This feels sorta like rubbing salt in a wound at this point, but let it not go unnoticed: Scarlett Johannson’s "Ouch! That was my ear!"-worthy album of Tom Waits covers, Anywhere I Lay My Head, sold a grand total of 5,000 copies in its first week (h/t). To provide a little context, that means that this world-famous movie star’s music attracted two thousand less buyers than a collection of Dresden Dolls B-sides, and about a quarter as many as a pseudonymous Green Day side project. Even in these woeful times for CD sales, that’s pretty pitiful.
I’d say this is evidence that we music critics really do hold some kind of sway over the cultural marketplace, after all, but super-buzz machines like the Ting Tings and the Cool Kids sold even less than Scarlett last week. But hey, who cares about album sales anyway? S.Jo’s an artist, man. Someday in a few decades, a kid is going to dig out Anywhere I Lay My Head and shake his or her head at all of us who mocked those growly Waitsisms. Maybe. Or don’t you think so? Check out the video below and let us know.
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Jeez that was horrible. She might make it as a touring artist based on looks, but selling CDs isn’t a good strategy.
I am no Tom Waits fan, but how he could even have given his blessing to the project is beyond even me. The Ting Tings album though, is cute!
5000 is deemed too low? By my judgment, it’s 4950 more than it should be (accounting for the number of tone deaf, tasteless yahoos who would buy this anyway).
Wow – There are not words to describe how bad this is!
Who was this album made for anyway? People who like Tom Waits are not going to buy a starlett’s interpretation of Tom Waits and I highly doubt that Scarlett Johannsen’s fans are all that interested in being introduced to such an idiosyncratic underground artist. Besides – if that clip is any indication – it’s just bad.
Man, the talent needed on that electric organ … maybe it’s high school band night???
I agree with Broadway Baby–this album had no real audience. Plus, how many fans does Scarlett Johannson really have, anyway? “The Island,” “The Other Boleyn Girl,” and her Woody Allen movies didn’t exactly set the box office on fire. I don’t know anyone who’s a fan of her–and those who are probably care more about her looks than about her questionable talent, and therefore won’t buy a CD like this.
Contrary to popular opinion, I actually like this album.. I think it’s weird, but soothing. Everyone probably thinks I’m crazy for it, but I really thought it was good. Plus, I think Scarlett Johansson is a really amazing actress. So, yeah, some positive feedback for the first time on this page.
You gotta feel sorry for the camera crew that shot this video. Scarlett, if you’re reading this, down a few uppers next time. You look like you have been dead for a few days. Your voice however is indescribable, at least in a public forum.
That’s also several hundred less than Kevin Federline’s album sold in its first week…just to keep it in context.
I can feel nothing but (slightly guilty) joy at this announcement. This album was terrible. Sorry, Scarlett–your regrettable vanity project slides right into the bargain bin, right there between Peter Gallagher and Milla Jovovitch.
This kind of restores my faith in humanity, a little.
tom waits writes profoundly moving music. great songwriter-not a strong singer. i am impressed that a person of scarlett johanson’s age has even heard his music. she’s not a great singer either, though, like him, she has chosen to let her flawed voice be recorded as she truly sounds instead of the superpolished, autotuned, overproduced barf that actresses usually push out on the public. no heavy hip hop beats;no guest rappers to bring in the cool crowd; the same producer throughout the album. i don’t think she wanted to make a hit. i think she wanted to record tom wait’s great music. i won’t buy it either but i’ve heard much,MUCH worse. laugh at her if you want- she did something out of her comfort zone because she wanted to and could afford it. more power to you beautiful. don’t let the bastards bring you down.
I have to say that this is nothing more than a rich celeb with a high profile getting what she wants. This is merely pastiche and done badly at that. Artists like Tom Waits are authentic and it’s such a shame that a person with very little talent is given the resources to record an album of his covers!
I guess Scar figured if Britney can sell millions of records with no visable sign of musical talent so can she.
I think it was a case of the wrong material for her voice. If you listen to a cover she did of “Summertime” (not NKOTB-the real one), she has an amazing breathy voice. It lends itself to more standards, not Waits. Maybe if she did an entire cover album of Rufus Wainwright it might turn out better. You do have to give her applause for sticking with something though.
I don’t understand superhonky’s comments at all. So the logic appears to be that since it’s not like the typical modern crap her peers put out (which I agree with), then it’s ok? It’s crap; just because it comes packaged in a different form doesn’t make it smell any better. and you applaud her for doing something out of her comfort zone? Someone who is afraid of heights and goes sky-diving deserves commendation. SJ is intentionally recording music for sale (not for her own private use). And as such she is fair game for all the criticism it deserves.
um. not sure if you’re speaking simply of downloads, but neither the Ting Tings nor Cool Kids have been physically released, yet, so i’m confused by your comparison.
Why the hell Scarlett figured she had something – or anything – to bring to this cover is beyond me. There’s nothing new, fresh, interesting or even borderline musical here in this train wreck. This is an ego-driven vanity production that should never have seen the light of day.
I continue to be surprised at the amount of hatred directed at Scarlett for doing something fairly adventurous and working with some truly gifted people in the process. Where’s the crime? Would we rather have another big selling Lindsey Lohan/Hilary Duff/Jennifer Lopez style schlock fest clogging the airwaves/Gap store soundsystems? Sorry, but I’d take a David Sitek produced collection of sheep bleating over that.
The girl cannot sing. While you can argue, that Tom Waits cannot sing either, that’s hardly the point. Waits will never be considered a great vocalist, but, oh, what a performer. You absolutely believe every well written phrase that comes out of his mouth. Not so, with Miss Johansen. For a truly great Tom WAits tribute album, by a female singer, check out Holly Cole Trio’s album Temptation.
I’d like to compare Scarlett’s first week sales against first week sales for Tom Waits’ previous releases as well. Since when does album sales equate to quality material? Spice Girls sold boat loads and I’d call that unlistenable. I don’t recall Tom Waits bothering the top of ANY sales chart, anywhere, globally, ever.
Scarlett, don’t quit your day job, sweetie. You wanted to see if you make a record, and you tried, but it was weak and nobody bought it. So, let’s stick to acting from now on, k?
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Scarlett,
Your “singing” Sucks! You’re barely an actor. While you are young and pretty, stick with your “acting”, as people are still paying to see you. (the breasts have it for you-work it) I have a feeling, 5 years from now if you don’t get deep, you will be just another pretty actress gone missing from the screen. I’m guessing we’ll see you on TV within the next couple of years with your own show.
Sorry, Sweetie, but your singing is just not professional caliber. Additionally, the keyboards in this band are a mushy mess, which doesn’t help. The song itself isn’t very good, either. My advice: don’t put out videos while you’re learning until you “get there.” I’m sure with your beauty and sexiness and celebrity all the people around you are telling you how wonderful a singer you are, but they’re lying. That doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy singing for yourself. Go ahead and knock yourself out.
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