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Manohonor Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

British and American

Can anybody explain why British singers Elthon John and Sting sing with an American accent?

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

The basic reason is that they can't really sing, meaning that they cannot hit a note and sustain it, in the way that an opera singer would need to do. American vowels are not pure sounds - they slide through a whole range of sounds. If you want to slide onto a note and change the pitch before leaving it, using an American accent is the way to do it.

— Edwy

  • The basic reason is that they can't really sing, meaning that they cannot hit a note and sustain it, in the way that an opera singer would need to do.
  • American vowels are not pure sounds - they slide through a whole range of sounds.
  • If you want to slide onto a note and change the pitch before leaving it, using an American accent is the way to do it.
  • Try listening to an American opera singer - they may speak with an American accent but they sing with a British one!
  • Edwy
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2 Answers
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The basic reason is that they can't really sing, meaning that they cannot hit a note and sustain it, in the way that an opera singer would need to do. American vowels are not pure sounds - they slide through a whole range of sounds. If you want to slide onto a note and change the pitch before leaving it, using an American accent is the way to do it.

Try listening to an American opera
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Well, that's one explanation I guess!

I think it is more of an affectation, when they started singing pretty much ALL pop/rock singers put on an American accent.

More recently, British regional accents have become more acceptable in the charts.
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