Why do English sound American when they sing?

So, what gives? Some British singers sound American as the American accent offers easier pronunciation, greater scope for rhyming and the ability to market to an American audience. Some British singers will also adopt an American accent due to their musical influences.

Why do British lose their accent when singing?

While there can be various reasons that accents ‘disappear’ in song, the most obvious reason has to do with phonetics, the pace at which they sing and speak, and the air pressure from one’s vocal cords. Words are drawn out and more powerfully pronounced and the accent becomes more neutral.

Why do American accents disappear in songs?

There are several reasons we notice accents ‘disappearing’ in song, and why those singing accents seem to default to “American”. In a nutshell, it has a lot to do with phonetics, the pace at which they sing and speak, and the air pressure from one’s vocal chords.

Why do people with accents sound different when they sing?

A person’s accent is easily detectable when they are speaking at normal speed. When singing, the pace is often slower. Words are drawn out and more powerfully pronounced and the accent becomes more neutral. Another factor is that the air pressure we use to make sounds is much greater when we sing.

Does singing neutralize accents?

While singing may have some accent neutralizing effect, some singers do sing with an accent, and thus the “act of singing theory” does not fully explain the effect. Below are to clips of songs where the accent is obvious and was not neutralized by singing. The first is from The Proclaimers:

Is it normal for Americans to have a British accent?

Speaking and singing in British accents is as natural, normal and unaffected to speakers of British English, as South African accents are to South Africans, Australian accents to Australians, and American accents to Americans. And, yes, Americans DO speak with an accent as far as other English speakers are concerned.