British singer Elton John described today's songwriters as "pretty awful", pop music as uninspiring and reality television talent shows like American Idol as boring in an interview published on today.
The 63-year-old singer of Your Song and Candle in the Wind, one of the most successful pop artists of all time, added that the instant fame which talent shows can bring was not the way to become a genuine star.
"It's important they (pop stars) write their own songs, so they're not at the mercy of anyone," John, whose real name is Reginald Dwight, told Radio Times magazine.
"Songwriters today are pretty awful, which is why everything sounds the same. Contemporary pop isn't very inspiring."
He said he was a fan of young female pop acts Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga, before adding:
"I'm not a fan of talent shows. I probably wouldn't have lasted if I'd gone on one. I was asked to judge American Idol. I couldn't do it because I won't slag anyone off.
Also I don't want to be on television. It's become boring, arse-paralysingly brain crippling."
He said X Factor judge and music producer Simon Cowell had discovered some talented acts through his shows, "but the only way to sustain a career is to pay your dues in small ... clubs.
"I was in a band at 17, became a songwriter with Bernie Taupin and wasn't successful until we'd had six years of hard graft and disappointment, as well as great times.
"TV vaults you to superstardom and then you have to back it up, which is hard. (British X Factor winners) Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke are at the mercy of the next song they can get.
"(Britain's Got Talent runner-up) Susan Boyle was an endearing phenomenon, but I fear she might not understand the rigours of showbusiness."
John is releasing a new album this week, The Union, a collaboration with his musical hero Leon Russell, and plays the BBC Electric Proms in London on October 28.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/mus ... 16ro9.html
For once I agree with fat Reg.
For once I agree with fat Reg.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: For once I agree with fat Reg.
Really Reg..."It's important they (pop stars) write their own songs,"
I wonder what Bernie Taupin thinks of that...
Re: For once I agree with fat Reg.
Bernie writes the lyrics...Elton writes the music. If they're not the most prolific songwriting collaboration ever, they're damn close.
Then again...I don't recall Elvis writing his own songs...
Then again...I don't recall Elvis writing his own songs...
Treat Gaza like Carthage.
Re: For once I agree with fat Reg.
Lennon/McCartney
Your collective inability to acknowledge this obvious truth makes you all look like fools.
yrs,
rubato
Re: For once I agree with fat Reg.
Jarlaxle wrote:Bernie writes the lyrics...Elton writes the music. If they're not the most prolific songwriting collaboration ever, they're damn close.
Then again...I don't recall Elvis writing his own songs...
No, I'll grant you he had a good act, but he was a white prop, to counter the Black Boogie-Woogie seducing the country.
Re: For once I agree with fat Reg.
Why must you refer to him as "fat" Reg? He's 63, he's always had a square kind of body, but "fat" I'm not so sure. Not everyone is a stick. Get over it already.
“I ask no favor for my sex. All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks.” ~ Ruth Bader Ginsburg, paraphrasing Sarah Moore Grimké
Re: For once I agree with fat Reg.
It's a UK nickname for him, no big thing...
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”