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The 10 Worst Singing Performances in Film

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Seriously Random Lists | Comments (63)



DUETS.jpg

10. Antonio Banderas in Evita

9. Ethan Hawke in Reality Bites

8. Terry Crews in White Chicks

7. Gwyneth Paltrow in Duets

6. Mae West and Timothy Dalton in Sextette

5. Clint Eastwood in Paint Your Wagon

4. Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia

brosnanmammia.jpg

3. Cybil Shepard and Burt Reynolds in At Long Last Love

2. Sylvester Stallone in Rhinestone

1. Michael Cera in Superbad










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Comments

Hey, That's My Bike? That's the title of a song? That's like some ADD kid's answer to Dude, Where's My Car?

Posted by: SaBrina at May 4, 2011 11:59 AM

Aside for #1, that's quite a list you have.

Posted by: Superficial Bitch at May 4, 2011 12:01 PM

I'm inclined to give Terry Crews a pass on account of it being a comedy and thus the worse he sings it, the more amusing the scene. But whither Gerard Butler in that atrocious adaptation of the Phantom of the Opera musical?

Posted by: Nat Kittyface at May 4, 2011 12:18 PM

Paint Your Wagon, not Painted Wagon, and now Im going to have the title song stuck in my head all day.


Posted by: Jadashay at May 4, 2011 12:27 PM

I didn't know Paltrow did a movie with Huey Lewis.

Posted by: Paultera at May 4, 2011 12:30 PM

Sigourney Weaver singing Back in the USSR in Heartbreakers.

I love this woman, but holy shit.

Posted by: dorquemada at May 4, 2011 12:35 PM

Ha! The Goop still sings like that. Two hands on the microphone, eyes closed. Gross.

Everything/everyone in Mamma Mia was terrible and I've seen the stage version 5 times. All around terrible, except for Dominic Cooper and Christine Baranski.

The 3 dad's were terribly miscast, only Firth skates because he's so adorable.

Posted by: kilmo at May 4, 2011 12:35 PM

At least Pierce Brosnan has a sense of humor about his performance. I heard him suggest on a talk show that if anyone needed a bathroom break during Mamma Mia, his song would be a good time to choose.

Refreshingly self-deprecating when compared with others who seem to think they have a new career in the music industry.

Posted by: PaddyDog at May 4, 2011 12:41 PM

I talk to the perps
but they don't listen to me
I'd read them their rights
but they never hear
The scum haven't time
to stop and hear what I say
so I draw my gun
and blow them away...

Posted by: The Mutt at May 4, 2011 12:48 PM

meryl streep in 'postcards from the edge.'

although i'm not sure if it's because she stinks (i don't think she does, necessarily) or because it's meryl streep singing. it's mostly just jarring and uncomfortable to watch.

Posted by: matty blue at May 4, 2011 12:52 PM

A big "NO" for the Terry Crews inclusion. That man has been the bright spot in way too many horrendous movies ("Click", "White Chicks") and flat-out kicked ass in "Idiocracy" to be knocked in this way!

Huey Lewis, regardless of who he sings with, also does not deserve to be here. He recorded "If This Is It", people!

And yes, he's probably worn out his welcome, but I thought Michael Cera's performance was cute.

Posted by: SugarKane at May 4, 2011 12:54 PM

"Ha! The Goop still sings like that. Two hands on the microphone, eyes closed. Gross."


-If you think that's bad, the director nearly lost his mind because in the first thirty takes she kept scraping her teeth on the mic too.

Posted by: bleujayone at May 4, 2011 12:55 PM

by the way, thanks for embedding the 'white chicks' clip. i had studiously avoided ever watching a single second of that steaming pile, and now my seal is broken. i don't get it - is that one of the wayans brothers under the white girl makeup? 'cause that's some major nightmare fuel, right there.

on second thought, i'd rather not know.

Posted by: matty blue at May 4, 2011 12:55 PM

"Lee Marvin is SO DREAMY."

One of the best Simpsons moments ever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM5-xFenaZI

Posted by: Figgy at May 4, 2011 12:59 PM

GOOP's inclusion on the list is just Dustin pandering to his readers. She doesn't belong. I'd put Ewan McGregor's performance in "Moulin Rouge" on this list before I'd include her. That guy equated SHOUTING with singing. I kept feeling so sorry for Nicole Kidman, having to endure him screaming at her just inches from her face.

Posted by: jimbob at May 4, 2011 1:05 PM

Oh, look. A list of "worsts" on this site that includes Gwyneth. How fucking original.

Haterz gonnna hate!

Posted by: Forbiddendonut at May 4, 2011 1:16 PM

The most glaring omission is Cameron Diaz in A Life Less Ordinary. She duets with Ewan McGregor, and her awfulness trumps Paltrow any day of the week.


Yikes.


Posted by: Some Guy at May 4, 2011 1:20 PM

Omar Sharif in "Funny Girl."

Lee Marvin in "Paint Your Wagon."

Peter Boyle in "Young Frankenstein." OK, that was kinda awesome, actually.

There's a reason Marni Nixon had a long career. I wonder who her male counterpart was?

Posted by: BWeaves at May 4, 2011 1:20 PM

Forbiddendonut - May take a moment, in the midst of my hating, to hate the habit using a "z" to make a plural, even if done sardonically? I think I can handle the multi-tasking, if I apply myself conscientiously. I'm sure I can draw on Jay's reserves of vitriol should mine become depleted.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at May 4, 2011 1:22 PM

Hey, That's My Bike was the name of the band in that movie. And Ethan Hawke was so swell in it. Eleven year old Nix couldn't imagine a more amazing guy.

...This probably explains a lot. He was a major douche in most of the movie.

Posted by: nix at May 4, 2011 1:22 PM

Joey Lauren Adams in Chasing Amy.

Truly ghastly.

Posted by: Mike at May 4, 2011 1:23 PM

Jimbob, I agree with your Moulin Rouge assessment. To add to it, I actually though Nicole Kidman's singing was pretty bad, too.

Posted by: Whorish Mouth at May 4, 2011 1:38 PM

You somehow forgot Jerry O'Connell serenading Neve Campbell in SCREAM 2. Most likely you simply blocked that painful scene from memory.

Posted by: TylerDFC at May 4, 2011 1:48 PM

To give Dustin credit, I really thought the entire list was gonna be ole GOOPy.

I, for one, would have felt completely comfortable with that too.

Cuddles,
Mrs Smith

Posted by: Mrs Smith at May 4, 2011 1:54 PM

"Hey, That's My Bike? That's the title of a song?"

Must be a Dutch song.

Posted by: ed newman at May 4, 2011 2:05 PM

"Hey, That's My Bike? That's the title of a song?"
Must be a Dutch song.
Posted by: ed newman at May 4, 2011 2:05 PM

Nope that's the name of his band.

Meh, I don't mind him in the movie. That's a crap video.

And ew, Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia. SO BAD. SO BAD.

Posted by: grace b at May 4, 2011 2:15 PM

OH! I just thought of another one. Shannon Doherty in some wretched 90s band movie that I've only ever seen or heard of on VH1. She's GOD-awful.

Posted by: Whorish Mouth at May 4, 2011 2:35 PM

Ease up on The Cera: he was only supposed to look like another guy who could sing. If he hadn't sung, he would have gotten his ass beaten by Haverchuck and his posse.

Posted by: Abe Froman at May 4, 2011 2:36 PM

I have not seen most of the movies on this list. But I _have_ watched Sexette, and it boggles my mind that a semi-mummified Mae West and young-enough-to-be-her-grandson Timothy Dalton ranks a mere #6 (as in, its awfulness is average).

Posted by: True_Blue at May 4, 2011 2:59 PM

I love Gwyneth's singing voice. LOVE IT.

Posted by: Sofia at May 4, 2011 3:04 PM

I have to say, Antonio wasn't that horrible. Maybe I was blinded by his hotness, or Madonna's contacts, but, he was tolerable.

And lest you forget, John Wayne did a singing-cowboy movie at the very beginning of his career...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024500/plotsummary

Posted by: dammitjanet at May 4, 2011 3:07 PM

Mrs. Julien - I believe that using a "z" to make plural the word "haters" in the phrase "Haters gonna hate" is actually correct by the slang vernacular of today's youth. Sadly, it's the parlance of our times, sardonically or not.

That being said, I meant no personal offense to anyone, except all the Gwyneth haters up in this bizzatch.

Posted by: Forbiddendonut at May 4, 2011 3:35 PM

I automatically thought of Rex Harrison's turns in Doctor Dolittle and My Fair Lady, but then I had to think...

Is it singing if you just intone the lyrics with a vaguely musical inflection?

Sexy Rexy was so hipster. He was Shatnering it up before Shatner was cool.

Posted by: StoatCat at May 4, 2011 3:41 PM

I agree that Moulin Rouge should be on this list. Ewan, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but stop. Just stop. MYYYYYYYYY GIFT IS MY SOOOOOONNNGG...

Posted by: Dingles at May 4, 2011 3:54 PM

Oh, my God - Ewan McGregor's voice was TERRIBLE in Moulin Rouge (a movie I detested).

Posted by: samantha t at May 4, 2011 4:27 PM

It doesn't count if the singing is supposed to be terrible for comedic effect (Superbad) or otherwise. That means it was a good performance of a horribly-sung song. Acting!

Posted by: jollies at May 4, 2011 4:33 PM

Yeah, but Ewan was charmingly Dean Martin-esque (minus the lungs) in A Life Less Ordinary, so his turn in Moulin Rouge is mitigated, right?

Nothing mitigates the GOOP. That said, I did roll my eyes when I saw the header picture, along with Forbiddendonut. It's old; she's not a monster, just a fool.

Posted by: RobP at May 4, 2011 4:39 PM

pretty sure my ears are bleeding right now, and I didn't even listen to these. Yep, that tastes like blood.

Posted by: JuiceinLA at May 4, 2011 4:52 PM

HOLD THE HELL ON.

There was NOTHING wrong with Ewan and Nicole's singing in Moulin Rouge! That movie was nothing without their performances and beautiful voices.

I'm sorry but i will cut a bitch for that movie. It gave Ewan, Nicole and Baz a lifetime pass for me.

Plus, their other singing performances (Ewan in 'Down With Love' and Nicole in 'Happy Feet, Nine, and 'Something Stupid' and Robbie Williams), they both have pleasant voices.

THE WORST has to have been Daniel Day-Lewis in 'Nine'. Absolutely horrible. Especially compared to the others like Fergie and Marion 'You didn't know i could sing like this, did you?' Cotillard.

Posted by: Derreck at May 4, 2011 4:54 PM

GOOP singing in "Duets" always grosses me out b/c she is singing Smokey Robinson's "Cruising" with her DAD. Equivalent to the the "Afternoon Delight" duet in "Arrested Development", except we were supposed to take it seriously. Otherwise, her voice is...ok.

Antonio Banderas was ok too, just paled in comparison to Mandy Pantinkin (OG Broadway Che).

The worst for me will always be Justine Bateman in an awful movie called "Satisfaction" (also starred Liam Neeson as her love interest and Julia Roberts as her slutty friend). She just croaks out these rock classics, and the other characters have to react like it is the most lovely sound they have ever heard.

Posted by: kimk at May 4, 2011 4:58 PM

I'm a little disappointed that none of the songs from the Popeye movie made it up here. Have you heard them? They're terrible!

Posted by: Unit 3000-21 at May 4, 2011 5:14 PM

Honestly, Huey Lewis is too cool to be related to Gwynnie, so the movie fails on that front.

Also, would you ever have the temerity to compare yourself to Smokey fucking Robinson (talkin' to you, Gwyn)?

Posted by: samantha t at May 4, 2011 5:32 PM

Wait. Was that really Huey Lewis? I was joking. Good lord.

Posted by: Paultera at May 4, 2011 5:47 PM

NO NO NO!! Lee Marvin didn't sing, he talked "Wandering Star" and the best thing about Lee Marvin was his voice, once compared to rain water down a rusty pipe.

I was born under a wandrin star........

He was the only reason I sat through Paint Your Wagon.

Posted by: kirbyjay at May 4, 2011 6:27 PM

I thought Ewan did a great job in a terrible f'ing movie.

My vote is the entire soundtrack to Hudson Hawk.

Also, the rappin' old lady at the end of The Wedding Singer.
Maybe she was just unsettling. The whole helium singing, midgety voicey thing creeps me out.

Posted by: The Mangler at May 4, 2011 6:30 PM

I always get a huge kick out of how Gwyneth Paltrow fans are so defensive. Since hearing her sing several times over the past year, I'm absolutely astonished at how little recognition she gets. Anyone who sings that badly without realizing it deserves to be the topic of conversation pretty much everywhere, every single day. Seriously, I'm completely blown away every time she's mentioned without worstsingerofalltime automatically attached to her name.

Those of you who think Pajiba commenters all hate her singing obviously haven't been paying attention. Trust me, I've been watching, waiting, thirsting for it. But nope, it's just me. So, since so many are so oblivious to the truth, let me enlighten you:

Gwyneth Paltrow is the single worst singer in the history of western civilization.

I know, right? Feels like you've known it all along now, doesn't it? Don't worry, we won't make fun of you for taking so long to catch on.

But seriously, can we give Gwyneth a little more recognition here? Number 7? Come on!

Posted by: JohnnyBee at May 4, 2011 7:11 PM

No, no, no.

Because #1 and #2 on your list are not Oliver Reed and Jack Nicholson, both from Tommy, your list is an utter failure and completely wrong.

Posted by: Jerce at May 4, 2011 7:17 PM

Are we forgetting Renee Zellweger in Chicago? Seriously? Woman could not dance or sing.

Posted by: Brook at May 4, 2011 7:30 PM

Ha.
Oliver Reed probably sang in Tommy just for spite BECAUSE Jack sang.
(I think Reed once referred to Nicholson as a dwarf or midget)

Even the producers of the musical "Oliver!" knew enough not to let Reed sing.

Posted by: The Mangler at May 4, 2011 7:39 PM

I thought Renee was better in Chicago than Uma Thurman was in The Producers.

Gwyn has an alright voice and I enjoyed Crusin'. She's better suited for radio stations who play Phil Collins and Bryan Adams. Pop songs on Glee? Not so much.

Posted by: Dizzle at May 4, 2011 7:52 PM

I actually thought that Antonio Banderas was terrific in Evita. Have I lost my mind?

Posted by: Kat at May 4, 2011 8:22 PM

You have to be kidding me with this Gwyneth hate. I wouldn't call myself a fan, but I don't have a problem with her and she doesn't have a terrible singing voice. She's not amazing, but she's decent enough and calling her one of the worst singers is total bull.

Posted by: KC at May 4, 2011 9:00 PM

I love that Michael Cera clip to this very day.

P.S. I saw someone call out Ewan McGregor in here. Fuck you. And this from someone who also hated that stupid fucking movie.

Posted by: ChristianH at May 4, 2011 10:40 PM

Kat -- as someone pointed out up-thread, he can't hold a candle to Mandy Pantinkin, so if you've heard the latter, the former is just ruined for you (despite the hotness)

Also, Lee Marvin is rocks the house! I love(d) Paint Your Wagon and his song in particular!

Posted by: Alarmjaguar at May 5, 2011 2:05 AM

Figgy, God bless you for posting that "Simpsons" clip. I've never seen Paint Your Wagon, but I like to think that I have because I've seen that clip.

And the first thing I thought when I saw the title of this post was: "Everybody in Moulin Rouge had better be on this list." I am disappoint, Rowles.

GOOPie is uncomfortable to watch, but not nearly as uncomfortable is Lea Michele. Whenever she sings, she makes me feel like I'm the one who somehow made her cry so unattractively while singing. It makes me embarrassed for her.

GOOPie's voice isn't spectacular, but she can carry a tune and she has a decent timbre, which is more than I can say for Nicole Kidman's nasty falsetto. UGH. Makes me want to claw my skin right off my body.

Posted by: Jelinas at May 5, 2011 7:30 AM

No bitch cutting, thank you. I loved Moulin Rouge, but listening to Ewan and Nicole was painful after awhile. Nicole has a mildly pleasant voice, but no range. Had she stuck to the light and breathy style of singing, she would have been fine, but when she attempts to belt it's bad.
While I'm at it, I'll also 2nd a vote for Renee Zelweger in Chicago. I hated her as Roxy...then again, I've hated her in pretty much everything after Jerry MacGuire. That nasally singing was horrid.
Whoever got that version of Cruisin' stuck in my head, fuck you very much. Jerk. I don't think Gwyneth has a bad voice but I loathe her version of that song with HL.

Posted by: Whorish Mouth at May 5, 2011 8:17 AM

To the defenders:

No, she can't carry a tune. Stop saying that she isn't that bad - she is!. Perhaps on Glee they can autotune her, but live, she actually does not hit the notes. She misses them. She sings out of tune. At least a little sharp or a little flat on almost every single note that she sings. It's as simple as that.

Posted by: JohnnyBee at May 5, 2011 8:27 AM

It was literally painful watching/listening to Pierce Brosnan in that movie. GOD, he is a terrible singer.

Posted by: Maryscott O'Connor at May 6, 2011 9:39 PM

Say whatever you want about Gwyneth, but she was good...how can you put her in the same list as Pierce Brosnan? You just hate her.


Posted by: James at May 7, 2011 4:58 PM

Julia Roberts in Everyone Says I Love You. AW FUL

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Posted by: asdsad at June 15, 2011 7:08 AM

This is the best and only intelligent series on mainstream tv. Thought provoking and poignant. I never tire of watching it and will continue with it in syndication. Im completely disgusted with all the BS shows that are on that are pointless and only used to furthur dumbdown America.The deluge of mindless reality shows that are from a reality Ive never seen give me pause as to whats happened to this country. Farewell to an excellent display of real actors depicting real situations that dont make us all look like blundering idiots and morons. Thank God for syndication. Ill turn my tv off now.

Posted by: Val Mattocks at July 1, 2011 1:58 AM