Categories: Feature Article

Lip Syncing: A Necessary Evil?

Published: Thursday 11th Aug 2011 by David

Some swear against it. Some swear by it and there isn’t a Music Award Show that goes by without viewers bringing it up.

Lipsynching.

‘The technical term for matching lip movements with sung or spoken vocals.’

Ever a hot topic on the lips of many a music enthusiast, we here at That Grape Juice HQ want to know….

Is Lip Synching a necessary evil?…

Read more below…

ADVERTISEMENT

To many performers, lip syncing serves as a crutch which takes one less worry from the stress of a live stage show.

Often used by performers who deliver high powered dance numbers, the art of singing to pre-recorded vocals has been embraced by artists of all genres but none more so than in Pop music.

Regarded by many as being a lazy way out for less vocally gifted performers, many of the world’s greatest acts have built their entire careers around the tool.

Take Janet Jackson, the undeniably talented and gifted power house entertainer who stills wows crowds today with her intense dance numbers and seemingly faultless performance style.

To the untrained ear, many of Ms. Jackson’s  performances throughout her career  feature  flawlessly delivered live vocals.

However, many of her own fans would recognise that like many entertainers, these vocals were not sung  live at all.

Instead, they were re-recorded versions of her songs specifically designed for her sell out stage shows.

So carefully produced to give the impression that  the singing was  live, room was even made throughout many of the songs for her to both laugh and even deliver the classic ‘How You Guys Doing?’ line, all to give her fans the impression they were witnessing a completely live showing.

Of course, not all performers have gone to the depths that Janet, Madonna and the like went to to appease their fans need for all round showmanship.

In the past Britney Spears has come under fire for her poorly delivered habitual lip syncing, which saw her simply mime the album version of her songs on stage, making no attempt to pull the wool over her supporters eyes- or ears to be precise.

Facing so much criticism for it, that she has now adopted the ‘pre-recorded live vocal’ style for her some dates on her ‘Femme Fatale’ which like Madonna and Janet before her sees her sing along to reworked versions of her music, which her  fans seem to have taken well to.

Ever curious to know what’s on your mind, we want to know.

Do you think Lip syncing is a necessary evil?

For with Michael Jackson himself  occasionally substituting his live voice for a recorded variation of  it, many critics remain up in the air when it comes to this ever present  musical issue.

[polldaddy poll=5396096]

Recent Posts

SZA Says She’s Only Labeled An R&B Artist “Because I’m Black”

SZA has sounded off on the categorization of her music. And, per the GRAMMY winner, it's all related to race.…

2 hours ago

Beyonce Slays in Latest Pics From Japan Jaunt

Beyonce is not done sharing snaps from visit to Japan. The megastar blended promotion for her blockbuster new album 'Cowboy…

5 hours ago

Essence Festival 2024: Birdman & Friends to Celebrate 30 Years of Cash Money Millionaires

The ESSENCE Festival of Culture is back and set to blaze in a major way for its 30th anniversary edition.…

7 hours ago

Tiwa Savage Reveals ‘Water & Garri – The Soundtrack’ Cover & Tracklist Featuring Ayra Starr, Olamide, & More

Tiwa Savage is set to flex showcase her creative gravitas like never before in her hotly anticipated Amazon Prime Video…

8 hours ago

Alicia Keys’ ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Lands Most Nominations At 2024 Tony Awards

Alicia Keys has a reason to be thankful, because her musical 'Hell's Kitchen' has reached a major milestone. More details…

10 hours ago

Camila Cabello Previews Emotional New Song

Camila Cabello is gearing up to release her next album by previewing a new song. More details below... (more…)

10 hours ago