The rags to riches journey of Susan Boyle is the kind of dream millions of struggling musicians and singers have year after year. Her story is perhaps the most impactful success stories anyone has ever witnessed on any televised talent show ever to hit the airwaves. Susan first hit the scene following her now-legendary 2009 audition for the British talent show, “Britain’s Got Talent,” where she proceeded to astonish the judges and audiences with her flawless rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream.” Before, everyone in the studio audience, as well as folks watching at home, were quite skeptical of her talent. Even the judges and many of the production staff were snickering when this then-47-year-old Scottish singer hailing from “Blackburn near Bathgate, West Lothian” marched triumphantly onto the stage. They all pre-judged Susan based on her looks and eccentric personality.
However, the moment Susan started singing, everything changed. In fact, according to Cheatsheet, over the last decade, this Scottish singer from humble beginnings has built a fortune worth over 40 million dollars. Susan Boyle is now known for having an angelic voice as well as finding success later in life than most entertainers typically find. That said, it’s precisely the fact that she persevered for so long, suffering rejection after rejection, before finding success, why she inspires the admiration of so many. Susan’s a real-life Cinderella story.
Just a couple of years ago, Susan appeared on the popular British talks show, “The Paul O’Grady Show,” which aired from 2004 to 2014. The host, Paul O’ Grady, is a very well-known iconic TV figure in the United Kingdom, and over the years, he’s welcomed many of Britain’s most famous celebrities on his talk show.
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One year, during the Christmas season, O’Grady invited Susan to come on and perform the timeless Christmas classic, “Little Drummer Boy.” The host introduced Susan to the audience as a “True global singing sensation. In four years, she shifted more than 20 million albums worldwide. She’s an international star.”
It’s pretty apparent just how far Susan has come since the first time she stepped onto the Britan’s Got Talent stage. For example, gone is the frizzy gray hair, and in its place is a more stylish hairstyle befitting a real star. But, also, her voice has only gotten better over the years.
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And it’s clear to see that she’s become a lot more used to the limelight as she now stands on stage, ultimately owning it with the confidence and grace of the seasoned professional she is.
The song starts off with background singers who set the tone with a beautiful, harmonious “hum.” The small group consists of only four singers but gives the performance just the right sensation of gravitas. It doesn’t sound like a full choir, but the tone reminds us more of an opera.
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Then Susan fills the air with her angelic voice. She starts off with a sweet and soft tone, adding to the song’s sense of hushed reverence. As the drummer boys start to roll in with their rhythmic beats, Susan’s voice also climbs with the tempo.
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But the performance really hits the next level when she introduces the bagpiper. You heard correctly. She brings on a fully-kilted bagpiper who fills the air with beautiful melodies. Of course, bagpipes may not be everyone’s favorite musical instrument, but it does add a very distinct Scottish feel to the song — Susan is Scottish, after all!
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This was perhaps one of Susan’s best performances, really touching and heartfelt. And a perfect song for any Christmas playlist.
You can savor this beautiful performance in the video down below.
Source: Seeitlive