Why don't British singers sing with a British accent?

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NewTime
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29 Aug 2016, 10:46 am

Why is it that British singers such as the Beatles don't sing with a British accent?



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29 Aug 2016, 11:03 am

This is common with other countries too. German bands belt out lyrics in near perfect English, but speak with an accent thick as molasses. Maybe has to do with how words are drawn out more in singing.


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babybird
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29 Aug 2016, 12:33 pm

I'm from Manchester (UK) and I sing in my own accent.

I'm not actually a singer though.


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29 Aug 2016, 12:36 pm

Well it is not as apparent, but it's still there if you really, really listen...I don't think it's an intentional thing or anything like that, just turns out the accent isn't as obvious whilst singing. Not really sure why, like how singing effects voice and all the scientific mechanics behind it though.

I listen to a lot of metal from Scandinavia and those accents aren't always as apparent either, or at least doesn't sound quite the same as when they are talking in interviews or on stage and such. Though also sort of depends on the sort of vocals being done how a apparent or not it is it seems.


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smudge
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29 Aug 2016, 1:34 pm

I used to have a posh British voice, and got rid of it at school.

I found it a lot harder to talk and and sing as fast as anyone on the radio, until I changed my accent to an Essex one. It's because when you talk properly, you have to pronounce every syllable and it takes more effort. I can bring it back if I want to, but I generally don't because of the way people talk around here (a mixture of cockney, London and Essex).

Also, if you pronounce the word, "can't" as "carnt" in a song, it doesn't sound as good as "caant". For example, George Michael pronounces it the American way. If he said it the British way it just wouldn't sound as good.


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lostonearth35
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30 Aug 2016, 9:00 pm

I think singing and talking are done with different parts of the brain. I mean some people sound very different when they sing than when they talk no matter what their accent is.



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30 Aug 2016, 9:23 pm

Have you heard Polythene Pam, Strawberry Fields Forever or Blue Jay Way for example by the beatles, I can hear the accent pulsating through them.