It’s hard to deny that many, many people share Simon Cowell’s taste in music. Just look at the millions of CD sales Susan Boyle has been racking up. Yet along with this immense popularity, Cowell is also one of the most vigorously loathed figures in pop culture today. The man himself attempts to reckon with these contradictions in this week’s cover story of the venerable British music mag NME under the headline “THE GRINCH SPEAKS.” Read on after the jump for some of the most outrageous revelations in the NME interview, including Cowell’s views on La Roux, Eminem, Oasis, Animal Collective, and more.
Simon Cowell has beef with La Roux. It’s a fairly one-sided beef, though. La Roux singer Elly Jackson had NME ask Cowell, “How do you feel about ruining the music industry?” His remarkably even-keeled response: “Well, look, that’s her opinion. What La Roux has to understand is that the music industry isn’t dominated by us, or influenced by us for that matter. It’s influenced by people who buy records and I believe in democracy.”
Simon Cowell digs David Bowie and Eminem. He mentions both of them as potential guest judges and/or episode-theme artists for The X Factor, his wildly popular singing competition show.
Simon Cowell was sad when Oasis broke up. “I think it was inevitable,” he sighs. “But I think it was a shame. I love [Noel and Liam Gallagher] as people too by the way…I wouldn’t be surprised if they got back together.”
Simon Cowell has never even heard EW’s 2009 Album of the Year. Asked if he’s given Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion a spin, he curtly replies, “No. Look, if this section is about me looking stupid, I’ve got the point — I don’t need to go any further.” Ah, there’s that famous curmudgeonly bent!
What do you think of Cowell’s comments: more or less Grinchy than you’d expect? Do you think La Roux is right that he’s ruined the music industry? Mightn’t he enjoy “My Girls” if he gave it a chance? Sound off below.
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix.)
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Once a richard-head, always a richard-head. This is the guy who thinks he’s bigger than Springsteen; he said that on 60 Minutes.
not that i understood. he said that he makes more money for the record label they’re both at with all the artist he has signed on/off tv than sprinsteen. there is a difference
Cowell’s also made more money than Gandhi ever did, but what’s the poitn of a comparison? Once again, Cowell just shows he’s a narcissistic blowhard.
He is leaving AI
Is Springsteen that popular now? Did I miss something in the last few years? Simon is bigger than Bruce. Like it or not, he spends more time on TV than Bruce, is responsible for more record sales than Bruce, and is about 3 inches taller than Bruce. To say so may come off as arrogant, but when it is the truth how does one distinguish between self awareness and arrogance?
Frank that was great. I respect and agree with what you wrote. Those who don’t just don’g “get it”.
Most artists are too ignorant to understand that Simon Cowell is right that the people who buy the music are the ones that are in control of the music industry. If they do not buy the artists work then the label drops them. Simple as that!
REALLY? So nice for you that you know so many artists and are qualified to judge them.
No, it’s waaaaaay more complicated than that. Media and distribution plays a huge role in sales and effect, of which he is in control; there is no a priori space from which people make music purchases.
I agree with Tad. Kelly and Carrie are the only two Idol WINNERS who’ve made much of a dent in the industry. No matter how much push others get, it’s the public that decides what they want to hear.
What exactly is this article about?
haha, agreed
THANK GOD La Roux has some sense. too bad all those album producers and buyers don’t.
If I understood correctly, EW picked some lame, underground obscurity no one’s ever heard of as record of the year, and now feels snitty because no one cares. Animal Collective? How precious and twee!
It was named album of the year in a poll of UK music critics too, which is probably why NME (as a British publication) asked the question.
Maybe if you would listen to their music before writing them off as “lame” and getting defensive, you might actually enjoy it. But preemptively crapping all over everything is loads more fun, eh?
Hey, riprap, I’ve listened to their “music,” and it makes my skin crawl. So I’m now entitled to write them off as lame. And for the record, I think *they’re* the ones who crapped all over everything.
what music? it’s just beeps and noise
I know lots of people personally who have heard of Animal Collective. Go back and listen to your Susan Boyle cd.
Susan Boyle is a CD I will and have listen to. Much better than that crap Animal you call music. Lame indeed.
who the f*ck is Animal Collective?
The most amazing band ever! MAybe you should stop asking and look them up. It’s not that hard…
better yet, listen to them for a minute and then take an advil for the pain
My hipster coworker used to force me to listen to Animal Collective. Didn’t like their music, and her insistence that that made be beneath her made me hate it.
Simon Cowell is the enemy of art and the friend of the lowest common denominator.
That said, I own many American Idol alum albums.
You couldn’t beat him so you joined him? lol. Simon Cowell is NOT the enemy of art, so much as he is simply a protagonist of very mainstream, lowest common denominator but very good pop. Not EVERYTHING has to be about “art”, but true “art” definitely IS beautiful.
What is a La Roux? Sounds like he/she is upset that they do not have the artistic ability to sell albums based on their talent. I don’t see blaming American Idol or X-Factor- they aren’t forcing the CDs into our hands- we’re just sick of auto-tuned nonsense in all genre’s, and American Idol and X-Factor are the only shows that force an artist to prove their talents live, and unedited. Sorry if La Roux couldn’t hold a candle to any of these Idol/Factor contestants, but I hardly see that as Simon’s fault.
La Roux is an overseas artist, actually a duo, and they sell very well. They’re playing around with an 80′s electro-vibe.
And if you look the top ten here auto-tune is the tool of the day. And AI contestants are on the charts using it as well and so are the contestants from X-Factor, Alexandra Burke.
Actually, I do find that the critique is strange coming from La Roux; I’ve heard their (her? Is this like the whole Yelle thing?) stuff, and it’s just not much more innovative than that which they are criticizing.
Animal Collective is a great band. I got into them a couple years ago, though, and i’m really surprised by their critical praise. They’re definitely not for everyone and they’re also definitely not that main stream american idol crap that everyone buys into. They’re actually original. Still, though, not for everyone.
I listen to a lot of indie and alternative. But I’d rather listen to Susan Boyle than Animal Collective. Big woo.
I have to say I’m the same way. I just can’t get into their sound even though it is the type of music I usually like. Oh well, to each their own.
This article is about nothing. Revelation: Simon hasn’t heard about our album of the year. Revelation: La Roux doesn’t like Simon. Revelation: Simon thinks a few artists out there are really talented. None of these are revelations. No one cares.
The artists I love who are not mainstream, when I listen to their music, chances are it’s the first time I am going to hear it that day which is great but there are mainstream artists I enjoy as well, the best part of art is that it is subjective, we respond with our hearts and souls and as long as we are not hurting anyone, who care if anyone else agrees
Simon and company buy many of the records and turn around and buy the same ones over again. That’s how Chris D and band sold so many cd. Chris can’t sell out an arena. They block off some of the space and he still can’t sell out. Talk about lame. His voice makes my skin crawl, hurt my ears. Have you seen some of his twixpix? He’s trying to look like Adam. He is so jealous of Adam and his good looks.
I just lovem to pieces Susan and Cowell…How refreshing it is to hear the comments and realize people are paying attention to the good stuff…I am a young senior thinker