiments. Building this requirement of looks to succeed not only hinders great talent but absolutely ruins life in general for many young people.

[Lucky Luciano]

75. I think you are correct in the entertainment world,

but outside of that, a man's looks are just as, if not more important, than a woman's looks. When people imagine a successful businessman, they imagine Mr GQ - not George Constanza. It is definitely easier for a GQ guy to move up than a greasy shlubby guy and my theory is that it ultimately does come from the desire for female beauty:

Men like to be friends(or just be around) with other men who are handsome because the handsome men are seen as the ones who can attract beautiful women - so being friends with a good looking guy can imply a higher probability of meeting attractive women through them. That is my take on it anyway...and as such life is made easier for the handsome guys who can get promoted in the business world faster. It could also be the case that the good looking guy has more confidence for various reasons - that also gets people promoted faster.

[Carni]

120. Then how do you explain the Bush admin

Not to mention wallstreet lol

[rainy]

135. Totally dissagree. All a man needs is money, he can have whatever he wants

if he knows how to use it. He can be fat, ugly, boring and still get what he wants.

[Lucky Luciano]

140. ...the point is it is easier to get said money if a guy looks good.

It is simply easier to open doors with an attractive appearance. Male or female.

[Hawaii Hiker]

168. That's totally true...If someone is great looking, be they

male or female; doors open easier, people are nicer, etc..

They've probably done experiments on this....Put one person in a fat-suit, have them spend the day in public places (restaurant, mall, bank, etc. etc) & have the person wear a hidden camera..See the way that person is treated....

Then, get a great looking person, have him or her also have a hidden camera on them, & see the way they are treated..The difference will probably be pro-found...

Sure, while men are more superficial in terms of looks, I certainly am, women want the guys with high six-figure, seven figure occupations..

So like it or not, we are a judgemental & superficial society & that ain't changing...

[Control-Z]

297. A good looking man may,

at times, get a better shake than an unattractive man, if they are equal on every other level, but they never get treated as badly as even plain women usually do. Your perception is skewed.

[NashVegas]

113. Van Morrison Comes to Mind

[JerseygirlCT]

208. His beauty is not necessarily apparent to only the eye

My son calls him a strange little troll. But his music... beautiful

[NashVegas]

253. True, But That's the Point

I've never considered his beauty apparent to the eye at all. Many would say the same, but it's never stopped anyone from buying his records. If you love music there's no arguing over it.

[JerseygirlCT]

260. I was agreeing with you

Exactly.

[cobalt1999]

15. Yes and no.

There was Paul Potts who was in a similiar situation a couple of years ago.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA

While the judges were equally shocked, you don't hear the derision from them and the audience you saw with Susan.

But I do agree, the expectation is people of both sexes will look like Ken & Barbie to perform well.

[roguevalley]

174. she challenged them before she began by being sassy. that is why

some of those idiots rolled their eyes. she knew and she blew them all off. I love her.

[Turborama]

17. Paul Potts won the 1st Britain's got talent in 2007.

The audition video has had a whopping 43,663,846 views as of writing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA

Here's a video of his semi final winning performance with a short bio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDB9zwlXrB8

His Wikipedia profile:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Potts

Edited to add his winning performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwkVnyfdGYQ

[redqueen]

63. No, Paul Potts was greeted much less harshly.

There is no point trying to pretend the scales are balanced on this issue. They are not.

[jhrobbins]

164. No, it's not balanced, but you must agree that men are certainly

treated differently in the pop culture. You will not see a woman get slapped on the back of the head, or mocked for being stupid: men are slobs, men are neanderthal, men are insensitive; just generally made fun of with impunity. Perhaps it is because men do have the lion's share of power and Madison Avenue, et all think it's safe to use men as punching bags to ameliorate this power position. I don't know what it is, but I have watched this phenomenon for a very long time.


BTW, there is no love lost with me between the str8 male population at large. I have often said there would be no more war, etc., if it were just us and str8 women. Unfortunately, there would also be no more people in a couple hundred years, so, I guess we just have to try and 'help' them reach their higher selves.



:pals:

[redqueen]

194. Yes...

there is definitely an entire other set of awful stuff that affects men... for instance the insistence that it's a good thing that we force our boys to grow up thinking that they're suppoed to be cold, insensitive, unemotional beings who are only socially allowed to respond emotionally to sports. :eyes:

And don't get me started on the double standard with respect to style... we let our little girls play with trucks and wear camo if they want... but god forbid a little boy asks for pink sandals.

Thanks for your considerate reply... I have serious issues about appearance so I get a little testy about these things.

[bitchkitty]

303. No more people?

Not if we learn how to clone. And you could always supply donations of your, um, essence to a willing female, right? ;)

[jhrobbins]

341. Sure, why not-I've provided it to a towel plenty of times...ewwwww, did I say that.

[bitchkitty]

349. LOL - a little turkey baster humor to start the day! n/t

[Control-Z]

299. As I see it,

he wasn't greeted harshly at all. The audience was patient and willing to wait and see. No disrespect at all was shown, and the judges didn't make fun or roll their eyes. I posted the link down thread before I read the whole thread. But he's a good example of the disparity.

[FraDon]

Paul Potts • it happened earlier with a homely, geeky guy with an extraordinary name

true, it took him 8 extra bars or so:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DelJrP3P7tA

and for another mood elevator: Connie Talbot, age 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWNoiVrJDsE&feature=related

[madaboutharry]

76. It was exactly like that for Paul Potts who

was the 2007 winner of Britains Got Talent. He was a schlumpy guy in a bad suit and that is what they saw. Then he opened his mouth and became an opera star.

[prole_for_peace]

98. Wasn't there a guy last year that the same thing happened to?

He is plain and kinda dumpy and everyone sniggered at him. But then he belted out some opera and it all changed


on edit I see that you guys remembered more than me...Paul Potts.

[tblue37]

181. Neal E. Boyd, who won America's Got Talent last year, is a

very overweight insurance salesman. But when he arrived on stage for his audition, he wasn't mocked at all. He is also a fine opera singer, but no one acted surprised at his great talent. I will say, though, that except for being very overweight, Boyd is not homely. He has very good features, and I am sure that made a difference. Here he is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8oR91K7gZ8

[Lucky Luciano]

201. I think FedUpWithItAll makes a good point in post #159.

Here is what she said:

"I do not think that people were surprised that Susan could belt out a song because they found her "ugly". I think that what people were really shocked by is that she is so outwardly unpolished.

Susan's hairstyle, eyebrows, dress, walk...did NOT MATCH our ideas of success. Her voice does. There is a disconnect there.

I think we assume that her obvious talent would have brought her out of herself and her circumstances a little. In fact, something changes in the woman's face when she is in song. Her face reflects a ease that she does not portray otherwise.

I wonder if this makes sense. "

So while Neal Boyd was grossly overweight etc, he does take care of his appearance as much as he can by grooming himself better. That is a big difference between he and Susan Boyle.

[FedUpWithIt All]

337. I was trying to make a point about our own shortcomings and narrow limits of acceptance.

We do, but really should not, assume that people should behave or decorate themselves a certain way if they are to be considered accomplished. I see it. I know we do it. It is VERY wrong.

Nobody should have assumed she would be incapable of singing simply because she did not have her hair and make-up done differently. We are narrow and primitive sometimes and it is shameful. She is a subject because she is being made into a poster child for our cynicism and prejudices.

The subject of Susan Boyle should go like this....

"Hey, did you watch ***. Did you see that one contestant? She was really good, eh? Great voice. I think she might win the competition. What do you think?"

But this is not how the discussion is going and for this we should all be ashamed.

She is a beautiful lady that really understood what was important in life. I applaud her more for this than i do for her talent. I know that she will find a balance. She may change, but i think it will be only if she wants to. And this is how it SHOULD BE.

I just hope she keeps singing.

[14thColony]

142. ...

Nevermind. I realized 10 other people said the same thing about Paul Potts.

[MNLeftie]

157. No kidding...just

Google "Paul Potts" and you'll be amazed all over again. I hate to admit it, but Simon has a hit on his hands.

[Hello_Kitty]

160. Bullcrap.

There are plenty of successful and famous men who are fat and/or funny looking and very few women. It's not that men escape judgment for their looks but they're not measured by them near as much as women are.

[FedUp_Queer]

203. It already happened.

Google "Paul Potts." Same thing happened to a man on last year's show. It's just disgusting that it takes a show like that to "discover" those among us who don't fit the tall, anorexic and untalented mold

[Liberal_in_LA]

282. On American Idol the guys are definitely judged on their looks... their look changes dramatically

from audition to finals. Look at before and after pics of Clay Aiken. But yeah, it's harder on the women overall.

[Control-Z]

296. No. You're mistaken.

Have you not seen or heard about Paul, the man who was on the same show, in a prior season, and was very much the sensation, like Nancy Boyle? The crowd did not treat him like shit, nor were they as amazed or floored when he performed so phenomenally. They gave him a chance, and they appreciated his performance. But with nothing close to the dynamic of Ms. Boyles experience.

Meet Paul:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA


Edit to say: I posted as I read the tread, before I saw all the other similar responses.

[The Stranger]

24. Oh, I love me some Janis J.

:loveya:

[Butch350]

223. Me Too! "Summertime" - "Piece of my Heart"

[Lydia Leftcoast]

72. From the world of opera, Joan Sutherland

Look past the make-up and big hair, and you see a woman with bone structure very similar to Susan Boyle.

And among the men of opera, Sherrill Milnes, who always looks as if he stepped out of the cab of a semi.




Then there's the one who always astounds audiences with his big, rich baritone voice, Thomas Quasthoff:

[AlbertCat]

131. And quite frankly, they sing better...and for hours with no amplification.

She was nice....but not that great.

I am serially unimpressed with these "talent" shows where people imitate their fave pop stars.

Like Margot Fonteyn said "There is no such thing as talent. Talent is just hard work."

I'll be impressed when she sings a 2 hour concert, not 1 song.

I'm sorry. I know you all want a feel good moment. Enjoy it! But let's not get brainwashed by the TV.

[JDPriestly]

138. She has a great voice and sings with unbelievable sincerity.

From the perfect way in which she formed every word and every sound, I would say she has worked very hard at it. She probably sang and sang all her life.

Talent alone is not enough. But she does not just have talent.

[northernlights]

162. she demonstrated solid vocal technique

and gave an excellent performance in a totally different genre than classical/opera. You're comparing apples and oranges, and that's not truly fair.

Just because a voice is not operatic does not mean it is not good.

What was so moving was the quality of her *performance*, which frankly was a rare for opera as any other genre. Too often the feelings in any genre come off as contrived. Her performance was totally artless -- deeply moving because of it's sincerity.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

214. Until the late 1970s, Broadway stars sang without ampllification

As I recall, the Linda Ronstadt/Rex Smith version of "The Pirates of Penzance" was the first Broadway show to have all the singers amplified.

[Control-Z]

302. Yep. Men do

everything better. :sarcasm:

[Le Taz Hot]

322. You're comparing apples to oranges

Two entirely different styles but using the same solid techniques in breathing, through-the-mask resonance, posture, diction etc. And this was a venue in which she was allowed to only sing one song. You seem to be implying that she can't. I'm betting she can and without the mike (necessary for TV). What we've been brainwashed by is the media telling us you have no talent unless you're a size 0 supermodel type. Most of us have always known how wrong that is.

[Captain Hilts]

100. Women are supposed to be small and not perspire. nt

[Danascot]

123. Lakisha Jones

I thought Lakisha Jones should have won the 2007 American Idol. She was overweight, African American and not young, so the fact that she came in fourth is a testament to her talent. She was incredible, the equal of Aretha, Jennifer Hudson or anyone else you can think of.

Her first album is due to come out next month.

[Liberal_in_LA]

284. Doolittle is another example... Folks kept calling her 'no neck' on the forums.

[Turborama]

290. "Cowell stated that the season six title of American Idol should have rightfully gone to Doolitlle"

Something I've just found on her Wiki page:

In an http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3207996">exclusive interview with Good Morning America, Simon Cowell stated that the season six title of American Idol should have rightfully gone to Doolittle.<4>

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melinda_Doolittle


She was my favorite and was very sad to see her get eliminated and she still doesn't seem to be getting the success she deserves. Her talent, and the humility that went with it, knocked me off my feet.

[Liberal_in_LA]

310. Yeah, that's why I don't watch American Idol

[JDPriestly]

136. The voice is produced from the whole body, not just the mouth.

Some sopranos are thin and slightly built, but Susan's tremendous voice is the result of her entire physique as well as of her heart, her intelligence and her will -- in short, we hear her soul, her whole being. That's what makes a singer great, regardless of anything else.

[intheflow]

137. And young.

The only time it's ok to be an older woman singing is when they started young and were able to get enough fan base to continue singing in their 50's, like Cher or Madonna or Aretha. Every now and again you hear about guys who become famous in their 40's, like Huey Lewis (and are there others?), but you never hear of a woman over 35 catapulting into a singing career like this. Never.

[Butch350]

227. Never elected a Black POTUS before either.

[intheflow]

231. True.

But I think your argument is comparing apples and oranges. Many African Americans had served in elected positions before Obama was elected to the presidency. Yet how many women over the age of 35 have you ever heard of getting singing contracts before?

[dixiegrrrrl]

154. Also..

Jessye Norman


Kate Smith

[Control-Z]

294. Mama Cass

was wonderful. She doesn't get anywhere near her due. I've introduced her songs to my teenage daughter, who loved her instantly.

[cobalt1999]

333. Mama Cass had a great voice

and she sure didn't look like a B. Spears.

[Samantha]

352. Three sterling examples

All of their music has endured over time as classics. Janice continues to amaze me today. Simply one of a kind.

What can one say about Mama Cass? Her voice was simply beautiful; her singing impeccable.

And Ella Fitzgerald continues to amaze and be embraced by generations coming after her original debut. The word enduring simply doesn't describe, but what word does?

I would like to add one to your list if I might: Eva Cassidy.

Sam

[ellie]

5. She is awesome!

[Gman]

6. I just saw her on CBS

and thought "Wow!" Then I watched the video and I'm completely blown away! This woman gives Celine Dion a big run for the money!

--------------------------

On edit: Watched it again and the same thing happened! No one can watch that without getting teary eyed! Fantastic!

[dflprincess]

279. Were you watching when they got Patti Lupone on the phone with her?

(Lupone played Fantine in the original London cast of Les Miserables, singing "I Dreamed a Dream") She sounded as blown away as everyone else - talked about what a difficult song it is to sing.

And, I've got to say that I think that Susan Boyle is in a whole different class than Celine Dion.

[Gman]

286. Yes I was watching but

I didn't pay a lot of attention to what Lupone had to say as that was the very first I'd heard of any of this. I listened to Boyle sing in her home and my interest was piqued. I then found the Youtube video and was moved to tears! And I watched it again this evening, almost 12 hours later and I still get moved to tears listening.

[14thColony]

8. I saw her Saturday night on BGT

What an incredible voice. Reminded me of Paul Potts' audition - the book didn't match the cover there either.

[emmadoggy]

13. Reminded me also of Paul Pott's audition.

(Thanks - I couldn't think of his name!)

Had very much the same response.

[The Stranger]

25. Pol Pot can sing?

What? Who knew?

[14thColony]

145. He's awesome. For a dead guy.

[dipsydoodle]

57. Snap

that's here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEo5bjnJViA

Good comparison.

[AlbertCat]

134. Reminded me of Paul Potts' audition

Me too. One aria. Now who's gonna sing for the rest of the 2 1/2 hour opera?

Thoroughly unimpressed! Paul Pott....what an amusingly unfortunate name! (Pol Pot, y'know....the Killing Fields)

It is indeed alright to feel good about these people's dream of performing, but I ain't gonna call it "art".

[EOTE]

215. Yeah, she's so lame for not singing for another 150 minutes.

Because I just know they would have let her go on that long.

[AlbertCat]

246. Yeah, she's so lame for not singing for another 150 minutes.

Of course I wasn't talking about her. I was commenting on Paul Pot and these 15 minutes of fame shows in general. You'll just have to forgive me if I don't go all gooey over this hype.

[EOTE]

247. It's a silly argument if you're talking about the TV show.

No one on the show is going to get more than a few minutes to show their talent. Why knock them on something they didn't even have a chance to demonstrate?

[xchrom]

11. recommend

[ejbr]

16. Okay, that time she got me crying

good for her and good for us.

[mopinko]

18. 3 hankies

really amazing.

[riverdeep]

19. I just saw that video courtesy of DU.

I never would have seen it otherwise, I never watch those types of reality shows. Even that prick Simon was tolerable. The video as of now has over 12 million views.

It's a nice story and I hope good things happen for her. They seem to stress the never been kissed part. She doesn't strike me as horribly unattractive or monstrous, just not 'glamorous'. They made it sound like she's the elephant woman. There are lots of people far more unattractive that are married, with kids.

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

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[riverdeep]

21. Say what? n/t

[beyurslf]

28. Are you kidding?

She had a beautiful tone and complete control. One assumes she was not "trained" and she did not have an earpiece or any electronic assistance. Someone should show this to Beyonce, Brittany, and others: This is how you sing.

[jus_the_facts]

30. What a nasty attitude....

....that kind of karma will eventually bite you in the ASS! :eyes:

[Mrs. Overall]

33. Walk down any city street or into a small town post office and you'll see that the majority of

people out there are plain, average, with less than Hollywood features.

If I saw Susan Boyle at the grocery store I wouldn't even look twice, would never think, "Wow, she's ugly."

You seem like more of a Britney or Madonna fan--blond women who really have incredible singing voices (classical, operatic, well-trained) and whose lives are one big media drama after another. You've got an eye for beauty and an ear for superb singing.

[JerseygirlCT]

39. I'd quibble

about Britney's singing. Without lots and lots of careful production, the woman has nothing.

[Mrs. Overall]

42. I'm being sarcastic--Britney's a dope. Jeez!

[JerseygirlCT]

47. Glad to hear that -

I was wondering about that...

Thanks for straightening that out for me!

[Mrs. Overall]

49. No problem. I don't want anyone to think I admire Britney!

[JerseygirlCT]

54. LOL - I wouldn't, either! nt

[HillWilliam]

95. Make that the three of us

Poor Britney is another one of those wannabes like Perez Hilton who, if they didn't show their hoo-hahs, very few would look at their faces. Utterly forgettable.

[Le Taz Hot]

325. Madonna? Britney?

Incredible voices? Surely you jest. Pull their mikes with the dozen or so filters and the overproduces accompaniment, have them sing a capella and see what you get. But they look good!

[Mrs. Overall]

334. Yes, I jest. I'm being sarcastic. I don't know how to make that little sarcasm picture/thingy.

[JerseygirlCT]

38. Wow.

I'm sorry for you, feeling that way. And I assume your looks are a "10", no matter who is looking?

[Blue Diadem]

50. How about reading this, all of it. You might learn something

www.theherald.co.uk/features/featuresopinon/display.var.2501746.0.The_beauty_that_matters_is_always_on_the_inside.php

but then you'd have to have a heart to truly understand it.

[merh]

61. what a lovely article

thank you for posting the link

[Pacifist Patriot]

127. I wrote the author to thank her for that one. Beautiful editorial.

[Turborama]

151. What a wonderful, thoughtful thing to do. Also, thank-you very much Blue Diadem for sharing it

I've added it to my Facebook wall and emailing it around with the link to the YouTube vid.

[Pacifist Patriot]

267. I like this article too.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dennis-palumbo/what-if-susan-boyle-could_b_187804.html

In fact, Huffington Post has several thoughtful editorials on this story.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

152. damn, blue, I don't need any tears right now. But thanks anyway.

what a story.

[rug]

59. Only tadpoles thrive in a shallow world.

Boyle is the youngest of nine children and lives in Blackburn with her ten-year-old cat, Pebbles. Boyle suffered oxygen deprivation during birth, resulting in learning disabilities. Her classmates teased her because of this and because of her appearance.<4> She stopped her pursuit of singing to look after her sick mother who died in 2007, at the age of 91. Her performance on Britain’s Got Talent was the first time Boyle had sung after her mother's death.<5> She is unmarried and presently unemployed.<6> She aspires to become a musical theatre singer in the vein of Elaine Paige.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Boyle


Britain's Got Talent: Singing sensation Susan Boyle sang to escape the bullies

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/04/12/singing-was-my-escape-from-bullies-115875-21272894/

[Mrs. Overall]

60. This will make your bully soul tingle with excitement::

"...ridicule is nothing new in Susan Boyle's life. She is a veteran of abuse. She was starved of oxygen at birth and has learning difficulties as a result. At school she was slow and had frizzy hair. She was bullied, mostly verbally. She told one newspaper that her classmates' jibes left behind the kind of scars that don't heal."

"Then, when a special occasion comes along, they might reach, as Susan did, for the frock they bought for a nephew's wedding. They might, as she did, compound the felony of choosing a colour at odds with her skin tone and an unflattering shape with home-chopped hair, bushy eyebrows and a face without a hint of make-up. But it is often evidence of a life lived selflessly; of a person so focused on the needs of another that they have lost sight of themselves. Is that a cause for derision or a reason for congratulation? Would her time have been better spent slimming and exercising, plucking and waxing, bleaching and botoxing? Would that have made her voice any sweeter?"

Read more if you dare:
http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/featuresopinon/display.var.2501746.0.The_beauty_that_matters_is_always_on_the_inside.php

[Dinger]

184. Great Reply

She is simply wonderful!


P.S. Was she on Good Morning America today? I heard she was , but didn't see it.

[LanternWaste]

66. I imagine we all illustrate...

I imagine we all illustrate a tendency towards freak show fugliness at one time or another. Sometimes it's simply a vain and self-validating attitudes towards people, other times it's simply the things we post...

[madaboutharry]

79. You are obviously one the bullies we

all remember from Junior High School. What a cruel comment.

[MUAD_DIB]

83. You need to use the sarcasm thingy.

Otherwise you just come off as crass and morbidly offensive.

[Peregrine Took]

88. And what do you look like? Are you some gorgeous hunk?

I doubt it very much.

[Name removed]

89. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dangerously Amused]

91. Please post a recent photo so we can evaluate your looks, before you make a comment like this.

:eyes:

[kestrel91316]

93. Are you this hateful to everyone, or just women.

[LostinVA]

104. Clueless about music

[stray cat]

108. I guess you can't sing and are not good looking?

[Name removed]

109. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

112. Deleted message

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[NashVegas]

116. Ugly Is As Ugly Does

[Rainbowreflect]

117. I believe that is one of the most disgusting things I have read on DU.

And that is saying a lot. You make me physically ill with your hate filled crap.

[Name removed]

178. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

224. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

122. Deleted message

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[sellitman]

141. If you are serious.....

Your reply was one of the most deeply disturbing posts I have ever read on DU.

I hope you forgot the sarcasm tag.

[SammyWinstonJack]

155. Feeling nasty and vile today, are we?

:eyes:

[Name removed]

158. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

161. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

177. Deleted message

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[Dinger]

185. Why Don't You Post Your Gorgeous Pic?

I'd fucking love to see it.

[Lorien]

202. Bullies are always cowards

so I'm sure we won't see an honest photograph.

[Name removed]

190. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

199. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

204. Deleted message

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[Scout]

210. hah ha! where'd you go Al? dish it out but can't take it?

:rofl:

[Ben777]

218. Her appearance is fine.

Post a picture of yourself and let us decide if you require a bag over your head skippy.

[LanternWaste]

236. Seriously pal, post your pic...

Seriously pal, post your pic...

A post and run is a bit cowardly at best, so put up you pic to illustrate the courage of your convictions.

I'd love to bask in the warm after glow of a person so beautiful they are compelled to belittle other people.

Seriously. I'm sure a lot of people on this thread would like to see the picture. Post it... c'mon, please..? Please? There's nothing to be afraid of, no one will make of you...

[Lucky Luciano]

285. Who cares what he looks like - he is still a dickhead. nt

[closeupready]

22. Is this really Late Breaking News?

Was Anna Nicole Smith's death? The latest on Natalee Holloway?

[roguevalley]

179. its a burst of sunshine in a dark world, that's what this is. enjoy it.

you are allowed.

[closeupready]

186. It is that. Sorry if I sound like today's Debbie Downer.

:hi:

[roguevalley]

207. that's okay, honey. we all have them. :)

:hug: just for you.

[antigop]

23. If she's that good at 47, I wonder what she sounded like at age 22?

Sadly, we probably will never know.

Kudos, Susan. May you achieve your dreams.

[Wednesdays]

31. Possibly not very good

Like good athletes, it takes time to develop singing abilities.

(Professional singer here.) :)

[antigop]

35. I disagree. Women's voices usually change around age 19.

If she has had voice lessons, she may have been even better in her 20's.

From her breath support and vibrato, it sounds as if she has had training.

[Captain Hilts]

99. She's been singing in a church choir, hasn't she? nt

[Wednesdays]

262. Oh, definitely agree there, regarding the training

Apparently she made a CD ten years ago, and she was already good even then. But it's really hard to say what she was like when she was 19.

[SeattleVet]

300. The first recording is linked from here:

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/04/16/exclusive-susan-boyle-s-first-ever-song-release-revealed-listen-to-it-here-86908-21283564/

(or http://tinyurl.com/djko4t for a shorter URL to the same place)

It's an amazing recording of "Cry Me A River". I listened a couple of times, and she reminded me of someone... I think she sounds a lot like Linda Ronstadt. Very 'torchy'.

[Le Taz Hot]

326. And I disagree with you

I was still struggling with tecnique in my 20's. I still had to think about everything. At 53 the timbre has changed but the tecnique is as solid as ever. Personally, I think I sound MUCH better now. Btw, her vibrato is natural -- something the rest of us only wish we had.

[antigop]

345. Her vibrato is controlled--something you learn with lessons, along with breath support. n/t

[antigop]

346. And I doubt at 53, you have the power you had in your 20's. n/t

[Mrs. Overall]

34. My mother-in-law was a classical singer and taught voice--a woman's voice peaks in her forties into

her fifties--so it's the perfect time for her to be discovered.

[antigop]

36. Not necessarily. Disagree. n/t

[Mrs. Overall]

48. She said there were physical reasons for the voice to reach fruition in middle age--

depending on whether the woman had had a child--this changes the voice and menopause also changes the voice (as does weight loss and weight gain). Her voice peaked at middle age as did many of the professional female singers who were her associates.

But perhaps it's not true for all women.

[JerseygirlCT]

56. One of my teachers mentioned that having male children could

change your voice, too. The androgens in the male baby can change things. Didn't notice that with my first, but I think my voice is lower a bit after my second. Interesting, I thought!

[Mrs. Overall]

62. Yes, she said the same thing! She gave birth to four daughters

and then had my husband and her voice changed more dramatically after his birth.

I'm glad you brought that up--I had totally forgotten that piece.

Do you sing professionally?

[JerseygirlCT]

81. I studied for a while, and actually got paid a few times after college.

Then came life and kids, and now my singing is confined to the car or in church, lol. Wish it were not so, and just for me, I'm hoping some time to get back to studying. As I'm now pushing 50, I'll be counting on that older age thing, lol!

[JDPriestly]

143. Could be that the task of carrying a foetus nine months and

especially the last few months strengthens some of the muscles in the abdomen that are used in singing.

[JerseygirlCT]

192. No, she specifically said it was hormonal

and that this was about carrying boys, because of the androgens.

I rather felt those muscles weaker after the pregnancies than stronger. Lots of stretching things out that weren't used to being so stretched!

[catrose]

147. That's what I learned too

with comments like "No Brahms until you're 30." Singing some composers' works will tear up a promising voice.

[beyurslf]

26. How could she never have been discovered earlier?

She is amazing!

[antigop]

37. Because she didn't have an opportunity before. n/t

[predfan]

40. Exactly......those magic words "I never got the chance before"

How much has this world missed because someone never got the chance?

[antigop]

45. I wonder about that as well--in a lot of fields, not just music.

Could we have a cure for cancer by now if a certain person had had the right opportunity with the right education?

[aquart]

118. Plenty. Ever read fan fiction?

Those are serial stories written by just anyone, my favorite was written by an American housewife in Japan with four small children running around her ankles. There are amazing storytellers out there. Grammar and spelling sucks but the story is flawless.

We tap and train only the smallest portion of the talent available to us. For one thing, we don't separate talent from competition. And they are two very different things.

[knitter4democracy]

125. I think I went to college with her.

One of my old college roomies is an American housewife in Japan with five kids now who writes stuff like that. Hmm.

[NashVegas]

271. She Wasn't Taking the Risk

Of falling flat on her face, before.

[Blue_Roses]

27. what an awesome story!

I've watched her video several times and it just blows me away.

[antimatter98]

32. Truly amazing story/performance by Boyle. The UK has

always had these brilliant individuals, hidden from view, and every once in a while,
one of them appears--back yard scientists, geneticists, performers, to everyone's delight and amazement.

[aquart]

114. She sang in church. Was it a very well attended church?

What was up with the people in that congregation that they didn't know what they had? All tone deaf? Not one of them told her what she had? The pastor?

[Lars39]

340. I bet Ms. Boyle never really let her voice soar in church...probably just blended in.

[Kajsa]

43. She has a beautiful voice,

and I'm glad she "surprised"
them all.

Perhaps they can look at how they
value people, and readjust some
shallow concepts.

Susan is a beautiful lady.

:)

[mr1956]

44. Susan Boyle is incredible because she is us

She is one of the millions of ordinary looking people who live unremarkable lives while harboring a talent and a dream. As a society we are so obsessed with youth and physical beauty that we dismiss anyone who doesn't fit into our preconceived notions of "star". The story of her life is far more fascinating than the young non-talents being rammed down our throats by corporate media machines.

Here is a middle-aged woman with a life time of emotion coming through her song. She doesn't need studio magic to even out her tones or the distraction of dance moves to excuse the lack of a voice.

I wish her the best and would buy her CD in a heartbeat.

[JerseygirlCT]

58. Yup, yup, yup! nt

[BuelahWitch]

165. Very eloquently put!

And very true!

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

46. Note to self:

Never underestimate the average looking person. Especially if that person is one nails-tough Scottish woman. ;-)

Ahhh...gotta love the Scots.

[freemarketer6]

52. Unbelieveable. Thanks DU for letting the post stand in LBN. Made

me cry, and it takes a lot to make me cry in the post Bush world.

[riverwalker]

53. Susan is my heroine

Pure joy, pure talent, pure humility, she is as authentic as they come. The older I get, the more I realize these extraordinary women are all around us. Beautiful, triumphant and courageous spirits camoflaged in their beige dresses, unplucked brows, and quiet lives. She is an inspiration.

[asjr]

68. I have watched that performance

so many times I have lost count. I will never tire of it. I cry at times--even when my heart is lifted. That is a keeper.

[merh]

55. Here is the link to her CBS early show interview where she sang

again, acappela
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4949467n

[knitter4democracy]

130. I love her!

She's spunky and awesome, and she sings like an angel!

[merh]

148. this is going to be a hard show to judge

Look at the dance team that is just one of her competitors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GrOMLylvhQ&NR=1

Simon and a standing Ovation! :wow:


I love Susan Boyle though

[Turborama]

205. Thank-you very much for sharing that lovely interview & acapella.

She has a beautiful soul & she really deserves everything that's coming her way.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

64. What a beautiful true story!!!!!! nt

[HereSince1628]

69. Yes, I hope it doesn't turn out to be a stunt

and she turns out to have been a trained profesional singer.

I am not sure my "Hopes and Beliefs for Mankind" module could take the strain.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

73. I may be totally wrong, but I don't think so. She's not exactly....

... how shall I say this in a politically correct way? ATTRACTIVE? POLISHED? You know what I mean?

[HereSince1628]

80. Yeah, I know, but pretty face or not, that voice would be hard to keep secret

Her voice is remarkable, at least to this untrained listener. I'm not sure she would get to that level without formal training, practice and continual voice coaching. That takes some money and recognition that it is worth doing. Maybe that promise to her mother is about making good on mom's dreams and support...maybe she got her training in a local church choir. If she did, her story is all the more inspiring.

I'd love it to be true. I'll be broken spirited if it turns out to be a contrived stunt.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

248. I don't think so. Did you see the opera singer that was also on Britain's American Idol?

If you haven't, I'll search for the youtube. Same situation. Incredible voice, totally hidden individual, unattractive, heavy, unknown, no future.

[Control-Z]

305. How would it be a stunt?

I don't understand what you mean. She really did sing. It was her own voice. She looks as she does.

Where would a stunt come into play?

I'm not challenging you, just not understanding.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

335. Okay, but did you hear what her background was?

She was from a very poor part of town where she sang in church. I can't tell you how many extraordinary voices there are in poor, black areas, singing in church and have no way to get fame.

There are many talented people that never get anywhere even with all the help and better situations. I myself know of one unbelievable violinist who is working in computers because the arts and entertainment only has room for a handful and usually those who break in are those who know someone, are sexy, young and beautiful and bed someone, etc.

In addition, this woman never even "put herself out there" as she spent her life taking care of her mother (which I think is a far nobler thing than fame, anyway - she's a great woman for having done that!).

[DURHAM D]

77. She said during one of her interviews that she had taken lessons -

in Livingston. No indication for how long or how old she was.

[antigop]

82. As I stated upthread, her breath support and vibrato indicated to me she had had lessons.

At least at some point.

[JDPriestly]

146. She may be "trained" enough to be a "professional," and I would

bet that she has sung in church for years. That's not the issue. The issue is that the music business, the music industry, the music corporations control what we see and hear. If a female singer does not have traits like a pretty face, an attractive physique, a sophisticated way and maybe a willingness to oblige or at least to appear to maybe be willing someday to oblige somebody's libido, she probably won't get very far.

Other requirements for a serious singing career whether classical or pop: Live in a metropolitan area at least when you are starting out -- where there are places to sing, study, audition -- and be able to travel and live in hotels when you are doing concerts. Oh, and you have to have some independent source of income because you can't travel and sing and wait tables.

[customerserviceguy]

274. I remember Christopher Cross

Back before music videos, millions of people heard him on the radio, loved his songs, bought his albums. Then he got exposure on TV, and people saw a guy who didn't match the image they had conjured up in their minds. His third album was a flop, and he never went anywhere from there.

For all of my life, we've lived in an image-conscious world. Jay Leno runs jokes by his wife to see if they're sexist, and he'd never make a racist joke, but he mocks large people with impugnity.

Susan Boyle is my champion.

[Divine Discontent]

289. speaking of Cross reminded me of Daniel Bedingfield (Natasha's brother)

he sang "if you're not the one", a very high pitched beautiful love ballad from a few years ago, and I remember reading dozens and dozens of comments from people on youtube about his video being gross/odd etc, because he did not match their vision of what he should look like (he sounds like a better Justin Timberlake) and therefore many mocked him as being old, fat, ugly, etc, when he just looks like an avg looking guy around 30.

If you have a way to listen to a song, check out "honest questions" by him. It's great. Pretty much now, his sister, who is very attractive, is getting the songs he writes I guess, she's more sellable. Her best song is 'soulmate'. She's quite lovely sounding too.

[latebloomer]

320. I don't think she's professional

but she's definitely well trained.

She was a little cagey when asked about her training.

Check out this gorgeous jazzy rendition and tell me she's not.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/04/16/exclusive-susan-boyle-s-first-ever-song-release-revealed-listen-to-it-here-86908-21283564/

My husband, who can be a hopeless cynic, thinks she played up the frumpiness because she knew she couldn't possibly compete with the lovely young ones.

[underpants]

67. Incredible

Great talent

Good TV too

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

70. Chills!

Absolutely beautiful!

[thereismore]

71. Well I'd say there will be more than one geezer up there willing to kiss her now!

That was beautiful, but in terms of shock and awe, I think Paul Potts ranks even higher.

[demoborn47]

74. I hope they don't screw her over...

I know first hand the music industry is a cutthroat business so please Simon, for once in your life, don't be an asshole and help this lady out. If anyone deserves to be rich and famous, she does. More so than any marginally talented pop star who only get anywhere because of their looks. Best to you Susan, you deserve it all!!!

[madaboutharry]

84. My husband and I were discussing this very thing

this morning. First of all, she does have a big family and most certainly someone has the smarts to make sure she has a good lawyer. Second, I think Simon knows that this is one time where being his usual asshole self isn't going to cut it. I think he is going to make sure that things go the way they should and that she doesn't get taken advantage of. If the public thinks that he screwed her over, he will be vilified.

[AllyCat]

78. I am choking back tears right now

My kids came running from the playroom to hear her.

[LittleGirl]

85. Witnessed History

Her voice made tears fall out of my eyes.

[valerief]

86. She was great. Too bad the song sucked big time. nt

[Peregrine Took]

90. My thoughts, too. Her voice deserved a much better song. n/t

[valerief]

94. Wow! Someone else who hates (I'm assuming) the

Andrew-Lloyd-Webber-Style-School-of-Sucky-Broadway-Show songs!

I feel a little less alone now. Thanks.
:pals:

[Pacifist Patriot]

128. I'm not much of an ALW fan myself. I'd like to hear her sing something else too.

[latebloomer]

319. Check this out- jazzy, sultry and gorgeous!

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/04/16/exclusive-susan-boyle-s-first-ever-song-release-revealed-listen-to-it-here-86908-21283564/

[antigop]

195. Um, no. Andrew Lloyd Webber didn't do the music for "Les Miserables"

http://www.lesmis.com/pages/about/creation_1.htm

On October 8, 1985 Les Misérables opened at the Barbican Theatre, London and musical theatre history was made. It then moved to the Palace Theatre on 4 December 1985. On March 12, 1987, the American version opened at the Broadway Theatre.

Since then, Les Misérables by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer has travelled the globe and won many major awards throughout the world, including eight Tony awards, including Best Musical. Les Misérables has touched the heart of its international audience as few shows in history have ever done.

[valerief]

229. I know that. That's why I called it what I did. (Gee, you so smart, huh?). nt

[antigop]

256. Surely you knew that. Surely you did. n/t

[JerseygirlCT]

212. That's so not an ALW show

The only show of his I sort of like is Superstar. The rest are definitely to be passed on.

Now, Sondheim can do little wrong in my book.

[valerief]

230. I know that. That's why I called it it what I did. (Gee, you so smart, huh?) nt

[JerseygirlCT]

263. My point

(and I did know that you weren't calling it an actual ALW piece but like his in style) was that I don't agree in the least.

ALW tends toward overblown and bombastic. He goes for the cheap emotion to put butts in seats, basically.

Years ago I had a friend who was dying to see Phantom the moment it arrived from London. Sure this would be the most fantastic thing ever seen. Came back dejected and said "Phantom shmantom. It's a play about scenery". ALW goes for the spectacle and ignores the heart.

Les Mis is based on a lovely and moving novel, and loses nothing in the translation, IMO. The music is meaningful and emotional to me, in a far more true way than the cheap tricks employed by ALW.

But of course, different folks.

[LanternWaste]

240. I'm a bit of a ruffian...

I'm a bit of a ruffian... I actually have enjoyed all of ALW's stuff (except for Phantom).

And yes... that includes Starlight Express. :hide:

[JerseygirlCT]

264. LOL - to each his or her own, I guess!

Though I have to say, what I find worse than him in many respects are all those early 60s ish things - like How to Succeed, or oh dear, Bye Bye Birdie. If I never have to sit through another performance of that drek it will be too soon.

[condoleeza]

97. How could you possibly think that?

If you look at the words, which are on the YouTube link, they could not be more appropriate for what she was doing at that very moment. Truly stunning.

[valerief]

173. I never listen to lyrics when the melody is awful. And that melody is awful.

If the only things in a song good are the lyrics, it should be a poem, not a crappy song.

Broadway musicals have sucked since the disco days (and I love disco). The songs got all big with boring, tedious melodies. Music is the notes, not the words.

Truly stunning? Hahahahahaha.

[condoleeza]

182. She chose those lyrics because they so well fit her feelings, IMO n/t

[Turborama]

187. The Lyrics

As provided in the uploaded video' more info. section...

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high,
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving.

Then I was young and unafraid
When dreams were made and used,
And wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung,
No wine untasted.

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hopes apart
As they turn your dreams to shame.

And still I dream he'll come to me
And we will live our lives together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms
We cannot weather...

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

-- --- --

Perfect song choice, considering http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/featuresopinon/display.var.2501746.0.The_beauty_that_matters_is_always_on_the_inside.php">her story.

[antigop]

197. Absolutely a perfect song choice for her. n/t

[valerief]

234. We all have opinions.

:shrug:

[antigop]

257. And it WAS the perfect choice. The judges, audience, and people around the world LOVED it. n/t

[valerief]

233. Who cares? The music is crap. nt

[Turborama]

237. A lot of people do care, actually, and it seems like your *opinion* is part of a tiny minority n/t

[valerief]

239. I don't care. nt

[LanternWaste]

241. So some may think...

So some may think... others with much less refined, defined, and opined taste than yours like it. Myself for example. :P

[valerief]

242. Bully for you. That's what makes horse races. nt

[LanternWaste]

244. And good music...

And good music... :)

[Occulus]

291. I just *hate* it when songs like this get truncated

Whomever set it all up for her took out a verse.

I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high,
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving.

Then I was young and unafraid
When dreams were made and used,
And wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung,
No wine untasted.

But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hopes apart
As they turn your dreams to shame.

He slept a summer by my side,
He filled my days with endless wonder.
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came.

And still I dream he'll come to me
And we will live our lives together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms
We cannot weather...

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

---

For those unfamiliar with the musical or the story, this is the point in the tale at which Fantine, the title character of the novel's first part, decides to do the only thing available for her as work following the recent events of her life, and becomes a woman of the town. The lyrics of the song refer to several of Fantine's life events, including giving birth to Cosette (the result of her union with her one-time lover Tholomyes), being forced to board her child at a flophouse sort of inn run by the Thenardiers, and suffering extortion at their hands when they wrote her regarding Cosette's severe (and totally fake) illnesses. In her desperation to keep Cosette at the inn, she becomes a whore.

I think that's all I'll say regarding her character. What happens to this character is very sad, and sets into motion events that will follow both Cosette and the novel's main character, Jean Valjean, even many years later.

I've read this novel full through twice. Fantine's steady downward spiral is more than a little hard to read, even when you see it coming from a mile away.

[valerief]

232. And the song (music) still sucks. nt

[JerseygirlCT]

213. Oh, I completely disagree.

I think that's a gorgeous song in a musical filled with gorgeous songs.

[CRF450]

281. Come on, I listen to mostly heavy metal/rock music, her singing was great!

Even I can admit that when its not my kind of music.

[JerseygirlCT]

211. I love that song

Just love it. My favorite part of a show I just love.

[valerief]

235. I guess that's what makes horse races. nt

[Control-Z]

308. You're repeating yourself

We've heard you.

[LanternWaste]

243. You'd hate me...

You'd hate me... my best friend and I were out with our gal-pals one evening at a Karaoke bar about a year ago. We were intoxicated just enough to feel confident enough to get on stage and sing the Valjean-Javert duet.

We folded, spindled, and mutilated that most heavenly of tunes. But! we still had fun doing it... :P

[JerseygirlCT]

261. Oh I couldn't hate you for that

You should hear me on the treadmill when I think no one is listening! I sing the whole score myself!

[AnnieBW]

277. I've sung that song myself

You may think that it sounds like crap, but it's technically difficult. It requires a good lower range as well as good breath control. She nailed it.

[Sultana]

92. ah, bless her

Great voice


:headbang: :applause: :headbang:

[wake.up.america]

96. Nice to hear someone who can sing - I mean really sing!!

Hope she keeps her feet on the ground.

She had me tears coming out, she did.

[condoleeza]

101. She is adorable, honestly, the beauty is in the life and twinkle in her eyes

This woman has made much of the world smile by this single act of sharing her voice and living her dream. The comments from all over the world are so touching to read, clearly the world needed a bit o cheerin up!

Couldn't help but to look up some quotes on adversity to share here:

Trials, temptations, disappointments -- all these are helps instead of hindrances, if one uses them rightly. They not only test the fiber of character but strengthen it. Every conquering temptation represents a new fund of moral energy. Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.
~ James Buckham ~

No pressure, no diamonds.
~ Mary Case ~

All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today.
~ Ralph Ransom ~

People are like stained -- glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within
~ Elizabeth Kubler Ross ~

http://www.cybernation.com/victory/quotations/subjects/quotes_adversity.html

I particularly like the one by Ralph Ransom. It is so true, it is also why we see so many celebrities crash and burn, they were given physical beauty, but they never developed the character and empathy that is a result of living with adversity. When who you are is how you look, you have very little that is real.

[Captain Hilts]

102. It's kinda like, what if Larry Bird never picked up a basketball? He says he'd be ridin' a garbage

truck.

I'm glad Larry picked up a ball and she got on this show.

[No Elephants]

103. Lovely voice; lovely person. I hope you get everything you deserve, Ms. Boyle.

[thebabbster]

106. don't judge a book by it's cover!

I don't doubt that this truly gifted woman has probably gone most of her adult life being judged on her appearance. Even up until the moment she sang, there was a tangible skepticism in the air. I hope she gets all the fame and fortune she wants. She is a truly gifted woman and a blessing.

[Joey Liberal]

107. She's wonderful and I'll buy her CD nt

[aquart]

110. God, yes. I want that album, too.

[auntAgonist]

115. She is beautiful inside and out, her personality shines ...

her voice is that of an angel.


I just LOVE LOVE LOVE her talent.

K&R

[eagertolearn]

119. I have watched her sing this over and over since yesterday!

It just makes me want to send it to everyone I know and say "follow your dreams"! This has really inspired me but I'm afraid I can't sing that well. But it has given me ideas about reaching a little further or higher!! What a wonderful inspiration. I hope she can sing her heart out. She could be in an Opera or make an album and even travel around the world and sing at events. She deserves it all!!!!!!!:yourock:

[Seedersandleechers]

124. A diamond in the ruff

she is.

[Tarc]

126. Well, she isn't going to get very far without an exteme makeover

Some here may not like it, but that's the way the entertainment industry works. Save these pics, because when/if she goes on to do albums, tours, etc...she'll be almost unrecognizable.

[Pacifist Patriot]

129. I hope you're wrong.

You're probably not, but I do hope so.

[NashVegas]

133. Newsflash - She Won't Need That Much

A new hairdo, eyebrows tweaked, a wardrobe and a knife for the double chin.

People who think Boyle will get a *drastic* make-over have no idea what goes into making a starlet.

They also spend far too much time on sites like Mens' Health.

This woman doesn't have to be the next Katie Perry, for crying out loud she's 47 and she won't need 17-34 year old men to think she's fuckable in order to sell records. She just needs a little tweaking.

[amandabeech]

175. Yes, I hope that she's herself, but better when they get done with the makeover.

She'll probably get some sort of light diet and exercise program, too.

[JerseygirlCT]

219. I caught a tiny bit of an interview with her after - and

it looked like she'd already dyed her hair a bit, though the style wasn't much different.

I hope she resists any efforts to make a drastic change, especially just to please a public that seems to have an obsession with packaging rather than substance.

[Liberal_in_LA]

283. Agreed. She's got a musical theater type voice. Looks less important than for pop music

[DeepBlueC]

331. what she said

:thumbsup: Furthermore she will probably enjoy that and I for one will enjoy watching the metamorphosis.

[eagertolearn]

191. I actually think she is beautiful but just needs a new hair style and outfit.

Her beauty radiates from within (not only that but she has beautiful skin) and as far as I am concerned that is so much better than someone sculptured and painted!

[Tarc]

252. Raise your standards a bit, pls

[Ben777]

269. Open up your

mind a little bit.

[Pacifist Patriot]

265. I think our standards are just fine.

I'd do hair and clothes and leave everything else as is. I think she's an attractive woman, but then I find "average" to be pretty. Which is probably a good thing because that's where most of us do tend to fall in the scheme of things.

[condoleeza]

276. She is adorable just the way she is... n/t

[Ben777]

225. Yeah, she will be fixed up but

even if she's not there is nothing wrong with the way she looks as is. Not everybody is that shallow and superficial.

[DeepBlueC]

330. well, yeah

I won't be disappointed to see her groomed and kitted out. In general women tend to enjoy makeovers. I think men are more likely to resent them, but many men also appreciate help kicking it up a notch.

[Plucketeer]

132. Truly incredible!

I cried both times I watched it. I've KNOWN obscure folks with big talents, who never have and never will know this gal's acknowledgement.

I'll be looking for that first album.

[peace13]

139. Finally, a headline that is worthy of this woman!

Talented, brave, and quick witted. Some of the things that people have said about her here are awful! Thank you for posting this with such a wonderful title. Peace,Kim

[Tab]

144. This is a better clip

The aspect ratio is correct, and the sound is very good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk&feature=related

[sabrina 1]

304. Thanks, that is a better quality video!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

150. Hm. Britney spears v. Susan Boyle . . . . Britney Spears v. Susan Boyle

I vote Susan.

[catrose]

156. Did anyone else think Susan looked shocked

when the stupid woman judge said, "We were all against you."

I don't know how much Susan could see from the stage; the audience was always a blur to me.

Anyway, kudos and blessings to Susan, and I will be buying her album.

[FedUpWithIt All]

159. I see the whole Susan Boyle thing differently than a lot of people.

I do not think that people were surprised that Susan could belt out a song because they found her "ugly". I think that what people were really shocked by is that she is so outwardly unpolished.

Susan's hairstyle, eyebrows, dress, walk...did NOT MATCH our ideas of success. Her voice does. There is a disconnect there.

I think we assume that her obvious talent would have brought her out of herself and her circumstances a little. In fact, something changes in the woman's face when she is in song. Her face reflects a ease that she does not portray otherwise.

I wonder if this makes sense.

:shrug:

[Lucky Luciano]

193. I think you make a good point.

With a little work she could be a lot less unattractive and yet she has made no effort there...but she has made impressive efforts with singing - that is for sure. It is a disconnect indeed.

[Ben777]

222. She looks like an average woman.

There is nothing that unattractive about her.

[Lucky Luciano]

228. Well, I would disagree, but that could just be that I lived in

NYC and LA all my life where people are more preoccupied with trying to be fit and groomed. I agree that if she groomed herself better and took SOME interest in being fit, then she would be quite the average woman. She may not have had time to do that sort of thing though since I read above that she was so selfless in caring for her ailing mother and others. Good on her overall!

[FedUpWithIt All]

327. I don't think she is unattractive at all. I think she is not "made-up"

I was making a point about our pre-conceived ideas about success (which i disagree with). We identify success with the external decorating of a person. I think that we need to rethink these notions.

I might have been wrong, i see now, but i believed it was not so much about attractiveness and more about her "polish".

[tclambert]

206. You are correct, ma'am. Well said.

Plus, on shows like "Britain's Got Talent" and "American Idol" they often bring out atrocious performers intended for us to laugh at. They are cruel that way, but it gets ratings. So when we saw a careless appearance, we expected careless singing. That she sang like Celine Dion in disguise was a disconnect, indeed.

[Skittles]

255. don't worry, they will tart her up

it sucks, but they will

[FedUpWithIt All]

259. I agree that is typical but i also trust that Ms. Boyle will draw lines if she needs to.

She strikes me as someone who knows her own mind. I do not think anyone will be forcing her to do anything she is not comfortable with.

And if she is content with change, i am happy for her.

Otherwise, i think she is perfectly lovely.

[Liberal_in_LA]

280. Yeah, they'll pluck the eyebrows definitely. The reaction is amazing...

People are acting as if her looks are a handicap. Why shouldn't she be able to
sing beautifully?

[lumberjack_jeff]

166. I don't cry about anything I see on TV

Except this.

My trigger is the look on Simon Cowell's face about half-way through the first line.

That was extraordinary.

[Mother Of Four]

317. The look on simons face was so priceless-

I had to take a screen shot

He totally captured how I was feeling in that single expression. A sweet and poignant sigh.

[Veruca Salt]

357. I saw that too -

and felt the same way at that exact instant in the song. It's that moment where everything crescendos and emotionally you've been brought to a point... dare I say it? I dare: much like orgasm, where you've come to that final elation than it beautifully smooths out into contentment.

I don't know about others, but beautiful music has that sort of affect on me. And I'm pretty sure that's what we saw there with that judge if I'm not mistaken.

[Turborama]

169. I just watched it again and the tears welled up, yet again. I've also just read through everyone's

...responses and I have to admit that those tears are still welling. Susan Boyle is a beautiful person and thank-you for sharing your heartfelt thoughts.

In the very troubled world we're living in, moments like this are very few and far between, thank-you Susan and DUers (on this and the other threads about her) for lifting my heart.

I may try and find a way to get everyone's best wishes to her...

[and-justice-for-all]

180. Outstanding, cheers to her!!! nt

[debunkthelies]

183. Amazing

Bloody Amazing:headbang: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: She's AWESOME!!!

[-..__...]

226. Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher are "A-List" fans?

Christ... society really is on the downslide if that's rue.

[tblue37]

238. I was just thinking that maybe people would like to hear

the same song performed by Elaine Paige--for comparison. (I like Susan Boyle's performance better.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZKKNwiltX0

[Gin]

272. I agree. Susan touched my heart...this voice (Paige) didn't

something in Susan's voice touches the heart....whatever it is...I like it.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

295. Elaine Paige's rendition

seemed less even and smooth to me, and her voice isn't as warm.
Susan Boyle - well, it's a modern day Cinderella story, isn't it? She's so deserving.

[Turborama]

306. Wow, Elaine Paige seems to have gone waaay too "stagey". I think this is the Elaine Susan reveres >>

She totally owns "Don't cry for me, Argentina": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdZ0T7BwPb0

I've tried to find more vids from her Evita days but can't find any, I think there's a copyright thing going on with them...

I LOVE her versions of "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" and "Rainbow High", my parents were big fans back in the 70s and those songs bring back a lot of childhood memories. Talking of 'Memories": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s96NZoeDs68

These are recent renditions, I wish there was more of the younger less "stagey" Elaine Paige on YouTube but these are still great performances.



Edited to add missing parenthesis.

[tblue37]

343. Yes--too "stagey" is exactly what bothers me about EP's performance.

Her pauses are too self-consciously dramatic; she is too obviously aware of the audience and not "in" the song.

[mvd]

245. Beautiful voice

I'm not often crazy about operatic voices, but she's an exception.

[Mrs. Overall]

249. Anyone else feeling sort of "addicted" to the video of her performance?

I've watched it so many times I've lost count. I just got home from running errands and thought, "I should watch Susan Boyle again."

It just makes me feel really good. In fact, it has inspired me to take cello lessons (I'm in my mid forties, too) even though I've never played a string instrument before. I've always wanted to, so why not now? Why not take the risk and bring some music into my own life? Yes, she's inspiring.

[Ben777]

307. You're not alone.

I find it uplifting and mesmerizing. Yep, inspiring. She reaches in and touches my heart.

[Control-Z]

309. Yes, I am what you are calling "addicted".

I'm sure I've listened to it 30 times, if not more. I'm a little embarrassed at this point. But it makes me feel good.

On the morning show that interviewed her, one of the hosts made a comment about watching the video, over and over. So I guess we're not alone.

[DeepBlueC]

332. I'm not alone!

I was lying in bed last night thinking 'gee I wish I had left the computer on so I could see that again the next time I get up for a pee'. I sent the video to my brother last night and the reply I got back was: "My God. I'm weeping..."

[noiretextatique]

250. you go, susan

and a big fuck you to anyone who can't get beyond your looks.

[Pacifist Patriot]

266. Wow, this thread sure brought out the nutters. If you haven't seen this article...

I quite like it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dennis-palumbo/what-if-susan-boyle-could_b_187804.html

[condoleeza]

348. That article makes a great and sobering point about humans, Huh? n/t

[Gman]

273. And I watched it again

and it still gives me chills. Absolutely beautiful. Stunning.

[AnnieBW]

275. Let's hear it for dumpy, forty-something chicks!

I've sung that song before, and it's a lot harder than it appears to be. She nailed it. Go, Susan!

:toast: :yourock: :fistbump:

[Swagman]

278. I don't care what she looks like..she has a beautiful voice

[TankLV]

287. Oh. My. God. she is simply AMAZING!!

I cried - I really did - that was so beautiful...

I want to see her do more now - MUCH more!!!

God Bless her...

[Zambero]

288. I just wonder why it took so long?

This woman is an incredible talent.

[earth mom]

292. This is a sweet story...

I don't love her voice, but wish her lots of success. :thumbsup:

[Turborama]

298. 16,891,380 YouTube views now, that's doubled the amount of views since the same time yesterday!

Simply, incredible!

[BigBearJohn]

301. When news of this lady first appeared on DU, the mods moved it. How funny.

I love her to death. She is so special.
Can't wait to buy her CD.

[dipsydoodle]

314. Didn't move mine which I think was the first -

posted Wednesday 2pm Brit Summer Time in Music Appreciation although at the time I thought it deserved to in LBN. If I had infact done that then I think it would have moved as its significance had yet to gain momentum. At that time, less than two days ago , hits were just under 6 million. Now there are over 18 million recorded which must be something of a record.

I'm really pleased for her - she's so unassuming and I like that number anyway which I think she performs well.

I'm appalled at some of the snipes against her here by some of the more shallow amongst us.

[Ben777]

311. Awe inspiring

Ms. Boyle personifies talent, beauty, grace, dignity and heart. Those of us that cannot see that are apparently unable to see beyond shallow and superficial cultural dictates and should be pitied. They must be dead inside.

[GiveMeFreedom]

312. I had to write about Miss Susan Boyle, for class

I love it when angels appear amongst us, in the flesh. They teach us that all God’s children should be given love and respect, no matter how they look; we humans are not capable of judging another human being by just looking at them. But why would I say this? I am not a religious person. Instead, I had that part of my ethereal soul nudged in the right direction by Miss Susan Boyle. Miss Boyle, British citizen and unknown, recently appeared on a popular British television show called “Britain’s Got Talent”. The usual suspects are present at this show, the three judges, the judgmental audience, and the behind the scenes instigators; all present to relish the event of a contestants embarrassing downfall and self humiliation in front of, not only themselves, but the 11 million viewers purported to be watching at home on their television sets.

Enter our angel, Miss Boyle, on the show. She is not anything to look at. The middle aged, small, shy woman walks onto the stage to the scoffs and smirks of the judges, the audience. The judges roll their eyes after she answers a few questions asked by judge Simon Cowell. At one point, Simon asks her how old she is. Miss Boyle responds “I am 47”, and Simon responds with a disapproving look. Again, Simon asks why she is there and Miss Boyle says “I am trying to be a professional singer” to which the audience responds with scoffs and whistles. Simon then wants to know why she has never managed to achieve a singing career in forty years, to which she replies “I never been given a chance before and here’s hoping it’ll change”.

Miss Boyle had admitted earlier in the show that she had always wanted to sing in front of a large audience and she does not only that, but it seems now, to the whole world. In just a few notes, with her rendition of “I dreamed a dream” from the Broadway musical “Les Miserables” she captures the hearts and souls of listeners and judges alike. Jaws drop open and eyebrows rise on the faces of the judges, the audience rises to a standing ovation within the first few notes and remains standing, clapping throughout her performance.
After she had finished singing, the judge’s response is telling. Judges Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan told her "Everyone laughed at you but no-one is laughing now. That was stunning, an incredible performance. I'm reeling with shock." said Morgan, Holden added "It's the biggest wake-up call ever." And if the internet’s YouTube is any indication of overnight success, Miss Boyle’s posted video performance from the show has gone viral with well over 13 million hits and rising.

But what is so inspiring about all of this? Why does Miss Boyle make grown men cry, women smile when they hear her sing? The answer is in finding out that Miss Boyle has lived a selfless life. The fact that she admitted to being starved of oxygen at birth causing a mental handicap, that she has never had a boyfriend and never been kissed; pales to the knowledge of her selfless devotion to her aging parents up until their individual deaths. It is plainly the quality of her character that shines with the radiance of an angel on earth and the fact that her voice, her raw talent has been hidden until now because of the love and devotion she has given to her parents. Her inspiration of courage in the face of possible ridicule, her willingness to step on a stage in front of millions of people in her middle age; leaves many people who watch her performance breathless and teary eyed.

Miss Boyle’s performance reminds us to look beyond the exterior definition of female beauty and proves that these talent shows are not for just the attractive few. She shows us all that the personification of a Diva is more than physical beauty and voice incarnate. That God’s idea of a Diva is embodied in this middle aged woman has to be experienced to understand what he is trying to tell us, that we should not judge others by how they look. We should be prepared to have our souls injected with inspiration from on high by the most humble and unassuming of God’s creations and that the possibility exists that angels do live amongst mere mortals.

Link to video on YouTube; prepare yourself to be inspired…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY&feature=related

[Turborama]

313. OMG, halfway through the penultimate paragraph the tears welled up again...

...and they came out at the end of that lovely lovely piece. Thank-you so much for sharing such beautiful sentiments!


:grouphug:



Edited to fix a typo.

[dipsydoodle]

323. Well written

:thumbsup:

[skepticscott]

315. Ok, somebody explain to me

why it's any less superficial to judge someone on the beauty of their voice than it is to judge them on the beauty of their face and figure.

[tblue37]

344. I read an opinion piece that asked whether it would have been OK that everyone

mocked her if it turned out that she sang badly. Good point. But I think what we are happy about is that those who mocked her were so obviously gob-smacked to learn that their expectations were so very wrong. They assumed that if she didn't look good she wouldn't sing well.

Of course, if her singing had been bad, or even just OK, she would have been laughed off the stage, and it would just have been another example of how those performance competition shows use audition tapes from the worst performers to ridicule those performers for their lack of polish, "cool," or good looks.

[leftyladyfrommo]

316. I don't see anything wrong with her looks. She just looks like your average

47 year old person. She's not a stunner in the Holywood sort of way. But most of us certainly aren't stunners.

I love her. I felt like she was standing up for everyone of us that is average in this life. And all those people who were smirking and making fun - well she showed them. And good for her. I just wanted to let loose and cheer her on.

And for once Simon was polite. He really was the one who was polite to her. Ther other judges were all being snarky.

Yes! You go girl!

[get the red out]

321. We've forsaken the "wise women"

Through the quest for youth and beauty we have forsaken the wise women of the world and all they have to offer. Women that had seen hard times, weren't 22 and didn't look it but knew so much. This lady reminded me of so many of the women I saw growing up in a small town. Perfectly capable and confident; even if they didn't fit some manufactured ideal.

She is here to teach us all some huge lessons. I am about her age and have been obsessed with staying thin since I was 13. I am not saying that being in shape is bad, I like being in shape. But for a number of years I crossed the line with it and it was not healthy. There is so much to learn here, for people my age and especially for young people coming up.

[elleng]

328. 'She is here to teach us all some huge lessons.'

Thank you for this.

[Mudoria]

324. One of the most amazing performances I've ever heard.

[elleng]

329. New CBS interview:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4951763n

[Tripmann]

336. I'm almost ashamed to say it,

but I watched the show on TV and when she first came out on the stage I was expecting her to be a disaster (I'm not proud of this, its just conditioning from the way these shows usually go). She absolutely blew me away, unbelievable, and surely the very crux of what the show is about. Ordinary people with extraordinary talent. I'm genuinely humbled as a result of this ladies brilliance.

[DeepBlueC]

338. That song BELONGS to her now

Her performance sets the standard, musically and emotionally, for 'I Dreamed A Dream'.

[Turborama]

339. 20,267,160 views, and comments still coming in faster than one a second!!

Wow, just wow!

[enola fay]

342. I love this lady, but...

I find the whole situation to be quite sad. The fact that people are so amazed she can sing despite being "unattractive" is a reflection of/comment on society's ridiculous expectations.

[Turborama]

347. For me, it's more about her story and how humble she is...

Have you seen this article? It really touched my heart when I read it...

http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/featuresopinon/display.var.2501746.0.The_beauty_that_matters_is_always_on_the_inside.php">The beauty that matters is always on the inside

... as did GiveMeFreedom's piece in post #312.

[JFKfanforever]

350. To steal a line from Sir Walter Scott...

Susan Boyle is now "The Heart of WEST Lothian"!

[Ben777]

351. That is sad,

and it's sad that people see ordinary as unattractive.

[ninety lives]

355. She's very talented

But let's face it, by blowing her up, people are being very condescending.

What they are really saying is "I can't believe someone who looks like that sings so beautifully".

If she looked like Carrie Underwood, she'd be singing....in church, which is what her style is.

Again, she is very talented but not a pop singer, which is clearly not her vocal style anyway.

[Algorem]

353. Murdoch's laughing all the way to the bank at all the rubes/suckers

infatuated with this ridiculous nonsense.

[JohnABC]

354. I would like to thank

Ms. Boyle for sharing her gift with the world and in the process spreading joy to all those fortunate enough to hear her sing. Wow, what a woman!

[Veruca Salt]

356. That is what a disney princess sounds like,

that is what real music sounds like.

The musicians who sing to that caliber are very few and far between nowadays; and I've been waiting for a revolution in the music industry. I pray this may just be it.

Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Joan Baez, Tori Amos, Loreena Mckennitt, Barbara Streisand... all are amazing songstresses worthy of their art and none are talentless brittany clones only good for their looks.

I hope we go back to letting music be about the music, and not the singers outward appearance.