Peecee Business

Now, I’m not dissing auto-tune, on the contrary, I’m quite thankful to the person who invented it. It helps mediocre singers, like me, hide shortcomings. Singing is now like any other profession, where time is equal to money. I’ve seen colleagues dub multiple songs in a day, running from one studio to another. What happens as a result is that the quality of singing suffers. And, that is when Prince Charming auto-tune comes to the rescue. It’s like concealer for the voice. But, the way too much make-up ruins the skin, too much auto-tune can ruin a song. Especially when it has been used to such an extent that the voice doesn’t sound human anymore. Those of you who like the blues and folk-rock will be familiar with Bonnie Raitt. She’s a fantastic guitarist, writes honest poetry, has a strong voice, and has won 10 Grammys. Her and Buddy Guy’s version of Feels Like Rain helped me cope with heartbreak. Her Something To Talk About taught me to not have a care in the world. I’ve always idolized her. So, when a wannabe singer decided to ruin one of her most popular songs, I was very angry! Priyanka Chopra is a powerhouse actor. She’s proved her mettle with Fashion, Kaminey, and Barfii. And, now she’s trying to sing, too. I’m sure she can sing a little; maybe she’s sung at family functions and adoring relatives have indulged her. So, when her first two singles released, I ignored. Then I heard her latest, which is a cover of Bonnie Raitt’s I Can’t Make You Love Me. While she claims that it’s an ode to a classic number, I can’t help but notice that she’s practically retained nothing of the original. Her auto-tuned robotic vocals sound like they’re coming out of a machine. PC is famous and it’s easier to market her as an ‘exotic’ sensation in the West. There’s been talk about how it’s a game of money and PC is only the face. A lot of it is true, I’m sure. But, she doesn’t seem the kind who can get played. Why would she willingly subject herself to brickbats, ridicule, and scathing reviews? She’s already an icon. Wonder why then she’s so keen to destroy her reputation by being a part of something that’s soulless and reeks of everything apart from music. It’s none of my business what she does with her career but, it affects me when she decides to remake one of my favorite songs, and ends up sucking the soul out of it. Sorry, PeeCee, this can’t be forgiven! You’re a brilliant artiste, but you’ve lost most of the respect I had for your art after you made a mockery of another artiste’s creation. Imagine a stand-up comedian in drag, mimicking your character in Barfii, making lame jokes, and claiming that it’s his tribute to a classic role. Some might find it funny, but almost everybody will agree it’s uncouth, in bad taste, and totally not cool! That’s precisely how I feel about your track. You’ve been telling your fans that your latest track ‘is all me’. Perhaps, your next will, genuinely, be all you, not inspired by something else. Otherwise, sorry to say, you can’t make me love you.