I’m still stuck on Susan Boyle, and still weeping. I suppose that’s so 24 hours ago, and I should be thinking instead about how Mel Gibson’s divorce might affect his box-office cred with conservative Catholics. Instead, I play the YouTube clip over and over of Boyle, the frumpy, middle-aged British lady who marched out on the stage of the national TV show Britain’s Got Talent this past weekend. She bided her time through the judgmental hoots and snickers of the studio audience and judges (headed by international snickerer-in-chief Simon Cowell). She sang "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. And she brought a worldwide audience to their feet — to her feet — with the grandeur of her voice.
I’ll get back to pondering how Vin Diesel’s future might change with the success of Fast & Furious soon enough, but right now I’m pondering why the experience of watching and listening to Ms. Boyle makes so many viewers cry, me among them. And I think I’ve got a simple answer, at least for me: In our pop-minded culture so slavishly obsessed with packaging — the right face, the right clothes, the right attitudes, the right Facebook posts — the unpackaged artistic power of the unstyled, un-hip, un-kissed Ms. Boyle let me feel, for the duration of one blazing showstopping ballad, the meaning of human grace. She pierced my defenses. She reordered the measure of beauty. And I had no idea until tears sprang how desperately I need that corrective from time to time.
Yep. Simple as that. That’s why I weep. What’s your excuse?
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I cried SO hard…there’s something so beautiful about reaching your dreams… and knowing that age means nothing. Simon’s smile alone would bring a tear to my eye, but her voice and her innocence opened the flood gates.
Thank you; you hit the nail on the head. I, too, keep watching this clip over & over again & the tears keep springing into my eyes. Thank you, thank you, Ms Boyle for a transcendent moment.
SHE IS SCOTTISH!!
also in Italy we were astonished, this is a lesson for our society and I thank you for describing so well what made us cry too – brings back to real emotions
Beautiful essay about a beautiful person. Thank you!
Spectacular…and yes, I’ve watched (AND cried each time!) 3 times since Brian Williams on NBC Nightly News this evening first “told me” about her. Wonderful!
This really inspired me! I teach students with learning disabilities and emotional problems. Many times they tell me that they feel useless, unintelligent, discouraged, and laughed at by their peers. I am going to show them this video…it is inspiring, up-lifing, and motivation. I hope she wins!!!!
There were tears here as well. Agree with you. The natural beauty from within her came out through her voice. She will go far. I only hope fame doesn’t spoil her.
no wonder Simon seems so bored on American Idol! This lady has more talent that anyone has ever had on Idol.
Don’t feel bad: I cried, too. Her debut is a beautiful triumph, and I hope her life is changed as a result. I wish her every happiness, and hope her talent and pluck are honored as they should be. How wonderful to see someone truly gifted, in such contrast to the manufactured “singers” that dominate the airwaves. Susan, you rock!!
I cried too. Liz, you couldn’t have said it better. Susan Boyle: from a 2 to a 10 in no time flat.
Transcendent indeed. I was taken completely by surprise by Ms. Boyle. Having seen Les Miz many times I think this is the first time I understood and felt the full depth of that song. She is living proof that there are still wonderful, inspirational surprises to be had in an increasingly cynical world. Brava, Susan! Keep dreaming that dream.
Thank u for sharing the same sentiment.
It was an amazing moment. It took alot of courage for her to appear on what I assume is a youth oriented show. We all wish we had the courage to put ourselves out there regardless of how we are ‘physically judged’ before we open our mouths.
I wish her much success in the second half of her life, although in some ways I think she must feel reborn. You GO GIRL!
it’s raining comments…amazing how many of us were touched from this event – she found the key to our hearts, after this all seem so shallow on tv
Oh, good, I am not the only one who was blubbering this morning whilst watching Susan via YouTube. How utterly wonderful for her. I hope that this whole experience turns out to be everything she ever dreamed it could be. Why do I cry? I don’t know, but I do every single time I watch. Maybe it’s because we can be so mean-sprited. My heart sank when she walked out onto that stage. “Here we go,” I thought, “Putting some poor, delusional person on the stage for our amusement.” Then all the snarkyness and eye-rolling. It was sad. But, dang, didn’t she put them all in their place? Sometime, good people DO finish first. Whether or not she goes on to win this, she is already won so much. My $$ if she puts out a cd, lol!
I am still typing here and crying … what a wonderful gift what a GREAT talent who lived through a childhood of bullying and thanks to her late Mother’s encouragement she appeared and wowed everyone of us … and taught us to look beyond the looks and to appreciate what each of us gives to this world.
Thanks Susan Boyle for adding so much to this a very special Tuesday.
I have watched this video probably 50 times today and sent it to everyone I know. This beautiful soul has touched so many and has reawakened a faith in our judgemental society. I sincerely hope that she doesen’t chance one thing. She is perfect just the way she is. What a gift, she brings me to tears each time.
Susan Boyle’s performance was extraordinary, inspiring and moving. This is a tribute to people who don’t appear exceptional on the surface. Yet, they have the capacity to amaze us and often do.
I must have watched Ms. Boyle’s video 100 times today plus numerous times yesterday evening. I’ve annhilated a box of Kleenex and suffered through a stuffy nose and puffy eyes for the better part of the day. And yes Lisa, I now know why after reading your thoughts.
I only hope that I someday develop the same grace Ms. Boyle embodies.
A truly moving performance,I too cried.
Thank you for putting into words what I could not. Bless you Susan Boyle.
I heard her the first time last night and have watched the clip several times since. I know exactly why I cry every time — she sings from a heart and soul that are pure and luminous. I only hope that now that she has been discovered she will remain the wonderful lady she clearly is. I feel blessed for having heard her once, and hope to hear her much, much more in the future.
I’m so glad to hear that I’m not the only one who keeps watching this over and over! I’m considered to be fairly cynical, yet every time, I still get chills, still get tears. My excuse is the same as yours: this is a much-needed bit of inspiration in a fairly cold world. LOVE her. And I love Piers and Simon and Amanda for loving her.
I just saw it and started crying immediately! What a lot of courage for her to go out there knowing how quick & cruel people are.
GOOD FOR HER!!
I too am 47, overweight and never been married (altho, for better or worse, I have been kissed and all that many times over, but it never lead to happiness anyway!)
I know they will give her a makeover fast enough to make her head spin, but I’m sure she will achieve her goal to be a singer now.
“In our pop-minded culture so slavishly obsessed with packaging — the right face, the right clothes, the right attitudes, the right Facebook posts — the unpackaged artistic power of the unstyled, un-hip, un-kissed Ms. Boyle let me feel, for the duration of one blazing showstopping ballad, the meaning of human grace. She pierced my defenses. She reordered the measure of beauty.”
Beautifully and brilliantly said. i think you nailed it.
Yes, she is truly beautiful. Her outward appearance is simple. Its her inner beauty that also stunned me as others. WOW! To think her talent was hidden because she did not have the chance to show it until now.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-_VwU_oS2ErQ/feed_the_birds_sing_along/
What a talent: Unassuming, Amazing, humble, warm, kind, quirky…and a voice from heaven! Someone wrote her 15 minutes are up….hardly, she has sung herself right into the hearts of millions….we are just beginning to see….what’s in store for her and the world, Cds, Broadway….and the fulfillment of a dream come true! For her for us! What a joy Susan Boyle is!
My friend show me this video at work and I told her it gave me goosebumps on how beautiful it was. Honestly, it made me cry…what a beautiful voice.
I’ve been watching since Sunday morning. It moved me to tears over an over. Not so much for the music, but how her story, courage, and humility touched me as deeply as it seems to have resonated around the world.
Simple but profound “wake up call”, as Amanda Holden said. The outpourings of genuine emotion around the world – uncontrieved by a simple woman dressed in her best dress bought for her nephew’s wedding months ago – are truly amazing to witness … from adults to the most jaded teenagers.
Susan Boyle has made us FEEL our better angels just when we needed it the most.
I agree with everyone of you. I can’t stand judgers. They hurt people and can destroy lives, but to see the looks on the faces of everyone, the audience, simon and his team, the girl in purple who rolled her eyes, everyone,to see their faces turn so quickly at the sound of Susan’s broadway voice was indeed a tremendous inspiration. I can’t recall how many times I have watched this clip but I can’t get enough of it. She has really shown people about people before she even began to sing. I hope nothing but the very very best comes her way. I’m sure she has been through a lot. This show alone she was snickered at and laughed and and doubted. That takes its toll on people, but she will shine now and deservedly so. I have never been “proud” so to speak of a stranger, but wow do I feel pride and joy for her. All the best to you Susan Boyle, all the very very best!!
I cried and cried as I watched it over and over. I cried for her courage. She heard all the laughter and jeers. Then stood there and delivered that incredible performance. In this day and age where packaging is more important than content, she is a role model not only for her talent but her fortitude. Here’s to chubby, middle aged, not “model” attractive humans everywhere!!!!!! Susan is our hero. And I’ll buy the first cd because she IS amazingly talented.