Two Reasons Susan Boyle Means So Much to Us

I have a theory on why Susan Boyle has become such an instant and inescapable internet star.

But first, let me clarify the scope of her fame: Last night, my dad sent me an e-mail about her audition on Britain's Got Talent. My dad, y'all. He's a sixty year-old retiree who mostly uses the internet to play online chess and download classic rock. If he's hearing about a YouTube sensation mere days it hits the web, then it must really be something.

In case you haven't seen it, here's the celebrated clip, which shows Boyle, a forty-seven year-old spinster, blowing away a roomful of skeptics with her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables.

"I Dreamed a Dream," by the way, is currently one of the top 50 best sellers on iTunes, meaning a scene from a show we can't even watch in this country has prompted the kind of sales that are usually reserved for nationally broadcast hits like American Idol. That's another barometer of this woman's impact.

Here are two reasons she means so much to us:

(1) Susan Boyle rebukes the bitchy cynicism that often defines reality talent shows.

By now, it's an unavoidable trope: The unusual-looking, weirdly-mannered outcast shambles on stage for an audition on a show like American Idol or America's Got Talent and promptly makes a fool of herself. Her embarrassment is played for tawdry laughs, and viewers are encouraged to feel superior to her and so feel better about themselves.

And obviously, the producers of Britain's Got Talent know that. They introduce Boyle with the goofy music reserved for the usual freak, and they show her talking about how she's never been kissed and how she lives with a cat. The audience audibly mocks her as soon as she takes the stage, which encourages all of us at home to sharpen our claws.

After that, her singing---which is very good, if not quite excellent--- naturally causes an uproar. We've been primed for dog food, but we get a burger, so it tastes like steak.

This narrative is just as manipulative as anything else on reality television, of course. Boyle could have been presented as a winner from the very start, but that would've ruined the drama.

But as fabricated as it is, her on-camera arc is undeniably moving.

That's partially because Boyle herself seems so lovely, but it's also because this clip enacts a story that we want to be true. No matter how much we mock those we consider beneath us, it's much more satisfying to be reminded that everyone has dignity.

That's because when we laugh at someone for being a freak, we're laughing out of fear. We're laughing because we want to prove that we are not like that loser over there. If we can shame the people who don't belong, then we can prove that we do.

When we embrace an outsider, though, we're paving the way for our own acceptance in the future. Eventually, we'll all feel like outcasts, and none of us wants to be laughed at. The Susan Boyle Story suggests we won't be. Instead of fearing for our own eventual shame, we can count on society to hear what's beautiful in us. We can trust that if we just show our true selves, we will be embraced.

Whether or not that moral is true in the real world, it's alluringly true in the Susan Boyle Story. By participating in the narrative that television has constructed for her, by cheering her on and watching her video over and over, we can not only feel good about graciously welcoming an outsider, but also feel relief for helping create a world that will someday welcome us.

(2) Susan Boyle isn't young.

The Susan Boyle Story is even more powerful because Boyle isn't a geeky teenager. You can look at the most maladjusted adolescent and think, "Well, she'll grow out of it. There's still hope." But when a woman is an outsider at forty-seven, it's easy to think it's too late---that she's doomed to a permanent life on the fringes. That's certainly the pervasive pop cultural story: That "older and single and cat-friendly" is the same as "failure."

Watching an older person---especially an older person who doesn't seem very hip---prove she still has time to emerge from her cocoon is exciting because it reminds us that we can still sort through our own problems.No matter how old we are, we're dealing with something, and it's refreshing to be told that that's okay.

NOTE: I've edited the last two paragraphs from their original form, as my original wording wasn't communicating my intent.

For more, please join me at The Critical Condition.

Comments

[Shelley Riling]

The U.S has a similar “feel good” story, Donald Braswell came in 4th on AGT last year. On his first audition he came out in a crumpled business suit and the crowd was mocking him like they did Susan and America was worse, they started booing him, but instead of running off the stage, he kept singing and his voice is a God given gift that turned the crowd around to where they were giving him a standing ovation like they did Susan. Check out “Your Raise Me Up” on Youtube. Susan is awesome and I very glad she didn't have to face the cruel crowd that Donald had to face. But when you watch his audition you have to admire his courage to stay on stage and keep singing and with unbelievable professionalism and jaw dropping talent and courage!

[Todd Thomas]

i think she has crazy talent, but i like to point out that susan boyle is not an overnight sensation, like some people think. this article explains it a little better
http://musformation.com/2009/05/susan-boyle-and-you-destroying-the-overnight-success-myth.html

[killmenow]

Susan Boyle has an amazing singing voice that has a highly emotive quality and is very pleasing to the ear in the higher ranges. Those that can't hear that are either prejudiced by her dowdy appearance or by the material that she sang. The only reason that she is a phenomenon is because, from what has been heard so far, her voice is amazing. It's sad that there are a few who just think her voice is passable or OK, and that this is all overblown. She may not choose the right material for upcoming appearances, and she may not sing professionally enough to meet high expectations, but the reason that her audition was so spectacular is because of her amazingly beautiful voice. Personally, I can't get enough of it. There really isn't so much more to analyze. It's just the voice.

[ljmck]

I believe we connected to Susan Boyle because of shame. All of us, but especially women, have been made to feel shame and to fear shame--we're never good enough, pretty enough, or talented enough, and our "inadequacy" could be revealed at any moment.

Boyle was a likely target for shame, and yet her worth triumphed. Her voice, confidence, determination, and courage caused everyone to look beyond all the "shames" that stalk us.

For once, basic human worth won out. Relief and joy brought tears to our eyes.

[MissElaineous]

Her chief appeal to me is that I hate bullies like Cowan and its really nice to see him and those other Mean Girls be humbled. I did not see all the plate spinners and trained poodle acts, so I don't know if she was just OK and looked great compared to them. I just thought she had a great range and picked a perfect song. If there are flaws in her singing, I did not hear them, and I am sure that could easily be corrected with some coaching.

[attilathehoneycom]

I like what MissElaineous says. I'd like to put a dropkick on Cowan as he smirked when this Sarah Boyle walked upon the stage. I don't agree with the writer of this post regarding her attire, etc. She looked just fine - not unlike our moms or aunts. What this blogger meant to say was that she wasn't in the "fashion loop of can you see up my dress and are my hooters showing enough?" She is just herself and I find that charming. What I didn't find charming was the look on Cowan's face when she announced her age - no pretense our Ms. Boyle...unlike his own overload of arrogance and ego.

Isn't it wonderful to see someone so unaffected become the world's sweetheart? But the Susan bashers have already begun their litany of ...'well who cares? and "she's not that great". Hey you don't get 8M hits on YouTube if you aren't affecting the heart of the viewer. We listen to music with our heart not with our head. A lovely jewel like Sarah Boyle is both a great singer and has a great heart = WOW! God bless her and may her future be as beautiful as the woman she must be.
Stay as you are...the world has given you a heads up!
attilathehoney.com

[openhand]

A week ago only a handful of people knew little about Elaine Paige, now half the world knows little or nothing about her.

[PopulistPagan]

"that she's doomed to a permanent life on the fringes. "

What? The "fringes"? Dont get me wrong its a good article but why do we dismiss this woman's life? She seemed happy. Nice Village, nice people, spends alot time at church singing, except for the unemployed part, where is this "fringe".

Sometimes the fringe is better than the mainstream.

[cookiebee]

I agree. Who are we to pass judgement on the life of another just because she doesn't correspond to our ideal of a beautiful woman or lifestyle?
Susan Boyle sang a difficult song beautifully and powerfully (check Elaine Page's version of the same song for contrast) and without affectation. She took her chances and shared something beautiful with millions of us.

The ability to touch people deeply is a great gift however and by whomever it is delivered.
Thank you Susan!

[GrannyH]

I would go a step further, Populist. I think the reason for all the uproar is Susan represents the anti-Facebook.

In a world run amuck with the 21st century superficiality of botox, teen breast implants, photoshopped magazine covers and the vapidity of 'tweeting' there is a yearning for something real and substantive.

In truth, we all just want to heave a sigh of relief.

The 21st century is clinging to Susan Boyle for dear life.

[Russn3]

She seems happier than most people I know. Good for her!

[T4Obama]

I, myself, am quite happy "on the fringe". All the interesting people are here.

[PopulistPagan]

the partys are better and the holidays rock. welcome to the fringes!

[Rockerbabe]

Because women who are single, have pets, take care of family, go to church, have neighbors and friends who like and love them and are not thin, gorgeous and rich are considered a failure. Ms. Boyle is anything but a failure; all those often married, thin, rich and fake women and their men need to take a step back and see "real". I dare say, she is mainstream, just like the rest of us who are not famous.
Talent and god's gifts are not reserved for what society thinks is beautiful or successful and Ms. Boyle made everyone there, sit up and take notice. You go girl!

[larryjackshon]

I think we've all been conned.

This seemed like a gimmick from the lack of venom displayed upon her arrival on stage. With so much to work with the judges really didn't criticize her at all.

It is television after all, make believe.

Besides, I don't get why people think singing is so great? That woman sings well, so what? A philosopher or athlete exemplify particular things about the human mind and body. Even an artist's paintings lend themselves to a type of philosophy - at times. What good is a singer?

Don't get me wrong I am entertained by Aretha and Sam Cook but they're just the equivalent of human cat toys, [something there to entertain,distract] -- like so many ipods and cell phones but that is a different conversation.

[PopulistPagan]

art, dude, art...invokes feelings and tells our story....equally as important as science....life without art is like food with out taste....she can hold tone well and diction is good, but what gets you is the feeling she injects into the song...art

[larryjackshon]

Singers are really subtle actors engaged in stirring the emotions of their audiences? I can see that. Seems a bit disingenuous -- kinda like the Amy Winehouses of the world. I guess I've always hated the 'in character' type of singing, I'd go to the movies to see an actor pretend to be someone else instead of some singer.

I don't consider singing art. It is more akin to the hundred yard dash - every one can do it, some do it better than others, but it is mostly natural talent and not much( but some) cerebral effort.

[donniebnyc]

I have to feel sorry for anyone who isn't moved by music.

[larryjackshon]

Not music, just singers.

[burtmckinly]

I couldn't agree more. Gimmick definitely sums it up. This poor woman is just another spectacle manipulated by mainstream media, a temporary phenomenon blown way out of proportion to captivate the masses of television watchers and youtube junkies. I find the whole extravaganza deeply disturbing in ways that are beyond the capacity of words to describe. Don't people have more meaningful things to focus on?

The Boyle craze just further emphasizes the current, ever-worsening dysgenic trend in modern human societies. People are getting stupider. The mediocre reign.

[LooktotheLeft]

Is it just me, or is anyone else out there already burned out on this chick? ...and the hairdo has just got to go

[pgurlatl]

I'm not burned out. I think she is lovely and so is her story. I hope she wins the competition.

[uscitizen]

It's just you :).

[openhand]

simply said...

[jaywh1]

I can't help but feel that there is something condescending about the celebration of this woman. She sings well, but not to professional standards. If she were pretty and well groomed would she receive these accolades? I think not. That would simply fulfill our expectation, which is that entertainers harmonize their appearance with their talent. In the case of Ms. Boyle, audiences are responding to the disparity between her appearance and her singing. I don't think that grading Ms. Boyle on the "unkempt spinster" curve dignifies her as a person or a performer.

[factotem]

How many hundreds of pretty peope trained to shallowly "soul up" a trifle in the current, acceptable way, ever reach the depths of emotion that Susan's song did?

I don't think your analysis has much understanding in it, nor do I think it cites the role humility played.

Who did you like? The superior, ill-mannered crowd, or the quiet, stawart, humble singer?

[jaywh1]

The point is that she is being celebrated as not merely a singer, but as a story, and the story has eclipsed the actual quality of her performance. Giving her singing more credit than it deserves because of her pluck and unlikely appearance may be emotionally satisfying, and make good television, but it is a sign of pity, not respect.

[GodOfWine]

"After that, her singing---which is very good, if not quite excellent--- naturally causes an uproar. We've been primed for dog food, but we get a burger, so it tastes like steak."

No, it don't work that way at all in this case, dude. That was no burger, that was Filet Mignon.

Her SINGING is beyond excellent. Perhaps you meant her VOICE is not quite excellent. Look up Bob Dylan and get a grip on the palpable difference.

Most people with trained, pitch-perfect voices are crappy singers.

[espressobeans]

All I know is that I would like to listen to Susan Boyle sing anything. Her performance made me shiver. I've never said that about Brittany Spears or Madonna.

[killmenow]

I totally agree. Her singing was Fillet Mignon. I feel sad for people who can't hear how marvelous that vocal performance was.

[reader110]

Pity that if she were in America she would have been disqualified from American Idol because she's over 35. I guess we're not allowed to have idols over 35.

What does that say about America?

[demgriz]

Don't be so quick to judge America. The same rules apply for British Idol. This isn't Idol! We have America's Got Talent here also where anyone, any age can perform and win.

[Cambridge9]

The trouble is that with all the make-up, mini skirts, colored spiked hair and the idea that only pretty, slim, sexy people are worth anyone's time (it's a sign of the times) it didn't surprise me that this LADY was mocked. Why?? Because she was a "LADY" instead of a a prop for this kind of jury.

I watched American Idol once (when I was visiting friends) and vowed that I would never watch it again. The derision from the audience and judges was mean spirited, and I had the feeling that this wasn't a talent show but rather a teaching tool for those people who love to make fun of others. Of course there were very 'untalented' people on stage who were looking for their moment of fame - and to them I have a certain amount of admiration because they actually have the GUTS to stand up and try!

I have the feeling that the main goal of these audiences and the "jury" it to poke fun of people - more than to give them an honest chance. But then, of course, the finalists are chosen and are given their big chance, but the talent that could have been - but were intimidated, disappear back into their black holes.

Susan wasn't about to be intimidated and she ignored the jokes. Even without the voice (which made me cry) she is exceptional for her presence under the circumstances.

[mdn]

It would be best to not cover this woman too much. She did a remarkable performance which looses strength everytime she is interviewed. I hope she can carry the show to win, but the media is only making that more difficult for her.

[usamidori]

"Shambles on stage"? I think you meant to use the word "ambles" not "Sambles".

[donniebnyc]

Shamble -- to walk or go awkwardly; shuffle.

I think you need a dictionary.