William Hung Inspirational Thoughts (Perseverance)
Rocket Man
Free
Circle of Life
William Hung Inspirational Thought (Be Yourself)
Y.M.C.A. - featuring the Gonnabees
Shake Your Bon-Bon
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'... more » 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« less
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
Amanda C. from SAN ANTONIO, TX Reviewed on 9/16/2006...
in perfect condition, and includes DVD of William Hung.
0 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Sylvia S. from STATEN ISLAND, NY Reviewed on 8/13/2006...
The jewel cover has a few cracks, but the CD is unharmed.
0 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Hung Fu
Jeff A. | 04/06/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Dreadfully Awesome
Dan Amrich | Bay Area CA | 04/19/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Much better than Britney Spears' voice.
Jeff A. | New Orleans. | 04/06/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Bestdressed
Jeff A. | 04/07/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Let's face it - I find it refreshing to hear someone singing for the sheer joy of it - even if he is not the greatest singer. He has not been styled, primped, coached, processed and programmed by the bigwigs at some record company whose only purpose is to move units. William is adorable - you can't help but smile when you hear him. I think it is a victory for all of us who are just average - but still feel passionate enough about something we love to do it - even if we are not the best at it. And, further proof that we all love a happy ending!"
The only worthwhile thing to come out of the garbage pit oth
Cognitive Dissonance | the 9th Layer of Hell | 11/09/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Ah, William Hung, Internet Phenom. About as talented as a chipped cinder block, as inspiring as a dead dog on a highway, and shockingly oblivious. The album itself gets one star for effort and one star for the incredible laugh value of this opus - it's funnier than most intentional comedy. (Well, I'm pretty sure the record companies released it intentionally for the purpose of comedy, but don't tell our hero Will. I still don't think the poor guy gets the joke.)
That being said, it gets a third star for being absolutely the only worthwhile product of a show that brings new meanings to inane, insipid, and worthless. American Idol is a breeding ground for garbage - it recruits forgettable, uninspired "artists" for the entire purpose of manufacturing the same sort of one-hit wonder radio-trash that made the 80's into one of the biggest cultural embarrassments in recorded history.
At least this 15-minutes-of-famer provided some genuine entertainment along the way - even if he ended up being the butt of the joke, hey, at least the joke is funny.
Not only that, he's actually an endearing and honest guy, unlike the show's normal fare of gutter filth, wannabes and primadonnas."