# So.....is this guy a good singer or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 26, 2007, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274 "2007-07-26T19:41:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/21 "2007-07-27T21:39:00Z")
I’d like to hear him sing in his native language, whatever that is. I think he’d sound more natural. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2007, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/22 "2007-07-27T21:54:24Z")
He sounds better on his original stuff than on covers of other artists. Likely because he composes his own works to fit his flat and very limited range. So, no, he’s not really that good of a singer. But he does seem to be a decent musician. Chocolate rain is sheer comedy genius! “I move away from the mic to breathe in.” ---
**Author:** ![lowbrass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dc4da7/32.png) [@lowbrass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lowbrass)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2007, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/23 "2007-07-28T07:49:33Z")
Well the question was “Is he _technically_ a good singer?” It’s obvious he’s not that great _stylistically_, but that wasn’t the question. Is this guy supposed to be the next William Hung? Because I don’t think he’s anywhere _near_ the “it’s so horribly bad it’s funny” category. Needs improvement - yes. New source of cult humor - nah. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2007, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/24 "2007-07-28T11:44:16Z")
[QUOTE=lowbrass] Well the question was “Is he _technically_ a good singer?” [/quote] Well, I consider phrasing an aspect of technique. But to be more specific, I looked at some of his other videos since, and, no, he’s technically not a good singer. He’s off-pitch quite often. > [@](#): > > Needs improvement - yes. New source of cult humor - nah. I think you’ve rushed to judgment on that last one–he already is a bit of cult humor. Opie and Anthony have gotten a bit of mileage out of this guy. I’ve seen his stuff posted on other message boards over the last week or so. It’s popular enough that there’s already several spoofs of “Chocolate Rain” out there. I don’t think he’ll rise to the statospheric heights of Hung, but he’s already been getting his 15 minutes of internet fame. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2007, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/25 "2007-07-28T12:16:31Z")
Not good enough to like, not bad enough to be funny. ---
**Author:** ![Proudest\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/proudest_monkey/32/13257_2.png) [@Proudest\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Proudest_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2007, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/26 "2007-07-29T00:01:28Z")
[QUOTE=lowbrass] Well he sings in tune . . . [/QUOTE] **Never Gonna Give You Up** (tops on my iTunes “Cheesy Songs” playlist) did not sound in tune at all to me. In fact, if my name were Randy Jackson, I might even call it “pitchy.” 'Cause it just sounded flat or something. I couldn’t listen to either song all the way through, and (like the abovementioned Randy) I don’t really have the musical knowledge to judge his technical competence, but I DO want to add Chocolate Rain to my “Cheesy Songs” playlist immediately! And I want to add new verses: Chocolate Rain . . . open my mouth and hope for Dove Dark Chocolate Rain . . . where’s Gene Kelly during this storm Chocolate Rain . . . where the hell has this rain been before ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2007, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/27 "2007-07-29T00:18:33Z")
If you ignore his lack of pitch control, strangled tone (what my voice teacher calls a “knurdle”), uninteresting timbre, and utter lack of musicality… No. ---
**Author:** ![lowbrass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dc4da7/32.png) [@lowbrass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lowbrass)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/28 "2007-07-31T08:01:23Z")
[QUOTE=pulykamell] Well, I consider phrasing an aspect of technique. [/quote] The phrasing isn’t horrendous. The _style_ is bad, but the phrasing is rather average. > [@](#): > > But to be more specific, I looked at some of his other videos since, and, no, he’s technically not a good singer. He’s off-pitch quite often. The ones I listened to weren’t particularly out-of-tune. I’ve heard much, much worse. In fact, I’ve heard supposedly professional singers more out-of-tune than what’s on the songs the OP linked to. > [@](#): > > I think you’ve rushed to judgment on that last one–he already is a bit of cult humor. Opie and Anthony have gotten a bit of mileage out of this guy. Opie and Anthony are morons. > [@](#): > > I’ve seen his stuff posted on other message boards over the last week or so. It’s popular enough that there’s already several spoofs of “Chocolate Rain” out there. I don’t think he’ll rise to the statospheric heights of Hung, but he’s already been getting his 15 minutes of internet fame. Yeah, I know. That’s what I’m saying - this guy isn’t near bad enough to be funny. This isn’t a William Hung or a Linda McCartney deal. Not even close. I don’t get it. All I can think of is it must be a slow news day for cult humor. An Arky nailed it: “Not good enough to like, not bad enough to be funny.” ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/29 "2007-07-31T08:37:17Z")
He has the charisma of a dial tone. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2007, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/30 "2007-08-10T17:44:48Z")
[QUOTE=lowbrass] Yeah, I know. That’s what I’m saying - this guy isn’t near bad enough to be funny. This isn’t a William Hung or a Linda McCartney deal. Not even close. I don’t get it. All I can think of is it must be a slow news day for cult humor. An Arky nailed it: “Not good enough to like, not bad enough to be funny.” [/QUOTE] Man, I’ve been seeing this guy and hearing this stupid song a lot lately. He was just on friggin Jimmy Kimmel performing Chocolate Rain live. _shudder_ Best Week Ever had him a week or two ago. He just played at some block party here in Chicago. And, this morning, I wake up with that stupid song on an infinite loop in my head. MAKE IT GO AWAY! (I still think he’s horrendously out of tune in his cover of “Never Gonna Give You Up.” I’ve never heard professional singers anywhere near that bad.) ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2007, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/31 "2007-08-10T17:50:39Z")
Decent voice, zero soul. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2007, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/32 "2007-08-10T18:22:53Z")
“Chocolate Rain” was on E! network’s _The Soup_ last week, too. It cracked me and my 4-year-old daughter up. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![straight\_man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/straight_man/32/3027_2.png) [@straight\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/straight_man)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2007, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/33 "2007-08-11T01:31:37Z")
**fachverwirrt** has it completely right, and to add to his post (or, technically, clarify), it’s not just that he is out of tune on any given note. He also fails to maintain a single pitch on any given note – his voice moves around quite a bit. And I suspect anyone could have noticed how, umm, _odd_ his mouth-shape is. ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2007, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/34 "2007-08-11T01:36:01Z")
This guy is getting mocked [everywhere](http://www.flickr.com/photos/apelad/1046931727/in/set-72157600296941365/). ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/35 "2007-08-11T01:41:32Z")
He’s also doing some kind of **Michigan J. Frog** thing with his voice. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2007, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/36 "2007-08-11T12:24:48Z")
Heh, and I am not going to mistake of googling for “Michigan J. Frog” in case that is something even worse. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2007, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/37 "2007-08-11T12:28:11Z")
[QUOTE=Celyn] Heh, and I am not going to mistake of googling for “Michigan J. Frog” in case that is something even worse. 😃 [/QUOTE] It’s the singing frog from an old Warner Brothers cartoon that became the company spokesfrog. Every-body do the Michigan Ra-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ag! ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2007, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/38 "2007-08-11T12:33:37Z")
[Michigan J. Frog on YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saU-Bl0feSs). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2007, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/39 "2007-08-11T14:30:49Z")
[QUOTE=BoBettie] OK, the original song of Chocolate Rain made me kind of laugh, this this remix of it by DARTH VADAR made me pee my pants laughing. I beg you to watch. [/QUOTE] I liked the one with [McGruff the Crime Dog](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsdM2oMSUbM&mode=related&search=). ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2007, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274/40 "2007-08-11T15:27:37Z")
Anyone posted this spooof yet? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/m6SjPfc_xNA/hqdefault.jpg "Chocolate Rain (ORIGINAL SPOOF) Zay Tonday, Russ Houghton") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6SjPfc_xNA) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-this-guy-a-good-singer-or-not/413274.md?page=1)