What Happens To Olivia Newton-John's Accent When She Sings?

arwalden

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Fri May-21-04 12:40 PM
Original message

What Happens To Olivia Newton-John's Accent When She Sings?

And it's not just Olivia either... it seems that most English or Aussie artists 'lose' their accents when singing.

Or is it just my imagination? Or am I just not listening closely enough?

-- Allen

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MissMillie

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Fri May-21-04 12:42 PM
Original message

It probably goes

to the same place as Mel Tillis's stutter when he sings.

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terrya

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Fri May-21-04 12:42 PM
Response to Original message

1. I think it's there. I'm just amazed at some of the British actors and...

actresses who can pull off a very convincing American accent. Emma Thompson, for instance, in "Primary Colors" had no trace of her British accent whatsoever.

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arwalden

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Fri May-21-04 12:47 PM
Response to Reply #1

5. How about Rachel Griffiths... (Brenda In "Six Feet Under")

Edited on Fri May-21-04 12:49 PM by arwalden

Her Aussie accent is totally undetectable. When I hear interviews with her using her normal voice, I feel like she's "putting-on" an accent since I'm so accustomed to hearing her speak like a Californian.

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flowomo

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Fri May-21-04 12:48 PM
Response to Reply #1

8. add Nicole Kidman to that list, or Kate Beckinsale

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Blue-Jay

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Fri May-21-04 12:53 PM
Response to Reply #1

11. Russell Crowe is good at hiding it too.

So is Anthony Hopkins.

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Commie Pinko Dirtbag

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Fri May-21-04 12:43 PM
Response to Original message

2. It's not your imagination

Edited on Fri May-21-04 12:48 PM by JCCyC

There's an Englishman living in Brazil who used to make great success singing some edulcorated pop in the 80's here. Singing in Portuguese. When giving interviews, his accent (indeed his Portuguese) was hopeless. When singing, you'd hardly notice any accent at all. Even in live performances. I guess speech goes through different brain circuits when you're reciting things instead of having to come up with the words.

Edit: here's the fellow:

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sundog

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Fri May-21-04 12:43 PM
Response to Original message

3. lol

i always wondered that too when i listened to my "totally hot" album as a child...

who knows...

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arwalden

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Fri May-21-04 12:48 PM
Response to Reply #3

7. Gimme Whatcha Got Ready Or Not My Love Is Totally Hot!

Edited on Fri May-21-04 12:48 PM by arwalden

I still love it.

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sundog

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Fri May-21-04 12:53 PM
Response to Reply #7

9. yes, i admit it, i was an onj freak -- i had all her albums

i even had the xanadu comic book -- frightening

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Salviati

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Fri May-21-04 12:44 PM
Response to Original message

4. A friend who's a linguist explained it to me this way...

I had noticed that too, and he explained it this way: It's not that they lose their accents, it's just that everone who speaks english sings with the same accent.

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flowomo

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Fri May-21-04 12:53 PM
Response to Reply #4

10. I don't think that's true....

here's a discussion on this topic on another board, with some specific names mentioned (Men Without Hats, for one -- very accented).

http://www.antimoon.com/forum/2003/2958.htm

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Screaming Lord Byron

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Fri May-21-04 12:55 PM
Response to Reply #10

12. The Proclaimers, anyone?

Although they were kinda putting it on.

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Loonman

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Fri May-21-04 12:59 PM
Response to Reply #12

14. What about Billy Bragg?

His accent is very prominent.

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Screaming Lord Byron

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Fri May-21-04 01:01 PM
Response to Reply #14

16. And I'd rather listen to him that The Proclaimers

Of course, I'd rather listen to cats being nailed to a wall than listen to The Proclaimers.

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CrownPrinceBandar

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Fri May-21-04 01:06 PM
Response to Reply #10

17. Men Without Hats are very accented?..................

Canadian accent? I can't hear it.

http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/men_without_hats/artist.jhtml

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Screaming Lord Byron

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Fri May-21-04 01:08 PM
Response to Reply #17

18. People always confuse them with Men at Work.

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CrownPrinceBandar

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Fri May-21-04 01:25 PM
Response to Reply #18

20. Och!!!!!!! My music snobbery is revealed!!!!!!!!...................

Harrumph!

Men at Work were, by far, the better band. They hit just at the right time for me and they (along with "The Road Warrior") were my first big intro to Australian culture. Some examples, huh?

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flowomo

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Fri May-21-04 03:42 PM
Response to Reply #20

21. ooops... I meant Men at Work... but my kids loved "Safety Dance" so

Men without Hats was on my brain.

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ButterflyBlood

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Fri May-21-04 06:04 PM
Response to Reply #4

23. um, Billy Bragg?

n/t

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Pale Blue Dot

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Fri May-21-04 12:48 PM
Response to Original message

6. You have to believe that it's magic

Don't let your head ever stray!

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terrya

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Fri May-21-04 01:01 PM
Response to Reply #6

15. I think it could be physical, as well.

:-)

:hi:

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Speck Tater

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Fri May-21-04 12:57 PM
Response to Original message

13. It is common for singers

to adopt the accent considered "standard" for their genre. Country singers sing with the country twang even if they were born and raised in Boston or London.

The Rock standard accent is American. Other pop genres have a more British or European standard accent.

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arwalden

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Fri May-21-04 06:01 PM
Response to Reply #13

22. You're Probably On To Something...

Now that I think about it... Pet Shop Boys managed to keep their accents for their europop hits.

-- Allen

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caledesi

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Fri May-21-04 01:18 PM
Response to Original message

19. The Beatles didn't have much of an accent when they sang. Go Figure.

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