Do songs really matter anymore?

[mizzle]

Originally Posted by C Heat

Then why don't they audition and make it to the final 10?

This question in loaded, but I am going to answer it honestly, not for the sake of being argumentative.

American Idol is a television show, IT IS NOT REAL. It is a fantasy world created for your entertaiment. It is designed to capture your attention in a world saturated with stimuli. This is it's primary function out of obligation to it's sponsors. Remember, they are not providing a service for the consumer, they are providing a service to the investors. This means they have no obligation to the viewer, espescially on enlightening the viewer on the finer points of the art of singing (that would be education, not entertainment).

One of the methods used to obtain viewers is very simple: allow contestants on the show that are obviously poor vocalists. This means the average person at home with no musical training can go "god that's awful". This is one neat little psychological trick at it gives the average viewer the feeling of having authority on the subject (a subject, which remember, few people study seriously). Now, having poor singers on the show makes the difference much more obvious when a skilled vocalist is on. By contrast this, again makes it easy for the average viewer to feel good about excercising their judgement (it gives them the impression of being more knowledgeable on the subject than they are). So, here we have the illusion of empowerment.

Another method is even more simple than that. Simon Cowell. People love to see other people on television get torn a new one. He provides people with a vicarious outlet for their social frustrations (albeit a rather unhealthy one). Somebody cut in line ahead of you at the bank earlier, and you wanted to say something but all you could think of was "what a sh#thead" so you keep your mouth shut (or mumble it).
Well, you get home and here's our buddy Simon telling somebody that they sing like a horse or maybe even that they look like one. It makes people feel better about themselves, their social standings and achievements. It's humiliation, again providing the illusion of empowerment.

-It is irony that the feeling of empowerment can be given while the act of disempowerment is being performed.-

In short, the show is just as "real" as WWF or (laugh) "The Real World".
Anyway, if you don't believe me, do yourself a favor a join a chorus (or just go watch a good one). It is a very humbling affair to realize you are not a skliied as you thought you were (as happened to me, but remember skills can be honed through hard work).
This is the real world. A room full of a hundred people trying to sing together in harmony, not some lightbox keeping reality hidden over the horizons in my mind.

[mizzle]

BTW, that makes the short answer to your question twofold:
1) A high percentage of them would not be approved because it would not be compatible with the ratings scheme (they need poor vocalists just as much as they need decent vocalists).
2) An even higher percentage of them would not try out simply because they know the show is a load of b.s. and does not exist for the purpose of recognizing vocal merit in a meaningful manner, and if they want to become sucessful they can work hard at what they do. If they want to "get rich" they can go buy a lottery ticket, and lose.

[C Heat]

Originally Posted by mizzle

This question in loaded, but I am going to answer it honestly, not for the sake of being argumentative.

Yes, it was a loaded question

[Nu-tra]

I work on a lot of music related tv shows. We go to a lot of labels or publishing companies and film a lot of the meetings. We have our wrap parties and people get drunk which leads me to ask A&R and record execs the simple question...

Q: What is important for a band to get signed

A: They have to be cute

I asked 3 different industry people the same question throughout the night and I pretty much got the answer above from each of them.

PUKE

[dbbubba]

I am surprised at some people's naive view of things like American Idol and stardom/fame in general.

Read what Mizzle says and digest it.
It is the honest truth.

Of course it is all about an artists look!

I work with a C&W artist that was once on Capitol and he is a VERY weak vocalist, but he can make any woman swoon with looks. The guy is extremely handsome and has that "yes, sir... yes, ma'am" humble-to-the-core, C&W to the extreme. Unfortunately, he wasn't hungry enough for fame and it required giving up too much of his life to stay with his nose to industry grindstone. He was signed for his looks... period.

Question... can fat women not sing?
Of course they can, but they don't get famous these days because people want to buy hot ass.

People can comprehend a hot ass, but they don't know F*CK about music!

Oh yeah... they want a cute front guy for the band, but in the words of a VERY high ranking V.P. at Geffen... "they need to be nice people. No one wants to work with jerks even if they are talented."

[dbbubba]

Also... it is NOT just the music industry that requires a hot ass.

I work VERY closely with some of the most in demand and talented dancers in the U.S.
These are the people who you see dancing on the videos, the people who choreograph the videos, the people who produce the stage shows for the biggest of the big stars.
Madonna, Usher, yes... Britney... yadda yadda yadda

I see A LOT of dance and I see a ton of EXTREMELY talented people, but do you want to guess who gets the gigs?

The HOT ASS!

I watch about 2000 DIFFERENT dance routines per year, so I see A LOT of dance.
I don't give a fig about dancing, but my job requires that I see a lot of it.

I also spend about a month in Las Vegas each summer and I get to see a lot of shows.
Most have dancers and they are lucky because they have a decent gig, but you know what?
They don't really dance all that great... they do have HOT ASS though!
(there are shows like Celine Dion who DO hire the best dancers who DO look good, too)

Like music, most people can't comprehend dance, but they can comprehend a HOT ASS.

BTW, don't ask me why I am so involved in the dance world.
Just be satisfied to know that it pays more than working for or owning a recording studio.
Sacrifice and compromise.... tha's life ain't it?