How do you feel about Susan Boyle? — Page 2

Jane2, about 701,000 others agree with you. This was her first week sells, easily making this the biggest in all of 2009. This is absolutely stunning, considering she bowed in the same week that Adam Lambert, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna also had new releases. It is not possible that she could sell that many CD's on her novelty alone (it that were the case, Taylor Hicks would be a phenomenon).

I think that the lady's got talent, and good for her for having such a huge debut!

As stated before, no one, including me is saying that this is a novelty. However, it is ludicrous to discount the psychology of her phenomenon to increase sales. People are not purchasing her CDs based on talent alone. They are buying into the dream she represents. Also, no one has said her voice is terrible, just that they have heard better and some people are sick of her. Those are valid.

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I would be a lot more taken with the story had I not known what I was watching when I first saw the youtube video.

The story has been totally overdone (shocking, that hardly ever happens nowadays). I hope she enjoys herself and whatever she is doing is making her happy.

I agree that talent alone is not what is selling this album. God knows that there are much more talented people who haven't had a fraction of the sells that Boyle has in there entire career, let alone in one week. It's obvious that she wouldn't have sold a single album if it hadn't been for the YouTube video and the pub that followed. However, I just can't believe that it's the "backstory" alone that is compelling 701,000 people to shell out the $10 for this album. I don't know if I really have a clear answer as to what it is. I just have to say that I am stunned by these kinds of numbers and I don't know if we can entirely explain it. I for one am not a huge fan, but I have heard a lot worse (much of it on Top 40 radio)

I've read her compared to Mrs. Miller (she's before my time, too, but you can see Mrs. Miller on YouTube & read about her mid-'60s overnight success on Wikepedia), only with a more palatable singing voice. I think it's a good comparison. There is a guilt factor in an era where performers are so judged on looks. She also looks like some people's moms, grandmas, or aunties. She has a maternal quality, even though she's not a mom herself. Susan is musical comfort food, like a jello salad.