Susan Boyle Made it to the Finals But Wasn't Great in the Semis: A Case of Nerves and the Wrong Song Choice

I was captivated by Susan Boyle when we all first saw her in the auditions for Britain's Got Talent and eagerly awaited her progression to the next tier of competition.

I'm still a fan, but felt her song choice in the semi-finals, Memory from the musical Cats, was the wrong melody for her to sing because it requires a high soprano with a delicate voice. Susan is more a contralto and, for me, suffered when she hit the upper levels, especially at the beginning, which sounded squeaky and tinny and at times slightly off key.

Some of it might be ascribed to nerves and our expectations, which in the first round were non-existent. Now, with the whole world watching, not to mention CNN, the American networks and Oprah, the pressure had to be enormous and with this particular, very difficult musical number the experience must have been daunting. That said, two thirds of the way through and after the musical bridge, the key seemed to change a bit and her voice had the power we remembered when she sang I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables.

Through it all the audience didn't seem to mind and was intent on sucking up to an anointed star, as did the judges. Even American Idol's Simon Cowell joined his colleagues in a standing ovation, though, unlike Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan, he hadn't done so when Susan overwhelmed us after her first performance. I have to say I wasn't thrilled with her patter after the song, as it made her look a bit cocky. I don't expect a "Shucks, you really liked me?" sort of thing, but when they asked about the pressure, she said "What pressure?" and didn't at all appear to be joking. Though she's certainly getting used to the fame and publicity on Twitter, she won't continue to endear us if she seems to be conceited.

In spite of this I'm not worried, because I think she's basically a sweetheart and more importantly her voice is still terrific. Plus, all great singers do better with some songs than with others. The only problem is that she is not going to be afforded the opportunity to sing a medley now that she has made it into the finals, having received the most votes from the audience phone-in after her semi-final stint. I don't know whether she'll get more than one song to sing next week, but to win the contest she should revert to a song that shows her greater strengths, one which is in her complete range so that she can demonstrate she deserves to be a musical star.

If she's going to sing a standard, I might suggest You'll Never Walk Alone or If I Loved You from Carousel or Climb Every Mountain from The Sound of Music. These songs have the power to move us and enough compassion for the tender moment and will afford her every opportunity to soar and achieve her goal, which is not only to win the competition but also to sing for her Queen.

She is so deserving, and I really hope she accomplishes it all.

Michael Russnow's website is www.ramproductionsinternational.com

Comments

[Jesster]

I agree with Michael across the board and am confused by how many people seem to mistake his honest and constructive critique for some kind of mean-spirited criticism. Don't you get it? Mr. Russnow is a genuine fan/admirer and he is rooting for her!

As for her choice of song, "Memory" was a singularly poor choice* - the only part of this tricky song that is well suited to her voice, style and range is the famous finale - which she performed flawlessly. But the song is ill-suited to highlight her considerable natrual talent. (*I was wondering if the song was chosen because of her rumored possible business arrangement with Andrew Lloyd Webber?)

During a recent night of insomnia I found myself sifting through my mind for songs that I thought WOULD accentuate Susan's authentic talent. Curiously, Michael's recommendations also topped my top 10 List. Others included "Somewhere" (West Side Story), "This Nearly Was Mine" - or possibly "Some Enchanted Evening" - (South Pacific.) "Say a Prayer for Me Tonight" (Gigi.)

But my first choice would be "Who Knows Where the Time Goes" (sung by Judy Collins / theme song (I think!) from a Patricia Neal movie, "The Subject Was Roses". I think that song would be purr-fect (couldn't resist) for Susan.

[Patricia Snow]

Except she didn't choose the song. BGT show producers pick the songs they sing. The show is very much staged. Even on this tour,so many critics keep asking why she is singing the same songs and wearing the same dress. Because she has to ,duh! If you are going to critize someone,then critize the show. They presented Susan the way they want the audience to percieve her. I am sure when she survives this media storm and she puts out a CD and does her own thing we will see the real Susan Boyle. A lovely talented Lady. And she can sing Memories wonderfully ,just checkout youtube for clips of her sining it on tour. She sounds great!

[Illsun]

Susan nearly quit the show BGT-
Piers Morgan comes to her defence-
http://www.officialpiersmorgan.com/2009/05/28/in-defence-of-susan-boyle/

[PersimmonNJ]

As Susan is not a classical/­legit/oper­a singer, using terms like "soprano" or "contralto" don't really fit. She's a limited-range mid-voice quasi-belter. Memories doesn't require a "delicate soprano" voice, but a big expressive non-legit voice with good range and dynamic control.

[Michael Russnow - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes, but forgetting technical terms, my general point was that Memory does require some level of high note that doesn't suit Susan's voice.

It may not be "high C" as you say, but there are moments in the song that do go way up there and sound better when performed with a bit more strength than Susan's voice delivers at that level. Betty Buckley and Elaine Paige have more power at those moments than Susan did. And while not an operatic aria, the song is still pretty damned high at times with some delicate moments if done right.

That's all I meant.

[slvrfox857]

I don't remember Betty Lynn Buckley having a high, delicate soprano. "Memory" needs a big voice, which Susan Boyle has. She was just nervous at the beginning.

[Michael Russnow - Huffpost Blogger]

Check out these clips from the London and NY productions of Cats. Yes, the two stars were younger than Susan, but my point is that, while she handled the middle range of the song great in the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent, her upper range wasn't at all powerful and she struggled to hit the high notes. She is great, but she is not a high soprano.

Betty Buckley on Broadway in Cats:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsA1mmbsxxc

Elaine Paige on the West End in Cats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-L6rEm0rnY&feature=related

Susan is a wonderful singer and there are many, many songs that would enthrall so many of us. Memory from Cats just wasn't one of them.

[PersimmonNJ]

Thing is, Memories doesn't require a high soprano. Not at all. It's NOT a high song. A high soprano is singing high Cs and as high as the F above that (think Queen of the Night). This doesn't even begin to approach anything that requires a full soprano register. Susan has a VERY limited range based on the 2 performances we've seen.

[farfalla]

After I watched Susan Boyle in the semi-finals I listened to Elaine Paige's rendition of Memory on Youtube. There is no doubt that Paige is a talented singer, but her gasping and trilling performance is exactly the reason I have always despised show tunes. I found it so irritating and unpleasant that I couldn't even listen to it until the end. I fell asleep at Les Miserables, the only musical I have ever gone to. Yet I somehow cannot get enough of Susan Boyle's voice. Like millions of other people, I know little about the technical side of music, but I know what pleases my ear. I would undoubtedly purchase any CD of Susan Boyle.

[Milinda]

I wish she could sing This Is The Moment. I think she could bring that one home and it would sum up her story, too.

[ocotilla]

Well, perception is reality. Before the show, she admitted being nervous. She fell during
rehearsal, wearing slick heels that she was not used to. She was being squeezed into a
narrow place by people
who 'knew what was best for her'. Kind of like you.

After 'What pressure?', Boyle said, "I thought it went very well". And it did go very well.. After an inauspicious start, she girded her loins, so to speak, and
persevered. A little bravado on her part is 'allowed', no matter what you say. You and the
rest of the thought police can sit on the sidelines and watch a real champion.

[johnsopinion]

"I don't expect a "Shucks, you really liked me?" sort of thing, ..."

Sorry dude, but that's exactly what you expected--

"... but when they asked about the pressure, she said "What pressure?" and didn't at all appear to be joking. Though she's certainly getting used to the fame and publicity on Twitter, she won't continue to endear us if she seems to be conceited.­"

otherwise you wouldn't have mentioned it.

My personal opinion is that pressure is not something that affects Susan. It isn't popularity on
youtube, or twitter, some ethereal scoreboards she keeps totals on that caused the 'off-key' parts
(I only noticed two spots). She doesn't even believe they carry any weight and neither do I. It does
only to those who flock to 'em. Like too many, you judge her on seeking fame and publicity, like 99%
of our 'stars.' Susan isn't a fame seeker or a publicity hound. You forget HER purpose, which isn't
yours, mine or anyone else's.

The rest, I agree.

[Michael Russnow - Huffpost Blogger]

Johnsopinion, I watched the semi finals again and again, and I stick to my feelings. I didn't expect "Shucks," but I did expect some level of of "What a relief," and she didn't do that.

"What pressure" wasn't delivered deadpan either as someone else suggested, because her comment just after continued the sense that she'd had no problem at all. Maybe, but I doubt it.

I love Susan -- and her voice -- but if you don't think she's seeking fame -- and you feel this is just a tribute to her dead mother or some such -- then I have to say we disagree. And there's nothing wrong with her wanting fame and the money that comes with it. I want it and many others do, too. I just felt that she's trying too hard now.

Look at the video of the young singer Shaun Smith, who is one of her chief competitors in the finals, and when asked the same question -- about nerves, etc., he reacted so very naturally with the revelations of his anxiety backstage.

If Susan wants to be a clown with a big voice that is ultimately her choice. But I think the audience will go against her in the long run, and the long run is what makes a career.

I'm still rooting for her.

[TaraN]

It would be great if she sang "Cry Me a River" like she did on that track she did for a local school's recording. It was phenomenal. She sounds like a dramatic mezzo to me, with a strong chest voice but not the floaty top notes needed for some pieces. Most show tunes and pop songs are written in a range that should work for her. Somehow she managed to pick out "Cry Me a River" and "I Dreamed a Dream" by herself, and figured out what sounded good to her, so hope she does so again.

[prog]

Does anyone else think that maybe she needed to sing this song in another key? it seemed to be a key that didn't really work for her.

[thegirlnextdoor]

I agree with you. She has a lovely voice, but this song was not great for her.

[pyrojen]

I would love to hear her sing "Defying Gravity" from "Wicked" -- a good song choice for her both in tems of her range and the meaning of the song....

[JayyEll]

Michael, you don't seem to know what a contralto is, which really undermines your credibility. Maybe you should do a little more research. Ms. Boyle is not a contralto, in fact she wouldn't be considered an alto. A recent interview with her reveals that she has a cold, which no doubt added to her apparent jitters. She will rock the final, I'm sure!

[Michael Russnow - Huffpost Blogger]

Regarding the credibility of my comment, whatever technical musical range best describes Susan Boyle's voice, I do have ears and they hear fine, and that is the best research for this sort of thing.

The basic criticism I proposed, with which many others agree, is that the song Susan chose required a very high soprano voice. It's an observation which doesn't rise or fall on whether I used the correct musical term in reference to her vocal chops. Perhaps Susan's a mezzo soprano, does that make you happier?

However, I repeat once and for all, I love her voice, but singing Memory did not do it justice.

[Witchitalineman]

How terrific would it be for Susan Boyle to sing for the Queen of England. She's great and I am hope she wins!

[mperl95]

I have to agree with Michael Russnow, Susan Boyle's song choice was poor. She looked nervous and understandably so, the first minute of singing Memories. While being the early predicted favoritecould be her downfall, like Adam Lambert in American Idol. Such great expectations add alot of pressure on anyone.
She did have some pitch moments in the song, but, you can't take away from her voice. Hope she picks another song that best suits her in the finals. She still is my favorite and has a bright future.