Why Do British People Sound American When They Sing?

People often wonder why famous pop singers like Adele and Ed Sheeran sound so American when they sing, although they are from the UK.

Do the singers realize they are doing this? Is this a trick that our ears are playing on us Americans because we think that the world revolves around us?

Turns out, there are four solid reasons why we hear so many singers performing with a seemingly Americanized accent. Most are aware of at least one reason, while some don't even notice it themselves!

American Vowels Pair Well With Good Singing Technique 

One of the more likely reasons that singers mimic American accents when they perform is that many are taught to do so by their vocal teachers to encourage good vowel techniques.

These long, neutral vowel techniques can often sound more like an American accent, and British vocal hints will be lost in the song.

There are also many cases where rhymes are more accessible when using an American accent. For example, trying to get away with rhyming "can't" with "man" works with an American accent but not a British one. 

Influence Of R&B Music Culture

The rhythm and blues genre has had a huge influence on the development of rock music worldwide, especially in the UK.

In the 1960s, rock ballads were often called R&B anthems because British and American rock heavily influenced the general music culture. Bands like the Beatles were said to have a trans-Atlantic sound that was a mix of UK and US accents. 

Related Post: What Does R&B Mean?

American Accents Help With Marketing 

Since R&B and American music culture were a big influence all over the world, many other areas began promoting singers and bands that have a more marketable sound, meaning more in line with an American accent.

This way, not only can the big booming music economy in America pay good money to hear American accents, but nearly every other country would as well. 

American Accents Help With Fast Lyrics

This is especially true for pop, R&B, and dance music singers. Singing with Americanized vowels allows the performer to get through worlds fast and still clearly in comparison to other accents.

For example, saying "what do you know" really fast would flow much more easily and clearly in an American accent since you can pronounce it more like "wadayuno". 

Not All British Music Artists Sound American

While lyrics can seem to flow more smoothly for singers and rappers who are performing fast songs, not everybody is limiting themselves to American accents.

The subgenre of rap by the name of Grime is increasingly growing in popularity, with artists like Skepta and Wiley proving that UK accents pair great with hip hop.

And the heavy UK accents aren't just limited to hip-hop. Rock bands like The Futureheads and Arctic Monkeys definitely sound British! 

Related Post: The Intense Meaning Behind 505 By Arctic Monkeys

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several reasons why British singers may sound American when they sing.

It could be due to the influence of R&B and American music culture, the desire for a more marketable sound, or the need for a clear pronunciation of fast-paced lyrics.

Additionally, some singers may be taught to use Americanized vowels to improve their vocal technique. However, it's important to note that not all British music artists sound American, as some choose to embrace their UK accents and showcase their unique style.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and the specific genre of music being performed.