The other day, I heard a version of one of my favorite songs on what I could only guess was something like Muzak.    The person singing is had a nice enough voice, but something wasn’t right about what I was hearing.    I went home later and listened to the original.    They were distinctly different, with the original, of course, sounding much better.    It made me wonder why one version sounded better.    Was it because the original singer had access to better equipment for recording?   Was it, perhaps, because the original singer was the first one, and I was being a little biased?   Maybe it’s both of things.   Maybe not.
          Since Muzak started copying songs to play in coffee shops and fast food places, I’ve heard a few… watered-down versions of popular songs.    Not one of them sounded nearly as good as the original.    Ever been to a concert?    Of course, you have.    You must have seen the artist, whomever it was, finish a show, covered in sweat and panting heavily.    That’s the difference between the artists and the muzak versions.    The difference between the two is the level of conviction, or lack there of.    The person singing the muzak version is using only his/her voice.    “What else is there?” you might ask.    Like many things, there are three elements: air, (you need to breathe, right?); voice; and conviction.    Take one of these away, and you have nothing.    The singers with the great careers are the ones that put everything into their singing.
          So, how does this relate to those people whom don’t like to sing?    Simple: the “formula” can be applied to almost anything.    Pick a skill or talent, add some conviction, and the result is most likely to be spectacular.    Dance is another good example.    For writing, just replace air with booze.    (I jest).    The point here is conviction, or Heart, if you will.    “Anything worth doing, …”, as the saying goes.    IF you give it your all, you can’t possibly go wrong.    The fakers can be seen from a mile away.