A British version of American Idol is Britain's Got Talent. In fact, Simon Cowell judges both contests (he's the creator of Britain's Got Talent). Last Sunday night this man, Paul Potts, won the final prize. Here he makes his debut and wins the world. Cafe patron AB sent me the link this morning and we all just lost it at my office. An amazing performance.
AB later sent me this post from a blog (NOTE to AB, please send me the link - thanks!) of someone who caught in words the feelings we all had this morning watching it.
I came into work this morning, ran through my email, signed payroll, ran out to rake a couple of employees over the coals, went back to the office, pulled up NRO, and clicked on the Corner. That’s when I ran across your post about Paul Potts. The video came up and there’s this dumpy guy with bad teeth. Then he started to sing. Now, I’m not an overly emotional person, but halfway through I realized I was crying. Haven’t done anything like that in many, many years, and I wondered, as I dried my eyes, how in the world his singing could have caused such a strong reaction in me. The video has been on a loop in my head ever since, and I think I’m ready to make a guess.
His expression before he begins to sing is that of a man resigned to disappointment. Even when he smiles, his eyes convey a profound sadness. He has been a nobody all his life. He, and perhaps only he, knows he has greatness inside of him, but he is obviously a humble man, massively insecure, afraid of rejection, unsure of himself outside the cocoon of anonymity. But you get the feeling he also knows that this may be the one chance he gets to escape the cocoon, and as he begins to sing, you can see him fighting down his fear. I think that is the wellspring of the emotion that pervades his performance. He is fighting against a life of obscurity. By the song’s end, what was an average Joe has stepped up, beaten back his fear, and broken through. In those few seconds, he put the void behind him, and his life will probably be changed forever because he called up the courage at that moment to show what he was really made of. We saw greatness, long denied, finally being born.
It was one of the most heroic things I’ve seen in a long time. My deepest thanks to you for posting it. Truly inspirational.
Official Tip of the TinFoil Hat to AB.
LATER: Here's the video of Paul Potts winning the whole thing, which will include a live performance before Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II.
5 comments:
Great singer - tragic name
Wow, I don't really favor opera!
More than the name, the way his body is carrying weight and the teeth, I don't think he'd have a chance outside this opportunity. That's a shame for the Lord blessed him with a great voice. I wonder how many times I prejudge & miss the Lord's diamonds.
Well BB, maybe w/o a h/t but both SF & T19 picked this up, congrats at being first out of the gates.
(Boy can I use any more abbrev.?)
I know what you mean. If you have time, watch the final (linked at the end of this post) and Mr. Potts face when he wins the whole thing. All those beautiful people could not ignore the true beauty of what Mr. Potts unexpectedly brought to the world.
bb
Post a Comment