What are some practical uses for lip-syncing?



Maybe she did it for good reason.

Some say she did it because of the cold temps. Others say it was because she didn’t have a chance to rehearse with the band.

Maybe, Jon Stewart said this week, comedians should lip-sync their acts. What if parents pre-recorded their nagging and lip-synched it to their children so they wouldn’t have to repeat themselves over and over?

This made us wonder: What are some other practical uses for lip-syncing.

Categories: Inauguration
Tracy Ormsbee

20 Responses

  1. Roz says:

    Maybe Hillary should lip-sync her answers today! ;)

  2. homeschooler says:

    I can’t imagine that too many people would want to attend a lip synced performance that was promoted as live. Most live performances seem to feed off of the crowd, in music, in speeches and in comedy. So I don’t know too many other uses for lip syncing, other than animated cartoons.

    That said, Beyonce has an incredible voice. Her rendition was excellent. Our national anthem is difficult to perform because of its range. I would rather a performer (which she is) lip synced it for a ‘just in case scenario’ than totally blew it on stage. What, does someone want their money back?

  3. Ann I says:

    As a former Head Start/UPK teacher I have had the thought, many times, of recording the “standard” phrases us teachers found ourselves saying all the time…”walking feet”, “inside voices”, etc. Or for an answer we had to repeat 16 times.

    It sounds bad, but maybe a phone greating by a receptionist..”Thank you for calling _____, how may I help you?” I’m all for personalized and actually speaking to someone instead of the dial-by-number automated thing, but some receptionist are terribly unfriendly.

  4. Campie says:

    It was fine that it was pre-recorded, however, why pretend that she is singing live. That to me is betrayal and being dishonest. I have lost all respect for her. Just tell the truth and don’t pretend.

  5. Hopeful says:

    I see nothing wrong with her lip syncing. It made for a marvelous performance. I’d rather that than her do it live and sucking. How is it different from Obama (or anyone else) using teleprompters?

  6. Snicker Doodle says:

    I agree with Campie. Why pretend? Ashley Simpson was bashed and ridiculed for it to no end. Why is it okay for Beyonce? I can’t think of any practical uses for lip syncing although I do like the suggestion of pre-recording parent nagging. That sounds like a real time saver!

  7. ann says:

    Good use for lip-syncing? 12 year old birthday parties.

    Ask Milli Vanilli what’s wrong with lip-syncing.

    If you pay for live, you should get live.

  8. esooG ® says:

    If your last name is Simpson or Spears, please lip-sync.

    ‘I have lost all respect for her.’ – I’m sure she’s heartbroken.

    Seriously though, Beyonce can really sing. Like, sing for real. It’s not like she did it beacuse she doesn’t have what it takes…you know the girl can sing with the best of them, so who cares if she did it, this one time. Her talent is there, regardless.

  9. Lee says:

    Kelly Clarkson didn’t lip sync!

  10. Chris says:

    Lip-syncing is great when driving in your car.

  11. r says:

    agree with 4

  12. Jeff says:

    Ok, when I was a kid, performer’s lip synced on American Bandstand but NOT Ed Sullivan and NEVER in public. If performing LIVE, then perform live. How would it be if Jimi Hendrix played air guitar to his recordings? Would you pay to see that?

  13. Pam says:

    Lip-syncing is for the “I just gotta be in the chorus or glee club or choir (please please please let me in!)” member who is totally tone deaf! This is the ONLY time lip-syncing is acceptable, as well as requested.

  14. mic says:

    Practical uses for lip-synching? When you have to be an a$$-kisser at work…Being able to lip-sync some nauseating phoniness might help a little!! Same goes for telling people how adorable their kids are, how cute their pets are, how darling their designer purse/shoes/clothes are, etc.

    As far as Beyonce lip-syncing… I agree with Goose – the girl can sing! So why, why, why did she bother NOT doing so!! If you can’t do it (sing the anthem live), then don’t agree to it and let someone else have a chance to step up and do so. If there was such a huge chance for her to screw it up singing it live then I’d say she can’t be that professional and perhaps she should go back to live touring for some practice.

  15. The NY ICON The UKMA says:

    as a performer, I can tell you that, simply put, Lip synching enances a performance! If Milli Vanilli(and MANY others) could make millions from it why not!?

  16. The national anthem at outdoor events is lip-synced much more often than you’d believe. Only the biggest named singers at the most publicized events get chastised for it.

  17. CommSpec says:

    Umm, @Hopeful: If Obama was lip syncing his speech, then you could draw an appropriate comparison.

  18. Carrie2 says:

    I agree with mic’s. If she was scared, she should not have accepted the paycheck to do it live. She could have passed it on to one of the two American Idols who sang live and gave a phenomenal performance that day. Or she could have passed to Carrie Underwood. Is Beyonce gonna call in the Superbowl too?

  19. ErinsDad says:

    Though not as famous, the performers who sing the National Anthem at RPI Hockey games actually sound better than Queen B, and they perform it live, with no backing track.

    If they could play right wing, they’be be the perfect women.