Why so many new singers nowadays are vocally weak compared to singers in the 80s and 90s?

[sheikalana]

[EricSummer]

Are the 80's now a Golden Age of pop? At the time we thought that music was going down the drain as everything was artificial with synthesizers and computers. In addition to auto-tuning they also let the singers do their own background vocals and multiplied the voice with parallel tracks. So when Tiffany sang "I think we're alone now" she did not sound lonely, but like a whole choir. She was so cool, though.

To find real singing you have to go back to the 60s. Start with the Platters for example.

[jennifer_bloom]

Two theories, one is that many are promoted for their looks and style and not their sound, or they sing songs where a good vocal range is not needed, or their record company provides a unique voice over a pleasant one, and a unique voice might sound worse than a melodious one, or their music does not need a good voice cause it’s just another version of talking / shouting, or they think a bad voice is less likely to arouse jealousy, or the voice belongs to a musician who refuses to sell their music to another singer, or their voice started out good but got damaged by over use after they became famous.

[MORPHEUS_12]

Because there shows like America Ain't Got Talent are responsible. Another thought is that with the invention of technology in the music industry a total non-lyrical moron can be made to sound like a rap artist. The market is saturated with these idiots. Someone thinks they can make money of these people. If you do not believe me look up that UK cunt who made that "Period Ah" song.

[Jersey2]

Few are Whitney Houston’s or Freddie Mercury. So in general, you are correct.

Adele hits the mark though.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/YQHsXMglC9A

[sheikalana]

Adele, Mariah Carey, Beyonce even Ariana Grande and Chloe have great vocals but this new generation of singers are very very limited.

[sheikalana]

You don't see singers singing like Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston anymore.

[Jersey2]

I agree. And their lyrics are weak and near meaningless. They don’t sing from the heart meaning their lyrics are just so basic and repetitive that they add little interest. This I think is why so many younger people listen to songs from before they were born.

Even AC/DC has a great sound and lyrics but was much rougher and less polished. My initial reaction was that it all stopped when rap came about. But even then, there are some great rap tunes and lyrics. In all, I think it is the music industry that must be a big part of the failure here. Perhaps with the internet we can get a “new” music internet that culls the bad and elevates the amazing.

[Jersey2]

“New” music industry on the internet, using the strengths of the internet*

[sheikalana]

That's the thing rappers are not singers they're rapper/musicians. Perhaps AI is going to change the game.

[Jersey2]

AI simply build on what is out there. It can’t be out of the box so don’t expect breakthroughs. Rock and Roll, Jazz, Rap and Blues never would have existed with just AI. We would be listening to direvatives of Chopin, Mozart and the like if AI came about earlier.

[msmissydc]

Todays music is rarely about music. Its about show and money. With autotune and videoediting its important that the singer is good looking not a good musician. The important part is being able to sell what the musician does.

[Anonymous]

Because most of them these days are just handed a record deal because of their name. Look at Selena Gomez. She cannot sing at all, yet she was given a record deal just because she was a Disney star.

[sheikalana]

Very true!

[LiamJHayden]

Autotune and other tools can make vocally weak people seem to be capable of good singing. Because of this, producers usually look for people who look good and who can dance rather than those with actual musical talent.

[RyanK9b]

Autotune. Every moron copies and can sing. No talent anymore needed

[sheikalana]

FACTS! Anyone can be a singer nowadays.

[Nikki1989]

Lack of talent, reliance on auto-tune and backing tapes. Half of the time they don't even sing live. It is all fake.

[Jazzy54]

No one is talented anymore.

[sheikalana]

They may be talented but they're not as skilled and do not have the same discipline or put the same effort.

[HeartFullOfGlue]

I think it may be because they rely too much on autotune and fans excuse it.

[Anonymous]

Autotune, it's all looks and no talent

[Wise4myage]

I have not noticed that?

[sheikalana]

You think they have great vocals?

[gothbxtch]

i think it’s mainly a difference in singing styles

[htmndg183]

Because there was no autotune back then?

[sheikalana]

Is true songs were not as edited as they are nowadays. Maybe because of that singers became lazy.

[htmndg183]

Exactly. And back then singers had proper stamina. You could hear them breathe. Now they record it verse by verse individually and then amalgamate it. Clearly doesn't make for that impressive live performances. Most are lip synch these days.