which singers do you think are over rated?

Who are you calling a bot, Petra? Very much human here. Having an opinion you don't like doesn't make a person a "bot".

Foxyferret

Paloma Faith, you need ear plugs. Does anyone really sing anymore? There are so many that just shout and warble.

I couldn't agree more. She spoilt the Royal Carols for me..

With my Grumpy Old Bag hat on, any of them that ruin a lovely classic, with a ‘beautiful new arrangement’ that apparently needs a ‘breathy’ voice, twiddly bits added, and the singer trying to put what they imagine is ‘expression’ into it. 😩

Who dug this old thread up?

Amazing to see who some people don't like.

I always winced at the way Vera Lynn sang. One choirmaster I knew would call it the vacuum cleaner style. She starts way below the note and glissandos up to it. In fact lots of people do that. It's OK occasionally for effect in pop singing but not at the beginning of every line.

My father showed me that Frank Sinatra couldn't sing. He also hated Harry Secombe's voice.

I agree about Leonard Cohen, whoever said him - music (and lyrics) to slit your wrists to.

Most of them; with some their performance covers their lack of vocal range and skill.
The worst currently I think is Paloma Faith.

Does anyone remember Gilbert O’Sullivan? To me he is the worst singer there has ever been. I cannot listen to him.

BlueSky

No decent singer after the ‘60s!

Absolutely agree.

Can't bear howlers, warblers, crooners, fake accents, no one from so-called 'talent' shows, plus Elton John, Rod Stewart, Bowie, mcCartney, Sheeran - virtually no one contemporary floats my boat at all. I'm firmly in the 60s groove still, with a bit of punk, metal and heavy rock thrown in. Oh, and folk. Current pop doesn't interest me a bit. It feels bad sounds bland and tedious. Same old, same old.

I think a fair few popular singers are over rated but their fans pay good money to ensure this happens so hey ho.
I used to love David Essex but let’s be honest here, he couldn’t really sing, but then who cared, he was just drop dead gorgeous.

Rappers.

Just what is the point? They are not in the remotest bit musical.

Adele is not in the same songwriting league as the other three.

Madonna has written quite a few songs.

I loved Van Morrison when I saw him live in Bristol and stayed on taking requests from the huge audience for a good hour, with the staff trying to stop him..

I cant say theres anyone I cant stand,not a fan of Tom Jones in his young days but a more recent gospel based album is great.I often buy albums for just one song ...and the cover ,I put the covers on my wall.I've always liked singer songwriters so people like Cat Stevens and James Taylor in my teens and still like singer songwriters,nowadays its Paolo Nutini who is the pick of my bunch but I like some tracks by lots of other artists.Currently I have The Snuts,Ollie Alexander and the Black Pumas on repeat .I love new music.There are hundreds of new singers and bands well worth a listen.
I would never dismiss everything an artist has recorded,theres often a gem amongst some dross

TBH 95% of the ‘singers’ who fill our town centre with their screechy or breathy ‘emotional’ voices, backed up by blasted backing-track amplifiers.
In my perfect world they would all have to be auditioned by me.
Not that I’m a grumpy old hag or anything, perish the thought!

Kylie Minogue
Paul McCartney - stick to writing the songs
Madonna
Adele
My list is endless!

Mariah Carey has vocal range of five octaves . With an incredible gift like that it's a shame that her songs don't reflect her gift .
I once had to sit through a Lulu concert to please a friend .
Her voice is terrible .
My head ached for hours .
Didn't like Cilla Black and I don't rate Paul McCartney either .
I prefer opera singers But -
I like Adele and I liked jazz inspired Amy Whitehouse .
Otherwise , if we are talking pop - I love most Tamla Motown singers .

Cilla Black - Prince - Paul McCartney (Nowadays) - I'll be back when more come to me!

Kylie Minogue

I’m another who has always thought that Alfie Boe is overrated. He was over promoted by Classic FM, as are many basically mediocre musicians. I don’t listen to much (any) popular music these days, but I liked Sinatra’s early recordings. Never been able to stand Tom Jones, the man or the singer. Loved Eva Cassidy, Stevie Nix and Christine McVee.

I can’t understand why some have mentioned Frank Sinatra as being overrated. I think he has a beautiful and distinctive voice, but as someone said, we all have differing opinions. FS did lose his voice as he got older as many singers do.

I detest Leonard Cohen - he has no voice at all, and his lyrics are pathetic.

Agree about Bob Dylan - has a voice like a rusty saw but I always found his music compelling - Masters of War, Hard Rain etc

Ive always liked Madonna and Tina Turner. Edith Piaf's voice still makes me go cold.

I could never understand what people saw in Michael Jackson. Some of the 60s groups were also pretty crappy singers.

Ed Sheeran.
Alright if you enjoy a male singer who only seems to have a sensitive side.Sounds like he needs the Kleenex passing.

I think there ought to be more categories for this thread really. Some of the artists cited so far are exceptionally talented songwriters and musicians (Elton John, Paul McCartney, Adele and Bob Dylan for example). In other words, they are far more than just singers.

Whereas Madonna for example is not an exceptionally talented singer or dancer and, to the best of my knowledge, has never written songs or played an instrument. Ditto Victoria Beckham. So basically I don't think it's a fair competition!

Haven’t read all this thread but for me Ellie Goulding is the most over rated. She always has to strip off to her underwear and flash her flesh. I know she’s not alone in this but aren’t any of them brave enough to make a stand and just impress us with their vocals instead of showing off their thongs and bralets.