# "Why . . . You Can SING!" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 27, 2003, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609 "2003-11-27T19:03:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/81 "2003-12-19T00:35:13Z")
. . Who knew they could talk, let alone sing? When talkies came in the late '20s, studios were amazed to find that established silent stars Ramon Novarro, Gloria Swanson, Bebe Daniels, Nancy Carroll and Charles “Buddy” Rogers had terrific, trained singing voices. Even Clara Bow, Janet Gaynor and Joan Crawford had respectible, if not polished, voices. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/82 "2003-12-19T03:10:35Z")
> [@](#): > > “Rumor has it that John Travolta – y’know, Vinnie Barbarino – can sing somewhat. Maybe he should be cast in a musical.” > > Unless I’m mistaken, I recall Travolta releasing an album in the mid-1970s. Either you guys are really young, or one of us is being whooshed. Doesn’t anyone remember **Grease**?? Travolta had a couple of huge blockbuster songs off of that with “You’re the One That I Want” and “Summer Nights” - both are duets with Olivia Newton John. You couldn’t turn on a radio without hearing one of them when that movie came out. Other popular songs on that soundtrack Travolta sang: “Greased Lightning” “Sandy” “We Go Together” He has already released SIX solo albums (none of which I’ve heard). Apparently, they are good enough that he’s even released a [Two CD greatest-hits package](http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDCASS70311080016120804&sql=Az0d6vwpqa92k) that gets 4.5 stars at [AllMusic.com](http://AllMusic.com). Sounds bizarre, but maybe he’s big in Europe or something. Travolta can sing. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/83 "2003-12-19T05:19:26Z")
Don’t forget, **William Shatner** released a solo album, too. \ ---
**Author:** ![Sapphire\_Bullet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/96bed5/32.png) [@Sapphire\_Bullet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapphire_Bullet)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/84 "2003-12-19T12:52:19Z")
Matt Damon did a pretty nice job of My Funny Valentine in The Talented Mr. Ripley. And I thought George Clooney was lip-synching in O Brother? ---
**Author:** ![Orual](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orual](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orual)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/85 "2003-12-19T13:01:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TWDuke \* > \*\*Billy Boyd (Pippin) sings a haunting lament in “Return of the King” quite effectively. > > No, really. \*\* Not only that, but he came up with the tune himself. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/86 "2003-12-19T13:03:44Z")
The Simpson’s writers love Kelsey Grammer because “he can sing.” Gives an added dimension to Sideshow Bob. And Bebe Newirth is a Broadway goddess. I hope Mandy Patemptin can sing, since he was the original Broadway Che in Evita 25 years ago! Anthony Stewart Head is the brother of Murray Head, best known for “One Night in Bangkok.” Obviously, singing runs in the family. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/87 "2003-12-19T13:15:30Z")
One more that deserves a mention: **Vicky Lewis** , of Home Improvement and News Radio. That little redhead is a amazing belter. Everyone should run down to their CD store, get “A Broadway Christmas” and listen to her premiere recording of Irving Berlin’s “The Happy New Year Blues.” It’s the highpoint in a truly extraordinary CD. ---
**Author:** ![whatmove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecc23a/32.png) [@whatmove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whatmove)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/88 "2003-12-28T08:24:52Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by CalMeacham and Sampiro_ > **Jim Nabors has a surprisingly good voice.** [Charlie Baileygates] Can you believe that’s Gomer Pyle!? [/Hank Evans] ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/89 "2003-12-28T09:02:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JThunder \* > \*\*Rumor has it that John Travolta – y’know, Vinnie Barbarino – can sing somewhat. Maybe he should be cast in a musical. \*\* Hey, **Sam Stone**?, WOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSHHHHHHH!!! ---
**Author:** ![RobuSensei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/919ad9/32.png) [@RobuSensei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobuSensei)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/90 "2003-12-28T14:53:10Z")
Everybody mentioning John Cullum brought to mind his guest appearance in Quantum Leap, where he plays an aged, alcoholic thespian, doing the lead in “Man of La Mancha.” In this episode, we find out that Scott Bakula also is quite the singer. Bakula sings several songs on the QL soundtrack album, which also has a short interview with him where he talks of his theatrical singing roles. And, Cullum’s performance of “Molasses to Rum to Slaves” in 1776 sent chills down my spine the first time I heard it. ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/91 "2003-12-28T15:12:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RealityChuck \* > \*\* > > Most people who knew him were surprised that Arthur Q. Bryan was a good enough singer to do “Kill the Wabbit.” (Bryan, not Mel Blanc was the long-time voice of Elmer Fudd. In fact, WB stopped using Elmer after Bryan died and created Yosemite Sam (done by Blanc) because they needed a foil for Bugs). > > \*\* \ That’s not entirely true. From “That’s not all, Folks!”, Mel Blanc’s autobiography: > [@](#): > > When Arthur Q. Bryan passed away in 1959 at age sixty, Daws Butler and then Hal Smith supplied Elmer’s voice, but apparently not to the studio’s satisfaction. Friz Freleng cornered me one day and asked me to take it on. I stubbornly shook my head no. > > “You know how I feel about imitating someone else,” I said to him, but Friz was so insistent I finally relented. > > “So you’ll do it, Mel?” > > “I don’t know if I can,” I said, “but I’ll _certainwy twy_ …” > > Elmer appeared in more cartoons than nearly any other Warner’s star, but in the end he suffered from the same drawback as Porky Pig: not a challenging enough foe for Bugs Bunny. Poor elocution wasn’t Fudd’s only impediment; he was also too damn dumb. Since the rabbit had become the studio’s main attraction, Friz Freleng devised a new character for him to tangle with: Yosemite Sam. One of my favorite parts of his book, that’s the only reason I’m bothering with such a nitpick. \ I had assumed the switch was made before “What’s Opera Doc”, but that cartoon was 1957, so I am equally amazed at Bryan’s vocal prowess. That’s a beautifully sung role. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/92 "2003-12-28T17:45:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TeaElle \* > **Tisha Campbell-Lawrence, who plays the wife on ABC’s _My Wife and Kids_ and was Martin’s wife on _Martin_ has a glorious voice. She was one of the doo-wop girls in the film version of _Little Shop of Horrors_.** _That’s_ where I recognized her from! I couldn’t figure it out. She was on the short-lived musical series “Rags to Riches” too (think “Annie” but with lots more kids.) I remember her in RtoR because at the time I recognized her from LSoH. That reminds me, on one ep of “Rags to Riches” (and no, I never watched the show, ) **Richard Grieco** guest starred as a Bad Boy, and of course had the obligatory song. Meh. Average. His pitch was fine, but not a voice that would make anyone swoon. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/93 "2003-12-28T17:48:44Z")
Wait… I just remembered, Richard Grieco also released an album back in the 90s sometime that did well in Germany (the same folks that like David Hasselhoff.) Has anyone mentioned Hasselhoff yet? ---
**Author:** ![lilbtagna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4491bb/32.png) [@lilbtagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lilbtagna)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/94 "2003-12-28T18:21:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BuckleberryFerry \* > \*\*Elijah Wood. Saw him on SNL this week and nearly fell on the floor. Granted, he was dressed up as Boy George but…wow…what a voice…sing to me, 'Lijah! \*\* I thought he could sing pretty well too, and it appears we’re not alone on this. He sang in just about every skit on that episode of SNL. And Billy Boyd has made me cry every time I’ve watched ROTK. His voice was so haunting and just perfect for the scene. ---
**Author:** ![the\_O-man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9f8e36/32.png) [@the\_O-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_O-man)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2003, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/95 "2003-12-28T22:35:59Z")
I am always amazed when I hear Lea Delaria, the butch-looking lesbian comedienne, sing. She has the voice of an angel. Suzanne Somers is a respectable caberet performer; I was backstage at a benefit where she performed with Barry Manilow. She is quite delightful. ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/96 "2003-12-29T00:09:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sapphire Bullet \* > \*\*And I thought George Clooney was lip-synching in O Brother? \*\* He was. Thus explaining why he sounds exactly like Dan Tyminski. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/97 "2003-12-29T00:10:58Z")
Just saw a clip on TV of Hugh Jackman appearing in _Oklahoma!_. A very robust voice indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/98 "2003-12-29T01:06:15Z")
**zoogirl:** Yeah, after I read the message again after I posted my reply, I realized that it was a tongue-in-cheek comment. Oh well. It was worth doing the google search. I had no idea that Travolta had done six solo albums and had a greatest-hits CD. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/99 "2003-12-30T12:31:14Z")
:::Python Grail king::: All, right, that’ll be enough of that! There’ll be no singing here! No! Not a note! Stop with that gesturing and go marry the girl with the huge tracts of land! \Python Grail king ---
**Author:** ![Winterwren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Winterwren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winterwren)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2003, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609/100 "2003-12-30T14:27:58Z")
Bronson Pinchot has a pretty decent voice, too – better for patter songs than legato material, but he carried his part in PUTTING IT TOGETHER powerfully enough to make it worth listening to more than once. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-can-sing/215609.md?page=6)