The Hunt for the Worst Musical Act Florence Foster Jenkins

The Hunt for the Worst Musical Act: Florence Foster Jenkins

I don't know about you, but my favourite aspect of shows like American Idol has always been to watch the audition stages, and laugh at all the trainwrecks of singers that audition. There are many reasons for this, the schadefreude of watching the suffering and humiliation of others, the ego-stroking effects with regard to my own pathetic singing voice at hearing others who are worse, and laughing at how conceited these talentless-hacks are. Contrary to popular belief, public consumption of the spectacle made by those who can not sing is not a new phenomenon. Au Contrare. Allow me to introduce you to the 1920's version of William Hung: Florence Foster Jenkins.

Florence's family and husband heavily discouraged her from pursuiting this passion (and with good reason). After the death of her folks and divorcing her husband, Florence decided to blow through her inheritance and take singing lessons.Despite her complete lack of rhythm, pitch, tone, and overall singing ability Florence became very popular. Audiences loved to watch her perform, her onstage antics of costumery and dramatics making up for her lack of ability to sing.

This leads me to the conclusion that Florence would have loved the internet age - dismissing her critics as having "professional jealousy" over her abilities, is oddly reminiscent of Kiki "haters make me famous" Kannibal. Florence may have filled concert halls, but the people only came to satisfy their curiousity and be amused by the spectacle she made of herself *Cough Any form of reality TV cough*.

While some people have suggested her entire career was an elaborate joke, by all accounts, Florence took herself and her career incredibly seriously. Her and William Hung would get along famously.

But hey, don't take my word for it. *Video-tiem*

(Incidently, after recording this song, Florence told the sound engineer that no second try was required as she had sung perfectly).

As you can see, Florence is a terrible, terrible singer.

*Bonus Points*

I came across this trainwreck, and thought you'd enjoy their horrible-ness. I can't find any more of their songs, or I'd do a proper write up for them.

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Comments (28)

	ebcm: 10/31/2009 12:18 AM Oh dear lord, her singing was just awful =S
	annier: 10/31/2009 12:55 AM Oh that made me laugh - sooooooooooo bad! I agree with you about the audition stage of the talent shows - definitely the best bit and I usually don't bother to watch again until the final. There are a pair of Irish twins doing well on Xfactor at the moment - and they are terrible. The public keep voting for them. Simon Cowell says he will leave the country if they win!
	Alexher123: 10/31/2009 1:33 AM Florence Foster Jenkins is amazing, again in that so bad its good, so weird its amazing type way.
	Em is for ily: 10/31/2009 1:40 AM Hahahaha omg, I was reading this and at the first paragraph I was like, "whoa, I literally just read about this chick the other day," and then I remembered I read it from Cracked.com, and then I remember you also read Cracked habitually. :D
	Ikky-ikky-arriba!: 10/31/2009 2:07 AM emisforily said: Hahahaha omg, I was reading this and at the first paragraph I was like, "whoa, I literally just read about this chick the other day," and then I remembered I read it from Cracked.com, and then I remember you also read Cracked habitually. :D hehe yes i got the idea for this one from cracked :D
	Regina❤: 10/31/2009 2:21 AM Oh man. They are both terrible, I think. shudders
	Queen Of Cydonia: 10/31/2009 2:40 AM The only way to make this worse is to play all videos at once. And the last video burned a few of my brain cells.
	Gretchen Weiners: 10/31/2009 2:42 AM I have never heard anything like this. It's..............amusing......
	Ikky-ikky-arriba!: 10/31/2009 3:23 AM also, for anyone who cares, i'll now be posting an image each writeup with an updated list of how im ranking the bands in terms of shitasticness.
	kassady: 10/31/2009 5:44 AM crash13 said: The only way to make this worse is to play all videos at once. And the last video burned a few of my brain cells. I just did that for fun. also i hate to admit it but i remember that last one - i think it might have charted here.
	Queen Of Cydonia: 10/31/2009 6:37 AM kassady said: I just did that for fun. also i hate to admit it but i remember that last one - i think it might have charted here. I apologize for any injuries you incurred....and that last song charted in the UK? How awful!
	The Absent-Minded Professor.: 10/31/2009 7:09 AM OMFG THIS WOMAN HAS BEEN MY HERO FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. FORREALZ. Because she is just so bad, and yet she STILL DID IT.
	Sanyyy: 10/31/2009 1:08 PM LMAO! As I watched the videos, my dog began to howl. She totally freaks out when I play this music.
	Em is for ily: 10/31/2009 1:11 PM Ikkyg said: also, for anyone who cares, i'll now be posting an image each writeup with an updated list of how im ranking the bands in terms of shitasticness. This makes me happier than it should.
	Gretchen Weiners: 10/31/2009 1:57 PM ikkyg said: also, for anyone who cares, i'll now be posting an image each writeup with an updated list of how im ranking the bands in terms of shitasticness. Brilliant! They are all appropriately placed.
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