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Is Will Young showing a decline in popularity? |
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#1 |
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,601
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Is Will Young showing a decline in popularity?
I'm a MASSIVE Will Young fan and have been for 13 years now. So this post is in no way a diss.
I'm just not feeling it at the moment.... The new single is good but it's not amazing...i don't feel the buzz i felt with all his other lead singles. I would have preferred a different lead single. When Jealousy came out there was a real buzz and excitement and it was everywhere basically. Became a big hit for him. The single is struggling to get up the charts if at all, the radio airplay isn't there either - not in the Top 40 for radio plays. The video has mustered 60,000 views on Youtube in over 2 weeks and on Spotify just less than 20,000 despite a social media push. Now i know he isn't actively promoting it anywhere but i just don't feel the same buzz? The video is abit out there also - not really in keep with today's market either.. Did he leave it too long??. The last album came out in 2011. Is nearly 4 years too much of a break? Other artists who have taken such a long break have lost their place in the market. How can he compete with Sam Smith, George Ezra, Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini and co... He still has his loyal fans and the interest is in some way there but i just think maybe his campaign is a little rush and ill-thought out.. Sony BMG never messed up for me.. I am abit concerned Universal don't know what to do with him.... Is a britains got Talent performance possible that would be good to get some promo out there and this second single may be a shot to get some exposure for the album but hmm... I know he's more of a album's artist now than singles but anyone feel the same? IMO Will should have released this album later on in the year in Q4. Sales are so low now even with a high charting he'll muster up little sales. Abit concerned the album won't even muster up 100k sales with albums only selling about 20k at the moment. |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 4,434
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Too much competition now. Will Young has done well to remain popular for so long but the market is now crowded, especially considering how long ago Jealousy was people will have forgotten him
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#3 |
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 30,200
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You tube hits isn't really vital to one's career. It's great to have, but it's hardy telling of whether someone is declining.
I haven't seen much promotion yet, and it has been four years since his last album. Give it time. Your conclusions are all based on nothing but how YOU personally feel. Not what the general word or feeling is as a whole. |
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#4 |
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,601
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^^ Well both to be honest. I'm not feeling it but also the Youtube hits, Spotify and Radio airplay is quite low to be honest. The pre-order went up yesterday due to fans but has shot down to No.1000 and 400 on iTunes.
I support Will fully. I buy his CDs since 2002. I am a major fan...so this is not a diss at all. |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Cuddling MyLee
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I'm 100% behind Will, and I do like the single even if it isnt the strongest lead from his album. However, I think the album will be a popular seller.
The problem with the singles chart nowadays is, streaming has geared it and biased towards popular acts and media-friendly ones. |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 505
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A lot of the fans were in love with the electro sound of his last album, so when he released what's quite a retro-feeling lead single for his latest LP ... it was quite a comedown to be honest.
I don't know why, but I don't think samples/covers should be used when you've had a 3 and a half to 4 year gap on the music scene - I want completely original material! |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,601
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I agree. The Echoes sound was a surprise stunning experience. It just clicked and worked. No one else was doing that sound too. I'm the same i was expecting something abit like Echoes too so it was a little disappointment. But knowing Will he likes to change it up and every album has been different and unique. I presume that will continue.
This is the Switch It on for me. Nice but nothing special. It's a perfectly good song tucked away on an album somewhere or B Side but lead single...NO. You have got to hand it to Will though - he takes risks, doesn't think commercially and so far it has paid off. I think the second single will be key to how the album will do.
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#8 |
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 31,657
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He has a new single out?
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#9 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,744
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I was hoping Love Revolution would just be a buzz single used to get people talking about new Will Young material coming soon.
I find the echoey effect used on Will's voice in the verses really amateur as if it was recorded on a budget in someone's bedroom. Also the fact the chorus is based around Loneliness by Tomcraft surprised me, but not exactly in a good way. I'm so used to the original that hearing the chorus to Loneliness sung to a retro motown style backing misses the mark for me. I'm also a massive Will Young fan and have loved so many of his singles over the years (I even thought Switch It On was genius at the time even though a number of people thought "wtf?" when they heard it). I have his albums too...including From Now On (hush at the back )I'm hoping the next single will be treated like a lead single and there will be a proper promotional campaign, TV performances and music video all released before the song itself so that people can do the whole pre-order thing on iTunes to guarantee a higher chart entry. |
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#10 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
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Just looking on iTunes, if you click on 85% Proof they have given the time for two other tracks; Brave Man and Like A River.
I'm guessing these are going to be instant grat singles released before the album (which all albums seem to do these days). If that's the case then seeing how high they get on iTunes will be an indicator as to how successful the album is likely to be. OT; a bit like when Madonna released those instant grats back in December and they occupied 4 of the iTunes top 10. |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,660
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Quote:
I'm a MASSIVE Will Young fan and have been for 13 years now. So this post is in no way a diss.
I'm just not feeling it at the moment.... Did he leave it too long??. The last album came out in 2011. Is nearly 4 years too much of a break? Other artists who have taken such a long break have lost their place in the market. How can he compete with Sam Smith, George Ezra, Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini and co... |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: North East England
Posts: 463
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I can't understand why a massive fan would start such a thread to be quite honest.
It's six weeks before his album is released, for goodness sake, have some faith!! |
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#13 |
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,601
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Not all fans hail the praises blindly over everything their artist does! Will's one of my fave artists actually.
I am just being realistic. I don't feel the single has really done well on anything really including Youtube/Spotify plays, iTunes, getting radio to play it etc. I'm not personally feeling the song myself either like i have with all his other lead singles bar Switch It On. I dont think it's anything special and i feel it has to be compete in the current market and from Will i expect more. The album may be brilliant (it probably will be as his albums usually are). If this is just a buzz single that's fine. But i don't think it is... |
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#14 |
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 720
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Isn't it a fairly common pattern that talent show winners/contestants' popularity decreases with each album?
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#15 |
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: North East England
Posts: 463
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Quote:
Not all fans hail the praises blindly over everything their artist does! Will's one of my fave artists actually.
I am just being realistic. I don't feel the single has really done well on anything really including Youtube/Spotify plays, iTunes, getting radio to play it etc. I'm not personally feeling the song myself either like i have with all his other lead singles bar Switch It On. I dont think it's anything special and i feel it has to be compete in the current market and from Will i expect more. The album may be brilliant (it probably will be as his albums usually are). If this is just a buzz single that's fine. But i don't think it is... |
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#16 |
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,474
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Give him a bloody chance!
![]() He's back after 4 years with practically ZERO promotion at present. For some strange reason he appeared from nowhere after 4 years with an immediate download and video. Don't you think Universal will have some promotion planned? It's not yet playlisted on TV music channels or radio, so people have to see him and hear hear it before they buy into him again. Have some faith for goodness sake.
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#17 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,744
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Quote:
Isn't it a fairly common pattern that talent show winners/contestants' popularity decreases with each album?
I may be wrong but I suspect Echoes managed to outsell Let It Go. Jealousy did a mighty fine job to launch the last era and build up interest along with airplay. 85% Proof still has a good chance of getting to #1 but it obviously isn't going to sell bucketloads like Friday's Child did. Hardly any albums sell that amount anymore. |
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#18 |
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,931
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Will is still a popular artist with a unique voice and style. I hope he does well, but agree, it's much too early in the campaign to declare this release a hit or a miss as yet!
I think the video is inspired, given that we are in an pre election period, he comes across as such a smarmy political type, selling his version of a bright new tomorrow - brilliant! I think he's in a good position as an 'ex reality tv star', given he has had longevity and no-one can take that away, whatever happens with this album. I also think he will always draw a decent crowd to a tour, so he will be fine. |
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#19 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,744
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Quote:
I think he's in a good position as an 'ex reality tv star', given he has had longevity and no-one can take that away, whatever happens with this album. I also think he will always draw a decent crowd to a tour, so he will be fine.
Also re; the music video I hadn't really made that connection about looking like a smug politician promoting his product. Thinking about it, that's quite an accurate description. lol That's settled then. On May 7th I'm voting for Will Young.
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#20 |
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,026
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He's been on the decline for years.
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#21 |
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,524
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Quote:
He's been on the decline for years.
Will can't hope to compete with the current crop of conveyor belt pop artists, many who won't even be heard of in even 5 years time, but I think he'll always be able to tour as many still recognise he's one of the best live singers the UK has ever produced. I also agree it's a very strange thread for a fan to start. |
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#22 |
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,663
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Every artists declines in popularity. Lady Gaga, Spice Girls, Will Young. The only artists who seem exempt from that rule are Take That and The Beatles.
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#23 |
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: North East England
Posts: 463
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Quote:
If that is true then Will Young sure bucked that trend back in 2011.
I may be wrong but I suspect Echoes managed to outsell Let It Go. Jealousy did a mighty fine job to launch the last era and build up interest along with airplay. 85% Proof still has a good chance of getting to #1 but it obviously isn't going to sell bucketloads like Friday's Child did. Hardly any albums sell that amount anymore. |
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#24 |
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,601
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I dont understand why people are confused at me starting the thread! It's not a diss topic at all. Will's outstanding in my opinion. I have followed his entire career from the day he won Pop Idol, have all his singles, albums (all versions), books, dvds, even calendars and tour programmes! You could say i was 'obsessed'. However, i just don't feel the 'spark' i normally feel with a lead single like when i first heard Leave Right Now, Changes or Jealousy. This is the 'Switch It On' for me of this era, it'll launch off the campaign until the main single comes in the All Time Love... I guess 13 years into a career you can't expect a ridiculous fan fare but i just felt a few things where a little 'amiss' with the lead single. I think he needs to start the promotion and singing it on shows...
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#25 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: North East England
Posts: 463
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Quote:
I dont understand why people are confused at me starting the thread! It's not a diss topic at all. Will's outstanding in my opinion. I have followed his entire career from the day he won Pop Idol, have all his singles, albums (all versions), books, dvds, even calendars and tour programmes! You could say i was 'obsessed'. However, i just don't feel the 'spark' i normally feel with a lead single like when i first heard Leave Right Now, Changes or Jealousy. This is the 'Switch It On' for me of this era, it'll launch off the campaign until the main single comes in the All Time Love... I guess 13 years into a career you can't expect a ridiculous fan fare but i just felt a few things where a little 'amiss' with the lead single. I think he needs to start the promotion and singing it on shows...
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I think the second single will be key to how the album will do.
