Lip-syncing: Is it Necessary?

Only one more week to Super Bowl Sunday and I do not know about you all but I am pretty excited about it! There will be a battle of epic proportions when Beyonce' goes to war with the lip-syncing critics on the grandest stage of them all. Okay, maybe I'm being a little too dramatic over this but you have to admit that anticipation over this year's half-time show is starting to get more attention than the actual game itself. Most of the attention has been stirred up from the fact that Beyonce' lip-synced her performance at the 2013 Presidential Inauguration last week. Was her "fake" performance on that day needed? Should she be considered a true performing artist? Will she lip-sync her performance at the Super Bowl?  These are the questions that many fans and critics have been debating over the past week.  Today, I am going to dig a little deeper into the lip-syncing issues of not only the music industry, but of all entertainment.

What is Lip-Syncing?

Lip-syncing, or lip synchronization, is the technique used in all of show business to line up the movements of the lips with previous recorded vocal lines.  Lip syncing can be used in the creation of video games, animation dialogue, film productions, and dubbing. Lip-syncing is more identified now a days with live performances.  The art of lip syncing (and I say this loosely) has been a heaven-sent gift to hard working performers who may not have the energy at the end of a long week to do another show.  In the music industry today, lip-syncing is viewed as more of a taboo than a blessing.  We all do it from time to time but no one is quick to jump up and admit to its use. 

Why Use It?

We all know that a weekly schedule for a performing artist can be quite hectic.  On a weekly bases an artist is expected to work their talent to the fullest doing everything from morning shows and radio performances to recording sessions and television concerts.  As artist we are rarely understood when we decide to cancel a tour date or appearance because we all know it's all about the mighty dollar in the wonderful world of show business.  Take the time to consider what you do for a living.  You wake up in the morning, work a 9-5 job, and get to come home to relax. Now think about this, what if you were expected to work for an extended period of time, constantly having to reinvent the way you perform, and unaware of the moment you can finally take a break from it all? An artist must do what they can to keep their audiences engaged and satisfied in their music while also evolving into a better performer.  I do not fault an exhausted performer who decides to lip-sync their performance every once and awhile in order to entertain their crowds (half the time the crowd never notices anyway).  I do, however, have no respect for "artist" and who solely relies on lip-syncing to sell a performance.  These artists are seen no more than frauds to the art of music performance and should be seen as "posers" to the rest of the entertainment industry.  

Controversy

Like I said before, WE ALL DO IT when it is absolutely necessary but, there have been cases where the blessings of being able to lip-sync a performance has become a curse. Many legendary artist from Michael Jackson to Cher have resorted to using the technique. Lets take a look at some artist who got caught using the useful tool: 

I'm must apologize as I pick myself from the floor after seeing this clip.  As a fellow performer I can understand fatigue or sickness leading to an artist lip-syncing but forgetting the words?! Now there is never a good reason for any of that unless you are high out of your mind! 

Masters of the Lip-Sync

Okay so lets talk about those who have made a career out of lip-synchronization.  As a performer, I can tell you first hand that it is extremely difficult to put on an entertaining show while producing a steady stream of sound.  I have seen many artist attempt and fail to put on an electrifying show without sounding like a singing goat.  So who are the masters of the lip synchronization?  Many if not all of today's top performers who sell their shows with exciting dance moves and effects rarely go without the technique.  Janet Jackson, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Usher, Beyonce', Chris Brown, Jennifer Lopez, and many other dance artist are guilty of using the lip-syncing tool.  Watch this successful performance that was recent used with lip-sync and tell me if you can notice anything fishy: 

So you mean to tell me that the forces of gravity will not affect me if I sing "na na na" while jumping up and down on a solid surface? Next chance you get ask a member of a marching band how difficult it is to dance and march while playing their instrument correctly. The point I am making folks is that as a fan you must know what kind of show you are getting when you purchase that ticket.  If you want to see dancing do not crucify the artist for lip-syncing everything. If you want a stellar performance from a vocalist seven shows a night for six days a week do not get surprised if your favorite artist is sounding a little funny when the track starts.  As consumers of the music industry we must take a step back and think about the men and women who entertain us week in and week out.  As much as we like to idolize these entertainers into larger than life heros we also must remember that they are bound to the same mortal restrictions that you and I share as human beings. We, the artists, should not be slaves to your amusement but, instead, be liberators of your known and unknown emotions. 

I ask you this question: 

"If you had to hand write sixteen 2000-word essays within one week, would you hand-sync some of them?"

Live the Music. . . .