How do bad singers get away with sounding good?

[MrAB4003]

Autotune - the bane of my existence growing up in the 2000s and still to this day

 

[arbiterusa]

Friend of mine always split em up like so:

Singers
“Vocal Stylists”

Just happens the vocal stylist is who you usually want out front.

 

[BoogieZK]

Often it’s the flaws that bring the character, the soulfulness, the real.

It's not my opinion. At least not all the time.
I saw several bands with perfect vocals and perfect instrumentals, not a flaw and it's good, it's better!
For example: Clutch! This man can sing and put on a good show.

Counter example: Foo Fighter.... I love Dave Grohl but he shaged up the lead vocal by screaming all the way.

 

[Avigdor]

I have a pretty strong dislike for opera, but I am aware that most opera singers can blow away most pop/rock singers in every technical way that can be measured.

Technique has a different purpose in opera - it needs to allow the singer to be heard over the full orchestra. To that end the singer formants have developed and they perfected the technique to project clean notes at great volume to the back of the hall. That takes much control, strength and stamina.

In modern settings microphones take care of the volume and other aspects can come to the fore. Listen, e.g., to Joan Baez - technically very good, but she uses all of the lightness and freedom that technique affords for her voice in the service of the song - conveying emotional depth and connection. So do many many others.

What I struggle with is that so many vocalists are content to have poor technique when even a little effort might go a long way increasing pitch, breath and stamina. It's the vocal equivalent of playing with a poorly set up bass (think super high action on a ski slope bent neck with rattle, dead spots, and general intonation issues). We'd recommend at least a decent setup, right? You can then still do your thing, but it will be easier for you to do. Win win in my opinion.

 

[Lava]

Different strokes

 

[el murdoque]

How do bad singers get away with sounding good?

With decades of musical experience behind me, I've noticed that there are some well respected singers who aren't technically good singers, but are often credited with having voices that are pleasant. Often, they're described as being "charismatic".

What's the explanation for that?

Just look around in the circle of people you know. Are there ones of which you can claim that their (speaking) voice is somewhat special / sticking out?
Are there some with a hilarious voice and others with a soothing/pleasing voice ?
Are there a lot of people with a nondescript voice ?

The same goes for singing. Your pipes are built the way they are built. If you're good enough to hit the notes you aim for, but have no special technique and a small range, that can absolutely work, if your voice is recognizable and sounds well in the genre you do.

 

[ghiggin1079]

David Lee Roth, Ozzie, Madonna (along with Jagger). None of them great singers, but all great front persons.

And to add Iommi said somewhere (i wanna say behind the music) that they only took Ozzy bc he had a PA

 

[JimmyM]

When I was a kid, Molly Hatchet replaced Danny Joe Brown, who I thought was not a good singer at all, with Jimmy Farrar, who was a great singer IMHO. Unfortunately for them, Jimmy was not as well liked by fans of Danny. Why? Because Danny was the sound of Molly Hatchet to them.

So it’s pretty simple…nobody cares about talent levels, only that you make music that moves them.

 

[Whale guy]

Michael Bolton...sheesh!

 

[Dincrest]

Good isn't always popular, popular isn't always good. Simple as that.

Straight-A students aren't always big successes as adults. Big successes as adults aren't always straight-A students. C's still get degrees.

 

[buldog5151bass]

And to add Iommi said somewhere (i wanna say behind the music) that they only took Ozzy bc he had a PA

I think he is also the one who said there was a reason they didn't release a live album when was their singer originally.

 

[Andy Marshman]

All those years ago, Canada made a recording similar to We Are The World. The producer was David Foster. He told Neil Young that he was singing off-key. Neil said "that's my sound, man!" As others have said here, the performance can overshadow the vocal talents. Kris Kristofferson also comes to mind.

 

[RattleSnack]

Donald Fagen of Steely Dan comes to mind. Great writer who couldn't find singer to who could perform his ideas, so he started singing.
Also Gwen Stefani comes to mind, great stage personna but mediocre singer.

 

[Fernando Costa]

Interpretation in POP music is sometimes as important as technique, if not more so.

 

[factory presets]

Art not alway 100% about technique. It’s more a matter of relatability.

I've read that audiences tend to find audibly straining to get the note is something they feel affinity with. Tom Petty or Marc Bolan sliding into the note sounds more authentic than nailing it right out the box. Maybe it feels like they are driven to express those emotions, no matter what obstacles are in the way.

 

[Acoop]

Find your range and stick to it. It’s worked for Rod Stewart and Phil Collin’s.

 

[Gorn]

Anthony Keidis' decades of success is pretty surprising. I can't listen to them anymore but I used to pretty often. The instrumentation is good enough to make his vocals acceptable, I suppose.

 

[portpc]

IMHO phrasing is the most important quality in a singer. Not the range but the delivery. That is what resonates with an audience.

 

[brianrost]

Often, they're described as being "charismatic".

What's the explanation for that?

Um, they are charismatic

James Brown, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Ozzy

 

[Stylee Mousse]

Human flaws and idiosyncrasies will be the last thing computer programs can believably fake.

oh and watch Neil’s live version of “old man” and dismiss him as a bad singer. Then post the song you sing that can match