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Qing Ling, Birmingham on December 19th, 2007
Seriously, is this out-of-tune singer the best the British public can find this year? Surely Leona last year was way better than this guy! And the runner-up's version (Rydian?) is also far superior to this Leon. One more cultural phenomenon I don't get apart from the WAG celebrities. Like UK a lot, the language and the culture, but this CANNOT be right.
Sam, Hampshire on December 19th, 2007
Leon behaved and sang with amazing dignity throughout the X Factor and I think he has a beautiful voice. God bless you Leon, you deserve it.
Jonathan, Cleethorpes on December 19th, 2007
It's all fixed anyway. Leon's got a good voice and all that but Rhydian kicks his butt! Rhydian has done great vocals on almost all of the songs he sung incuding You Raise Me Up, You'll Never Walk Alone and Phantom of the Opera. Rhydian could be the next Paul Potts, wheras Leon is definitely NOT the next Micheal Buble.
Kirsten, Dundee on December 19th, 2007
Much better version than the Mariah/Whitney dirge. Think it will be a grower like most X Factor singles. Leon's voice is fantastic though, all the more credit to him as he had the least experience and no training/coaching before the X Factor started. He has the natural talent and potential to be huge. Sinatra like tone and quality.Anyway I thought this thread was to review the single, why all the anti-Leon stuff? I'm sure there are plenty of places for supporters of the other acts to complain about the "unjustness" that their chosen act didn't win. I tried to phone for Leon all night and didn't get through once so it wasn't fixed for one act. Can we keep some perspective please. He's an 18 year old with little or no experience but his natural talent and modesty hooked in a lot of well deserved support. We don't all like the same things but stop trying to write the lad off before he's had a real chance to develop his own style and songs.
Ian Scotland on December 19th, 2007
This song is total garbage, the only blessing is when it stops. Bland, boring and derivative.
Debbie, London on December 19th, 2007
Was never going to be an easy song for a man to sing in the first place so i feel the song was a wrong choice anyway. Good luck to leon hope he does well he is just a normal kid trying to make something of his life so i feel people should stop putting him down. As for rhydian he is good at opera but would never make it in the pop music. Hope leon goes on to prove everyone who slated him wrong wishing him all the best.
Gareth, Wigan on December 19th, 2007
If this is the state of music in the UK, WERE DOOMED!, monotone droning, I would even buy it for my worst enemy,also makes a mockery of the Christmas no 1, would take any of the others in the top 10 any day rather than this
Nick, Cornwall on December 19th, 2007
Leon who? It's time the X-Factor was kicked into touch. Obviously the viewing public have no idea about what makes a good singer. Might I suggest that being in tune is a very good start! With all due respect to this year's winner, undoubtedly he'll be a nine-day wonder like many of his predecessors.
Nicola, Mansfield on December 19th, 2007
Was shocked to see Leon win, but he was my preferred singer on the night (after SD, who I wanted to win just to annoy the Irish gimp on the panel). Rhydian may be technically a good singer, but that doesn't make him a star. I agree he could be a great stage performer, but his performances (while vocally good) amounted to camp pantomime. I just don't rate him as a credible recording artist. About time a swing artist won, something more adult after Leona's shiny happy pop crap and ridiculous vocal gymnastics. As for the single? Simon could have picked a better one, why can't the first X Factor single be a purposely written one, what's with all the covers?
Amy, North Wales on December 19th, 2007
It's clear by the choice of song they expected Niki to get to the final and win, once the public heard her version of the song. It was totally wrong for Rhydian anyway, and he will do better in second, finding a better contract or making his way in the West End. I don't mind Leon's version, good luck to him.
JD, Dublin on December 19th, 2007
Leon is quite simply gifted. A bit rough round the edges maybe - but he hasn't had 5 years of classical training. He's only starting and if he sounds this good already bring on the album - BTW ITV confirmed that he won by 10% of the vote in the end & no amount of "engaged tones" would have changed that - he also was outright winner in 5 of 8 shows. So all the bitter Rydian fans should concede - natural talent won fair & square
Sunnie, London on December 19th, 2007
Love this version, hated the Maria /Whitney version. Really glad Leon won, Rhydian's version of this was chronic.
Ex X factor fan. wiltshire on December 19th, 2007
Crap singer. Probably appeals to young starstruck teenagers, who buy his music because they like him for his looks. Not got much else going for himself has he?. One hit wonder boy, and easily forgotten. Rydian appeals to all ages, people over 15 buy music too! don't they?? not much choice out there i agree. Someone should give cowell a reality check! Definitely not watching x fator next time.
Erin, Yorkshire on December 19th, 2007
How dare Johnnie mention Sinatra or Como in the same sentence as Wee Leon. They were true songsters. Leon is a less than average Pub Singer, with zero talent or personality. This CD is only good for scraping the ice from your windscreen.
Johnni, London on December 18th, 2007
Leon absolutely deserved to win. He has more appeal to the pop market than Rhydian. His vocal skills are also better suited to When You Believe. Listen to Buble and Bennet, Como and Sinatra ... and you'll find Leon's range is comfortable in that bracket. Easy listening, very marketable and very now amongst the females of the buying public. No doubting of Rhydian's singing, he's very good and will be a great stage performer ... but Leon is the better recording artist and the public got it right! And this version of his first single beats the others. You just have to hear it properly and Leon gives it some gravitas!
A. Mark, Birmingham on December 18th, 2007
This entire debacle smacks of a fix - and the single is bloody awful to boot. I think there's a good reason it didn't feature in the mid-week charts although I'm sure the producers of the X-factor will be able to fix the chart results by downloading multiple copies of the track.
Alison H, Midlands on December 18th, 2007
Shame he's singing it, he can't sing. I hope it does awful in the charts then we won't have to hear from him again.
Susie, Hampshire on December 18th, 2007
Well, I won't be buying it. It's very dull and he sang out of tune on the live show. Whatever happened to the voters? Rhydian was by far the most talented performer in the show. Now, I will definately buy his album. His version of 'Somewhere' was the best I have ever heard. I'm a music teacher by the way.
Mary, Surrey on December 18th, 2007
I'm sure that Leon is a nice enough guy, but he didn't deserve to win. He was and is so very ordinary and has no stage presence. I expect he will be a one hit wonder. I hope he is strong enough to take it. Rhydian outshone him 100 to 1
Beth, Dorset on December 18th, 2007
What a load of rubbish.. Leon cant sing to save his life, should have been kicked off in the first few weeks. it is a very bad day for the music world to have this tripe at number 1
Sarah, Dublin on December 18th, 2007
Wow, it's unreal!! Im so so glad he won!! Hope this hassle with the voting lines won't have any effect on him!! He won fair and square!! LOVE THIS SONG!! he's got the Xmas no1 sorted!! :):)
Rob, Edinburgh on December 18th, 2007
Most certainly the winner on the night and the best version of the two finalists by far. There was little emotion in Rhydians version it lacked something.
Joe, East Kilbride on December 18th, 2007
Shambolick!!!! Rhyd was fantastic on the night as with every other show. theres no doubt leon has improved but in reality, its not a show about improvement its about TALENT and rhydian oozes talent- don't give up RHYD
Rosie, UK on December 18th, 2007
I hope it does well for him. He has a lot of potential.
Trish, Lanarkshire on December 18th, 2007
Its so digraceful that Leon won, Rhyd is head and shoulders better than Leon, whos voice is second rate to even Ray from last year. What total nonsense. I luv that song and now i cant even listen to it, i tend to fall asleep half way through BOOOOOOOOOOORRRINNNNNGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!
Avril, West Lothian on December 18th, 2007
Well done Leon, so proud of you. This song is amazing just like you. I have been playing this since downloading on Sunday and will be in line to buy it tomorrow like all the real fans. So glad the public got it right on the night.
Mike, Glasgow on December 18th, 2007
Truly awful, almost as bad as the live versions. It really is a dreadful dirge!! Even with digital enhancement, it's painful to listen to. Makes a complete mockery of the Music Charts.
Kirsty, Surrey on December 18th, 2007
Well, it's not totally rubbish, but it's close. He only won because he's scottish..
Isabel, Yorkshire on December 18th, 2007
Leon has a lovely voice, reminiscent of Marti Pellow from Wet Wet Wet. He is sure to be very successful and I wish him luck. The song is so well sung and is a cert for the Christmas No.1. By the way, I had problems getting through to vote for Leon, and I live in England. Rhydian's fans should get over it!
Richard, London on December 18th, 2007
Do yourself a favour and go straight for the Mariah/ Whitney version. Now THAT'S how it should be sung!
Sheila, Romford, Essex on December 18th, 2007
Amazing vocal, pity the boy has started his career under a black welsh cloud of hysteria because Rhydian didn't win. Never known such sour grapes in all my life, Leon won becaue he appeals to the majority! I love his voice, simple as that.
Nutty, MK on December 18th, 2007
Oh Dear...
David, Wigan on December 18th, 2007
This has to be the worst song in recording history. It is worse than dirge, rubbish. Leon sings worse than my dog. Shame there isn't a zero rating. but next year he will have disappeared, were as Rhydian will be in either Broadway or the West End.
Mags on December 18th, 2007
I never liked this song first time round but Leon certainly does a fantastic job. I'll certainly be buying it, i think he has a tremendous voice.
Andrew, London on December 18th, 2007
Best X Factor winner's single by far. Can't wait for his first album.
Rico, Glasgow on December 18th, 2007
Mince! It is easy to see why a win for Leon with Rhydian in second place was a 'good' result for the producers. Rhydian would be a star anyway and without the win Leon would have disappeared without trace. The result made sure of the 'double-dip' starting with this single. Leon was a weak finalist - a narrow band of talent that he took a while to settle into. I am surprised that no-one has even noticed that in the live show they had to drop the key of this song for him because of his limited vocal range. What does that say for the single?!
Elizabeth Hainsworth, France on December 18th, 2007
Fantastic -- Sour Grapes Rhydian
Chris, Stoke on December 18th, 2007
79p for a Christmas Turkey... Bargain!!
Sam, Isle of Man on December 18th, 2007
What happened on Saturday night? Has England gone deaf?! Rhydian should have won. He is a far better singer.
Aidan, London on December 18th, 2007
Terrible song. Leon is the worst X Factor winner in my opinion. No star quality, no charisma and a very ordinary voice.
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