A New View of Jessica Simpson
I've never been into cliques. Not in high school, and not now. But I do feel like the Nashville elite is being invaded by pop stars, and I'm not sure I like it. To say I'm skeptical of their intentions is an understatement. So I was really surprised to find myself loving Jessica Simpson on The View this morning. (The sound itself was terrible, but that was because it was live TV and was held outdoors, not because of anything Simpson did wrong.)
She may not have looked all that country today, in a short blue silk dress and beige slingbacks. Gone were the cut-offs and cowboys boots from her Dukes of Hazzard days. But her song "Come On Over" is just country enough to pull a few fans in. Lyrically, the story is just a PG-13 booty call. But Simpson makes it sound so much better than that. Her voice is more sexy than twangy, but sexy works. And her vocals complement the steel guitar much like they complemented the banjo picking in her version of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'."
But just because she was raised in Dallas and has some sort of jones for Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, I don't believe everything she said today. Like how she's going to be playing a lot of state fairs and eating a lot of funnel cakes. I doubt that. And how the first time she heard the single on country radio, she was on her way home from church with Tony Romo. Please. But if country radio accepts her beyond the novelty of another pop-gone-country act, I can certainly go along with that. She may have come in the side door, but that voice is always going to keep her front and center.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Vicki says:
Alison, you hit it right on the head. I too am a bit skeptical of Jessica. I did watch her on the view this morning and also found it a bit off. But like you said, it could have been for it was outside. I have kept this to myself but was glad to see someone of knowledge post the same skepticism. It seems like since Carrie made it big in Country coming from American Idol and Contemporary Country sounding not that far from pop, plus the successes of cross-over appeal (Rascal Flatts, Carrie, Taylor), has open the door to everyone thinking that contemporary country is the new pop and all can come join. It’s time for a new realism in country music. People, don’t get me wrong, I love Carrie especially (that girl can really sing!), but I also love and miss more “real” or as some would say, more traditional country. I love Ashton Shepherd, Josh Turner and I’ll so glad to hear that the guy that jumped started real country back in the 80’s is back, THE MAN, Randy Travis. C’mom people, buy from these country stars. At least, let radio know that traditional needs to get at least equal play as the more contemporary country artists do.
Dee says:
Jessica, in an interview, told the same story to the guy from the radio station, in Dallas, that played her song that they heard it for the first time being played on the radio on the way home from church.They rolled the windows down and were singing it and asked people driving by if they were hearing her song. It was even in a magazine the church they attended that week, the same as she said on the radio. I think it’s true. That’s not the first time someone on a personal blog had seen them at his church another week. She mentioned something on her personal blog about something she learned from the pastor at that church.
Julie says:
I love Jessica Simpson’s new song and have always loved her because she is so real. She is down-to-earth and I think fans relate to that. She messes up and then she comes back.
Elle A says:
I think Jessica needs to stay with designing handbags and sunglasses and forget about singing….really! I know it sounds unkind to say that, but it just too much of a stretch to think you can make 7 or so pop albums and because they are not working your “gonna try Country”. She does have great talent in designing but singing, not so much… she needs to leave that to the Carries and Taylors as they are the “real” Country Girls!
Alicia says:
Thank you, Elle A. I personally don’t care what she does with her time, but Jessica Simpson really ought to stay away from country music. I watched her on “The View” today, as well. The sound was off, but I’ve heard the song on the radio & it’s a disgrace to country music no matter what. I’m actually embarrassed that she’s being accepted in a genre I love so much. I can only hope that the novelty will wear off soon & that Jessica will be unceremoniously booted out of country music. In whatching her today, I noticed how the cohosts seemed so excited about her success. Elisabeth Hasselbeck, for one, said that she had always thought Jessica should sing country. That just proved that she knows nothing about country music. I understand that celebrities, especially ones that attract so much attention have to promote themselves, but, the least the show’s producer’s could’ve done was made sure to have at least one co-host that actually listens to country music.
mikayla says:
i agree with ella A. and alicia … i was reading some of the comments how everyone is impressed with her but i dont see it or hear it??? and elisabeth hasselbeck is an idiot she makes it seem like jessica’s album has sold millions there’s no success yet?? relax…and i really doubt there will be it does seem like alot of pop singers are turning to country…i have a problem with this because she says she’s always been country then why didn’t she start country i think its more like she sucked at everything else music wise and this is her last hope…she’s trying to make it big in country music…you see when carrie and taylor started they started with country they wern’t trying to be someone there not…carrie started on american idol but she still was that country girl that wanted to be a country star and win or lose she was going to pursue country music because that is who she is….i heard on an interview that jessica was saying she loves george straight,etc.. and the interviewer asked her what her favorite song was from him and she was like uhm um she couldn’t even name a song i dont know but i can name a ton of songs from my favorite musician she is such a liar and a fraud……jessica doesn’t know who she is she never has known who she was she always just tries to go with the flow and whatever seems right she copies what everyone else is doing …for instance britney and christina were too much talent for her and they stole attention and now in country she wants to be carrie and taylor and it will be the same they will steal the attention because they are true to themselves and they are stars jessica is just a wannabe, and she really should stick to her clothing line, bags, shoes that may actually work for her…but singing “Please” no way!! she isn’t even as good as kellie pickler i have more respect for kellie then i do for jessica at least kellie knows who she is…jessica is a little sad puppy, and i predict she will fail at country if country lovers get this right she will booted out !! jessica is aching for carrie’s success but jessica has along way to go… carrie is a strong name for herself and i doubt we are looking at jessica like carrie!! no way nah uh not gonna happen. you need to be able to sing before you can be respected.
Kara says:
I can understand if you are a Carrie fan and therefore biased, but why were you all watching Jess on The View? Just asking. And oh by the way, I don’t think your Carrie can handle I Wanna Love You Forever & her old gospel song Have Faith In Me.
Queen says:
I am just blown away that people take the time to write such negative things about others. I ask those of you who are dissing Jess to go back and read what you wrote and insert your own name in there - truly, is it really as bad as you’ve made it sound? Jessica is an amazing artist who takes a bad rap from the public. She’s real, down to earth and just trying to make a living like the rest of us. If you were criticized at your job as much as you’rr criticizing her, would it feel good? I think Jessica could sing the phone book and sound good. And for the record, I love Carrie too.
Vicki says:
I agree with Elle A. and Alicia. I saw a special on TV that she originally started out doing gospel and she never once mentioned country music in the interview. I’m sorry, but when I see that, it does make me suspicious. She hasn’t succeeded in anything but fashion and that doesn’t exactly get your name in the papers, which is what she seems to enjoy. And by the way Kara, I watched The View today because I watch it everyday.
Tator says:
Kara have you even seen or heard Carrie sing? If you have you wouldn’t have made such a uninformed statement about Carrie not being able to sing the songs you mentioned, have you ever heard Carrie sing How Great Thou Art, or Praying for time, or Sound of Music or Make the World go away? I could go on and on but no need, anyone who has heard Carrie sing these songs knows Carrie can sing circles around Jessica, it’s a known fact if you have any ear for vocalists.
Angela says:
The reason she stopped doing gospel music is that all the christian recording groups said her upper body was too big if you understand what I am saying. And just because she has never told eveything in interviews does not make her a liar. And who are you to say they weren’t coming back from church, how would you know? People like you should be ashamed of yourself, calling another person a liar that you don’t know, how no knowledge of except what is put in print and some interviews that don’t always tell the whole story. She is a talented young women trying to find her place, what is wrong with that. And her song is good. And I am a Carrie fan also but not all her songs are pure country either. I hope one day someone judges you just as harshly or maybe your daughter and you will think twice of judging another.
Vicki says:
Oh my gosh! Two Vicki’s spelled the same way. Who would have thunk? Well, I’m the first Vicki poster and not the second. I guess I’ll have to put an extra number or letter in the name now.
Robin says:
Kara - you are not hearing from “Carrie” fans, as not only was “Carrie” mentioned by these posters, but so was Taylor.
Just like Jessica, YOU are trying to make this about Carrie. She think Carrie is her competition when country music is full of female artists that sing circles around her.
Julianne Hough is a real country girl and sings better than Simpson. Kellie Pickler is a real country girl that sings better than Simpson. Carrie clearly and most obviously sings better than Jessica. Taylor may not sing better than Simpson, but she’s a songwriting/fan relating phenom, and she’s real country. Not only that, Taylor is every mothers dream as an ‘idol’ for their kids (if they are going to have one). Faith, Martina, LeAnn, Trisha, Katrina Elam, Miranda Lambert all sing better than Simpson.
So, she better get out a bit and learn more about country music, there’s more incredible female talent out there than just Carrie Underwood and Jessica doesn’t hold a candle to any of them.
Connie says:
Robin, we must be of like mind. I can’t think of one person played on country radio and many more that just can’t seem to get much radio play that I wouldn’t rather listen to than Jessica Simpson. As for the “church story”, well, the Simpsons do play the game. After all the partying/drinking photos and stories, they must have thought we had better get some “going to church” stories out there. She seems more a tabloid celebrity than anything to me and I am just not a fan, of the person or the voice.
alyson says:
1st off i would like to inform all of you , that Jessica was at church when was said she was she was at tony Evans church in Dallas.
All you haters wanna hate her b/c what you read and because face it , you want her to fail.
You know the song is a hit.
She wants to sing YOUR music the music that tells a story. It a honor for it to sing and tell a story why cant you welcome her
Elle A says:
I am confused on the “Upper Body is to big” for Gospel? Remember, she was just a teenager (or even younger) when the Gospel Music was going on. Look at Sandi Patti or Sheri Easter, very successful, very beautiful, and very “upper body”! So that theory is not accurate..and I agree with Connie, I know I don’t know what is in a persons heart, only God knows….but it is a nagging irritation to see a family, who’s father was once a Pastor for the youth, managing his daughter in a way that has made me so sick to my stomach, with how he exploits her and has since she was so young! And Alyson, we don’t want her to fail….no one ever wishs heartache and failure on someone. In fact just the opposite, her success lies in designing, which she does well, she unfortunately was not blessed with a voice to sing, she really really struggles and you can see it on her face. I don’t think the song is a “hit”…true Country Music fans can hear “genuine”, it can’t be thrown at us, it can’t be hidden behind all the tricky productions, it just can’t be artificial, Country Music fans just do not allow it! Sorry.
BW says:
I think we need 2 give Jess time. Ya’ll gotta realize, it’s not like she asked TMZ & other jerks to follow her around. The girl has almost NO privacy. I think everyone should have a chance to go for their dreams. She has the chance, more power to her.
This is from a REAL traditional country fan…as in Bill Monroe & Ricky Skaggs kinda gal. And yes I still have my own teeth. ;)
toni says:
How can you have her on here and not JEFF BATES??????????????
mikayla says:
whatever kara ?? you obviously dont know what your talking about…carrie can sing anything without struggling she makes jessica look like an amateur she can sing anything jessica has sung and make it sound like a hit and we all know jessica doesn’t have any hits, so there you go, and not just carrie but theres a whole lot of women who sing with such force…jessica has some BIG shoes to fill in and well i dont believe she can is capable of doing so, its not that we so called haters want her to fail it’s just that she can’t compare to the greats of country its the truth her voice is so forced and strained it’s nasily and she may hit the high noted but it doesn’t necessarily mean she can sing just cause she hits ‘em doesnt mean it sounds soothing to the ear it sounds so strained it’s bad…this isn’t like pop and the fact that she wants to do country because she wasn’t good enough to compete with her peers in the pop world she thinks “oh i’ll give country a go??” please she isnt genuine and country fans will see it if they haven’t already.
she’s no no comp. at all to carrie, martina, faith , taylor, kellie, and thats just to name a few…
if jessica is smart and has a small portion of intelligence at all in her little peanut brain she would know to stick to fashion and posing for the camera because that is about all the talent she has.
gran says:
mikayla
Your very last line hit the nail on the head???she’s not real good at that
Bob Fly says:
give us a break! you ARE simply the weirdest looking person when you sing that I EVER have seen!
Go back to your LA wanna be lifestyle and spare us!!!
We DO NOT need any more country wanna be’s!
Like Jewel!
Countryfan says:
I saw this on youtube.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sLKKuYhIgSs
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ubu9AJnvdqg
I’ve never liked Jessica’s pop singing and don’t like this performance or the song. She sings ok but not anywhere near the best country artists. Sounds good in parts, not good on low notes - sounds flat or something. Sounds weird, forced, and the last line was just bad - “so comeonovererrrrrrerrerrrrrrr” lol I don’t like the little squeak she does at the end of some lyrics, trying to sound sexy? The lyrics are shallow pop sexual innuendo, nothing special. I give it a C at best. I’m not buying the outdoors sound excuse. Many country artists sing outdoors on TV and sound great, however in the pop world, many artists don’t sing very well so they use a lot of vocal effects with a lot of music mixed over the vocal to drown the bad singing out. Hence the lip synching at concerts. I believe Simpson will be doing lots of state fair concerts because that’s what country artists do and she probably has a good booking agent, maybe her dad who is booking concerts based on the name. She better get used to singing outdoors because most fair stages are.
Who opened the “come on over” to country floodgates for all these pop stars gone country lately? I listen to country to get away from bad pop singing and songs. If this keeps up I will have to stop listening to radio altogether. For years Jessica’s label told her she couldn’t make a country album and she finally refused to make one unless it’s country. I see why they refused because she’s not as good as any of these country ladies - Nettles, Underwood, Lambert, Pickler, McBride, Swift, Jewel, Evans, Hill, Parton, McEntire, Wilson, Hough, and more - all are great singers and/or songwriters or guitarists. Jessica fits better in the pop world. It burns me up to see her song getting played more than better country artists just because she was a pop star, made an average song on a big label and radio is eating it up like candy. Labels and radio had better start treating real and better country artists better or they will lose more fans and send the genre to hell - to hell with great music, it’s all about making the quick buck now?
Kim S. says:
I think Jessica deserves a chance to see what she can do. Someone in the recording business apparently thinks she can do country. I really think that Jessica has a good business sense about her and just plays the “dumb blonde” routine sometimes. Maybe she won’t make it or maybe she will. Time will tell.
SaeRom says:
Its nice to hear Jessica Simpson actually sing instead of trying to be all breathy and annoying. She has a really powerful voice and I always thought if she would stop embellishing I might be able to get on board. So, I guess nice job finding your voice, now go back to pop music and take taylor swift and carrie underwood with you please…
flutterfly says:
I found Jessica Simpson’s live singing to be a testament to the producer’s work that went into making her sound decent on the recording of Come On Over.
I give her some margin for error because of the sound problems but she failed to maintain a good tone (she was actually squeaking a lot) and she struggled to sing the verses in tune. Even though it was hard to hear her during the chorus a careful listener could tell she was having difficulty hitting the extended notes at the end of each line. She scooped her way up into them, and it did not sound good.
Jessica’s always had a loud voice but loud does not equal good when you can’t control your voice. How many years has she been in the business? It’s amazing that she has a lot of the same bad singing habits as she did when she started out. When I heard Come On Over on the radio I thought maybe she’d turned a corner. But based on The View I’d say that’s not the case.
bkb says:
you know, i don’t think it is about talent anymore. marketing and the more silly actions one does on stage mean more than actually being able to carry a tune and be one self on stage. hopefully talent will win out.
Charcs says:
Give me a break! She tells people she is committed 100% country music. Then next week I read on the internet, that she has cleared her schedule to make all the football games! Pleaze somebody tell me what fashion institute she attended? She is not a smart business women. It doesn’t take brains to say, I like what you created, now add my name to the label. She talks TOO MUCH and contradicts herself.
Kathy says:
All I have to say is: 1) I work for a living so I didn’t catch the view, 2) Given her upbringing (show-business-hungry-greedy parents) Jessica has had a pretty screwed up life but she’s still trying to make it and do something good–let her, 3) take everything you hear/read/see on the internet, tv, radio, news, etc. with a “grain of salt”–you guys really haven’t figured that out yet? and 4) get a life, stop being so judgmental of other people and live your own life! I happened across this little blog on my lunch hour and thought I’d check it out because I like Jessica’s NEW, COUNTRY song. Country is now mainstream–everybody wants to be involved ’cause country is NOW cool–deal with it!
Christina says:
I love Jessica Simpson…I have all her cds…all five of them…not seven like Elle A said. I can’t wait for her cd to come out..I know a lot of people who are going to be at the store to buy it the day it comes out. If you don’t like her don’t listen to her. Is it really that hard to change the radio station when her song comes on or change the channel when they talk about her on tv…I don’t think so, cause I do it EVERYTIME Taylor Swift comes on. Why is everyone comparing her to Carrie Underwood??? Its people like ya who are going to make everyone else talk about a “fued” going on. Oh and Allison…for your information she is going to be performing at State Fairs…
Upcoming Shows
Jul 19 2008 8:00P
Country Thunder USA Twin Lakes, Wisconsin
Aug 7 2008 8:00P
Indiana State Fair Indianapolis, Indiana
Aug 15 2008 8:00P
Monterey Fairgrounds Monterey, California
Aug 25 2008 8:00P
The Cove @ California State Exposition & State Fair Sacramento, California
Aug 28 2008 8:00P
Fallsview Casino Niagara, Ontario
Sep 27 2008 8:00P
Qwest Center (River City Roundup) Omaha, Nebraska
That’s just a couple of dates on her tour from her website. Oh and Jessica does go to church. My best friend is a pastor and you can drink and still go to church…its not a sin..jeez. Oh and Elle A about the “Upper Body is to big” for Gospel…if you had ever watched the THS on the Simpson family…or this one show that VH1 did about Jessica you would hear the guy who was going to sign her to a Gospel label say that everyone said her boobs were to big at that age to be signing Gospel music. How come no one is talking crap about Snoop Dogg or Jewel making a country album????? I just wanna know that.
rb says:
I agree with the comment that Jessica Simpson is more a tabloid celebrity than any sort of recording artist (country, pop, or christian). But disagree with those who say she is a talented designer.
Do you honestly believe that she stays up late at night sketching designs and sewing samples for the clothing company?
I’m sure she believes she is “designing” when she is trotted in a few times a year to “approve” sketches and give “final approval” on designs(which I’m sure is much like the final approval I give my 3 year old every morning when I let her pick an outfit from a group that I have deemed appropriate). I pity the real designers who have to suffer through those meetings to humor her.
She is not a designer. She is a celebrity endorser, like Ed McMahon was for Publishers Clearinghouse and Lorne Greene was for Alpo dog food years ago. These are her peers…not Carrie Underwood or Shania Twain.
polly says:
“How come no one is talking crap about Snoop Dogg or Jewel making a country album????? I just wanna know that.”
Maybe it is because they have proven themselves to be legitimate talents in other types of music even if they don’t belong in country. That is something Jessica Simpson was never able to do in pop or christian because she isn’t a great singer. Maybe she can half carry a tune, but so can the lady who sings in my church every Sunday and I wouldn’t pay good money for a cd by either of them.
Kathy says:
Christina you are right if people don’t like her they don’t have to listen to her sing. I love Jessica Simpson. I can’t wait for her cd to come out. After she sang Fired Up on her Public Affair cd my sister and I were like she needs to sing Country Music. I don’t think people need to compare her to Carrie Underwood. I like them both and I think they are both good in there own way, you know what I mean.
mikayla says:
people keep talking about carrie underwood for the obvious reasons she is sooo amazing and hot in country music she has made a name already for herself within 3 years of her career has sold 10 million records and has won acm’s grammy’s, etc…and has the respect of her fellow peers in the industry not to mention her fans. carrie has proven herself as a artist that she’s the real deal… jessica has done this for 9yrs and she still can’t prove herself ummm thats why she’s trying country…she’s no country girl pleeeease if she were then thats where she would have started like the real country women in country…..what carrie, shania, faith, martina , taylor and so many more great women have accomplished she wont do… people view her as a joke and dont take her serious because she isn’t good enough. do you honestly think jessica will ever be inducted in the “grand ole opry” she probably doesn’t even know what that means…to answer your question thats why people keep mentioning carrie because she’s awesome and carrie can really sing…and is great at what she does, she is a great country singer and singer general. …jessica is not…people watch her on tv because she is a joke and people need to laugh…at an idiot once in awhile…as far as the rivalry goes with jessica and carrie…there probably isnt one…its the tabloids thats what they do…if it is true though and i were carrie i wouldn’t care about a bimbo carrie is the one already here to stay and will only get better in years to come she has a promising career…and loved by millions…why should she care about her or tony she’s the one who dumped tony he’s just a player he’s not the settling type…carrie has moved on …jessica i can see her being catty and jealous she was like that on newly weds with nick…now how do you go from nick to tony????? nick is such a hottie…tony eww
jessica is wasting her time with tony…anyway jessica is immature jealous superficial airhead and thats why i and millions out there who agree with me dont like her she is so fake…she is a fraud…cant sing cant act and cant design…we’ll see what happens with her last attempt to success…haha something she knows nothing about.
Kathy says:
Mikayla:
I didn’t ask why people keep talking about Carrie I asked why they kept comparing Jessica to Carrie… Do you know Tony??? How do you know he’s a player and not the settling type?? The point of dating is to find the person you wanna be with forever…not everyone spends the rest of their life with the first person they date. What does who Jessica is dating have to do with her signing anyway?
mikayla says:
whatever kathy …you are so brain dead let me explain…asking why people keep talking about carrie or asking why people compare her to carrie what the f— is the difference when they talk about carrie and jessica more then likely there comparing…do you understand child. your so technical. jessica is a joke and so are you so stop addressing me you bitch…i really cant stand stupid people thats probably why i can’t stand jessica.
and i can say what i want to say you dont like it dont read it even if it has nothing to do with singing or signing as you put it. brain dead kathy.
Jane says:
OK….so everyone on this blog has a right to their opinion, but I’d have to say that alot of what is being said here about Jessica is very immature. So many artists crossover to Pop, so what is the big deal that she is crossing over to Country?? People change and with those changes I think it’s great that they can explore different ways to express themselves through their music. Personally, I think that she has a beautiful voice no matter what genre she’s singing. She is a true professional lady and I wish her all the best with her country music career.
julissa says:
it’s harder for a pop princess to cross over to the country side…not that easy as people perceive they are taken more seriously and respected more …..but if she does things right yah never know…what i wonder is..is there really a feud between carrie and jessica or is that just the media exploding every story up…like the britney and christina feud supposingly they hated each other back in the day, and that was made up they were okay with each other??? i am a carrie fan big time she’s my girl so if there is i got to say jessica is one immature chick if the stories are true…that is…cause there is no reason to fight for a guy seriously even if it is an ex who cares thats the past hopefully she’s not as insecure as they make her sound…and its not like romo is cute he’s awkward looking there are so many other hot guys…carrie get yourself a country boy…yumm
Jessica says:
I don’t believe Jessica and her family when they say she was turned down because her chest was too big. The Christian music labels can’t turn somebody down JUST because they happen to have a huge chest. That’s not a valid reason to turn somebody down.
I Think that the reason she got turned down is because she was wearing Immodest Clothing.
Jessica Simpson herself even said in the November 2000 issue of Teen People ” I’m a Good Liar”.
Chrissy says:
Jessica:
Jessica and her family weren’t the only people to say that she was turned down because her chest was too big the guy who was trying to sign her to the Christian label also said that. Did you see the clothes she was wearing when she was trying to get signed? She on a jeans a tshirt and a sweater for gods sake, how is that immodest clothing???