The Wife of Bath Effect: The Glomming of Susan Boyle
The following linked video has been seen by millions--no doubt most of you who find this post will have viewed the clip on YouTube or watched it repeated ad nauseum on a parade of TV shows. If you haven't seen it, take a quick look:
Susan Boyle - Britains Got Talent 2009 Episode 1 - Saturday 11th April
Like most, when I first heard and saw this video, I was amazed. Still am, actually, since that's a damn hard song for anyone to sing. However, the fuss over Susan Boyle has a lot less to do with her talent--which seems ample based solely on this effort--than with her looks. When Boyle first steps up to the microphone, Simon Cowell's (yes, THAT Simon Cowell) look echoed my own: this woman thinks she can sing? Frankly, Boyle appears to be a cast member from a faithful film adaptation of The Canterbury Tales wherein she would be the Wife of Bath.
She proceeds to stun everyone in the audience, Cowell included, with her beautiful rendition of a song from Les Miserables. Yet, the more I repeatedly watched the video, the more I realized how petty I am still. Had a beautiful woman in her 30s stepped out onto that stage and belted out that very song, would I have been so thrilled? No. Would Simon Cowell have raised those estimable eyebrows with such improbation? No. Would over 11 million hits on this particular video have been recorded in less than a week? Again, no.
I was fascinated because Susan Boyle is not an attractive person. She doesn't look like a model; she doesn't have flawless skin nor a hip hair style. She dresses frumpily, and when she smiles, it appears to be more of a grimace. She is not someone I would go out of my way to say "hello" should we pass on the street. The epiphany struck me: I'm shallow. Why should I have been surprised? Good singers, pretty much like every other walk of life, aren't such because they're physically attractive. No, it's because they've been blessed with lovely pipes and perhaps have received a bit of training, as is the case with Susan Boyle.
So, I'm disappointed at myself. I should know better. Just when I think I've managed to accept people for who they are no matter how they appear, I find myself falling into old habits. And that's not a pretty sight. . .
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Had a gorgeous nineteen-year-old belted that tune out from her chest (not her head), I'd have been gobsmacked by that, too. Because it's not easy. Elaine Page is widely regarded as a master because of her ability to hit the high notes without ascending into her "head voice." Susan Boyle's got the same ability--a rare gift.
And she's been dreaming of being a professional singer since she was twelve, and for thirty-five years, no one outside of her church choir and the folks who go to karaoke night at her local pub knew that she could sing like an angel.
She had none. She's 8 years older than me and dresses like my grandmother did 40 years ago. She flubbed a basic question. Her stage presence in the introduction was fifth grade.
That's why it was such a surprise when she into the song and suddenly she commanded the stage, stayed in control of both her voice and her body while the crowd went insane, and became a professional through and through.
Afterward she ran off stage, no idea of what to do next, went back to being the little nobody from the village.
This is what Susan Boyle did not have at all. It was like she'd never been on a stage before in her life. But then her performance seemed like a very well trained voice, polished and easy stage presence while singing.
Certainly, the disparity between the expectations based on her looks and her talent add to the impact of her performance. However, I believe if I had only heard her sing, I would have still been stopped in my tracks.
As Suzn said, I would have been stopped in my tracks by such a voice if I had no picture to see, yet I would have been even more amazed once I looked, I'm sure. Still, I will attempt not to be quite so distasteful of my initial response, instead accepting the beauty of the package for who she is--talented and lovely despite what my eyes tell me.
Thanks, Nurse, for the kind words. There's a whole backstory behind that guilt that I'll save for a rainy day.
And, Verbal, do I get equally smacked for my "actually" in the middle of my original post? ;-)
I also think there was a perfect marriage of singer and song. I never saw Les Miz and didn't know that song, but it's been going on in my head since watching that video a few times. It's a powerful song but she also did what all great singers do - she put the song across to the audience, including to someone like me who'd never heard it before. I feel like it's indelible now, like I'll never forget it.
And that's what true artists do.
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/lesmiserables/idreamedadream.htm
Bstrangely, thank you for the lyrics link. I saw Les Miz a couple of decades ago, so I couldn't place the song right away. It's noteworthy that Susan Boyle chose this song for her coming out party, so to speak. It is hauntingly beautiful, and I'm glad it and Boyle are serving as an inspiration to many. Too often, we don't get stories which make us smile.
Leandra, Blackburn is not in Western Scotland, it's in the Eastern part of the Central Belt, just West of Edinburgh. That part of West Lothian is most known for endless spoil heaps from coal mining and shale extraction. It's not picture postcard Scotland by any stretch.
In my case I watched and listened to it three times straight with tears of joy in my eyes. And I did not once analyze why.
Then we decide we need to analyze her and dissect her past and her deficits. Always her deficits and ask how is it possible that she has in this one area of an otherwise plain life overcame all that because she sings like an angel.
We need to remember simply that she has overcome. Like Sinatra, she did it her way. And it finally worked.
All this analysis makes me uncomfortable because I love to analyze things as much as the next person. But it was the feeling that I had that I want to remember. And I don't want to feel bad because I forgot to analyze it.
I want to remember that lift of my spirit when something marvelous happens that I didn't expect. That feeling of blessing that reminds me that everyone has gifts that they may never get to share. It is that I want to celebrate.
It is not analyzing whether or not my reaction was because of her looks or her dress or her awkward conversation with bonehead.
I just want to feel and enjoy and give thanks. I want to simply stop and listen and thank and celebrate.
And I don't want to analyze that away.
Monte
People will always respond to what's authentic and from the heart, no matter what the package is like.
That, and she just plain has a lot of heart.
*Then* I watched the video. So I'm clear that my response to Sarah's voice didn't come from a contrast to her looks. But in retrospect (literally), I can think of half a dozen pretty young female singers, "professionals," whose voices bore me.
Monte, I agree that sometimes we should let the moment happen, that analysis is flotsam. In this particular case, I needed a bit of self-inspection. . .see my comment to Lainey above. Still, what defines a guilty pleasure (guilty as in "you bet I watch that" vice feeling bad for watching it) for me whether it be a TV show, song, or even wine is that I live in the moment free of analyzing the content for just a little while. Nice point, Monte.
Finally, as both Emma and ktm note, authenticity and from the heart never go out of style. Nor should our ability to see beyond packaging. Thanks for your comments.
Emm
Monte
My God, you could practically see the dollar signs in Simon's eyes.
Did anyone catch that limey little snot in the audience making faces when Susan said she wanted to be a professional singer? Never have I wanted so much to jump into my tv and smack a bitch.
Actually, at first glance, I did think you were whacking us upside the head (as I used to say in east Texas) regarding being too analytical, not that I thought you didn't have an argument to do so. Upon further reflection, however, I gleaned the concept that what you truly wished was for the collective us to just enjoy being in the moment sometimes. . .and I couldn't agree more. Thanks, again.
Though Simon does come across as snarky sometimes, I attach a grain of salt to my views on him. First, keep in mind that all we see is his on-camera antics, and you have to admit he's entertaining which, after all, is what TV is all about. I don't tune into American Idol just to watch the singers, and most certainly not to view the paint-drying-on-the-wall commentary by Paula, Kara, and Randy. No, I like to watch Simon. Second, one must keep in mind that Simon has been in the business for decades, and during that time has undoubtedly seen his fair share of quacks, quirks, and downright queer performances. Susan Boyle appeared to be one of those self-deluded souls producers let through for sheer entertainment value. Even Simon recognized that, and caustic though he often is, when he sees talent (regardless of whether it's because he sees dollar signs or not which, by the way, is why he's in the business) he doles out praise that is sincere. Besides, who among us doesn't like to see his god-awful haircut and never-ending line of t-shirts?
But sometimes : http://www.annanetrebko.com/
I'm so incredibly grateful to Miss Boyle. I love little twists in life, pleasant surprises, when something that doesn't seem like much to begin with turns out to be the best thing you've seen/had/done all day (or longer!), it really renews my appreciateion of things.
Also, how appropriate that you tagged this with 'behavior.' I love that about your insights, MB. (I'm a long-time lurker/fan, just lately posting here and there.) An interesting note on behavior, indeed. This reminds us that even outside singing/art there are things average "nobodies" do every day that are equisitely incredible, heroic even, and should be appreciated, so don't write off a gift because of the wrapping. I wish I could shout my rating. :o)
For all, Leeandra Nolting has somehow managed to scrounge up a distant recording of Susan Boyle singing "Cry Me a River." Once again, her voice is unencumbered by affectation--if this is truly Susan Boyle (I'm so wary anymore) she proves her talent is tremendous. Go take a listen over at Leeandra's blog. . .
Bob Dylan - doesn't have a great-sounding voice, either
Neil Young - ditto
Cass Elliott
Others?