# Who's the worst famous singer? Who really sucks? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 9, 2005, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235 "2005-08-09T04:04:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/61 "2005-08-09T19:01:46Z")
Gwen Stefani. She sounds like a chipmunk on helium. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/62 "2005-08-09T19:50:50Z")
> [@Nutty Bunny](#): > > \my friend’s brother doesn’t call them The Tragically Tonedeaf for nothing. > > I ignore the quality of his singing, as the rest of the music is kick-ass and more than makes up for it! > > He \*can \* scream, though. See them live. It’s a treat. Heh - my husband calls them “The Tragically Shit.” My vote for one of the worst singers of all time is Leonard Cohen. As a singer, he’s a great poet. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/63 "2005-08-09T20:02:57Z")
Bob Dylan Kurt Cobain Rod Stewart Any rap singer Dolly Parton Willie Nelson 99% of country singers ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/64 "2005-08-09T20:09:38Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > Heh - my husband calls them “The Tragically Shit.” > > My vote for one of the worst singers of all time is Leonard Cohen. As a singer, he’s a great poet. Have to disagree on that one. His voice and phrasing suit his material. “I’m Your Man” cries out for that kind of raspy growl. ``` My "worst singer" would have to be Mariah Carey. Everyone says she has a great voice but I just can't hear it. Amazingly lovely woman, but everything I've heard her sing has ranged between forgettable and unlistenable. ``` ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/65 "2005-08-09T20:37:51Z")
But have you heard his version of “Bird on a Wire”? It sounds like it’s being played on the wrong speed (and not in a good way). ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/66 "2005-08-09T20:48:36Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Bob Dylan > Kurt Cobain > Rod Stewart > Any rap singer > Dolly Parton > Willie Nelson > 99% of country singers :eek: The hell of it is, I agree with the rest of the list. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/67 "2005-08-09T20:50:20Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > But have you heard his version of “Bird on a Wire”? It sounds like it’s being played on the wrong speed (and not in a good way). Gotta disagree. I love that song, and I love Leonard’s voice. ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/68 "2005-08-09T20:54:16Z")
I haven’t read the rest of the thread yet so I don’t know if he’s been mentioned yet but I have to express my loathing for **Peter Cetera**. The most annoying voice in the history of humanity. On top of that, it represents all that was wrong with '80s soft corporate-rock pap that filled so much of my early childhood. It just sounds so fake, like the human version of a cheap synthesizer. Cher’s vocoder sounds more realistic than this dude’s voice. His voice gives me nightmares. * * * OK, it looks like **Leviosaurus** beat me to it. I tip my hat to thee. ---
**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 9, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/69 "2005-08-09T20:55:53Z")
Wow. I have to disagree with a whole slew of choices here. So many I’m not even going to bother listing them all. There is much more to singing than technical perfection. I am willing to forgive technical limitations as long as the singing style has character that melds well with the music. Like, who in their right mind would want Tom Waitts singing his music with a bland, but technically sound, voice? That’s the charm of Tom. That’s the soul of Tom. And Bruce Springsteen? He’s got the perfect, gritty New Jersey street voice that grounds his tunesmithing and somehow adds authenticity to his music. Like I said, it’s got charm, it’s got soul. Now, somebody like Brad Delp of Boston–there’s an immediately forgettable voice. Or Peter Cetera. Blah. Paula Abdul–granted, I like the tunes, especailly from “Forever Your Girl” (I say this unashamedly)–but her voice is thin and vanilla. Now, I don’t mean to say that writing off technical limitatations as “character” automatically makes one a good singer. There’s much more involved in the equation. Nor does technical perfection equal blandness. I think someone like Neko Case is a fantastic combination of both vocal prowess AND distinct character. The girl just oozes soul. But I’m much more willing to listen to somebody with mediocre talent with an oddball voice singing at the height of passion than some vocal virtuoso cleanly singing his/her way through a song. ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/70 "2005-08-09T20:56:44Z")
I don’t think a lot of people on this list are necessarily bad singers, just unappealing to certain people. We need people that can all but unanimously be declared Shit-World-Class. I nominate the dude from the Deftones. They have to put a pitchshifter on every song they record because he literally cannot sing. At all. The lead singer for the Deftones cannot sing. I submit as exhibits A thru 23 any live concert at which they’ve performed. I’ve seen them several times and the dude is bad. Then he gets sloppy drunk and is even worse. Ugh. What’s his name, Chino? He sounds good on his records, but live he’s a fucking lyrical Lusitania. Also, I nominate the guy who sings [O Holy Night](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=885557) here. There’s a picture of a dude with a goatee. It’s the third item beneath him. It’s Realplayer, so it may require another download. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/71 "2005-08-09T21:39:53Z")
Quite a few TV show stars can’t sing, but they do anyway: [http://www.aprilwinchell.com/multimedia/](http://www.aprilwinchell.com/multimedia/) You have to scroll down a bit…if you dare. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/72 "2005-08-09T21:53:47Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > \But I’m much more willing to listen to somebody with mediocre talent with an oddball voice singing at the height of passion than some vocal virtuoso cleanly singing his/her way through a song. See, I’m exactly the opposite. I would much prefer to hear an amazing singer doing a mediocre song than a mediocre singer doing a fantastic song. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/73 "2005-08-09T21:55:37Z")
Oh, oh, oh, how could I have forgotten? Canada’s critical darling, Ron Sexsmith - I saw him live by accident (if I see him live again, it will be very much against my will), and he ABSOFREAKINLUTELY BLOWS. Just my opinion, of course. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![yBeayf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e274bd/32.png) [@yBeayf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yBeayf)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/74 "2005-08-09T22:55:32Z")
> [@](#): > > Tiny Tim Besides having the worst voice, he was the ugliest famous singer also. > Baby Jesus cried when he sang. Dude, Tiny Tim had an _amazing_ voice (and in a good way, too). I’d give my left nut to have half the range he had. ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/75 "2005-08-09T22:57:31Z")
Shane MacGowan - remember Fairytale of New York? Roger Waters - you hear him on Live 8? ---
**Author:** ![yBeayf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e274bd/32.png) [@yBeayf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yBeayf)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/76 "2005-08-09T22:58:55Z")
Oh yeah, this was about bad singers… I nominate Dave Mustaine. I love Megadeth and all, but _damn_ they should have found a better vocalist, though he does seem to have gotten mildly better in recent years. ---
**Author:** ![rfgdxm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c0e974/32.png) [@rfgdxm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rfgdxm)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/77 "2005-08-09T23:02:04Z")
Yoko Ono. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/78 "2005-08-09T23:04:43Z")
Anyone remember Kim Carnes? Very cute gal. Horribly, raspy, Rod Stewartish voice. ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/79 "2005-08-09T23:09:31Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > [Florence Foster Jenkins](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Foster_Jenkins) . (Though Jenkins _did_ have one concert at Carnegie Hall, which sold out. And her [recordings are still in print.](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000003F97/qid=1119059395/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-7648669-5211153)) > > What do _I_ win? 😃 She’s the one I came into this thread to mention. We listened to her “Der Hölle Rache” in my music class last year, and the entire class was practically on the floor laughing. ---
**Author:** ![joazito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@joazito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joazito)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235/80 "2005-08-09T23:13:03Z")
You guys gotta be kidding. Celine Dion? Eddie Vedder? Alanis Morissette? Bad singers? Ha! First bad singer that pops in my mind, Mick Jagger. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-the-worst-famous-singer-who-really-sucks/316235.md?page=5)