Susan Boyle - 'Wild Horses'
Now that the public have been allowed to vote on whether they think SuBo is here to stay or not, using their actual money (and let's be clear here, LOTS of it), we've decided to bring in a fresh judging panel, taken from industry experts, to cast their view of her first musical efforts in a proper Britain's Got Strict Factor style. This is the very last thing she will expect.
Now, it would be entirely wrong to suggest that the industry we have pulled our panel from is anything to do with music, but they are, in their own way, all experts. Simon Cowell is going to be QUAKING in his BOOTS, I tell you.
Here's what the people who work in the office at BBC Switch think of Susan's latest, starting with Vicki Lutas, because, well, she's the one with the ChartBlog badge on.
"This Susan Boyle malarky is a bit of a joke isn't it? Don't get me wrong, gorgeous voice, but I think we all know the real reason she's famous... and because of this, I can't bring myself to take the whole thing seriously." - Vicki
"Beautiful and moving. Knowing Susan's back story gives the song a completely different meaning. Finally - a cover worth releasing. Gives younger reality wannabes a thorough reality check." - Barbs
"It reminds me of funerals" - Amanda
"Okay, I have just read your opening statement, Vicki. I have made my feelings clear, now please respect them" - Barbs, again.
"IT SOUNDS LIKE "POWER OF LOVE" BY JENNIFER RUSH (WHICH IS, INCIDENTALLY, THE SONG THAT WAS NUMBER ONE ON THE DAY I WAS BORN - *FACT*)" - Geggs
"Let's just say... the only reason I'm going to read this review is because I'm now in it" - Grant
"Can you change my line from 'beautiful and moving' to 'beautiful and genuinely affecting?" - Barbs. Yes, the same one.
"I haven't heard it." - Megan, an American.
"A haunting, evocative journey that demonstrates the sheer power of her voice and exhibits a newly acquired control through subtle but perfectly pitched tones and nuances. An acceptable and almost credible re-versioning of the original. I can't wait for the dubstep remix." - Christopher
"I think ballads are unnecessary as a concept." - Beth
"Have you changed it yet?" - Barbs. AGAIN.
So there you have it: Subo divides the nation again. As for me? Well, personally I think the perfect cover of this song, the one which Subes is channelling a wee bit here, is by the Sundays. But there's plenty of room for anyone who can sing like this.
Oh wait...that's not very judgey, is it? Quick, have some marks!
Download: Out now
www.susanboylemusic.com
BBC Music page
(Fraser McAlpine, from an original idea by Vicki Lutas)
(Interviews conducted by Vicki Lutas)
Comment number 1.
At 16:56 1st Dec 2009, harrythedog10 wrote:The only problem I have is that I find it a bit boring. Yeah she sings it beautifully and it's a nice version of the song (not to overtop thankfully) but there's something about it that makes me want to fall asleep half way through it.
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Comment number 2.
At 21:51 1st Dec 2009, DanRhyn wrote:I'm with Vicki on this one, the whole Susan Boyle thing is pretty ridiculous.
As for the track itself, this is a fairly dull cover of a good song. The first version I ever heard of it was the one by The Sundays (on the Buffy soundtrack, oh yes) and that's still my favourite, even over the Stones original.
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Comment number 3.
At 14:14 19th Jan 2010, shirleee6 wrote:susan boyles version of wild horses is the most beautiful i have ever heard--i played every cover i could find of rhis song and none of them even compared to this one every song she sings is absolutly stunning -- 8 million of us think so !!!! SHE IS GREAT--SHE IS EVERYTHING A PERSON COULD ASK FOR IN A STAR--- BEAUTIFUL--GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR--GEORGEOUS VOICE--A VERY NICE PERSON
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Comment number 4.
At 17:49 19th Jan 2010, BloggingLiam wrote:But no Brit. Thank God.
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Comment number 5.
At 17:50 19th Jan 2010, BloggingLiam wrote:Although she will probably be nominated for it next year.
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