Susan Boyle’s first album “I Dreamed a Dream” captivated me from the title track with her exquisite cover of various songs, all of which showcase her wonderful abilities as a singer. It is refreshing to hear a best-selling artist today who uses her voice as her primary instrument, not masked by digitalized melodies or obviously altered by the ever-present AutoTune software. In the title track, which is originally from the musical Les Miserables, Boyle sings with a pristine and natural voice reminiscent of her famous performance on the show “Britain’s Got Talent.” It made me want to continue to listen to the rest of the album.
The album also contains an interesting variety of songs, including classic hymns such as “Silent Night,” “Amazing Grace,” and “How Great Thou Art,” which show a religious side of her personality. The tracks that stood out were Boyle’s cover of the old-time classics “Cry Me a River” and “The End of the World” because they show the range and depth of her voice. When she sings these songs, Boyle sounds much younger than her forty-eight years. The majority of the tracks have minimal accompaniment, which emphasizes Boyle’s originality as a singer. “Who I Was Born To Be” was a song written for her that also features choral accompaniment and, with lyrics such as “So here I am/Open arms and ready to stand/I’ve got the world in my hands/And it feels like my turn to fly,” aptly reflects her rise to success. “Up to the Mountain” is another track where she alludes to religion in helping her fulfill her dreams.
Boyle’s rendition of “You’ll See,” a song originally by Madonna, is the most intense track on the album with its heavier, mysterious undertone of drums and guitar riffs.
Although Boyle did not write any of the songs on the album herself, the personal connection that she has with the songs is evident through both the lyrics and her deeply expressive voice. Her cover of the Rolling Stones’ original “Wild Horses” strikes an emotional chord due to the moving and sincere way in which she sings it.
The beauty of this album is its authenticity; Boyle sounds like a genuinely talented human being, which she is, rather than a pop star trying to sell an image.
Though the album is definitely not ideal for a jam session and may quickly fade out in popularity with the younger generation, it will definitely stand out as a generally enduring classic, and establishes Boyle as a well-known musician among the sea of popular artists today. It is a perfect soundtrack to the holiday season, with its nostalgic melodies and timeless quality.