Tyler Wynn
Have you ever noticed how some British singers sound American when they sing? It's a curious phenomenon that has sparked interest from linguists and sociologists alike. While there may be no definitive answer, there are several theories as to why this happens. Some suggest that it is due to the influence of American music on British artists, with many British musicians growing up listening to American pop and rock music and thus emulating the American accent when singing. Additionally, certain musical genres like R&B and pop have become culturally associated with an American accent, and singers may unconsciously adapt to match these expectations. Others argue that it is simply a matter of singing technique, as certain accents may not fit the cadences of a song, resulting in a more neutral, American-sounding accent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Singing style | The singing style in the 1930s and 40s was almost classical and operatic compared to modern rock and pop music. |
| Influence of American music | British audiences turned their attention to music recordings imported from the USA in the late 1950s, and musicians wanted to sound like them. |
| Continuation of influence | Once British bands started writing original music, they continued to emulate the American style. |
| Commercial success | Bands that sang in an American accent tended to be more successful and sell more records. |
| Cultural expectation | The American accent is a cultural expectation for certain musical genres, such as R&B or mainstream pop. |
| Neutral accent | The Mid-Western United States accent is one of the most neutral accents that English speakers are familiar with. |
| Difficulty in reproducing accents | Singing stretches vowel sounds and loses the precise articulation of consonants, resulting in a neutral baseline accent that sounds vaguely American. |
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What You'll Learn
- The mid-western US accent is taught in broadcasting schools and is one of the most neutral accents
- British singers want to emulate the American musicians they grew up listening to
- The rise in popularity of American music in the UK from the late 1950s
- The characteristics of accents aren't reproduced when singing, resulting in a neutral accent that sounds American
- It's a cultural expectation for certain musical genres, like R&B or pop
The mid-western US accent is taught in broadcasting schools and is one of the most neutral accents
The mid-western US accent is often regarded as one of the most neutral accents, lacking distinct pitch and stress alterations that carry over from one sound to the next. This makes each sound stand on its own. The mid-western accent is also taught in broadcasting schools, which is why it is often associated with newsreaders and anchors.
However, it is important to note that the mid-western accent is not entirely without its unique characteristics. For example, Midwesterners often pronounce all their "r"s, even in places where there are none. They also tend to pronounce "wash" as "warsh", although this feature seems to be disappearing. Additionally, they might refer to carbonated drinks as "pop" and use grammatical constructions like "Alls we did was go to the park".
The mid-western accent is also influenced by the region's diverse linguistic landscape. The Midwest is comprised of approximately 12 states, each contributing to the linguistic diversity of the region. For instance, there is the gruff accent of Chicago, the changing voice of the Midland, and the Fargo-like accent of Minnesota.
The perception of the mid-western accent as neutral may also be influenced by cultural factors. After World War II, the US became geopolitically dominant, which may have contributed to the shift towards American pronunciation standards. Additionally, the mid-western accent is often associated with general American English, which is a way of speaking that does not sound like any specific accent and is commonly used by newscasters.
The mid-western accent's perceived neutrality may also be due to a lack of exposure to other regional accents. When asked to imitate a Midwestern accent, people often struggle because even Midwesterners themselves believe they speak without an accent. This belief is particularly strong in Michigan, where residents consider their speech to be more correct and pleasant than that of their fellow Midwesterners.
In conclusion, while the mid-western US accent is taught in broadcasting schools and is considered one of the most neutral accents, it does possess unique characteristics and variations across the Midwest region. The perception of its neutrality may be influenced by cultural factors, the association with general American English, and the lack of exposure to regional accents.
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British singers want to emulate the American musicians they grew up listening to
The British accent in singing started to sound more American in the 1960s. Before that, British audiences predominantly listened to music indigenous to the UK and Europe. However, in the late 1950s, American music started to gain popularity in the UK. British musicians wanted to sound like their American counterparts, and once they started writing their own music, they continued to emulate the American style. This was partly because audiences had become accustomed to that style and demanded it, and partly because of the musical techniques involved.
Singing in certain genres, like R&B or mainstream pop, is more suited to the American accent because the distinctive characteristics of the British accent aren't reproduced well when singing. Vowel sounds get stretched, and the precise articulation of consonants is lost, resulting in a neutral baseline accent that sounds vaguely American. The Mid-Western United States accent is often considered the most neutral accent, as it has the fewest distinct pitch and stress alterations that carry over from one sound to the next, making each sound stand on its own.
Additionally, many British singers grew up listening to American pop and rock music and tried to mimic the singing style of their musical influences. This is further reinforced by the fact that many songs are written by Americans with that accent in mind, so non-American singers adapt their style to match.
Over time, as British musicians became more comfortable with their native speaking voices, they began to move away from the American affectations. By the 1970s, punk bands like The Clash were deliberately singing with British accents. However, the practice of singing with an American accent continues to this day, with modern singers like Adele still adopting an American-sounding singing voice.
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The rise in popularity of American music in the UK from the late 1950s
The rise in popularity of American music in the UK can be traced back to the late 1950s. Before this time, British audiences preferred listening to music indigenous to the UK and Europe. However, a shift occurred as British audiences started to embrace American music styles such as rock and roll, rhythm and blues, jazz, and gospel. This change in musical taste can be attributed to several factors.
Firstly, the USA music industry played a significant role in promoting and exporting American music globally. From the 1920s through the 1950s, American record companies mass-produced and effectively marketed popular records, making stars of certain singers. These records were then exported and sold in other nations, including the UK. As a result, British audiences were exposed to American music styles and artists, which gradually gained popularity.
Secondly, the influence of American singers and musicians on their British counterparts cannot be overstated. British musicians tend to emulate the singers who inspire them, and in the late 1950s, American music genres and artists became increasingly influential. Artists like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were inspired by American blues and rock and roll pioneers like Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard. This emulation of American musical styles and influences contributed to the rise in popularity of American music in the UK.
Additionally, the process of singing itself may have contributed to the Americanised sound adopted by British singers. Linguists have proposed that singing has an accent-neutralising effect due to changes in intonation, vowel quality, and vowel length. This results in a more generic, neutralised accent that shares similarities with American accents. Thus, British singers may not be intentionally trying to sound American but are instead unconsciously adopting a more neutral accent influenced by the prevalent American sounds in popular music.
Furthermore, the social and cultural expectations associated with popular music genres cannot be overlooked. There is an expectation, based on musical history, that certain genres, especially pop and rock, will be sung with an Americanised accent. British singers, therefore, may be adhering to the default style for their genre rather than consciously attempting to sound American. This phenomenon has been observed not only in British singers but also in musicians from other countries, such as New Zealand.
In conclusion, the rise in popularity of American music in the UK from the late 1950s can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the USA music industry's promotion and export of American records, the influence of American musicians on their British counterparts, linguistic factors associated with singing, and social expectations surrounding popular music genres. These factors collectively contributed to the Americanised sound that became prominent in British music during this period.
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The characteristics of accents aren't reproduced when singing, resulting in a neutral accent that sounds American
The phenomenon of British singers adopting an American accent when performing has been observed since the 1960s. While some attribute it to cultural influences and the popularity of American music in Britain, there may be a more technical explanation related to the nature of singing itself.
Singing often involves stretching vowel sounds and losing the precise articulation of consonants, which are essential features of spoken accents. This results in a "neutral baseline accent" that sounds American to many listeners. The mid-western US accent is often considered neutral and is taught in broadcasting schools, so when singers adopt a generic accent, it is often perceived as American.
Additionally, certain musical genres like R&B and mainstream pop are expected to be performed with an American accent, influencing singers to emulate that style. This was particularly true for British musicians in the 1960s who wanted to sound like their American influences, and their audiences had come to expect that style.
Some singers, like Billy Bragg, have acknowledged that certain songs simply don't work with a British accent due to the cadences and melodic delivery. This is supported by a study by sociologist Andy Gibson, who found that New Zealanders naturally defaulted to an American singing voice, indicating that it may be a universal phenomenon when singing in certain styles.
While the exact reasons are still debated, a combination of linguistic, cultural, and technical factors likely contribute to British singers adopting an American accent when performing.
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It's a cultural expectation for certain musical genres, like R&B or pop
The phenomenon of British singers adopting an American accent has been observed since the 1960s, and while it may seem like a recent trend, it has its roots in the musical influences and expectations of both artists and audiences.
One of the key reasons for this accent adaptation is the cultural expectation within certain musical genres, specifically R&B and mainstream pop. These genres have been strongly influenced by African-American music, and over time, audiences have come to expect a particular singing style and accent associated with these genres. British artists, in an effort to emulate their influences and meet audience expectations, tend to adopt an American accent when performing within these genres. This was particularly true in the early days of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, jazz, and gospel, when British musicians wanted to replicate the sound of the original American records that were gaining popularity in the UK.
The mid-western United States accent is often considered a "generic American" accent, lacking distinct pitch and stress alterations, and is, therefore, an easily recognizable and replicable accent for non-American singers. It is also taught in broadcasting schools, further reinforcing its perception as a standard or neutral accent. When British singers perform songs originally written by American artists, they often adapt their style to match the expected accent, as deviating from it requires more effort and concentration.
Additionally, the very nature of singing may contribute to the perceived loss of accent. Singing stretches vowel sounds and reduces the precise articulation of consonants, resulting in a more neutral baseline accent that can be interpreted as American.
While some British artists have retained their accents across genres, for many, the American accent has become an integral part of their musical expression within specific genres.
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Frequently asked questions
There could be several reasons for this. One theory is that the mid-western US accent is often taught in broadcasting schools and is one of the most neutral accents that English speakers are familiar with. Therefore, when a singer lacks an obvious accent, listeners may associate it with the "generic American" accent. Additionally, British singers may have grown up listening to American pop and rock music and tried to mimic the accent when singing.
Yes, starting around 1959, British audiences began to favour music recordings imported from the USA. As a result, British musicians wanted to emulate the American style, and audiences became accustomed to it.
Not always. A study by sociologist Andy Gibson found that singers from New Zealand defaulted to an American singing voice without intending to. Similarly, British singers may unintentionally lose their accent when singing due to the way words are rounded off and the loss of precise articulation of consonants.
No, some British artists retain a noticeable accent, such as those in the UK grime scene.
Yes, the practice continues today, with modern examples including Adele. However, some British singers in the 1970s, such as punk bands like The Clash, moved away from American affectations.
