Ethel Merman "There's No Business Like Show Business"

[hockeyham3]

I don't have time to read the miles of comments but from the top few....what is up? Ethel Merman is an icon! She is class and classic. Its about attitude and presence and she had it all! Its all about the person! Something we hardly see anymore.

[beaubluenyc]

Ethel (a tough New York Jew) says; "F**k the haters!"

Sing it Ethel! Let's go on with your show!

[AZSun1994]

To all who posted & found Ms. Merman to be wihout talent, let me say that at my age of 56 years, I have heard & loved all types of music over the decades, & yes, I appreciate Ms. Merman's talent. She had her own style, voice & was an icon of her time & after. Just as popular then as some of the popular people are today. In fact today, people come and go. She is remembered today, when the flavor of today, may be gone tomorrow. Don't denigrate Ms. Merman because she is not your cup of tea.

[beaubluenyc]

The Great Merman! One of the greatest gay icons of all times!!

[rdelacroix]

@ the people arguing below: Whatever. I think she's great. :)

[AllMightyTallestEmma]

This is helping me in what I need to do for MY Annie Get Your Gun Musical :D

[bbigguy500]

Its not that shes talented its the rarity of the voice.... back in the day when Merman was very popular it was the norm for women to sing in this fashion.And i find her voice to be very entertaining.

[foozledad]

Unbelievable some of this. George Gershwin heard her and told her never to go near a voice teacher. Berlin and Porter wrote songs just for her to sing. Their judgment trumps the views below.

P.S.  Frankly, I wish some of the performers on American Idol tried to sing some of her stuff and just belted it out. Belting is not screeching as you hear these days.

[bphutchins]

@foozledad originality is dead because of crap like Idol

[239welm]

Its really presumptious to comment on a subject that you know little about. Merman was a secretary that happened into an audition at a time when performing was all about "personalities". She hit broadway by storm with her incredibly powerful, expressive voice. She had more of the top composers writing a whole string of hit shows just with her in mind. And they remain as classics. We are the better for it.

[terrafirma91]

239welm: "Comment on a subject I know little about"? What sort of elitist attitude is that, sir? Are you implying that I don't know talent when it's placed in front of me? Broadway "performing" probably focuses more on personality than otherwise, I'll agree with you on that. Merman had a powerful voice, alright. Very loud! But this doesn't mean she sang well for merely singing loudly. Like American Idol: Most singers scream and shout, but don't sing well.

[TripFlorida]

@terrafirma91 if you think drunk karaoke singers are better than Ethel Merman, then yes, you are indeed incapable of recognizing talent...you know absolutely nothing about music...it's often better to remain silent and be though a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt....now take your allowance, head over to iTunes for the latest Jay-Z and go outside and play with your friends...

[terrafirma91]

@TripFlorida : Your drivel doesn't influence me in the least. For crying out loud, man. Listen to her at 1;19 and beyond for solid proof. Don't allow blind loyalty to cloud your judgment.

[terrafirma91]

I tell you, the entertainment industry could place a dead horse onto a stage, tell the public that the dead corpse had talent, and the people would believe it like Pavlov Dogs. Anyone who thinks Ethel Merman had "talent" has some serious problems.

[madamerotten]

terrafirma91: The only "serious problem" I have is reading ill-qualified crap like your moronic comment. If you can't understand why this woman was a monumental talent (and success), then don't assume that those of us who have this understanding are Pavolvian dogs.

[terrafirma91]

madamerotten: Have you had your hearing checked lately? Listen to her voice. For crying out loud, I've heard drunkards singing karaoke in bars that sing better than Merman ever could. Her acting wasn't anything special either. What "talents", pray tell, do you think Merman had?

[SparklyMusicGoddess]

terrafirma91:I do find it interesting that people who have different opinions about Merman, start to lash out at each other, for "having those different opinions".

Personally, I don't see her as *really* talented, either. I, too, would love to know what her talents were.

I do see Merman as "entertainment", but I don't hear any vocal talent. IMO, she can't sing.

Let's keep in mind, that Britney Spears is also considered "entertainment", but is she talented? That's very subjective, too.

[HermesAlchemist]

i've been belted by a dame!

[DorisDayFanatic]

Love her!

[americangalbasseyfan]

Yes! A very memorable appearance on the Muppet Show was fantastic! Miss Merman could really project on stage...great stage presence. A big Belter from way back!

[stargaz]

And THAT'S why she was a true star!!!!

[Dirkdebruyne]

LOL, how's thàt for an entrance ? ! :-)

[uracan345]

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