In a previous blog post, I may have erroneously created the impression that I believe Simon Cowell to be motivated merely by money. Having now seen the affecting ‘X Factor’ television programme this evening and in particular the Finalists’ delightful rendition of some crap charity song that I can’t remember the name of, I realise I was woefully misinformed. In truth, Mr. Cowell is a living saint, a noble benefactor whose sole interest in life is to enhance the lives of children. He is, selfless to the core, donating the proceeds of this song – which is without question one of the finest and most original musical creations of all time, even if it has two pointless key changes because it has nowhere else to go – to a charity which is, in saintliness, only slightly less deserving than Mr. Cowell himself and his aptly-named ‘Syco’ company.
I shall therefore now be selling all my possessions to donate to this worthy, just and harmonious cause, reserving only enough money to buy the next single he’ll release, shortly afterwards, but just in time for Christmas, when there’s more money to be made. I am grateful for this opportunity to put the record straight.
Paul
Love the dry wit there!
One comment about the X-Factor that seems to have been left out here is that voting is done by the public. However, much voting is being done by females aged 14-20 (and I’m not criticising them per se) and they inevitably vote for who they like. Shayne Ward, for example, the winner a few series ago is testament to that. Simon Cowell, for his part, essentially panders to this audience. I accept Leona Lewis has an amazing voice and deserved to win 2 years ago, but Laura White was an excellent singer in her own right but it has taken a long time for her to release a track. Part of the blame (if there is any) is the record industry’s reluctance to push singer-songwriters and those whose image and demeanour does not suit a younger audience. To illustrate my point, I doubt whether, say, Billy Joel would be promoted if he were a newcomer today rather than 30-odd years ago when he first hit the music scene.
Simon Cowell, to my mind, simply promotes those acts who appeal to a younger audience rather than the discerning music listener. Is he really any different to Stock/Aitken?Waterman in the 80′s or Lamont/Dozier/Holland in 60′s Motown?
Keep up the blogs, Paul, they make people think!
Thanks for the comments Phil. Keep thinking! Keep listening!! PC
Paul
Love the dry wit there!
One comment about the X-Factor that seems to have been left out here is that voting is done by the public. However, much voting is being done by females aged 14-20 (and I’m not criticising them per se) and they inevitably vote for who they like. Shayne Ward, for example, the winner a few series ago is testament to that. Simon Cowell, for his part, essentially panders to this audience. I accept Leona Lewis has an amazing voice and deserved to win 2 years ago, but Laura White was an excellent singer in her own right but it has taken a long time for her to release a track. Part of the blame (if there is any) is the record industry’s reluctance to push singer-songwriters and those whose image and demeanour does not suit a younger audience. To illustrate my point, I doubt whether, say, Billy Joel would be promoted if he were a newcomer today rather than 30-odd years ago when he first hit the music scene.
Simon Cowell, to my mind, simply promotes those acts who appeal to a younger audience rather than the discerning music listener. Is he really any different to Stock/Aitken?Waterman in the 80′s or Lamont/Dozier/Holland in 60′s Motown?
Keep up the blogs, Paul, they make people think!
Thanks for the comments Phil. Keep thinking! Keep listening!! PC
Yes I agree with Phil Hook, Paul’s Dry Wit is cool, and has the X-Factor! (not an insult). BUT are we grumpy old men who need to think with a 20 year old brain like Mr Simon Cowell does? Sting gave us his message in a bottle and has probably taught us something? Me, I see it like it is – good voice? – entertaining? – sexy? – I miss the musicians/songwriters!
what was that other show? Fame Academy? (what happened to that?) I say bring back The Old Grey Whistle Test!
UkJay
Yes I agree with Phil Hook, Paul’s Dry Wit is cool, and has the X-Factor! (not an insult). BUT are we grumpy old men who need to think with a 20 year old brain like Mr Simon Cowell does? Sting gave us his message in a bottle and has probably taught us something? Me, I see it like it is – good voice? – entertaining? – sexy? – I miss the musicians/songwriters!
what was that other show? Fame Academy? (what happened to that?) I say bring back The Old Grey Whistle Test!
UkJay
Yes! The Old Grey Whistle Test!
Simon Cowell is not motivated by money at all – just business; whatever will sell is whatever he’ll support, I agree. That unfortunately this tends to be some regurgitated pap by someone who looks good/interesting (but doesn’t necessarily sound so) is all too obvious. Cowell is in a position to do amazing things for music and the music industry (and singer-songwriters in particular) and instead just produces the same rubbish. In this, it doesn’t matter if he is doing it for the money or not – his actions are those of someone with no spine or moral code whatsoever, and his chosen artistic endeavour – music – suffers because of it.
Fab post Andy. Spot on. Thanks. PC
Yes! The Old Grey Whistle Test!
Simon Cowell is not motivated by money at all – just business; whatever will sell is whatever he’ll support, I agree. That unfortunately this tends to be some regurgitated pap by someone who looks good/interesting (but doesn’t necessarily sound so) is all too obvious. Cowell is in a position to do amazing things for music and the music industry (and singer-songwriters in particular) and instead just produces the same rubbish. In this, it doesn’t matter if he is doing it for the money or not – his actions are those of someone with no spine or moral code whatsoever, and his chosen artistic endeavour – music – suffers because of it.
Fab post Andy. Spot on. Thanks. PC
It’s all a bit like the old war cry “Keep Music Live” Who knows what type of music should be played to the general public? The “tinternet” has now opened up a new can of worms! NO dictatorship!
It’s all a bit like the old war cry “Keep Music Live” Who knows what type of music should be played to the general public? The “tinternet” has now opened up a new can of worms! NO dictatorship!
ive been chopped
ive been chopped
I can’t wait for Christmas
I can’t wait for Christmas
apart from being annoyed that my reply “Keep Music Live” has been chopped (now doesn’t make even more sense) can I take this opportunity to request that we can see a full day’s playlist? I have been trying to find a track I heard today with the lyrics “it only takes a minute to get here” with no luck!
not a happy bunny
James, I’m sorry you’re not happy. You’d already responded to the posting once, so I edited your second response. (You’ll notice I’ve not edited your third one). That gives space for other people to comment. Otherwise there’s a risk that one or more respondents dominate these proceedings, which would not be fair.
You can currently see a full day’s playlist – in fact, you can see the entire playlist going back forever. Go to: http://www.amazingtunes.com/radio/history PC
apart from being annoyed that my reply “Keep Music Live” has been chopped (now doesn’t make even more sense) can I take this opportunity to request that we can see a full day’s playlist? I have been trying to find a track I heard today with the lyrics “it only takes a minute to get here” with no luck!
not a happy bunny
James, I’m sorry you’re not happy. You’d already responded to the posting once, so I edited your second response. (You’ll notice I’ve not edited your third one). That gives space for other people to comment. Otherwise there’s a risk that one or more respondents dominate these proceedings, which would not be fair.
You can currently see a full day’s playlist – in fact, you can see the entire playlist going back forever. Go to: http://www.amazingtunes.com/radio/history PC
Ok Thanks for that Paul – sometimes I don’t get chance to see my scrolling info on my dab radio or even write it down if I do, and my memory isn’t that brilliant!
I know the feeling! PC
Ok Thanks for that Paul – sometimes I don’t get chance to see my scrolling info on my dab radio or even write it down if I do, and my memory isn’t that brilliant!
I know the feeling! PC