Samantha Ronson squeaks out a tune: nervous or no business trying to sing?


I cannot carry a tune to save my life. Sometimes I’ll sing at a rare church service or event (I don’t attend regularly), but I try and make it so my voice blends in with everyone else’s if possible. That’s a preface to this story about Samantha Ronson completely failing to sing her own song on Regis & Kelly yesterday. She reminds me of those clueless tuneless people that American Idol lets sing in front of the judging panel during the tryouts. I always wonder how those kids got to that point. Once in a while you get the stunt singers, but most of them really believe they can sing. They wait in line for a couple of days and sit around for hours just for a chance to sing one song that they butcher. Samantha Ronson’s lack of self awareness kind of rivals the lengths those bad singers go to. As someone who can’t sing either, I marvel at how they delude themselves into thinking they sound great.

In case you forgot who this woman is, she’s a celebrity DJ and she used to date Lindsay Lohan. After their breakup, Lindsay stalked Sam and even moved into the house next to her for a while, until Lindsay inevitably started staying at the Chateau Marmont again once she came onto a little money. (Or once Terry Richardson started letting her stay at his suite there for free. It’s hard to keep track of the cracken’s whereabouts.) Sam is also the sister of accomplished music producer and musician Mark Ronson, who has worked with Amy Winehouse, Adele, Christina Aguilera and Lily Allen. So what I’m saying is that she should know that she can’t freaking sing!

There are plenty of singers who rely on autotune and editing, and don’t sound that polished live. I’m thinking of Katy Perry, Rihanna and of course Lana Del Rey’s turn on Saturday Night Live. Most of those people can belt out a song when they’re relaxed and not running around. They have some underlying talent is what I’m saying. Samro is someone who should think twice before taking the mic at a karaoke bar.

Also, my brother is a musician and has DJed. I want to defend DJs a little because a lot of people use the old “slip in a CD” cliche. Good DJs do much more than that. They know a ton of music and have an extensive collection, they get a feel for the crowd, and they play the right song at the right time to create a mood. At least decent DJs do that, just as good singers can actually sing.

Samantha is shown singing “Summer of Sam” with her band “The Undertakers” above. This begs the obvious “bury it already” quips. Even her backup singer can’t sing. I love how Kelly gets all fake enthusiastic and overcompensates for how bad it is.

Why is Sam singing, when she could simply be doing some kind of mixing with her own pre-recorded voice? Also, this reminds me of Lindsay Lohan’s music. Lindsay actually had some semi-decent songs in the late ‘aughts. (If you like that type of synth pop.) There was Bossy in 2008, Confessions of a Broken Heart in 2006 and Over in 2004. I couldn’t find videos of Lohan singing live though, she wisely lip-synced during her appearances. Lindsay has pissed away several different careers.

Video via Dlisted

Samantha Ronson

Samantha Ronson

Samantha Ronson

Samantha is shown on 3-13-12 and in a recent Twitpic by her sister, fashion designer Charlotte. Credit: WENN.com

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53 Responses to “Samantha Ronson squeaks out a tune: nervous or no business trying to sing?”

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  1. Gia says:

    OMG I saw her performance yesterday via dlisted and I made less than 10 sec in. Painful, awkward and horrendous!

  2. No business trying to sing. If people are getting record deals for this level of singing then please show me where to sign. I sing better than this in my car. In my car I am A ROCK STAR! Keep it in your car, Sam, keep it in your car.

  3. Rux says:

    That was awful! I have a terrible voice and know it; I save that shit for the car, windows rolled up, and by myself.

    I forgot about LLs music career; I actually liked a couple of her songs too bad she snorted it all away.

  4. TruthTella says:

    UGH… Sam just quit it.

    P.S I think Lindsay had some great songs (all those you listed and a few more), she can’t sing live but when it’s polished up a bit her raspy voice sounds pretty hot tbh, story of her life.

  5. Bess says:

    Samantha Ronson should quit trying to be a performer and concentrate on producing or writing music.

    By the way, both Sam & LL are in NYC now. Is the Big Apple big enough to keep them from running into each other?

    • Maguita says:

      I think LL is Sam’s official stalker extraordinaire.

      The problem with Sam is that she is only in with the Hollywood crowd, and she was only at the top of her game when people booked her BECAUSE of than gf Lilo. People loved watching the drama unfold. Compared to many amazing underground DJs, SamRo is too soft pop. Obviously, branching out into a singing career is not a good idea. She clearly has not talent for singing. Or heck, following a beat!

    • the original bellaluna says:

      If LA County isn’t big enough, then no, neither is The Big Apple.

      Lilo has SamRo radar.

  6. fancyamazon says:

    Not only can she not really carry a tune, you can hear that she has no power in or control over her voice. Not that I can sing, but I’m not trying to get people to buy my tunes, either.

    There are lots of people who can actually sing out there, why do we keep buying and listening to auto tuned crap? Dance music and electro works with auto tuning quite well, but that is blatantly and obviously trying to warp human sounds into synth-ed versions, and even dance and electro singers sound better when they can actually sing to start with.

  7. Cathy says:

    My singing voice is so bad that I don’t even sing in my car. Some people just shouldn’t.

  8. NerdMomma says:

    Are you all serious? Is there something wrong with me? I listened to the whole song and I thought it was catchy and cute, and I thought she sounded nice. I agree that she’s no Adele or anything, but she sure didn’t sound bad to me!

    • constant says:

      I agree, the song wasn’t bad! And her voice: I can imagine that better nerves, lessons and practice could lead to something I’d enjoy listening to. But the way she presented herself here makes me uncomfortable and nervous myself.

    • gg says:

      I like the song okay. But her singing is like Avril Levigne. Uncontrolled and very juvenile sounding. Also her pronounciation is thick and labored and sounds like a pre-teen. How old is she – in her 30s? Hard to tell because in photos she looks like hell. On purpose.

  9. I.want.shoes says:

    That was painfully embarrassing to watch.

  10. mia girl says:

    Wow, after years of seeing her in baggy, semi masculine clothes, it’s really strange to see her in a bikini.

    • Camille (The original) says:

      lol I thought the same thing!

    • ZenB!tch says:

      She has the Angelina body – thin limbs and thicker torso. Of course she is so underweight that it ends up being a nice torso and stick thin, skeletal limbs.

      I didn’t expect her to have a half decent rack (I had to say it since she is so not about that and she bugs me – those dark circles and the Johnny Rotten smirk).

  11. some bitch says:

    YIKES.

    I made it forty seconds in. Sam has no business trying to sing.

  12. lisa says:

    That was bad. I mean it is decent for a night out with friends doing karaoke bit not a professional musician. Ridiculous that she got this opportunity over someoneore talented who could use the exposure

  13. tifygodess24 says:

    My Grandma always said “if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all” – Yeah, so I am going with this and not comment (thanks grandma). **Note to self**- Check off good deed for the day!!

  14. backwards says:

    I have seen her sing live and she was great. I think she is just nervous.

  15. Adrien says:

    Can’t hate Sam. She seemed like a nice person, she’s an ok dj and I like her brother. But c’mon, she sounded like a rich, well connected kid trying to make a career in music, not in The Strokes kind on way, but more like a Chet Haze.

  16. terra says:

    I have the album and her voice doing that is kind of her thing and I LOVE IT. Love Song is probably my favorite on the album.

    I think Samantha did a great job.

  17. Rhiley says:

    I just got my lolololololololololololol of the day (and I ain’t talken about my “cracken in the news” fix).

  18. Elina says:

    Lmao! She needs to stick to being a DJ. She good at pressing play:)

  19. bubbles says:

    made about 5 beats into it. oy veh!

  20. lil ole me says:

    Why does this trick look miserable and flipping people off that are taking her picture at whatever event she is at? Ummmm stay HOME if you don’t like being in the spotlight! Dayum. Or better yet- stay outta the spotlight. Her schtick has gotten old. Poor thing needs lots of concealer.

  21. Isn’t she the one singing the song that plays at prom in mean girls? “Built this way”? If it is her her voice is pretty good in that song!

    • JaisyMaisy says:

      Yep, that’s her. I actually really like that song, and I can’t help but like Sam…I mean, she seems to have successfully rid herself of LL, and that’s saying something.

  22. Alexis says:

    Parenthetical on the other part of LiLo’s fallen career: I weirdly like LL’s “Over.” It’s a decent pop song. Her distinctively raspy voice could produce good songs if well produced. Much like how Rihanna is not a talented singer, but her distinctive monotone drawl somehow elevates a song that is well produced because she sounds unique.

  23. little darling says:

    She is actually from a musical family and has a lot of talent producing, writing and singing. She was probably REALLY nervous…

    This song was in Mean Girls and I LOVE it still….

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PD3RuojxsE

  24. Leah says:

    Is that a re-work of George Michael’s Faith? Can anyone else hear that?

  25. london says:

    LOL I was at work, and this was on the television in our waiting room and I remember looking up and thinking whoever is singing on tv right now is horrible!!! I thought maybe it was just me because of the way Kelly reacted lol.

  26. mel says:

    She sounded really nervous. It was ok…

  27. LoL says:

    She looks like a crackhead. Worse than Lindsay.

    • ZenB!tch says:

      I was thinking meth – those brown circles under her eyes. I’m going to be commenting on those 50 kajillion times in this thread.

      She has make up on so they are unhideable.

  28. Isa says:

    But I love “Built This Way!” I really need to go watch Mean Girls now! She can’t sing live, that’s for sure. I don’t like when people flip off the camera. And it’s really weird to see her in a bikini. I figured she would go swiimming in a hoodie and skinny jeans.

  29. frothy says:

    i couldn’t get past 6 seconds….let alone looking at her. she should stay away from the camera.

  30. Abby says:

    It’s hilarious that she looks like a ghoulish man-boy and yet sounds like she’s an offkey 9 year old girl.

  31. Just Sayin says:

    Ouch and oooouccchh!

  32. JustaGirl says:

    I’ll give her credit for actually singing live. Definitely not her best though.

  33. DesertRose says:

    I’ve been hosting karaoke for a lot of years. There’s a voice there, she’s nervous and is lacking confidence. Seen it a million times: one bad note and everything is wrecked. It’s even happened to me once or twice.

  34. kiyoshigirl says:

    Just because you have access to a recording studio and a microphone does NOT mean you should record a song. Why oh why do all these D list celebs think they have to be professional singers? God forbid they go through life without trying to be pop stars. That was painful!!!!!!!!!!

  35. the original bellaluna says:

    I didn’t listen, because I have a “face” (that I inherited from my mum) when someone is off-key or sounds bad, and I don’t want it to freeze that way.

  36. Ginger says:

    I was in the choir during my years in a private school and our training was by a top notch former opera singer who classically trained us, the kids. We competed against other schools, won regularly and even made albums. I was always so proud of this and it sticks out as one of my happier memories. I still love to sing, especially with my son. However, I think my voice was great when blending in with other people but not strong enough on my own. My son and I will belt out songs in the car, the grocery store, wherever just for fun. Reality check! That’s what Samantha should definitely stick to. I watched the video and her vibe is very stiff and uncomfortable. I even looked away for a while just to listen to her voice and it’s not strong at all. Plus, the lyrics seem more appropriate for someone with a “bluesy” voice. I really can’t stand watching the singing shows like American Idol and The Voice. My former music/choir teachers voice is constantly commenting in the back of my head when I watch these people over sing with a TON of vibrato. I don’t get it and it just gets me frustrated that “good” singing these days isn’t “good” at all.

  37. cowgirl27 says:

    Horrible. I saw it (unfortunately) on the Live! With Kelly show. I admit to not like Sam at all. She is a miserable and brooding person. I think her family reminds me of those Tannebaums on that movie just an odd bunch of people. Her performance reminded me of that wretched performance by Gretchend from the Real Housewives of the OC at the Pussycat Bar in Vegas and that was horrible and miserable and offkey. Why is it that Ashlee Simpson gets trashed for lip synching but Sam Ronson is going to get a ‘pass’ for a totally off key and lack luster performance. She didn’t move, she didn’t look like she showered, I turned the TV off because I knew I could enjoy 5 minutes of silence more than that cat wailing! Anyone who says they enjoy that really needs a reality check. To each his own I guess.

  38. wunder says:

    Too much heroin!

  39. Angiele says:

    Wasn’t she a singer in England before she became a DJ? She was a girly girl singing about boys and typical girl stuff. Youtube her.
    Some of her earlier stuff
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hv2-i4vci0&feature=related

    and
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV6hESjlYFs

  40. skeptical says:

    Yea i knew this was doomed from the moment she first announced she’d chosen Summer of Sam for her appearance. Hear that song on her album and you can hear just how many parts were missing. Bad choice. Combined with a serious case of nerves and yea, badness.
    That said, i agree with Desert Rose… I’m a child of voice teachers and am surrounded by yet more music teachers and there is a voice there.
    She needs to quit smoking… and accept that she’s a light soprano. She keeps trying to sing like she has a heavier voice. She’s not built for heavy songs… she’s Built This Way 😉
    (bad joke, I know…*slaps self*)

    @ Angiele.. yea Sam’s been around for a while. I think she’s now hit the decade mark, or will soon. And Sam says she’s bisexual. She had a long-term relationship with Happy Massee (i can’t with that name) and her breakup with him was most of the inspiration for the never-released album Red.

    Actually i think the crap with Roc-a-Fella is why she self-released. Def Jam owns her first album.. she can’t access her own music. So she went the more expensive route where at least she can’t have her songs taken away from her.

    Rolling Stones has an exclusive retooling of Chasing the REds that’s not so autotuned.
    http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/song-stream-samantha-ronson-chasing-the-reds-20120418#ixzz1sOycVPbD

    • skeptical says:

      Not sure how much stock I place in this, since Samantha had a gig at a different hotel, but it’s possible blohan was stalking Sam again.

      It’s just like what happened in london years ago..and then again when blohan moved into Empire West right after Sam did… and then again when blohan moved right next door in Venice… after Sam did.

      Stalking just wears you down. Like the Talosians did to Vina, blohan just keeps after Sam year after year. Until Sam just can’t keep running anymore.

  41. Liz says:

    She always looks like she hasn’t slept in days.