Artists & Labels are SCARED. THIS is the reality of singing in 2024.

[@KenOtwell]

I remember Robert Plant, when asked to play a song like the record, said, "I'm not a damn juke box."

[@lesliegaudreau5310]

YES!!!!!

[@anngulliver5964]

And why would you want that?

[@fortynine3225]

Actually that is a excuse for winging it which is what often happens..so the joke is on you people.

[@Heightsomethinghuman]

😂 good one, great reply

[@gaylealleluia8392]

He was awful in the ‘70s live.

[@Tim091]

"Removing your personality" - nailed it; that is exactly what pitch correction is doing.

[@marygoff3332]

The Eagles used to say that playing live and having it sound different every time (even with mistakes) was what the fans came to see... We want to see humanity and passion. Not perfection.😊

[@tchocky71]

This is the problem with OVERuse of technology. A huge bulk of it is homogenised.

[@DROPTHEGRID]

I think they are removing their personality first then adding the pitch correction.

[@frankowalker4662]

Totaly agree.

[@julianne_warren]

Songs without pitch correction or autotune are closer to the heart.

[@RebelVP70]

your services to music should win you an unlikely Grammy

[@jimfritz2087]

He might be upsetting the all mighty powers that be. But he is doing a great service . Like the RNRHOF , they don't care. Self serving pieces of 💩.

[@SuppressiveSquirrel]

Unlikely Grammy, LOL

[@universalassociates6857]

We can be 100% sure that if Fil performs on the Grammy awards show he WILL NOT use autotune!

[@coyets]

The work Fil puts in analysing music, which is an important part of most people's lives, and promoting the importance of personality and expression rather than 'accuracy' in voices makes him deserving of at least an OBE.

[@MGrayl-ib5fo]

Yeah pretty sure he's already burned any possible bridges with the mainstream recording industry LOL

[@DTatMC]

Proudly singing off key for 60 years!

[@ljr8819]

🤣🤣

[@AllenOflynn-fc4of]

Well said 😆😂😄😅

[@homegown1234]

As long as "you" enjoy it that's all that matters.

[@AllenOflynn-fc4of]

@homegown1234 wisdom

[@froggybug]

Horrid!! Pain!!! Torture! N and O!

[@simonlawrencesings]

One of the bands I'm is going to start putting on our gig posters and socials "100% Live. No Autotune. No backing tracks. No fake vocals". I encourage all genuine bands to do this and therby encourage audiences to come and support real musicians and real singers.

[@scott21113]

Disagree. I just Midge Ure live and part of his show uses backing tracks and I couldn't have cared less. I don't need to see a member of the band playig. each musical part to enjoy the show. He and the other musician played keys and synth. If a singer was miming like Tamplin or Ashlee Simpson - that's a problem. If you are a bass player and are not plugged into the amp but the bass is in the mix - that's a problem. If I hear a bass line and don't see a bass player I'm not so thick as to think I'm being fooled.

[@theunaccompaniedsenior]

@@scott21113 Too much cope for my taste. Hard pass.

[@theunaccompaniedsenior]

Autotune is for guitarists.

[@geldner]

Would you get rid of MIDI keyboards and sequences? Asking for New Order and The Who.

[@DavidRichards-lh2hw]

@@scott21113 An Aussie band called The Reels had some members leave the band and they were left with just a keyboardist/guitarist/bassist, a drummer, and the vocalist - so they used tapes of the other parts of the song

[@ambrosefierce2042]

"A huge part of the greatest voices of all time is vulnerability." Nail. Hammer. Bang. Thanks Fil, for standing up for real, live, human music. Everything else is inauthentic and (worst of all) soulless.

[@TroyArchAngel]

It's just FAKE!

[@MikeD_]

Hearing an imperfection adds character to the singer and voice.

[@KenOtwell]

@@MikeD_ It's not IMPERFECT... squeezing notes, going sharp or flat in different places, is PART OF THEIR TALENT. It's part of feeling and delivering a performance.

[@TroyArchAngel]

@@KenOtwell A good example is like expressions on our faces. Sad and angry.....can you be in between? Sad and angry at same time? Yes, that between is same as between notes, opens up billions of other versions of expressions, rather than one expression like everybody (perfectly on the note).

[@guillermo3564]

This is the end result of being told that they're perfect and can do anything when growing up. Then when they put on their adult clothes and realize that they can't, they have a melt down and start crying for their safe space. Someone said something bad about Taylor Swift once and she ran away and hid for years. That's today's maturity and ability to handle conflict for you. They're all just posers.

[@pamelahunter987]

I'm so glad I was a teen in the 70s. The music was amazing and authentic.

[@324cmac]

Same goes for the 1960s.

[@thornbird6768]

The singer songwriters of the 70’s were so talented. Something todays stars no absolutely nothing about 👎🏻

[@christhornycroft3686]

It was authentic until at least 1998. Cher's Believe was the first recorded song with autotune. Disney Channel in the early 2000s and Nickelodeon really started the trend because some of those kids could sing, but they were really pushed because of their look and charisma, so the computer took care of the rest. I'm a 90s guy, but I appreciate all music from the 1930s on. Until 1998, absolutely everything was the person's real voice. We had some belters in the 90s who could really sing and now, in 24 years, nobody can sing. Freddie Mercury performed at Wembly at Live Aid when he was sick. He sounded great. No autotune. I'm at the point now where I can completely forgive cheesy pop groups like Backstreet Boys and Spice Girls, because until 1999, they actually sang live. Their first albums date back to 1994 and 1995, before autotune was a thing. So as much as I hate doing it, I'll listen to them before I listen to anything from Taylor Swift.

[@chrisfromnoosa1905]

Why else would it be so popular amongst millennials?

[@soddof7972]

​@@christhornycroft3686The Buggles passed the voice through pitch processing. And at least Cher did it as a deliberate effect.

[@crabbyhayes1076]

The beauty of a live performance is the imperfection. Thanks Fil for your integrity and authenticity.

[@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx]

Well, no-one has ever said that to me after another of my appalling attempts at entertaining them with my incompetence.

[@kswannie]

@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx I for one admire your stellar self-deprecating humour!

[@ilangayouthdanceco.3621]

I am a Ballet teacher. We push for a technical perfection that we all know is not possible 100% of the time. But we would also much prefer seeing dancers, possibly not as perfect as perfect, can be, but with superb artistry. Nobody's muscles can always be absolutely perfect every single performance, but their artistry. their performance, their connection with the audience is absolutely mindblowing. They can not watch a video of their dancing and say, "Oh, let us lift that leg a little higher, or loop a few extra pirouettes in, and that is just fine. We accept that 100% perfect is not going to happen. The sad part is that music has gone this insane way. Next, we will see violinists who also have to "find" every note and are often a quarter tone out, being told to pitch correct that!

[@gspianoguitar4369]

Funny you should say this as I took my wife to a Swan Lake performance for her birthday last wkend. If 'pitch corrected' so to speak all the dancers would lift every movment in line / precise time etc etc . But the magic was not in that 'fiction'. It was in the whole expressive ability of each one of them all sometimes moving together to the same goal..to convey the story, the emotional highs and lows, of the whole experience of Swan Lake. So called 'perfection' is often not 'artistic'. I'm a classically trained musician (piano) and understand the nuances of rhythm and 'rubato' and clearly in the dance field it's the same, the moving / borrowing of time to make it impactive at the right highlighted moments of the story is crucial. If that was 'corrected' and every movement was metronomic no-one would ever bother watching it. That's what's happening here and so good to see Fil exposing it

[@niemann3942]

As someone pointed out, while they pitch-correct the hell out of voices, it's interesting to note that they DON'T do it to guitar solos (or other instruments, I assume). It's like they somehow realize that the humanity and "imperfections" behind a solo make it sound better ... but they then can't apply that to a vocal performance. Your comment also reminded me of one quote I like: "To make mistakes is human. To know when to keep them is art."

[@pyzikscott]

As college student, a LONG time ago, I had the amazing opportunity to take a ballet class with a piano accompanist. It was fantastic!!!

[@davidbarnhart5620]

As a former musician opening for major rock bands in the past, I will not go to concerts anymore for that very reason. Performance and show have replaced the experience of seeing musicians expressing their talent. Jazz musicians are some of the few who remain true to their music.

[@JoeSchmo-z6l]

I'm so thankful I got to see Phil Collins, Toto, Pink Floyd or Dire Straits in my lifetime

[@ljr8819]

@@JoeSchmo-z6l Myself !!!! Even though ACDC made me deaf :)

[@kjartans.nystad4797]

Musicians expressing their talent is still happening. Just on smaller stages.

[@mandyharewood886]

Hahahaha! Jazz musicians have no choice, do they? It's their brand!

[@Attmay]

@mandyharewood886 they have to be good in order to get anywhere at all.

[@gryphon9507]

Prime reason I see so many young people watch 70s 80s and 90s music and are blown away by the talent and the sound. They're instantly hooked.

[@axelfiedel3793]

As someone born in 2004 now I know why I avoid Drake and Taylor Swift.

[@davebellamy4867]

Mass media point the kids to Taylor but they still know the older artists their parents play from the 70s and 80s especially. Hence, so many kids into Queen, the film helped but also into Kate Bush, Tears for Fears and all other kinds of artists.

[@axelfiedel3793]

@@davebellamy4867 that's exactly what I'm thinking it's like they try to shove certain artists down my throat when I'm looking for something

[@gryphon9507]

@@davebellamy4867 One modern group I do like is Greta Van Fleet. They loved the 70s sound so much as they grew up they studied it like one studies and practices Jazz. A lot of their early stuff was compared to Floyd, but you have to start somewhere. Even Rush's earliest album sounds very contemporary with the hard rock of the time with Alex Lifeson's riffs sounding reminiscent of Tony Iommi. Now GVF sound has matured and they still have that great 70s rock feel but it's their own, as if they have become contemporaries of that age.

[@dmfour]

They are and many don't even know what it is that is grabbing their attention.

[@BlackCatMargie]

Nailed it, Fil. I'm still incensed by the pitch correction of Barry Gibb. The vulnerability in his falsetto was what made those songs so beautiful.

[@barryclay9084]

My love of the Bee Gees began with "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?" The breathy, vibrato soaked word "and" before the title, during the progression of the song, is a great example of emotionally charged, heartfelt vocals. We are taking humanity out of the human race in ever increasing steps.

[@crazierthan-u7571]

They need to keep their grubby hands off of the older music.

[@anngulliver5964]

They played You Win Again earlier and it's my favourite song by The Bee Gees

[@SasquatchLovesMe]

people should be arrested for that.

[@michelemercier2286]

@@barryclay9084 I was telling someone recently that one of the things (can't explain why) that hooked me on the song "Fernando" which made me a life long ABBA fan, besides the incredible harmonies was a 'catch" in the lead singer's voice at one point. It is an imperfection by today's standards I suppose, but it conveyed an emotion and caught my attention. I know that ABBA was a group that used technology (overdubs and the like) to make the sound as perfect as possible in those days. But in doing so they created a sound that was unique so I would like to think that they wouldn't have availed themselves of this technology, since it makes everyone sound more alike rather than unique. It is hard to know how they would have dealt with the pressures of the industry as it is today though. I'm glad they didn't have to and hope their music is left alone.

[@OrionMapex]

Integrity, Honesty, Humility, Acceptance, Tenaciousness, Persistence, Patience and Courage are all missing, not just in the music industry, but everywhere. Cheat, lie, steal your way through is the way of the world. Like another person said, I'm so glad I was raised in the sixties and seventies. I went to countless concerts in my younger days and, inevitably, performers screwed up and forgot notes, etc. but we all loved them anyway because they were real and genuine and humble. Keep banging the drum, Fil. You are talking about things that need to be said. I just wish it was on a more grand scale so those that need to hear this the most will. Rock On.

[@judybrogna1057]

Well said!!!

[@TroubleToby3040]

I LOVE this guy. He's doing "God's Work", musically speaking. I'm glad he's succeeding. 👍👍👍❤❤❤️

[@candidsounds1154]

Amen!

[@Nightowl-OO]

Yep, speaking the truth

[@deepzepp4176]

Difference is, Cher used it for effect for the song. She wasn't trying to improve her pitch. She used it in the same way a guitarist uses a guitar effect.

[@davidmario88]

and it made the song unique and timeless 🎉

[@marcupson]

I think they applied the deshumanizing pluging to correct the pitch and then found out that, used excessively, it sounded interesting. Nevertheless, outside of the moments the effect is cranked, the vocals are still heavily corrected...

[@charleslascari7191]

​@@davidmario88Stll. A crappy record.

[@AllenOflynn-fc4of]

Yes she used it selectivley

[@RicardoMarlowFlamenco]

This is false. There was only one reason to use it back then. The problem was they over cranked and someone made the decision to let it fly as a novel artifact. I started hearing it in country music and thought it was the start of the tidal wave. But for sure she sang off and and that is why it was being used. It’s just the first time we got to hear how it works. I first learned about it when it was suggested for a fretless bass performance that was wasting time and money. Suddenly I could “hear” it all over the place once I knew how it worked

[@boffo63]

"Freedom of their voice" This is all a fan wants. I go to a concert to hear a different live version of a song. It makes the experience special.

[@WendyDarling1974]

I recently saw Stevie Wonder live and I am pretty much 100% positive he is not doing any of this. Everything was unique ti that show. It was awesome. He also had about 20 other people on stage performing live instruments and vocals. Then he’s someone who has been performing for 60 years and never has used that as a crutch and is still confident in himself.

[@marikothecheetah9342]

If artist nails live version it often tends to be better than the studio one. When I first heard Endless Rain by X-Japan as a studio recording I was like; where's the magic of the life performance? To this day - I prefer the live version.

[@MelodyChase]

Jeff Buckley live in Chicago singing "Lover You Should've Come Over", is a perfect example. ♥️✨

[@rogl3W]

@@WendyDarling1974Stevie is a rare gem. At his age he still sang every single note live ❤ hands down a vocal legend and respectable music figure

[@gbsailing9436]

Well said Fil!!! Your message IS getting out there, slowly but surely! Thank goodness for people like you and Rick Beato who are trying to expose the music industry's flaws and weaknesses which ultimately harm the artist fore mostly, and the music industry in the end run.

[@mwfmtnman]

It harms humanity first

[@aliniedbalski]

Completely agree with the loss of personality, character, and vulnerability that comes with altered vocals. It’s part of my own philosophy as an artist and producer, and I feel lucky to have your videos to send people to when I tire of explaining this position. Cheers to you, sir 👑

[@joso7228]

Not just Vocals. Computer created music with DAWs producing the same sounds all robot-style in time.

[@blairhatton3066]

I’m a bang average pub singer and I’ve recently had to work on my voice because I was struggling. A little bit of work, trial and error and I’ve managed to sort it out to some degree. Surely if a shitkicker like me can do it then so can the ‘professionals’. It angers me because live music is something I love dearly

[@MsAppassionata]

Yeah, but that is the problem. A lot of people don’t want to put in the work. I remember that Paul McCartney once said that when The Beatles first came to the USA, many thought that they were some kind of overnight sensation. They hadn’t seen the years of playing preparation that went on in Hamburg, Germany for sometimes 8 hours a night, the over 1000 songs in their repertoire, etc. Now, a lot of people either haven’t, or don’t even want to, put in the work required to become a better performer.

[@twentyfiveyears5010]

Like the Body Positivity movement we need a Vocal Positivity movement so people will be comfortable in their own voices. No more FLAT shaming!

[@johnnynick6179]

FLAT shaming - I love it.

[@ombrenightcores]

As a fat person… I love this

[@brandong298]

What about sharp shaming? I’m always sharp.

[@kathyflorcruz552]

Lord have mercy.

[@zubileegluckgluck]

encouraging people to be unhealthy and unattractive and an eventual burden on the entire healthcare system with completely avoidable disasterous health consequences is a little different than encouraging people to use their own voices. lol

[@bernardenejones8620]

70s and 80s had great singers. I'm happy I had the opportunity to hear great natural singers.

[@Krista2882]

90s, too.

[@paulbannon920]

John Fogerty's 1997 'Premonition' live concert he make's a comment on stage where he states if there is any mistakes during the performance, they won't be corrected. He knew what was going on in in the industry already in 1997.

[@PSA78]

He's sometimes doing two full shows for sound check, so by the time you see him in the evening it's the third for the day. Auto tune wold run and hide of embarrassment. 😂

[@dcanmore]

he probably meant there wouldn't be overdubs on the live album, which was common practice, rather than a reference to Autotune which only became available in the studio that year.

[@pcooper3559]

It is sad that some people don't care that this is happening.

[@Mark-Harding]

Most people.

[@marikothecheetah9342]

Unfortunately. Many people tell me they don't really listen to music, they just have music as a background noise to kill silence. :/

[@fortheloveofmusic860]

A lot of people don't. They just care for "a great night out."

[@johndelconte9915]

Yeah I agree. The people that comment that “that’s the way it is and they’re ok with it “, makes me cringe. Why bother learning and spending all the time practicing and on good equipment when you can buy software to make you sound “perfect” and nobody cares. There’s just no artistic value. That’s like buying a snapshot of a Picasso.

[@caterinasims6154]

Yes, they might not care, but others DO CARE.

[@charcasc7462]

This makes me think of the story behind the recording of the 1985 song These Dreams by Heart. Nancy Wilson did lead on that song and when she went to the studio to record her vocal, she had a cold and her voice cracked a couple of times. A couple of days later she was better and asked to do a new take. They did so, but the producer decided to go with the Nancy with the cold take as the voice cracks added more emotion to the performance.

[@veronicaeugenia2231]

Every word so spot on, Fil. This world and the entertainment industry in particular is dying from a cancer of inauthenticity. And you are right by calling it fear of failure. It's a catastrophic conformity based entirely in fear. Thank you for all you are and all you do!

[@kurtisslystne5250]

Thank you for addressing 'Authenticity'. I'm 65 yrs old. I grew up in the greatest generation for rock music. I'm a multi instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, performer, with 4 decades of recording I personally don't like my vocal singing voice, but I get over it! I've refused to use auto tune or pitch correction since these programs became affordably available over 15 yrs ago. My favorite male vocalists like Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker and Paul Rogers weren't 'Pitch perfect'. They were heart and soul! You can critique the heck out of these three phenomenal singers and point out where they were 'pitchy'. Their pitchiness is what made them sensational! Their personality shines through. Today's artist live behind deception, and it'll destroy their future. Be real. Be who God intended you to be. Let your heart and soul shine. Thank you Fill. Great episode

[@vernonharden]

To me anything from the 1920s through say up and until the mid 1990s was when the singers were still real. The musicians actually had to play their instruments. I don't care what genre it came from either. Country music may not be your preferred taste, but listen to George Jones and "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" from 1985. Then pick your genre, artists and substitute the names referred to in it. That song looking back speaks volumes.

[@ChuckHackney]

Mechanical, that's a great term. Today's music is MECHANICAL. YEEECCCH!!!!!!

[@ALong-fo5so]

There is no short cut to success. If you’re pitchy, you’ll be found out sooner or later. Artistes of old paid their dues by constantly gigging improving themselves.

[@Moluccan56]

No soul,mis my complaint.

[@loganmedia1142]

@@ALong-fo5so There definitely are shortcuts if you know the right people and have the right equipment.

[@just4music687]

Thank you, Fil, for righteously critiquing the music industry and its morals, and also for encouraging singers to keep it real. I love listening to singers/ songwriters, and I want to hear YOUR voice, people! The true you. I think it's beautiful. The most beautiful and attractive thing you can be is yourself.

[@ClaireHoldich]

Spot on Fil. I love that you talked about equal temperament. When great singers sing together acapella, they often move away from A440 because they ‘tune in’ to the natural harmonics in their voices as dictated by what they are singing. And it is truly magical. So sad that we are now so far away from this in the industry and public understanding.

[@LOL-Can]

My step son is on utube as a natural singer not an altered voice. He did this so that venues that hire him can see and hear what they are getting if he is hired. I add this so you know there are islands of musical authenticity out there. Thank you for your teaching and your authenticity.

[@flowersnpearls8179]

BRAVO‼️ Cheers to the push for TRUTH and authenticity. I am so thankful for your channel.

[@lydiabentley3413]

Totally agree

[@soundslikeolive]

Could you talk about Raye? She’s a British singer and I believe she’s one of the real true singers out there right now.

[@DiamondGirl-1234]

Have we become so critical and judgementalof others as to make everyone feel perfect is the only acceptable outcome? I like originality. Let's bring that back. ❤

[@trekkiejunk]

I don't think that's the reason for the standardized use of pitch-correction. It reminds me of yogurt. 30 years ago, your average strawberry yogurt had a lot less sugar. Then one company made it a little sweeter. So, other companies had to follow suit. The sugar got higher and higher and higher, going back and forth between the companies for years, before they settled on a whopping 23g of sugar in the average 5.5 oz strawberry yogurt. Sure, there's some niche styles out there that buck that trend, but those are the exceptions. In fact, a Hunt's Pudding Cup, now has 20% LESS sugar than your average sweetened yogurt. Think about that with the rise of pitch-correction and autotune.

[@jeffreyflint6286]

Right on!!!!!!!!

[@jamiermathlin]

The problem today is that most people do not actually listen to the music, generally it is played through a low resolution system, recorded digitally with a 2D sound stage, pitch corrected , auto stunned etc. On a hi-res sound system, modern music generally sounds manufactured and life-less. Take any of the high-earning artists today and compare them to great artists of the past and you hear the commercialism not the artistry. The real sadness is that people have been brainwashed into believing that these modern artists are truly great, sadly the level of earnings seems to be the measure, not the quality of the music...

[@RS-nf4vz]

This is not music. Just as Funyuns snacks are not food. This is simulated sound product. Music is an art form, the definition of art is creating somthing that touches the emotions of other human beings. I have no need to support the system that sells this useless unpleasant crap, I have access to all the excellent music produced before 2010. My greiving for the present and future is finished, and I now direct my joy and money only to live luddite performance by actual musicians and singers. Thanks for guiding me thru this transition Phil. Best wishes.

[@mandyharewood886]

Man, you are so right, Fil! I get no joy from listening to robots! I want EMOTION! These frightened people need to be vulnerable, to share who and what they truly are with us. That's what draws us in and forms that bond, that connection. And that's why I cannot relate to today's popular music. It eliminates all risks in composition and rendition. Thank goodness you and Rick Beato explained why it wasn't moving me! I thought I had died or something. Robotic rubbish!

[@scorpionink4735]

"living a lie with their own voice" well said sir. Great vid. Let's embrace vulnerability ❤

[@KJ-4321]

In the Beach Boys movie, about their music in the 60’s… trying to get started they went to a record company & sang someone else’s song. They said…. “Come back when you have your own unique sound…something DIFFERENT…then we’ll talk.” Music back then was sooo varied & unique & creative!

[@TrekBeatTK]

There are three very different versions of “Twist and Shout”, all by different bands and all unique.

[@PSA78]

But then they relied on the wrecking crew. 😄

[@waynesworld7804]

Ya darn tootin’! 😊

[@jennyjohn704]

A sweet sounding story, but I find this hard to believe as record companies have always liked cover versions. Even The Beatles were pressured to record one as their second single (How Do You Do It? instead of Please Please Me). They didn't and that song kept them off the top spot.

[@Bob_B_A]

Auto tune in music, make up and filters on social media, PEDs in sports. This is a problem in many industries, and as you said a big part of the problem is most people don’t know. They think their idol is just the way they are naturally, and if you try to tell them otherwise, they’ll argue with you and deny it. These enhancements become the new “natural” standard to the masses.

[@TwentytenS4B8]

Literally everything is fake......including the news.

[@sutrer]

Fil I think this is my favourite video of yours I’ve watched! Absolutely spot on in your assessment of what’s happening today. It’s a sad sad time. I’m a music producer and I question this on a daily basis even though I’m guilty of reaching for auto-tune and pitch correction because that’s “just what the industry expects and wants”.

[@MICHAELMcCARTHY-h7f]

You are "the industry". Why willingly/blindly continue with this deception if you question it daily? You are obviously not asking the question hard enough!

[@sutrer]

@@MICHAELMcCARTHY-h7fto be clear I’m not involved in any deception. I don’t work on altering or mixing live performances and then passing off a “live” vocal as being perfect. However in the genre I work in (pop) it is expected and indeed actively wanted by the artists and some labels I work with for that “polished” sound. If I don’t deliver that, then unfortunately I would likely not be rehired in the future. I get your point, I do, but we are caught in a vicious circle right now whereby if the artists want to have the same sound as the artists they’re competing with (rightly or wrongly) then that is how I and other producers have to interweave pitch correction in to our mixes.

[@LauraCollins-s6n]

​@@sutrerSo sorry that is the case with you at the moment.😢 We all have to pay the bills. But.... I do agree with the above comment. It is still cheating if that's not their unaltered voice in any setting, unless disclosed. And it's still cheating all of us including them to be authentic and to excel. I bet you would be a real blessing to some amazing artists out there, new or old, who are fighting this battle to stay authentic and need someone talented like you, as I'm quite sure you are, to help them continue in their career with your expertise with 💯 integrity, come what may. Although some well known artists are very good and insist on producing their own music. Many cannot. You could be a real asset and career saver for them by putting your skills for 💯 good. It might take a while but I'm thinking not, if you advertise yourself as being such, and stick to it while constantly striving to increase your own natural talents, I bet you'd be surprised how quickly you would get some genuine offers that would even amaze you of the caliber of the talent you can work with. You would be helping to reverse a very dark trend in the artist world where corporate America has now infiltrated and infected. And help bring us back to humanity what art is intended for. Watch some of the artists that Fil has highlighted along with their career and research the true hardships they had to go through to get and have stayed in the hearts and minds if millions even after many are now gone. It will be very humbling, motivating but hopefully most importantly, INSPIRING! Good luck to you my friend!! And keep us all posted in your newfound success!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@katiedauson]

First off, I enjoy your videos, Fil; they are very informative and truthful. I agree that it’s a sad state of affairs right now in the music industry, especially with regards to pitch correction and auto tune. I’m a singer songwriter myself, and when I perform live, whether it’s a 2 1/2 hour concert or a two song open mic set, I do not use any pitch correction software. I don’t have the best voice, and I don’t care. At least I’m being me.

[@KevinHGoDawgs]

Dead on 100% right, start to finish! This is one of your best videos ever. And that’s saying a lot, because you have so many great ones. The imperfections (within reason of course) in our voices are what makes us unique.

[@barnz008]

It's 2024 bro. Everyone's perfect and everyone gets a trophy! Consequently everyone sucks. Yay!

[@marikothecheetah9342]

Truer words haven't been spoken. But you forgot: you can be anything!" crap.

[@JelMain]

When everyone is somebody, then no-one's anybody.

[@marikothecheetah9342]

@@JelMain "When everybody's super - no one is" - Syndrome, The Incredibles I

[@JelMain]

@@marikothecheetah9342 Ever heard of the Cassandra Syndrome? If you look it up, you'll likely find it talks about couples finding it impossible to navigate the extraordinary, but the reality is the disillusion of the common man with the miraculous. I talk of performance as a narrative, but this issue first arose when MIDI started translating the dots (I had a han in that, improvising ABC notation copying songs in the RVWML in 67) a quarter of a century ago. No humanity. A performer must be more than human. I long to hear Beowulf - from Grendel's side.

[@heymilkshakes]

Yep lack of diversity. We all must sound the same. Why?! Reminds me of the song, "if everybody looked the same, we'd get tired of looking at each other". When we sound different, our uniqueness is what is beautiful and interesting.

[@olagsanger7436]

Amen, bro'. Hope your message reach far out there. Bad is just bad, but corrected is horrible.

[@alisong2328]

True artists doing authentic live concerts should start adding "no autotune" and "we don't lipsync" to their tour advertising. 😅

[@gwenr1213]

​@@Spo-Dee-O-DeeA disaster when someone sings off key or a disaster when people don't buy the concert tickets because they don't want to hear mechanized voices?

[@scottwheeler2494]

There plenty of bands not using corrective aids. Saying that every one does it is like since Hollywood cheats on their sppuse evrryone cheats. Nope. The band down as the pub doesnt.. lots of touring bands dont. Educate your ears. You can hear it. If i was a swifty who paid thousands to hear her sing i would be looking for class action status and get my money back. She perpeturated a fraud. Get a billion back and crap would be over.

[@Resgerr]

​@@Spo-Dee-O-Deebut that's where singing lessons come in with a proper singing teacher who will show you hiw tolook after your voice. It is an instrument after all.

[@soulmagicinspirations]

I won't be paying to watch a mime thats the point of goin to a concert a true live experience I can stay home n just listen to recording why pay all that money for a mime its scandalous and should stop ppl shud boycott these concerts

[@syltinettecavalli1029]

So true!

[@amusical12]

Hi Fil. Been with you for years and talking about this. All the girls sound the same and boys sound the same. In the 80s we knew who was singing because everyone was unique. Madonna didn't sound like Annie Lennox, Tracy Chapman didn't sound like Wendy Matthews. We loved that ❤️ I play piano on my channel and record live. If I stuff it, I stuff it... and you know I'm real and a human. We need to celebrate our differences in music. There's room for everyone. PS. Turned off radio back in early 90s. Records still rule 🤟

[@markschlussel]

Thanks!

[@aldebaran4154]

A few weeks ago on KZbin I watched the premiere upload of Linda Ronstadt Live in Hollywood. No autotuning or pitch correction, just pure Linda bliss.

[@kojoefante]

Yeah right lol

[@aldebaran4154]

@@kojoefante I'm not sure what you're "yeah righting" is all about. It was an HBO concert from 1980. Her voice cracked a few times and she hit some false notes. I can easily hear autotuning and there was none. Linda would still be recording to this day if she wanted to use auotune or pitch correction. She actually has standards which is missing from most artists today.

[@kendallneason3645]

Can you imagine Aretha Franklin or Nina Simone auto corrected? Lordy! Freddie Mercury must be looking down in shock! 😢

[@marikothecheetah9342]

David Bowie - autotune would destroy his voice. There was a Polish singer Czesław Niemen with a characteristic, scratchy voice but this made him unique. Autotune would kill his voice as well.

[@mollyhall2954]

Freddie Mercury predicted it.

[@joerenner8334]

​@@mollyhall2954And his catalogue will soon be thoroughly pitch corrected and ruined.

[@elioliver5749]

You don't have to imagine it. Just listen to Aretha's last studio release in 2014. One of the worst auto-tuned travesties released!

[@lawwdogg1digr]

Queen’s original tracks are being re-uploaded with pitch correction.

[@traceyhage713]

Thank you for putting out this video. I feel much better about singing. For myself, you have given me the inspiration to continue singing with confidence and peace knowing that my voice in it’s authenticity is good enough and with practice I can achieve amazing things as an artist.😊❤️

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

I'm so glad the vocalists I chose to study were those imperfectly amazing performers who told me a story.

[@hottato]

The best channel on internet nowadays! 👍🏽🎸🤘🏽

[@glenkelley6799]

I've really like you calling out this out. I've been listening to a lot of Japanese rock (due to a reaction you did years ago for Band-Maid) and while my ears are not as good as yours, I can still tell that most of the female rock/metal bands don't appear to be using pitch correct as I can hear when they sing off key. Once again, thanks for calling out this problem in the music industry.

[@csbsrich]

That would include The Warning

[@glenkelley6799]

@@csbsrich Agree, from what I can tell, their vocals are not processed (and I'll admit that I have trouble hearing what Fil can hear).

[@rosieposie5852]

Reading this comment reminds me of exist†trace. I don't think they used pitch correction since the vocals sound raw even in the studio version. I've heard Band-Maid's name somewhere but haven't listened to any of their songs, I'll give them a try.

[@matturner6890]

BORIS!!!! (Japan's best stoner rock band)

[@BhavyaAndrea]

This is the greatest treasure a vocalist or musician could receive. I hope they listen and take heed.

[@bobbygray8694]

Thank you Fil for campaigning for real art!! The TRUTH matters!

[@ultraphobic69]

This is a phenomenon I've noticed as well. I can tell you my daughter, 'Charlotte June' doesn't use pitch correction in any circumstances. If she's uploading to you tube with a cover she will sometimes pre record backing vocals but they are always without correction. In fact, I just asked her and she said she wouldn't even know how to apply it. It annoys me greatly as there are people out there with huge followings using these tricks and she is struggling for views. She also writes her own stuff and has released it without these studio tricks. So, rest assured there are still artists out there doing it the ' old fashioned' way!! The music industry is so different to our days when Freddie Mercury laid down multiple tracks and it still sounded amazing and to my ears better. Love the channel btw...great video and spot on

[@j_e_hill]

The work you are doing is important, Fil. Truly. Stay the course. Love that you are being real about all this. It needed to happen.

[@Terri_MacKay]

I saw a sad comment from someone who wanted to upload a video, to her channel, of herself singing without pitch correction. She's fine with the way her voice sounds, but she's afraid that viewers will compare her to all the pitch corrected voices they hear, and judge her negatively. She wasn't deciding between pitch correcting or not pitch correcting, she was deciding between uploading with her natural voice, or not uploading at all, and she was leaning toward not uploading. 😢

[@johnnypaytonbender]

Now that IS sad. She needs to simply upload it in her natural voice!

[@pinkthistle5713]

Now that is sad ! To lack confidence in her own, natural, voice which separates her from the pitch corrected voices of others.

[@JKFlaker]

Can you send her this video?

[@flamencoprof]

She should upload with a disclaimer that it is NOT corrected and an explanation.

[@malka1762]

​​​@@flamencoprofthe issue is that a lot of people don't know or refuse to believe pitch-correcting is as prelevant as it is, so they won't really pay attention to her disclaimer because in their eyes nothing is pitch corrected anyway. Basically I can't blame her for feeling scared, though of course I do hope she gains the confidence to upload anyway and people who know about the industry-wide issue and value actual real singing will find her.

[@jcortese3300]

I'm glad you brought this up in this way -- these ARE good musicians, singers, and songwriters. They don't want to lie -- they're caught in the middle of it. Someone has to be the first, and at this point, it's like the Spanish Prisoner problem.

[@DarkTideOffroad]

they are cowardly. just like the ones that go down and suck off (literally) high powered people in order to be allowed to stay relevant.

[@hrizonsdebbie]

Great points! Everybody saying, "Be your authentic self, be yourself," and then giving you non -authentic vocals...? What message do you think people are getting? Try being YOUR authentic selves, singers!

[@matthewdevery8122]

Thanks

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thank you!

[@TroyArchAngel]

The unfortunate truth behind music today for the last 20 and over years. Thank you Fil

[@glmcreationsfilm]

Amazing video! Great message! Truer than true. I can only listen to real, classic artists these days

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

EXACTLY! Here we are, gigging singers, with years of study, and we're superceded by computerized voices. It's very disheartening.

[@Tinuvielthefair]

Yep.

[@Tinuvielthefair]

I know so many younger, talented singers who put it on their voice because they don't feel like their voice is beautiful enough. It makes me so sad because I think their natural voice is so incredible.

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

@@TinuvielthefairAnd all these overused riffs and runs....tell the audience the story!

[@Tinuvielthefair]

@@VIDEOHEREBOB with emotions depth! Yes. Luckily, I don't hear a lot of people doing that anymore at least. It drove me nuts when I was younger though. Like, that doesn't make you a better singer doing that.

[@matturner6890]

​​​@@VIDEOHEREBOB True. Besides the ubiquitous heavy tuning, every other song has that stupid "hot-cross-buns" melody, just jumping up and down the first 3 notes of whatever major scale they're in, and it ought to be ILLEGAL to use it any more. IT STINKS!! It's more grating than a 1-5-6-4 progression.

[@YvanVucina]

I appreciate so much what you are doing and I’m subbing to your channel now. I always perform and put out my performance videos raw and hope other talented artists do the same and shed light on this artificial music which sucks the soul and purpose out of the art/craft. Some of my fav singers hit blue notes that probably would be bashed today like Robert Plant and Jim Morrison but hey you rock man. I appreciate people willing to shed light on the monopoly of the music industry

[@moxiemcmahon]

As a true raw natural voice, I've been waiting for a respectable industry pro to say this.❤ Thank-you

[@gregkiyuna6029]

Brother Phil you're talking about integrity and ego. Many artists today sadly have too little of one and too much of the other. Unfortunately it seems like the new norm for modern music. Bummer.

[@curtyounkin8545]

I love your videos where you analyze tracks and find obvious pitch correction, but it'd be really cool if you could also show examples of singers who don't use autotune so we can see what those lines look and sound like. Thanks for all your hard work!

[@Heightsomethinghuman]

He does. A few i can think of are Pavarotti , Karen Carpenter, there are more but just can’t remember them all. Search in his past videos to find them.

[@donnababi5767]

I guess I am not going to see anyone singing live anymore....now that I know all of this..glad I grew up in the 70's...great music..not fake like now...such a shame they do this... I don't expect an artist who's from the 60s.And 70s to sound like they used to and yet, yeah, when you see some of their videos and stuff they sound great.They shouldn't sound like that anyway.Thanks for all the information for all you do Fil, you're pretty amazing❤

[@thebikeracer]

Small venues and small stars like Matt Kearney!,

[@cden409]

Me too, concerts were so good back when

[@donnababi5767]

@cden409 they were grand...Chicago...Moody Blues...😁

[@cden409]

@@donnababi5767 I saw The Moody Blues in the 90’s

[@donnababi5767]

@cden409 awesome..such a great band...I saw them in the 80's

[@raphaelsmercy]

I’m just a beginner singer songwriter, I write and play my own original songs. I love the adrenaline rush of playing live and I’m proud to say that all my KZbin videos on my channel are one take live recordings. Keep music live, warts and all, that’s what makes each gig and recording special. You cannot step on the same piece of water twice, live in the moment 🎸

[@williamhenderson8371]

I think you found your calling Fil. We need someone like you to “make music great again” by calling out the fakers! Exposing the problem is the first step. 👍

[@MrKentaroMotoPI]

MAMUGA!

[@jeffreyflint6286]

Bring back originality. I like singers that just get up and do it for REAL!

[@theunaccompaniedsenior]

Preach, brother!

[@durabelle]

Have you listened to anything by Ren yet? He's become super popular because of authenticity, he's definitely not hitting all the lines, but it's never the point with him anyways. I'm not sure what kind of music you like, but Ren's done a bit of everything, so if for example rapping isn't your thing look for the ones where he actually sings. Chalk Outlines by Ren and Chinchilla, or anything by The Big Push (his previous band) are good ones to start with. I don't think Fil's looked at any Ren songs yet, but I'd honestly be very surprised if he's been pitch corrected, just doesn't feel like there would be any point in that in his style of music 😃

[@hairylittlewombat]

Great video again, Fil. I think it's a sign of the times. It comes down to vanity, recognition and perception - although, it's all virtual. The lure of "perfection" is too hard to resist for the artist with the knowledge that most of the listening audience would have no idea otherwise.

[@tommccarthy3052]

I commented on an earlier video of Fil's that these shows are "entertaent experiences" not "comcerts" - in the way we grew up with. There is a generational component here where I think younger people want the "just like the record but at a 'live show' experience". One thing leads to another I suppose.

[@glenrotchin5523]

Fil, I think you nailed it when you talked about risk. It’s too risky for the industry to invest in an unedited original voice and hope an audience will appreciate it, then to shape the expectation of the audience by standardizing the product.

[@jamesr2164]

So in sense we are part responsible for overtly criticizing artists through social media on whether we think they are a good or a horrible singer. It does seem to be the ultimate put down for a singer and people use that as trash talk so often. Truly is a shame that it's gotten to this point, because I think we all would agree that we would much rather hear the true rawness of live performances, but unfortunately it might be too late now.

[@tonycampbell4982]

Phil bringing level headed content thank you🎉

[@labradormcgraw]

“Everyone can be super! And when everyone’s super… No one will be.” ~ Syndrome - The Incredibles

[@michaelvaladez6570]

Hahahahahaha 😆

[@labradormcgraw]

@ 👍🤣

[@carlomatthews6676]

People love to tout their authenticity these days unless, of course, it doesn't make them look better than others. Brilliant, as ever, Fil. A discussion on authenticity is what artists and the industry of fakery needs to hear.

[@OneandOthermusic]

The most saught after commodity in this coming world is going to be "Authenticity" (along with being "Genuine")

[@michaelzell5905]

"We keep it 'Real'!"

[@ChiefBridgeFuser]

How can we produce authenticity at scale? 😮😅😂

[@HaleysTusk]

This is why I’m 💯behind artists like Haley Reinhart who’s proudly independent & in control of her songs & career, and has set herself through her publishing company up for passive income so she can choose to perform in intimate venues, not forced to constantly tour… she’s as genuine as they come ✌🏻

[@OneandOthermusic]

@@ChiefBridgeFuser haha yeah... I think its ok to use technology,,, and when or if someone asks, Hey did ya use some technology ? , then that is the opportunity for authenticity... just tell the truth ... simple... even bands that use backing tracks... when they lie about it then they lost the opportunity for authenticiy... and as a result and by default are also no genuine... Personally I prefer an honest performance...

[@johnbriggs3916]

And if you can fake those, you've got it made 😉

[@taiwanexpress775]

Thank you for your brilliant videos 🙏. Crazy, as you point out, that being heard to sing notes accurately pitch wise for vocalists has become such a bugbear and something that inhibits the creativity and vulnerability that is a core part of artistic expression.

[@lagasongs]

This is such an important message to both artists and audiences.

[@janebaldwin8040]

Queen live killers (1979) was edited, in that it was the best live performances pasted together, but this was minimal and disclosed on the album, and never auto turned..

[@listentoannmarie]

I agree wholeheartedly, as a vocalist it drives me crazy that artists who actually have beautiful singing voices allow the blanket use autotune. Everyone sounds like a robot which AI can very easily copy, artists need to stand up for themselves for this reason particularly.

[@MntnWtch]

The thing about Believe is that no one hearing that song when it first came out thought that was Cher’s natural, unedited voice. The secrecy today around widespread use of autotune etc. makes it materially different IMO

[@DawnDavidson]

Agreed. It was OBVIOUSLY manipulated. It was an EFFECT. I liked that song in the early 2000s (I was late to the party), because the LYRICS spoke to me. I did not care about how she was singing it, other than it was decent, and didn’t offend my ears. It sounded kinda weird and cool, because it was new. I never thought she was singing “naturally” on that song, and that did not actually matter in any way.

[@Coverswithchords1]

Until now, I thought this was an intented "futuristic" effect. Never liked the song anyway. Amazing, what one can learn here.

[@WilliamLaRue]

I have no issue with musicians using pitch correction software or other audio tools as an artistic choice, nor do I mind if they lip sync on stage. However, it becomes unethical when they present a pre-recorded track as a live performance or deny that their vocals have been enhanced. If they didn’t think what they are doing is wrong, they wouldn’t work so hard to keep the truth from coming out.

[@papertiger9845]

Lmao its not secret to anybody bro. Not a single artist or engineer doesnt have auto tune handy and in every single song.

[@ewaf4733]

Dear Fil, thank you for another great video. It is why I really like street artists as they present their true art even if it is not perfect. But their art is true and unique ❤ Hugs!

[@brentdoncliff2845]

There is a line in a Bruce Cockburn song which says 'the trouble with normal is it always gets worse'. How true this is when considering the music industry today.

[@kait2972]

I never hear beauty standards brought into this conversation. Vocalists weren't always pretty, but they were always talented. Nowadays, the opposite is true.

[@trekkiejunk]

I was going to say, "only in one niche of the pop music world," but i started thinking about faces in country, and even singer-songwriter types. And you're right, they are all typically kinda hot, too. Less so with the guys, i think. But i notice it there as well.

[@macronencer]

It's about having the confidence to admit you're not perfect. Art is all about being human, after all. I saw Peter Gabriel play in Manchester years ago, and he sat down at the piano to start a song, and played the wrong chord. He just stopped, smiled, said "let's try that again, shall we?" and immediately did so. That's a real musician - a real HUMAN - and the audience loved it.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

I listen mostly to French female singers that can actually sing live, and I can tell, by my ear, there are differences, that are human in nature, slight imperfections at times, or a phrase done with more emphasis, etc. Pomme, Louane, Maelle, for starters. Then there is Hayley Williams, for example, I have seen videos of her training with her vocal coach. She is exemplary.

[@txerri4874]

You nailed what is happening. And it’s destructive to the artist. Adding that natural artists with phenomenal talent stay off social media. It’s that risk. It’s too risky To be vulnerable and deal with the consequences on socials is just too much.

[@pemical35uk]

Great video Fil You deserve an award from the paying public . and I suggest that award is a badge /T shirt logo " KEEP MUSIC CLEAN-NO PITCH CORRECTION THANKS FIL". or words of that effect..

[@SeekerGoOn2013]

We’re living in an episode of the TWILIGHT ZONE!!

[@ianparr1533]

The irony is that A440 equal temperament is taken as "perfection" when it was always the least worst compromise to allow a variety of instruments to play together in many keys with minimal tuning conflicts. My ears (such as they are) tell me that the great vocalists are bang on the right pitch for the backing even when they aren't hitting the "line".

[@kelly2558]

The very last word of Joe Cockers recording of “You Are So Beautiful” is, I think, the absolute epitome of vocal authenticity and artistic integrity because it’s debatable whether he actually reaches the note. His struggle to do so embodies the emotion of that moment. If imperfection comes from a place of integrity and authenticity, then I’ll take imperfection every time because it’s human and not contrived gimmickry. I think, in light of this conversation that’s being had now, it would be a great idea to re-record that Cher song without the auto tune to showcase her great natural voice. When Neil Young recorded his very first solo album,he apparently wanted it to be perfect and he overdubbed part after part in an attempt to make it so. All these years later he is not happy with it and subsequent studio albums were done by rolling tape and recording what happened. Much of Dylan’s work was done that way as well. Great art is, by definition, not perfect.

[@emelless5365]

Well said. That last note on that song IS beautiful and memorable, and it's imperfect and human .It reminds me of Angelina Jordan singing her last note of Fly Me To The Moon, on the tv show The View, when she was eight.Her voice breaks and it's adorable.

[@mojobag01]

It was the stultification of US music that led me to so many wonderful artists from Asia and Africa. So thank you big music companies, you helped me find Diana Ankudinova and many others.

[@etmoiaussi899]

I agree. When I travel it is so refreshing listening to the background “ music” that seems to be so much more authentic, doesn’t all sound the same, and actually has some class to it.

[@IanGriffiths-em7wn]

It's been a long time coming but Fil, you've nailed it in this video, awesome!🙃

[@NPollard]

Love to see Bob Dylan's attitude to pitch correction!!

[@AndyS-85]

I mean, we've got to give him his due, he's still learning to sing at 80+, that's some dedication

[@gregb8565]

I would argue he could not be auto tuned he’s not close to any lines and is arguably the first rapper I requested fil to try pitch correcting Dylan

[@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx]

There are no live videos of Dylan. Why?

[@katec7862]

⁠@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx you might want to Google Bob Dylan live to find all the live Bob Dylan concerts. The most recent one was apparently at Albert Hall in 2024.

[@Spo-Dee-O-Dee]

@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx He is an aggressive blocker. The only stuff that gets through and stays up iirc are from the Newport Folk Festival.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

As a biology major, I respect his use of science. I call modern crap, sterile and fake.

[@etmoiaussi899]

It is also so soulless.

[@paulwatson1507]

Fil, back in 1962, your then child actress Hayley Mills, daughter of John Mills, stared in the Disney movie “The Parent Trap”. She sang a song entitled Let’s Get Together”,. Her English was perfect but sung terribly off key. No one tried to fix it and it became a hit record! It endeared her to an entire generation of 12 year old boys , (me!)

[@coleparker]

Although I am not a musician myself, I have always enjoyed your videos and analyses surrounding the music industry.

[@LauraCollins-s6n]

I thank you again, Fil, to help bring back the integrity of the music industry. Your tribute to the greats help to inforce this very point. Please keep them coming!!🎉 Hopefully they will help educate and encourage artists and others, that yes, you have to work hard struggle, sacrifice and be vulnerable. It is part and parcel to achieve excellence in any field. But the end results far outweigh any short term success with shortsighted efforts. And ee are better iff for them🎉🎉 I think that those of us that have contracted perfectitis neurosis, and who as you say actually compromise or don't even discover their true talent. And never will as long as they let themselves to be led by $. What is very sad about some of the well known artists that are auto turning miming etc... because they just don't have it anymore, have less to do with aging and unavoidable health issues and more from their own undoing. Whether it's mental illness or mental instability and not living a healthy lifestyle or just not having the necessary discipline and maturity to take care of their voice like any other instrument. They are now sadly, paying the price. All the greats tell us of the sometimes painstakingly voice excercises and routines and sacrifices they religiously follow and situations they avoid to preserve their voice. Being in turbulent personal relationships where they are constantly shouting, is I dare say, for many, not one of them.😢

[@startuppublishing5678]

I grew up in the 70s and 80s and loved live music. Part of its perfection is the imperfections. They remove the uniqueness of the artists performance today. I’m old, so admittedly, I do not like auto tune and pitch correction.