Why Do Singers Lip Sync?

Why Do Singers Lip Sync?

0:00 - Intro
0:50 - The History of Lip Sync - Dubbing and Silent Movies
2:59 - Lip Sync in Modern Movie Musicals
5:00 - Music Videos
6:15 - Dancing, Michael Jackson and K-Pop
7:47 - Live Music and Milli Vanilli
8:47 - My Personal Experience with Lip Sync
10:28 - Expectations

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Twitter: @bethroars
Insta: @bethroars
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[racinnut]

Many years ago I saw Tori Amos in concert. She was her usual perfect self, save for one song. She started to sing "China" and a sang a bar or two, stopped, and said, "Wait, I'm playing one key and singing in another." So she started over. The crowd loved her not because she was perfect but because she could admit that she wasn't.

[LordDarque]

If I'm at a live show, I want the band/singer to be live as well. Not pre-recorded. I'm there to see and hear them in person, not a recording that I could buy.
The problem comes from the other people behind the scene pushing "bigger, better, more.. stuff".
But I like to say the only pressure is that which you put on yourself.

[HeavyMetalDeathMan]

I come from a metal and punk background. And for me it's about the experience of the live show and the energy. If the artist is doing some mistakes, be it the Vocalist, Guitar Player, Bass Player, Drummer or the Keyboardist, that's fine. That is part of playing music live.

Some of those moments can turn into vivid memories in your future. (I can remember so many funny moments from dozens of live performances)

I expect an artist to perform live, when going to a concert.

I can understand why in some other genres, other parts of the performance may be as important or more important than the actual singing (like the example you gave with K-Pop and dancing).
I personally do not listen to music, where this is the case, so i can't judge if i would prefer dancign with lip sync, or actual singign with less/no dance moves.

Greetings from Germany

[kasheppard]

Part of the problem is that the artists are set up to fail from the over-use of technology in the studio. From autotuned voices to quantized drums and tempos - the bar is set unrealistically high. No human can sound like that night-in and night-out.

[claborn]

There's an interesting history of Black singers dubbing for white actors in classical Hollywood.

[rafaeltavares]

I get the whole lip syncing on movies. But on live performances I find it unacceptable. If you can't sing those songs, change the arrangements, the key...adapt the songs to what your voice is able to deliver. If you can't do that, retire already.

[TucsonBillD]

Since you mentioned Marti Nixon, she was also in “The Sound of Music” (the movie). However, since Julie Andrews was a suburb singer, Ms. Nixon’s vocal talents were not needed... but she was cast as one of the nuns. You can see her in the scene where Ms. Andrews is being dressed for her character’s wedding... she’s the redhead with a strong resemblance to Ms. Andrews. Ms.Nixon did admit that that role was her favorite...

[dwightyoung]

I’m old enough to remember a time when people went to a concert to respectfully listen to the artist sing. Today, touring artist hold giant “sing alongs” and I would have no problem with the artist singing along to their track too. I recall Barry Manilow, “I Write the Songs”, saying he was shocked when he realized the audience was singing along with him? He said I thought they came to hear ME sing? He said ultimately he decided it was a compliment that they knew all the lyrics. Personally, I understand the “celebration” of today’s concerts, but I miss the days of simply being enthralled listening to the sounds of Peter, Paul, & Mary. 😉

[stevenbartlett]

I meant that its worth the wait. I love how she is as a teacher of voice. Will analyze things and background on styles etc. Very bright woman

[stevek]

I very much appreciate your viewpoint here on the acceptance of imperfections, especially in a live artistic performance. I believe the problem largely does arise from the industry viewing artistic output as "product".

[_tonerider]

Maybe it should be the other way around. Instead of trying to sound perfect on stage because they sound perfect on the record, they should minimize the (post)processing and the effects applied on the albums so the record itself becomes more `natural` with it`s small imperfections and slight off tone or off rhythm or whatever. I think the audience doesn`t ask for perfection. A lot of people buy vinyl or go to small venues or bars with live music. We love crackles in music, we love bands that improvise, we love singers that can interact with the audience during a song.
So in my humble opinion: yes, lip sync has it fields where it`s useful. And yes, you can`t expect to go to a show of Beyoncé and have no lip sync, because in a lot of modern pop stars it`s not about the singing, but about the act. It`s about the effects, the dancing, the wardrobe, the hair, etc.
But maybe it`s also time to tone it down a little bit. Stop pitching every note/instrument/voice, just because it`s possible. We`re used to hear imperfections, that`s life. Leave the imperfections on the studio album and it will also give freedom in singing on stage.

[miykaelp]

I wouldn't pay to see anyone lip-synch live personally.

[hwd]

At least we know Adele doesn't lip sync when she stops and swears to start a song over again.😂

[PaulA]

If you want to see someone sing and “dance” at the same time. Check out Elvis Presley’s 1970 live version of suspicious minds.

[gwen]

I love how your commentary on lip syncing and perfection expectations could relate to many topics as well, this is a symptom of what our societies are about. I, for my part, prefer authenticity and raw, pure emotion to perfection and technicity. It's okay to fail, if not there would be no growth.

[RDAAOWFDL]

'Imperfection is okay'. One of the most difficult thing to keep in mind and live with. And one of the most important for being able to keep creating something at all

[ivanemeny]

Thank you Beth. Perfection isn’t possible. And we shouldn’t expect it.

[richardgaskill]

I gone to Concerts live concerts I like hearing imperfection the mistakes it has a show it makes the Show unique The drummer missing a beat guitars playing the wrong note. I have gone to heavy metal and rock concerts most and I'm alive specially Metallica

[sonofliberty]

I think stadium/arena tours these days are more about a show as you are rarely close enough to experience the live performance anyway.
I personally wouldn't really go to those kind of gigs as I prefer more theatre, pub or specific music venues.
Film is totally different and I never expect anything to have actually been performed as seen on screen.

[vicentidalmazzo]

I just love how you always put the human with all their emotions and vulnerabilities in the first place. I do believe this is the real beauty in everything we do. This is what makes you and your videos so interesting to watch for me! Congrats!