It's a dreadful dirge whoever sings it and I can't abide anything Johnny Cash has done in the last thirty years. If anyone should have hung up their boots decades ago it's him...

"sophomore" Has DS moved to America now then?

Must we import all their crap?

It's not rocket science. Add his laddish looks and cheeky chappy media friendly personality recipe for success

No, not on this forum.
People like their conspiracy theories far too much.
Acts aren't successful cause they 're good and Act's aren't being axed cause they're bad.
There is always something sinister behind it all.

He's the singing Jeff Brazier.

I don't know why people are so quick to criticise Olly and make excuses for his success. Whatever happened to being supportive of British acts?

He doesn't use autotune, doesn't sing about clubs, doesn't have shitty generic music videos, doesn't have a featured artist on every track (besides one single which was introducing another British act), doesn't take himself seriously, doesn't diss other artists, doesn't have a high opinion of himself and he actually genuinely seems to be a really down to earth bloke. His music is catchy, his albums are very impressive and he's a consistant performer. No, he doesn't have an amazing voice but he's got stage presence and is capable of singing his own songs fine. I've never seen him mime either.

I think it's just because he has the X-Factor stigma attached to him that people hate him.

>this

Also people forget he did the gruelling charity trek for comic relief which I know raised his profile but even so.. I said elsewhere I didn't get him on the X Factor but I do now.

I agree and also that exscape word think they pinched it from the French or maybe the Rumanians

I will admit that I don't get his success. I watched him on XF completely bemused by the praise he got and his popularity. I thought then and I still think now he's a run of the mill, average bloke off the street doing medicore karaoke singing and bad dad dancing.

However, he seems a decent enough bloke and I think good luck to him for making a success of himself in a difficult industry.

Loving Mr Olly Murs...the guy has got it going on!! WELL DONE HIM!! Liking most of the tunes releases so far...LOVED Him even more on the show in 2009..songs like the Tina Turner performance he pulled off brilliantlly...the TRUE winner that year, the one time Simon got it right for once!! Get extra kudos from me as he wanted Misha to win even when I didn't LOL!!

I like him. He is a good lad.

Sorry, I just can't get over exscape..

Tbh, I was never overly impressed with him on the show but there's no denying his success. I'd agree with a lot of the comments made. Vocally, he's not the best but he's good enough and they've found a sound that suits him, his voice and his personality. The new single is really good, IMO. Might not win any Ivor Novello's but it's catchy and great fun.

And that's where his personality comes into it - image in music isn't always about being sexy (Olly's not ugly but he's not Brad Pitt). It's about matching (and selling) the music. Hence why Susan Boyle can make millions singing Christmas carols and about her long lost dreams. Adele sells millions, but if she started releasing Rihanna's songs, she'd flop because people wouldn't buy into the whole package. Likewise, Rihanna singing Christmas carols wouldn't work. It's also where they're losing it with Leona.

I think coming off a strong first album but not one which was massive has helped. Xtra Factor probably helps but that's just reflective of the fact that he does seem to put himself out there as much as possible.

He has a great public image for a solo male off X Factor - not too dull and boring (Leon/Joe) but not spouting the kind of angsty wannabe credible crap of Cardle. Seems to be hugely unpopular on DS - which might be a good sign!

I think it's because he is largely an inoffensive cheeky chappie. With Frankie this year I think they wanted a more dangerous Olly and it backfired big time.

I think it works because he releases light, catchy tunes (they make my ears bleed but each to their own), plays up on being a bit thick, throws in a bit of cheeky chappie stuff with light smut. He's not threatening and is "boy next door" enough for his fans to find him accessible.

He can sing but is realistic about his limits, knows his niche, knows his time is limited and is making the most of it.

For me, his success is the most baffling of all of the X Factor mob. I couldn't stand him on the show and can't stand him now. But he has a fantastic PR machine behind him. Being mates with Moyles can't hurt either.

Behind the chirpy thick act, he's probably the most savvy of the lot - knows his music won't endure like The Beatles and is quite happy with that. Still can't stand him but have to respect that really.