Leon Jackson - 'When You Believe'
This review comes courtesy of ChartBlog's X-Factor correspondent, Steve Perkins, who is a little emotional about the whole thing.
There are certain things which, once you've read them, stay with you forever. I'm not just talking about a particularly profound piece of Proust or a highly emotive poem by Emily Dickinson (although obviously those are both great); even the most inconsequential piece from a tabloid can hang around in your cranium under the right circumstances. I will always remember Heat magazine's review of Will Young's debut single 'Anything is Possible/Evergreen' shortly after he won the original Pop Idol back in 2002. A reader wrote in the following week to ask how they could possibly justify giving it five stars when the songs were obviously bobbins, and the editorial staff replied that the mark wasn't so much based on the music as it was on the sense of occasion they felt when they heard it; the memories of a tight contest well-fought with a deserving victor. And while one may disagree with that as a standpoint, you can at least see where they were coming from.
(Here's Leon's final performance on the X-Factor. Thanks to ITV)
I get a similar feeling from listening to this, except very much in the other direction: listening to this song really brings home to me what a complete waste of everyone's time this series was, because when this guy is the best undiscovered talent this country has to offer, it's probably time to stop looking.
Last year we were able to hold our heads high for once, as the crowning of Leona Lewis as our victor meant that we truly had rewarded the most able contestant; conversely, I still can't find, no matter how objective I try to be, a convincing reason why anyone would've voted for mumbling jazz twit Leon even once. And this pitiful effort does absolutely nothing to change my mind.
The radio edit of this single is fractionally better than his performance of it during the results show on Saturday (indeed, it couldn't have been much worse). It's a cover of the Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston original, which was recorded for the soundtrack of The Prince of Egypt in 1998, where the whole focus on miracles happening "when you believe" made a lot more sense, as it played during a point in the film where their prayers to God throughout their hardships have remained unanswered, but how their faith remained steadfast all the same.
To hijack this and turn it all into the obligatory crass metaphor for winning a televised talent contest just seems like an incredibly cheap and cynical trick to me. As if it wasn't bad enough when they recycled Kelly Clarkson's coronation song to give to Leona - as though implying that these people do not merit original material for their debut release.
None of this is Leon's fault, obviously - but the soulless, uninspiring vocal can't be blamed on anyone else. The song doesn't really translate well into a solo performance rather than a duet, and Leon's take on it is lacklustre to say the least. It sounds as though he's just clocked into the studio to get the job done, and is focusing on hitting his marks rather than putting any passion into the performance. Essentially, he's a one-man Westlife.
The worst thing is, the whole thing just feels utterly superfluous. He hasn't done anything to the song to justify re-recording it - it hasn't been altered for the better in any way. Quite the contrary, in fact. Leon's been tagged "Britain's answer to Michael Bublé" by the show, which should tell you all you need to know - Leon will be making music for people who don't like music, and apparently the road to hell begins here. Apparently narrowly escaping the Jazz Twit in last year's contest wasn't enough - this year we had to let one go the whole way.
Congratulations, voting public: you've got the winner you deserved. I hope you enjoy him. I'll be in the corner with my headphones on.
Final observation: last year's winner was Leona. This year's winner is Leon. I'm quite tempted to call up my friend Leo from university and tell her to call for an application form right away - she stands a good chance of winning next year.
Download: Out now
CD Released: Now
Steve is also a contributor to the very brilliant (and very sweary) blog Lowculture, which has had some from the get-go (and even , live!)...
Comments
*appluades Chartblog till my hands fall off*
Im so glad im not the only one who thinks this. We found such a talent in Leona and then they should have just quit while they were ahead, but no, they unleashed Leon on us (totally agree on the one-man Westlife thing, and I really hate them *shudders*).
But unfortunately this song will probably knock of Katie Melua (which is a shame because its not a bad song).
Ergh I hope they dont make another series if he is the best we can find
p.s. Rhydian is sooooooooo much better than him, and I hate him aswell lol
Apparently narrowly escaping the Jazz Twit in last year's contest wasn't enough - this year we had to let one go the whole way.
Soo soo true.
IMO no one stood out in the 'Final 12' for me...well apart from Rhydian's hair and I don't see Leon (who) lasting long.
Who's gonna buy his albums?? I certainly won't, well after the success of Leona we've been brought back to earth with a bump.
i love this song. i so wanted leon to win!!!! woo hoo i am buying his single as soon as it comes out!!!!! xxxxxxxxxxxx
i love this song. i so wanted leon to win!!!! woo hoo i am buying his single as soon as it comes out!!!!! xxxxxxxxxxxx
Has no one ever heard the expression variety is the spice of life, how boring things would be if everyone liked exactly the same things, why do we take pleasure in trying to bring down and ridicule a young lad like Leon who is obviously passionate about his singing, so what if he isn't the best singer in the world, millions of people will disagree that he is no good (including myself) and if we are talking about lack of talented singers, have some of the people who are slagging off someone who has had the guts to get up and sing live on national TV actually ever listened to some of the so called bands currently in the charts today, lack of talent or what, singing skills or none, I rest my case!!!!
Final observation: last year's winner was Leona. This year's winner is Leon. I'm quite tempted to call up my friend Leo from university and tell her to call for an application form right away - she stands a good chance of winning next year.
OMG
I SAID THIS 2 MY DRIVING INSTRUCTOR THAT IM GNA CHANGE MY NAME TO LEO AND ENTER CZ IM SURE TO WIN
he laughed
I don't care what you say, Leon is a supremely talented young man who I think will only improve as time goes by. I don't know about you but I don't know a single 18 year old who can sing as well as that. Also, what's wrong with Michael Buble? I love music of all sorts (ok well maybe not seeing as I don't like rap or R&B on the whole) and I like Michael Buble. Also I would just like to say that I said Leon would win right from the first live show. Not because I thought he was the best, but just because I watch way too many of these programmes and have perfected the art of picking the winners. For example I got the final two of the last American Idol from the beginning and said Jordin would win.
Steven Perkins, I love you.
Now, what should we all download to topple Leon? Mariah? The Pogues? Malcom-out-of-Arab Strap? Girls Aloud?
Now, what should we all download to topple Leon? Mariah? The Pogues? Malcom-out-of-Arab Strap? Girls Aloud?
Well, to keep things on a Saturday night entertainment theme, I was going to suggest everyone downloads 'Knockdown' by Alesha. That should have been a No.1, so we can right two wrongs in one go.
Steve P - YES YES YES!! Knockdown is one of the best songs ever and it should have gone to No 1 the first time round. =D
It's all rigged anyway. Rhydian was the best singer by far, and the producers knew that by letting Leon win they could launch two singers at once and make twice as much money. Rhydian's album will be out next year, mark my words!
I don't think Leon is a jazz twit, just a twit really. He can sing, he's just boring!
You know, even though The ´óÏó´«Ã½ doesnt have a major hit show like X Factor, it doesnt mean you need to trash that show.
I love it and Love Leaon, I don't like that song, i wish they gav him an original song though, or at least his take on "The Long W. Road" was awesome, i never likd that song before - never in my life until he sang it.
Bottom line, i agree with you that ITV peple will try and make him another M. B. which will be wring, he can bea whole new thing out there if given the chance.
Love Leon, Love X Factor, And ´óÏó´«Ã½ - this is the holidy season, stop being so bitter for not having a massive show like that.
Kisses
Mike
NYC
[Probably worth pointing out that Steve Perkins and the ´óÏó´«Ã½ are not one and the same thing. And that both he and I really wanted Same Difference to win. Which undercuts your '´óÏó´«Ã½=bitter' argument somewhat. Besides, we've got Strictly Come Dancing. - Fraser]
Firstly why do I have to hear this awful song for the next 6 weeks and more, he has more talent in my little finger, more like a plank of wood, with no charisma or confidence, my grandma could do better.
As for the song, its awful, his performance is awful, why another cover version, why have the British public voted for this plank of wood, I wish someone will knock him with a plank of wood he does not deserve to be the Christmas No.1.
Come on guys buy The Pogues make them the Christmas #1.
Strictly wins every and any day Fraser :D
But who to win this year?? I don't have a favourite.. Matts made the biggest improvement but is he better? Ah well, should be good anyways
[I only have eyes for Alesha. She's astonishing. - Fraser]
Ha, poor Leon, no stars, I agree with it all, it's so painful and cringeworthy to listen to, we should all download Mariah instead
I think it really unfair to critize Leon after only 2 days... i mean this song isnt AWFUL! i agree that the producers shouldnt have chosen a cover of a Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston song, which i assume didnt do that well to begin with, but i think Leon does a very good job of making a boring song in to something good :)
As for comparing Leon and Rydhian, its utterly pointless beacause of the fact their style of singing and choice of genre is completley different! its like compaining Arctic Monkeys to 50 cent.... its doesnt make any sence!
And saying "this is what the british public wanted" what about the people of Ireland eh?
I cant say Rydhian is a bad singer, theres no question that he was amazing, but hes not an artist that would succed in the charts. Im sure he will get alot out taking part in the X Factor and we im sure havnt heard the last from him... But i would not have bought his version of this song. Its an average song with Leons Jazzy style but just think about it with Rydhians Trained Opera style of singing..... *Shudder*
No stars eh? thats a bit harsh, it christmas!
I am most definatly getting this CD tomorrow :)
xxxxxxxxx
(RE: Eve's comment)
you are crazy rydian couldnt sing and leon was the best apart from nicky who got voted out how can u say that rydian was the best singer yes he can sing but leon was just better
Leon Jackson Rocks
do not agree with your views on leon jacksons victory! people voted for him because he is genuine. rhydian should not have been in that competition as he was already a trained opera singer. and i dont see what his problem is!! hes got a recording contract already! so its win win for him. leon is a genuine bloke and i feel, along with many others that he is a deserving winner. and he happens to be very cute! now i wouldnt slate a fellow welsh (rhydian) but that man is so arrogant he makes me feel nausious! leon derserved to win. he is gonna go very far. and well if you dont like jazz then thats your problem, people have got different tastes, if you are a jazz hater then change the channel or radio station.
Well..... I Think That You Should All Leave Leon Alone! Okay He Isnt The Best But He Is Trying !
!!
Bye
Love Jade
x
leon is so lovley and i think it is unfair to be slagging him when he only one a few days ago ok so the song is not the bes song they could have came up with and it is not perfect for leon he needs more micheal buble stuff yeah (nd wat is rong with micheal buble) even though the song sucks a wee bit jst a wee bit but he is still an ace singer i hope lots of people download and buy his single and make him krimbo number 1 coz he is the best
from jane xx
i think leon is absolutly amazing!!! i voted for him loads wanted him to win from the begining and i am definatly going to buy his single.
and can i just say that 'Steve Perkins' needs to get alife if he wants to waste his time trying to bring down leon who everyone who voted for him to win (obviously a lot) thinks that he is good.
i would like to see anyone who thinks leon isnt good going up live on stage and trying to sing better than him cause it aint gonna happen!
luv u leon!!!!!!!!!! :)
Why is my name in inverted commas, Amy? Do you think I'm not real?
I tell you what though, you get Leon to do me 200 words on the latest Maccabees single, and I'll do your singing challenge. Then we'll see what's what...
I love leon, he is brillient and I heard Ray Quinn sing on sunday and was reminded how great HIS voice was. I think both of them are very good artists and I have allready down loaded leon's single. Woop go leon.
I think we should send Steve on an undercover mission to document the next X-Factor FROM THE INSIDE. I, for one, would vote for him.
It is so clear to see why Leon won this year, just by looking at some of the comments on here from people in support of him.
The thing is the majority of these people tend to be a certain gender and a certain age bracket.*
It's the same reason Ray nearly won last year.
I hate to stereotype and generalise, but it is sooo true.
How anyone can for one minute suggest that Leon posseses more talent than Rhydian, Niki, Same Difference, Beverley or even Hope obviously does not have ears.
I would also like to point out that I am pretty sure Leon was never in the bottom 2, because if he had of been I am pretty sure the judges would not have saved him.
*Please note I am basing this purely on names and writing styles.
Alesha is the better of the two but she's had an advantage from the beginning, and Matt's made the biggest improvement so due to that I think I'd prefer him to win.. and this year I don't like the whole dance off on the sunday thing, that's a tad too much like X-Factor
[He may have improved the most of the two of them, but she's been doing very hard dances recently, much harder than his. That quickstep was amazing. Plus she's officially a Friend Of ChartBlog. I agree about the Sunday dance-off though. Specially as it is SO OBVIOUSLY filmed on the same night as the rest of it. - Fraser]
Maybe X Factor decided that if they had a male version of L-E-O-N-A then they'd proboably win. . Well if that was the case then it'd be Stephanie Brookstein (Where;s he gone too????), Shaynette Ward (Justin Timberlake wannabe) and LeoN Jackson (Britain's answer to Michael Buble, yeah right.) The only difference with Leon is that he's a dead ringer for last years Ray Quinn. Same songs, same genre. I know 4 a fact that he'll get to number one cos Simon Cowell has killed off the tradition of Christmas number ones. Anyway I'm supporting Good old Novelty Christmas songs shaun the sheep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *yayyyyyyyyyy*
You don't know what your on about!
I love Leons single, it rocks :)
im not sure if i agree to be honest with the result.. and in doing so, we have set up a blog and poll..
Will Leon Jackson Be Another One Hit Wander?
Was The X Factor Result Fixed?
cast your vote and leave a comment today
For the record that was not ME posting... I do not love leon.. I do not think he is brilliant.
[But Kat, you are Scottish, and Scottish people love Leon. Simon Cowell said so. Are you calling Simon Cowell a liar? Are you? Or are you denying your Scottish heritage? Which is it, Kat? Hmm?
*runs a very long way away to hide* - Fraser
Leon deserved to win!! He was the only true singer left that could have growth with his voice! Rhydian is at best a 2nd rate opera singer, and that's being generous!! Same Difference where ok, although the girl shouldn't have been allowed to sing as much as her voice was just irritating!! Leon was the most genuine, and for someone who has only been singing 11 months, has an incredible voice! With the right training he will be unbelievable!! Obviously not Leona good, but better than most of the pathetic singers we currently have!! Leave the poor lad alone!!
Well every Party has to have One "Sour Puss" Hello Steve!
Leon may not appeal to you personally but other than those few petty Rhydian fans and there sad "fix" campaign loads more will not agree with you at all and I sincerely hope LEON JACKSON is the Christmas Number One!
Personally Leona never did much for me, but remember like Rhydian, Leona had been trying forever to break into pop music!
I have worked in radio and music management since leaving school and I see raw talent in Leon and he has developed every week of X Factor, something which the other finalists did not do in my eyes.
So Steve enter the True Spirit of CHRISTMAS and try and just be Happy for LEON and wish him every success! Leon Fully Deserves It!
Talent Shows. Lets Be Honest Guys, We Arent Exactly Going To Find Another Whitney Housten Or Celine Dion Although We Did Come Close With Last Years Winner Leona Lewis. Her Amazing Performance Of Bleeding Love On This Years X-Factor Took Many People Breathe Away; It Took Mine Away Certainly. Could This Years Winner Stand Up To That In One Word NO. Unfortunately This Years Contestant Obviously Did Stand Up To The High Expectations Of The British Public. To Be Honest Leon Didnt Really "Do It For Me" But Who Says That He Didnt 99.9999% Of The Voting Public. Slating Him Wont Make Him More Hated, (A Strong But True Word), But Increase The Percentage Of Stupid People Buying His Albums/Single. Although In Leon's Defence at Least He Doesnt Stick To The Stereotypical Type Of Music All These Talentless Talent Shows Provide The Chart With Each Year.
He Will Never Be As Good As Micheal Bubble.
Enough Said.
A question for Alix Bradford: Who is Micheal Bubble?
*wishes people on these things would use spellcheckers, or at least read what they have written before posting*
i think he desvered t9o win i heard his song and it totally rocked i dont normally listen to that sort of music but it really caught my attentiom it is really good and i am now waiting for the album.
Scottish people love Leon because by even that time on a Saturday night Scottish people are drunk! The drunkenness is part of my heritage, the actions committed during it are not :P
i soooo dont understand why people are slating leon so much!! i mean its not like he has done anything wrong accept been a genuine person who won fair and square!!
and for all those people who are belivers of the 'fix' theory, then you are wrong becauce i was sat at home on saturday night with leon and rhydian fans in the house and it was impossible to get through to leon (because it was so busy) but for rhydian it was so easy, and purley based on the fact that no one wanted to vote for him..
also all the people who are callin him a twit and things like this.. well how do you know what he's like?? YOUVE NEVER MET HIM!!
Yeah I think you're right about it being filmed on the saturday.. didn't one of the judges say something that implied that sunday was actually still saturday recently? Hmm, when do the weekly phone lines close? Cus if it's the sunday tut tut ´óÏó´«Ã½!
[Well the dance-off is judged by the judges, so hopefully that's not a problem. I can't remember what happens to the phone lines tho!]
I've read these comments, i bet half of you couldn't sing as good as leon. and how can any of you say his got no confidence his sang infront of millions of people! his goodlooking and talented xxxxxxxxxx LUV HIM SO MUCHX XXX
Leon won fair and square - He is the better talent, he is what the majority of the public wanted! I've gotta say who would want to listen to some opera from rhydian - surely not me!!!
yeah but to be in the dance off its the two with the lowest totals.. half judges scores half viewers votes, so it would be a problem wouldn't it.. I'm not accusing anyone of anything, just wondering
[I have it on good authority that the phone lines close at 9pm on the Saturday, and then re-open after the Sunday show. So once the votes have been counted to put two couples into the dance-off, you can't vote again until someone has been evicted. - Fraser]
Phew! We wouldn't want any phone line scamming going on now would we? :P
[Nope. That, my friend, was the other lot. - Fraser]
I love Leon's single and will definatly buy it.xx
Hes Rubbish !!!! Rhydian should have won hands down
i have to say i did think that rhydian was the better singer, but from the start everyone knew that he would end up getting a record deal or landing a role in the west end even if he didn't win and as for same difference you could tell that they would probably get a contract from some sort of music industry to do with children.
That only leaves Leon now, so is it not fair to give the boy a chance and see what he can do????????
I don't see why everyone are getting on at him for the song choice.
HE DIDN'T PICK IT!!!!!!!
some people like it some people don't that is always going to be the case in life.
Rhydian has the stronger voice (doesn't mean it's better) but ever since his first audition he seemed quite arrogant
Leon is a really good singer but a lot of people compared him to rhydian which isn't really fair as they both have completely different styles.
Leon deserved to win because he is the one that entertained the audience and he is the one that you could see having a career that would reach out to many age groups old and young.
People seem to have a problem that leon is like ray but whats wrong with that you can have more than one person in the same genre of music and people obviously liked ray as he was in the final two last year.
fans on leon should be happy as he won and was a deserving winner
and fans of rhydian should stop being be so annoyed that he didn't win because he will still have a career.
You'll all be crying into your Christmas dinner if this load of tosh gets to number. Please, please, please go out and buy anything but this.
I am sure he is a really top bloke, but lets face it there is more atmosphere in outer space.
Then, to pick a Whitney Houston/Mariah Carey collaboration is well lets face just plain daft.
Hmmmmm lets see Leon, nice enough bloke with a reasonable voice or probably the two best warblers in the world (no offence to Celine Dion fans), erm no contest.
His record career will last as long as strawberry and orange flavoured crisp (remember them from the 80's, if your old enough to remeber).
Alas, the record buying/downloading public are easily swept away by these two a penny poop, sorry, pop stars, with the exception of Leona Lewis (who can actually sing).
Good luck Leon, cos after the novelty has gone your going to be in the dole queue with the rest of the winners such as Steve Brookestein and Michelle Mc Mannus.
BRAVO!!!! I totally agree with everything!
I won't be bothering to watch the Xfactor next year.....
Whatever. Alls I know is that I am incredibly un-fond of the Leona-Whitney-Mariah types, and am equally unhappy with the result of this year's X Factor too.
Come on The Killers!
Kate Nash's Pumpkin Soup is pretty damn awesome, too.
i dont care how many 'fans' leon has, i think Rhydian should have won the X factor, im not totally against leon its just i dont think he deserved it. And also i dont think he is going to go a far as Rhydian could have and prob WILL!!
X factor was a FIX, and i dont think i will bother voting again, and taking as much intrest in it as i did this time.
you are so nice you made my drems come ture be cuse the rest of the singers were terble exspshley ridinn
i luv leon is is so cute just leave him a lone now i luv him so much xx
RIDEON SHUD HAVE WON X FACTOR
omg!!! no way!! leon was an awsome singer he was lk one of the best singers there, yerr kaii same difference was lk awsome but they were so annoying it hurt and rhydian well he's got an amazin voice but whats goin on with the hair duude!! time to stop using so much hairspray i think!! but anywayz, whats not to like about leon, he's fit, an awsome singer and a down to earth guy!!! You all like michale buble riite so why dont yew lk leon!!!
Ova nd out
Angiie3 Babesh xxxx
Isn't all this arguing over who was apparently best just a complete waste of time? Out of all these so called talent shows how many contestants have gone on to have any kind of meaningful career afterwards? A very, very small minority. Let's face it, Leon's career has the life expectancy of a MCR fan at a Metallica concert.
Frankly, I wouldnt touch either Leon or Rhydian with a barge pole. If there's any justice in the world The Killers would bag the Xmas no. 1. (but there isn't anyway, so yes it would probably will be Leon with his generic, faux-Transatlantic catterwaulling. Ye Gods!)
I have to disagree with ure blog. I agree that maybe Leon does not sing like Leona, but he is a star in his own right. He got the votes and was the best man on the night. In this contry we dont have a "michael Buble" style singer really, and Leon gave his all. Its not his fault that otehr people got voted off previously in the show, but he was the best out of the lot and every one is entitled to their own opinion, but serioulsy if it doesnt interest you then dont comment on it. Leon worked hard and deserves to wear the crown, he mite not be the best we have had, but he won and fairs fair.
Leave Him alone!
Hes farrrr better than Rydian... He can sing..BUT onli Opera songs. He will be famous anyway.
Give Leon his moment of fame. It may pass... But let him have it.
He well deserved it and for an unexperienced singer he did well on getting this far. His familly and all are real proud of him.
Leon :) Call me ; )
LEON SUCKS
All little tarts who think they have a chance with him vote for him
He's flat
And it was rigged from the begging
they closed rhyd's phone lines!!
RHYD HAS MORE TLAENT!!
if this was a singing comp insted of a popularity comp rhyd would have won!
IM SO GLAD LEON WON! HE IS AMAZING AND DESERVES IT! BHIS NEW SONG IS SO AMAZING! I LOVE HIM. LOVE ELLIE JAZ AND GEORHGGIA.. TBH HE IS FIT.. FACE THE FACTS.
Leon is a great singer he knew in his heart that he was going to go all the way and did. Rhydian was also a good singer and if the nation loved him so much he would have won but he didnt so there is no argument here !!
well!!! its a competition :D he won!!! no big deal!!! i liked him n thought he was a good winner to be honest :D but at the end of the day everyone that gets into the last 3 wil have some kind of career anyways!!! its just a case of wether they can put their own style into it and really show what theyre made of, as if Leon wanted 2 sing this song?? but he has to! so all you mad crazed fans!! - GET A GRIP!!
HELP ME PLEASSSSSSSSSEEE
Where is everyone's xmas spirit? Has the world gone mad?
Why are people taking pleasure in slagging off someone they dont know. Give leon a chance. I have listened to his song and LOVE IT, but thats just my opinion, and some people dont love it, but you dont take it out on this young lad. Whats he done to you? ask yourself that before sticking the knife in. Remember its the season of Good Will, so spead some people...Merry Christmas and ALL THE BEST FOR 2008 To ALL XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
has everyone got nothing better to do. both of them deserved to be in the final and leon deserved to win. why is there so much need to criticise. he can sing. an it wasnt rigged. id much rather look at him then rhydian too. rhydian has a deal too. leon won so give it a rest!! he will have a career
Hello!!?? Has everyone cleaned their ears or is it full of wax. Have you not all heard Leon's uniqueness to it??? He will go far... VERY far! For once, I think the best candidate was chosen.
When Shayne was voted over Andy's gorgeous voice, I was devastated, but at least the public noticed something special in Leon's voice this time round.
Steve, you obviously no absolutely nothing about singing whatsoever! And where did all your bitterness and venom come from? Geez! I'm going to send Leon an antidote for all that poison!
McDreary Scot is so booooooorrrrring! eww ewwww ewwwwww ewwwwwwwwwww!
i think its sad to think thjat of all the thousands that auditioned...he won
this means he is the best in the whole country :s
thats not good...
Is it just me or is it only girls that have commented this saying he's amazing? i presume the fact they find him attractive has blinded them to the fact that this single is boooooring?
I for 1 am sooooooooo happy that leon won! he's got an absolutely gorgoues voice and not 2 mention hes well cute! i love his new song and am definately going out 2 buy it! would you rather have had rhydian win? leon was 100 times better! well done leon! ill buy ur albums when they come out!
Crikey, the amount of posts on here is unbelievable about a program that is there for entertainment. This year has no way been up to other years standards, and the top 3 was a joke. The christmas song is DIRE and as a singer myself, its flat and boring, no song from the heart, i understand not his choice but it is embarrassing for him. Rhydian by far was the true natural Talent here. People on here are saying aww Leon was great hes only been singing 11 months blah blah, not being funny but a singer on a show like that expecting to release a single and perform live for a career SHOULD be able to sing already with no extra training. You don't see muscians playing instruments crappily hoping to learn more in a year or so. People spend a lot of money training to get into the music business, or work in clubs/pubs etc as singing isnt just about the money and contracts, you should love it. leon is good,but no passion and cries all the time and not a patch on Michael Buble- who needs another michael buble, the swing thing has been done enough. I am in a duo and my partner sings far better swing than Leon, but he doesnt want to get involved with the fix that is X FACTOR. he supported Andy when he played in southampton and out did Andy completly. there are more people out there who are far better and naturally talented but refuse to do these shows as it will undoubtly reck a career just as much as making it... If Rhydian makes it into the Phantom of the Opera sequel in the West end then he will be a huge star! He will do better in the west end! Id love to sing with him, but would dye his hair though i might get blinded!
I love how the x factor hasnt really turned into a search for a star.
Leon was a totally deserving winner - the public which watched the entire season would have known this and in no way was Rhydian any way ahead of it. The only crap scraped up reason that he was publicised more was because of his "operatic talent" which was ultimatley squashed when he sang his duet with catherine jenkins. It shows just how utterly crap he really is. He really is just in the middle. Not paticularilly the one the teenage girls want to snog either. We saw leon progress and progress throughout the series and truly is loved by the general public - que the result.
Leona was infact a trained singer before she entered the contest last year. Infact, im sure a few people have heard about her second single released 26th November 2007 "The Best Kept Secret"? No? You wait a year for one leona lewis ablum and two come along at once. The record company UEG Music trained Lewis and recorded 10 demos before she entered the X factor accumulating a cost of £70,000 that still remains unpaid.
This proves that Leona was infact not a totally novice singer that we found in north london. But to the contrary, a proffesional.
Leon was a genuine pick of the bunch and congradulations to him - from all here, we hope he wins the christmas number one
xxxxxxxxx
Kingy
How sad that you think the only way to get ahead in the world is if someone finds you attractive!? Very, very sad. I can't believe the amount of evil that's being said about a young boy, who loves his mum and singing and would like to make it in the world and is giving it his best shot. And no, Kingy, actually I don't fancy him one bit, but I like the slight crack in his voice and I do think his 'singing voice' is sexy.
Considering he's not got Rhydian's experience, he's done brilliantly!
Rhydian is good (I did like him too), but not that good. Being an ex opera singer myself, I know what I'm talking about. Rhydian does not have that kind of calibre of voice. Did you not see how very small his voice sounded compared to Katherine Jenkins on the night? She totally overpowered it. That is what an operatic voice 'should' sound like.
However, Leon has that 'je ne sais quoi' to his voice, which makes him special... almost Frank Sinitra... give him a fair chance and time.
And stop all this venom please :-)
Well First Things First - Some people like Leon some don't, you've all got the right to have your own oppinion, but i must say that Leon can sing better than any of you slagging him off !! And you all know that its a FACT !
Leon won fare and square and rhydians phone lines were not closed they were busy and Leons was busy too as i tried 4 times and couldn't get through And you dont see me complaining about it, but unlike those who have been complaining they couldn't get through for about up to 10 times i am not that stupid ! IF YOU TRY TO PHONE ONE SECOND AND THE PHONE LINES ARE BUSY THEN IF YOU HANG UP AND PHONE BACK STRAIGHT AWAY THEN THE PHONE LINES ARE STILL GOING TO BE BUSY !!
And As for The Song I think that Leon sang it better than Rhydian by far and im welsh so that must say something !
Leon deserved it and he is very talented so leave him alone !!!!
I think that the person who has written this article has no musical taste whatsoever: Leon was the best singer in the competition therefore he won and did a bloody good jod of it. Personally i think Leon Jackson is a particularly talented singer and deserved to win. I think that writing an insult about someone and getting paid to do is a complete waste of good money. I'd love to see this 'steve' try, see if he can do better.
Congratulations to Leon!
Hope he gets the Xmas #1
So long!
hey
people who r avin a go cos apparently the lines for rydian (cant spell his name) were closed, do u eva think bout how this makes Leon feel?????
now i dont no what hes feeling but if i had won summat n thn sum 1 sed it wo fixed it wud make me feel reli upset n feel like i hadnt actually won.
why cant u just accept that he won n let him get on wid it instead of bein grumpy cos ur favourite didnt win?!?!?!?!?!
u r all allowed ur own opinion but seriously stop slaggin Leon off
I'm not puting Leon in this category. Far from it, but we should step back and remember people like Jagger, Bowie and McCartney are not the greatest singers in the World. Is Bono? Is Lou Reed? Was Bing Crosby or Louis Armstrong? I could continue with the list for a good while. If you're getting technical about it, Rhydian's a better singer than any of the list above but will he carve out a career to come even close to any of them? Will Leon? Probably not, but we should not judge Leon on just his singing ability. He was more popular than Rhydian on the night. Let's stop slagging the poor boy and let's see how he does. I'm too long in the tooth to be a fan of Leon, but I'm not going to knock him either.
Final thought
Why do the British public always fall for the underdog, just to then shoot them down as being talentless?? Are we really that twisted as a nation?
To prove the theory from my previous post is true here are some snippets from some of the comments left by some of his supporters:
Jane Ess: 'leon is so lovley'
Emma: 'his goodlooking and talented xxxxxxxxxx LUV HIM SO MUCHX XXX'
Leah: 'i luv leon is is so cute just leave him a lone now i luv him so much xx '
Angii3: 'but anywayz, whats not to like about leon, he's fit, an awsome singer and a down to earth guy!!!'
FeeFee: 'Leon :) Call me ; )'
Georgia, Ellie & Jazz: 'TBH HE IS FIT.. FACE THE FACTS'
Hollie: 'not 2 mention hes well cute!'
CASE CLOSED.
p.s. Leah: How do you know I don't have a truely angelic voice?
I have heard better singers than Leon from people singing outside pubs at closing time.
It is a mystery to me how he ever got to the final inthe first place as the wee guy cannot sing in tune at all.
Thank you the Great British Public for being tone death. If this is the best we have to offer God help us all and we must be the laughing stock of the rest of the world.
I give him six months.
I forgot to add what did Kylie Minogue look like?
A forty year old woman who thinks she is 15 dressed like a tart in her underwear, dancing with an eighteen year old kid.
Kylie Minogue is over hyped, over rated and over here. What is the matter with Australia?
As for the X Factor it has become a joke. Simon Cowell doesn't care what happens to Leon or any of them just as long as he swells his coffers.
People, please vote for the Pogues, the greatest Christmas song that never reached number one.
Ok, he won the x-factor fair enough. He isnt the greatest singer in the world, but i am sure he is a nice enough bloke.
Just remember classics such as;
Aqua - Barbie Girl
Whigfield - Saturday Night
Mr Blobby
Need I say anymore.
Crap, just convinced myself Leon is good. But compared to the above he is.
I hold my hands up to buying the macarena, still thinks its a good song too, especially after a few pints in my local.
I'VE FORGOTTEN WHAT I WAS GONNA WRITE - I'M GETTING OLD.
I am sorry but why is everyone saying Rhydian is a better singer??He can only sing one genre of music and that is opera!!More people would rather listen to the type of music Leon produces!He is a good singer so get over it.Rhydian will still get a contract he is a very good singer and will make it to a very high level of singing.And peoplw who are complaing that there calls didn't get through GET OVER IT!! it happens every year and it happend all the way throught the comeption.It is really bad sour grapes.Leon woon fair and square and you are obvioulsy bitter about it.Simon knew hat was going to happen all along aftyer all he did say there was going to be a shake in things.Really it was only Scotland and Wales that voted and so it is obvioius Scotland are more passionate about their own nationallity winnig things thatn the Welsh and that is where the big majority of the votes came from.
WELL PLAYED LEON SON YOU DESERVED TO WIN BY A MILE!!
SHUT UP!
LEON IS ACTUALLY AMAZING.
I bought his single today, and haven't been able to stop listening to it. It's fantastic and he is just amazing at singing it!
I loved him right from the auditons, and he really deserved to win compared to all the other rubbish on there. I voted for him every week and him being crowned winner is the best thing ever!
I'm well going to the X Factor live tour,
just to see him.
I LOVE LEON!
IM SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GLAD LEAON WON XFACTOR. THIS WAS A POP COMPITION AND RYDIAN WAS AN OPRA SINGER NOTHING MORE! LEON WAS THE BEST CHOICE AND HE IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LEON IS AMAZING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LEAVE HIM ALONE !
YAY LEON WON WOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i think rhydian should have won.
i have heard off some friends that they voted for rhydian to win but there phone lines were blocked for voting him!
LEON SHOULD NOT HAVE WON!! BIG FIX!!
I totally disagree, i think Leon is amazing and deserves to win. And for the song choice, it's not his fault of that song as he doesn't choose it therefore he can't be blamed for the fact the whitney houstens version makes more sense in the film it was in. I agree that there were lots of other acts in the X Factor which were just as talented as Leon and could have also won, but we already have many different types of bands or popsingers, so why would we need any more? For example ... 'hope' are just a younger version of girls aloud, and as girls aloud are still very successful its very unlikely that they would succeed over them. As for Rhydian i do think he was a very good singer but i think it was rediculous that he had got this far, he is just simply an opera singer, why would he even think to enter a POP competition?? I think Leon gives a new look and feeling to music and his old fashioned style brings a different genre to music today. I think and hope that Leon gets far in his career, because lets face it, even though Leona Lewis is a good singer, why is it she has only just released a new song 1year later??
nothing against leon or the other one in the final. i'm sure they're both talented in there own little way but this song 'when you believe' is the biggest pile of you know what i've heard in a long time. worse still it's heading for the christmas number one position. THE CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE!!! the christmas number one used to be sacred. the race for xmas number one was always the most anticipated chart run down all year. not any more, it's just so predictable and frustratingly boring. not even one new party track released in the past few weeks (it is the party season isn't it?) it fustrates me even more that slushy power ballads have been released this year and not even dented the top ten then this over-hyped single comes along and will probably be the best selling single of the year. are we mad to buy this track.
personally i'd love to see FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK by the pogues & Kirsty McColl be the christmas number one. first released 20 years ago (do your maths 1987) only reached number 2 in the charts (kept off the top by the pet shop boys and their cover of an elvis song) and sadly 7 years ago this week, the life of the very talented, very beautiful Kirsty MacColl was taken from us in a tragic boating accident. So please people, if you still have fond memories of christmas do the right thing and for one week only, please make what is arguably one of the best ever christmas hit singles, make it number one this christmas day. (leon can have his number one hit next week) The fact that x factor have coned you all out of your money every week for the past x weeks voting to save your fave act each week on premium phone lines, the numpties that voted several times in the final of xf blocking phone lines for other people only for both acts to be given recording contracts with simons record label. it's daylight robery. this isn't what christmas is all about surely?
OK so Leon's song is not the greatest but I sincerely hope that it does achieve the Christmas No 1, and it was presunably Simon Cowell who chose it as the winners single so please direct your anger at him. Leon has an amazing voice and has the potential to be a big big star in the world of music. If the likes of Michael Bublé ask him to duet that must say something. Give the lad a fair break !!!
As for Leanne's comment about the single by Eva Cassidy and Katie Melua currently at No 1 in the charts - I think its awful and deserves a place alongside such memorable past No 1'a as Bob The Builder and Mr Blobby.
Moving on to last years winner of the X Factor Leona - how could someone who spent so much time putting her debut albumn together come up with such a load of crap !!! Even my friends who think she is fabulous think the album is crap. A monkey could have produced it in about 30 minutes !!
Finally to the X Factor itself, I think it is totally wrong that the winner is announced so close to Christmas and is therefore almost guaranteed to be the Christmas No 1 . This is unfair to all the other artists who have also worked hard to produce their Christmas singles and makes a complete mokery of the charts !!!
I think someone I saw on tv got it right after in which that this song was changed to fit with Rhydian as he was the clear favourite which I think is why he fell at the final hurdle,
I will admit that apart from the first week and the semi final, Leon vocally isn't bad is a swing/jazz singer, But he is no michal Buble, we have far better jazz singers at the moment then Leon or even the ever more annoying Ray.
I knew he was going to win, when the did the whole scotland vs wales vs England thing, and with his whole back ground sob story of his mum being a lone parent, though dont know if anyone saw him on gmtv on the monday where he said he might buy his mum a new house, even though through the auditions and show he said he was going to buy her a house as she has sacraficed so much for him, So just controdicts his made up sob story.
I just get the feeling he is going to be a Gareth Gates, Justin Timberlake kinda person a good vocal but a complete ass of a person.
I haven't bought a single in a long long while, But I will deff be buying the eva cassidy one, Some people may think it is boring, but listen to eva cassidy's version of song bird or fields of gold or over the rainbow, or autum leaves. She was a uniqely talented lady and the reason people like Katie meluia and Norah Jones got recording contracts which people seem to forget.
But will close with that its spot on to give this song zero stars, Now lets start the no more X-Factor campaign.
I couldn’t have put it better myself, except just to add my opinion, Leon will have 12 months of press and success, but then, we will hear no more about him, he’s too forgettable, boring and weak, his emotions will always be his undoing where the press is concerned, the first deluge of criticism and he’ll go running for cover to his mummy in a hail of tears. He’s just another product of the x factor pop industry, and the moguls who are trying to mould him into a British copy of Michael Buble to feather their own nests of comfort, but that’s all Leon is, a pale copy at that, whom doesn’t have the experience or star quality that Buble has earned, Michael Buble is the genuine article. Leon just doesn’t possess the charisma, talent, or star potential that Rhydian Roberts possesses, in bundles, and judging his first attempt at chart success, there are far better contributions to music that deserve to be aired in the charts. It is also my opinion that Leon won this competition only by having the awe factor, where the Welsh Rhydian for me, and countless others, had the true X-factor. So all can say to Leon, is lap it up & buy that new house for your mum, as it seems to be the only real reason he wanted this title and deal cause 12 months will just fly by, and Leon will be a ‘nobody once more, and looking for alternative employment. After watching Leon perform, my conclusion is that he should have gone out of the running weeks ago and only got voted to stay because of his baby blubbering. For me, it wasn’t about the music for Leon, just the celebrity status, and that’s another reason why he won’t endure, and will fade into obscurity.
We used to look forward to Christmas numbers ones. People used to make a bit more of an effort until Simon Cowell and his croonies hijacked Christmas!
Get a life - the guy has grown into a great singer and has brilliant potential - the other guy had previous training and coaching and was so so cocky thinking he would win
I Luv U Leon
allison.. i totally agree!!! are we the only ones who can see past rhydians arogance!!??!!
now im not one who will sit here and slag off a welsh (because i am welsh myself!) but the man was so arogant..
did you see the look on his face when they said leon!!! it was priceless!! i froze that on my sky and put that picture on the internet!!! he actually thought the public would fall for his falseness!!!
from the beggining rhydian said 'im going to win this' but did he??? no!!!! because people can see how fake he really is!! like when they both got the messages from home.. leon was in tears (true genuine person) whilst rhydian didnt show any emotion at all!!! rhydian didnt show any signs of him doin it for his family it purley for himself SELFISH!!!
leon is a brilliant singer.. some people will like him some people wont but its just the way it is!!!
plus he is ABSOLUTLY GAWJUS!!!!
x
And a very merry christmas to you, You sound a very sour and bitter soul. A lot of people like to see the underdog trimuph - I think Leon has a lovely tone to his voice and considering he only started singin 10 months ago he was brilliant, (he hadn't had four years of training). I feel that with the right management he will have a great career. It was lovel to see someone with a great sense of modesty and humility win over the audience at home. It was a real battle and I am really glad that Leon won. Please try and not be so bitter - am fed up with people who think only swearing, shouting louts should be sucessful. Who do you think you are!
With respect to Ms Dodd the reviewer is NOT the one who is doing all the screaming and shouting -it's all the Leon apologists who are doing it!
Mr Perkins has as much a right to voice his opinion (ie, that Leon and his song is basically a load of old toot!) then Mr Jackson's supporters do (no matter how incomprehensible their comments may be!)
The comments made that Leon can't sing are totally unjustified. He has a lovely voice, and the fact he doesn't blast out songs like some kind of opera singer does not suggest otherwise. He hasn't had the years of singing lessons like other contestants, which makes him a more worthy winner in my eyes. His voice is only going to get better, it was amazing to see how his performances improved during the live shows. I really don't understand all this animosity towards him. He seems like a genuine guy and I wish him all the luck in the world.
I agree with every word Steve wrote. Hell, we write about reality TV, and even we thought the X Factor lost its sparkle this year. Utter rubbish!
Okay everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but can i just say Leon is an 18 year old, was a sales assistant at Gap who had the only experience of singing on karaoke so i dont know why people expect him to be key perfect, coz he has only just began a career that i hope and bet will be very successful. and if poeple hate him that much dont listen to him.
And at least he has the guts and talent to sing live n front of a live audience unlike some artists today.
Hmmmm, It's a poor song and I feel Leon has done the best with it that he could, I don't see him lasting much longer than Gareth Gates but I hope he does because his voice has soothing quality to it that I enjoy quite a lot.
Another bonus is that he is able to convey emotion in his voice, something I always think Leona fails to do time and time again, she doesn't seem to realise music isn't about hitting the perfect notes but about making people feel something and she never really achieves this. Furthermore her stage presence is severely lacking in comparison to Leon and her eyes always fail to show any sort of emotion. SHe has a nice voice but is nothing special. Any female winner of American Idol is better than her and to be honest Leona wouldn't ever finish top five in AI.
Back to Leon, I hope he doesn't just stick to ballads because he will sink very quickly if he does, mix it up a bit and he could go a bit further. HAving said that the record company will probably force him to stick to ballads to milk an albums worth of quick money before under-promoting a second album with a 'new direction' for fear of taking too much of a risk.
Can i just ask to everyone complaining about the X Factor "fix", who is it you think fixed the show? Was it Simon Cowell, the man who stands to earn from the winners success and was up Rhydian's a*** from day 1? It makes no sense none of the judges wanted Leon to win (with the exception of Danni i suppose) so why on earth would the show have been fixed for Leon?
Also love how Leon is getting a first rate slagging off, McDreary Scot i read somewhere? Possibly posted by McBitter Welsh? The boy did nothing wrong, all he did was win the X Factor. Leon can sing, and is a genuinely nice person. He, unlike Rhydian, did not change from a pompous a** to ensure he wasnt voted off the show.
In my opinion the song is dire, Leon however is not, he has made it his own and it made Christmas number 1 so get over it.
Leon, well done kid.
I totally bow to your expertise - however I wouldn't change my non-musicality for the world - because I actually think Leon has a good voice which is getting better and better with experience.
So keep up the venom and also keep in mind that perhaps you are wrong and perhaps you are not the music critic/genius you think you are.
As for getting what we deserve - well how arrogant can you get
[I can't speak for Steve in this regard, but personally, I'm THE BEST AT BEING ARROGANT WHO HAS EVER LIVED. Pretty too! - Fraser]
We are soo glad that leon won the x-factor , he deserved it aswell. I know he may bring out many different albums and they will be excellent. WE LOVE LEONN !!!!!!!!!!!!
I think that this song is very d8ed now. :)))))))
Could not agree with Bazza more.This Steve Perkins is full of his own self importance.I did not watch the show the whole way through as I live in the Jamaica but I just happened to put it on while in the UK and was blown away with Leons talent.I have been a fan ever since.The reason he won other than having a great voice is he was able to get the feelings of the songs across to his audience...unlike the rest who seemed to be showing of.
It seems to be cool in the uk to bash young talent, I do not know why.
This kid is a good role model for his fan base.
But hey that is just not cool to you stupid cynical critics!