The summer of 2009 belonged to Susan Boyle. The Britain’s Got Talent runner up became a YouTube hit the moment she showed up on stage looking slightly frumpy and opened her mouth, shocking everyone with her fantastic voice.
The first time I saw the famous clip of her singing “I Dreamed the Dream”, I got choked up. Her story was inspiring and she had a chance of achieving her dream, to sing for all to hear. I was hooked on the Britain’s Got Talent for the rest of the season and I don’t watch reality shows at all. My heart went out to her when it became clear she was struggling with new found fame. Everyone wanted a piece of Britain’s new singing sensation. Through it all, people around the world wanted Susan to do well and have great success. Susan Boyle was a regular person like us and now she had a chance to fulfill something countless people sit around and think about.
Her debut album, I Dreamed the Dream, dropped this past week around the world.
According to NME, she now has the record for the biggest first week sales for a UK debut album in history. In one week she has sold 410,000 copies, giving her the number one record and becoming the fastest selling albums of the year in the UK. At the time of the writing of this blog, Billboard was reporting Boyle having similar success in the US, estimating 550,000 sales and the biggest debut of 2009.
I want to like this album. Honestly, I do. She is a wonderful singer and her story is so inspiring. But there is something about this album that prevents me from loving it.
The best song on the album, hands down, is “Wild Horses”. She brings a new level to this Rolling Stones classic. Boyle makes it haunting. She gives it sadness.
And maybe that is the problem. From the first song to the last, there is an element of sadness in each of the songs. Boyle has even made “Daydream Believer”, that sing along Monkees tune, into a downer.
Speaking of downers, she sings “The End of the World.” Gah, it is already one of the most depressing songs in popular music, and now after listening to Boyle’s rendition, I just want to crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head.
Let me say this, I like the production. Her voice is out front, clear and crisp. The sparse arrangements match perfectly with her classic voice. The song selection could be much better. And it doesn’t need to be so drenched in depression.
After listening to this album, there is no doubt that Boyle has a special talent. She deserves to have her voice heard by millions, instead of just the folks who live in her village in Scotland.
If she can survive the triumphs and tragedies of stardom, I hope she makes another album. Maybe a collection of showtunes. But whatever happens to Susan Boyle, she achieved her dream. And that is just wonderful.
Recommended Listening: “Wild Horses”, “Cry Me a River”
Author Info - When not dreaming of future trips to England, MK is usually found listening to The Beatles, reading Sherlock Holmes or watching Stephen Fry on the telly. Read more from this author
British Pound Exchange Rate
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dream of living in the UK a reality.
I understand your review and observations. I think subconsciously, your impression of a person, or what you know of a person, is tainting what your ear is hearing. Any compassionate person would be excited that a pre-50ish lady getting the recognition she’s dreamed of her whole life. But we have SEEN a lonely, self-conscious person that has been said to struggle with depression. 40+ yrs of a poor self-esteem isn’t cured by a sudden global stardom. I’m not sure truly overcoming it is possible after all those years. We already see the public’s opinions of people like Lindsey Lohan and Brittney Spears affect their career and life’s work, and they are only in their 20′s and struggling with their demons. I wonder what their work will envoke in 30 yrs?
Maybe her story is tainting my hearing. What I didn’t point out in my piece was the song selections appear to make me think of her background, for example “Proud”, “Who I Was Born To Be”, “You’ll See”. I don’t have a problem with depressing or slow songs – I was hoping that her album would be more of a happy affair, since having the opportunity to record a highly anticipated album should be a thrilling moment.
It is a good album, but it isn’t as great as it could be.
I also mention a few times in my piece that I am happy for her – I’ve been a fan since day one.
And let’s be honest Scotty, will Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan be making music/movies 30 years from now? Only time will tell!