Inspiration (includes Bonus DVD) [ENHANCED]

William Hung

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 6, 2004)
• Original Release Date: April 6, 2004
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Koch Records
• ASIN: B0001V1M64
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (648 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #99,474 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

• This item is part of The American Idol Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Depending on your sense of humor, William Hung's 15 minutes of fame on one 2004 episode of American Idol were either a joke or the high point of the show's season. Tone-deaf, karaoke-trained, and a far cry from the series' polished and trendy wannabe pop stars, Hung was booted halfway through his classic cover of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs." Inspiration, his first (and possibly last) CD, gives his legion of fans a chance to hear him in his entirety. Basically, it's Hung with karaoke background music, warbling through classics such as "Hotel California," "Rocket Man," and "Y.M.C.A." A few "inspirational thought" tracks are interspersed between the songs, giving you insight into the UC Berkeley student's self-confidence and enthusiasm. A bonus DVD even contains new footage and interviews of Hung in action. There are plenty of classic, imaginative novelty records out there--consider the Shaggs, Lucia Pamela, and Mrs. Miller--but this isn't one of them. Hung's backing music is too bland and, after a few tracks, the joke wears a little thin. But if you must hear more of this unlikely American Idol, here's your chance. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dreadfully Awesome, April 18, 2004

By	Dan Amrich (Bay Area CA) - See all my reviews

If you've spotted any of William Hung's myriad media appearances following his butchering of "She Bangs" as part of American Idol's auditions, you know what you're in for here--off-key caterwauling from a cheerful if somewhat oblivious young guy with a thick Asian accent...but no pretenses and not a shred of self-consciousness.

I picked up this album for a few reasons--one, Simon Cowell said that this CD cheapens American Idol, which is about as hypocritical a statement as can be made from a guy on a show that puts cookie-cutter vocalists into a corporate music formula. But more than that, I collect bad music. Give me William Shatner, give me dogs barking Beatles songs--and yes, gimme William Hung.

I've heard some surprisingly strong negative reactions to this album--many, of course, from folks who didn't buy or even listen to it--suggesting that this is racism at the worst, and at its least, baseless opportunism that hurts "real music." Racism, hopefully not--I'll clearly listen to *anybody* who can't sing, regardless of their skin. But hurting "real music?" When did disco anthems and the soundtracks of Disney movies--let alone the disposable Space Jam--become sacrosanct? Some of this material deserves Hung's enthustiastic but tuneless performances. His version of "I Believe I Can Fly" may well be the single worst recorded cover song of all time--but as such, to me, it's instantly more interesting and compelling than the original. (And that explains the 3-star score: These are perfectly awful performances of mediocre songs, thereby achieving greatness through failure, ultimately meeting in the middle.)

Hung laughs through part of his YMCA vocal...because he's having fun. Is the rest of the country laughing with him, or at him? At him, no doubt. Me too. But I'll gladly give the kid a few bucks for making me smile, for being brave enough to be himself (he's far more of a natural individualist than the eager-to-please corporate chameleons who "succeeded" on American Idol in his place), and suggesting that sometimes, music isn't about quality--it's about entertainment value. Take my money, William, and thank you--you're worth it.

61 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hung Fu, April 6, 2004

By A Customer

This man is a Genius. Either that, or he's mildly retarded. All I know is I bought his CD. And i'm ashamed of it. But deep down inside, "Inspiration, by william hung" changed me.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much better than Britney Spears' voice., April 6, 2004

By	Jeff A. (New Orleans.) - See all my reviews

The only difference between William Hung and Britney Spears is: Britney Spears dances better. Unlike Spears, William Hung doesn't dance and crawl on the floor to mask his awful voice and he doesn't lip-sing either.

For those who gave this CD below 3 stars, c'mon, did you think you bought this CD and expect Whitney Houston's or The Three Tenors' voices singing to you? Be real, ask yourself what did you expect before you bought this CD.