Why do British and Australian talk with an accent, but when they sing they do not?

Question

I have noticed that people with a British accent do not have one when they sing. When Bono speaks you can tell he is Irish. When he sings he sounds like he is from Delaware.

Answer 1

G'day James C,

Thank you for your question.

Firstly, as an Australian, accent is in the ear of the beholder. We think Americans speak with an accent and so British people. If I am perceived as having an accent in America, it is because I pronounce the vowels differently. When someone sings, the vowels are prolonged and the differences are minimised. Therefore, the accents are minimised although there may be differences in the words used in the song. There are some singers who retain their accent when singing such as Welsh singer Cerys Matthews, The Proclaimers from Scotland and Charles Aznavour but there are many whose singing voice is much less distinctive.

I have attached sources for your reference.

Seasons greetings

Answer 2

Many artists disguise their accents when they sing, but not all do. On many Beatles' songs, they sing with an accent. Also, all songs by the Monkees are sung with an accent, since the lead singer was British. There is a current British artist named Corinne Bailey Rae who sings with a very distinct accent.

Answer 3

reliable it used to receive that British singers were copying or doing covers of songs on the placing out up by using utilizing American artists . grew to grow to be into like this in 1950's onwards . also on condition that plenty musical videos were from Hollywood with American actors and artists . also on condition that British singers had to do reliable with list income in u . s . a . and felt an in intensity-by using accent ought to stay clear of that . even with the truth that there are countless British artists that participate in and list of their classic accents and performance finished in the previous . some even did reliable in u . s . a .,,, Anthony Newley for representation.. The making a music postman including his Norfolk accent, The Wurzels from Somerset ,, Cockney Chas. and Dave and so on .. The Beatles were from Liverpool and did no longer use American accents . Tommy Steele Rolling Stones. and so on .

Answer 4

Many many years ago record companies used to force singers to use American accents because otherwise the music would not sell as well in the US. Apparently US markets did not like music they couldn't easily sing along to. (The American market is notoriously difficult to crack for artists outside the country.) I suppose after that the habit stuck, although it is much less common amongst newer artists.

Answer 5

Isnt that wild? I noticed that, too. Theres alot of singers that I didnt know were foriegners until i heard an interview!

Answer 6

why does Greenday sign with a british accent when they are not?!?! the world may never know!!

Answer 7

Apparently you have never heard The Beatles.

Answer 8

they do it for mainstream appeal wordwide but also because you cant hold a good note with an accent.

Answer 9

so people will understand what they are singing about.

Answer 10

Because foreign people suck