by The Legacy of the Crooner: Frank Sinatra’s Influence on Michael Bublé
Frank Sinatra is widely considered one of the most influential singers of the 20th century. Through his iconic recordings and live performances in the 1940s-1960s, Sinatra popularized the smooth, charismatic vocal style of the “crooner.” More than just a singing style, Sinatra came to embody a whole aura and attitude that captivated audiences. His delivery, phrasing, and stage presence set the standard for generations of singers to come. While many artists have been influenced by Ol’ Blue Eyes over the years, few can claim his impact quite like Canadian singer Michael Bublé. From musical inspiration to career trajectory, Sinatra’s legacy looms large over Bublé’s success.
Sinatra championed the collection of popular American standards known as the “Great American Songbook.” This canon includes classic songs from Broadway musicals and Hollywood films of the 1920s-1950s. By recording albums dedicated solely to interpreting these songs and bringing them to wider audiences, Sinatra helped keep this style of music relevant through the latter half of the 20th century. As rock music rose to popularity, he ensured these jazz and pop classics from the Great American Songbook did not fade into obscurity. In the process, he introduced new generations to the work of legendary songwriters like Cole Porter, George Gershwin, and Irving Berlin.
Bublé would later cite Sinatra’s commitment to the Great American Songbook as a major influence on his own career path. Growing up, he was exposed to his parents’ collection of Sinatra’s albums from the 1960s. “I fell in love with his voice,” Bublé recalled. “The way he sang a lyric, it was like he was telling you a story. He could break your heart.” This early exposure sparked Bublé’s passion for the classic American standards Sinatra made his trademark. He sought to model his own singing after Sinatra’s masterful phrasing and storytelling abilities within a song.
Bublé’s debut album in 2003, “Michael Bublé,” showed his crooner influences were no secret. The majority of the tracks were interpretations of songs from the Great American Songbook previously recorded by Sinatra. This included “Fever,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” and “You Don’t Know Me.” While putting his own spin on the arrangements, Bublé’s vocal delivery was clearly patterned after Sinatra. His phrasing caressed each lyric with warmth and nuance. Critics praised his “old-school charm” and compared his style directly to Sinatra.
The album was a commercial success, going multi-platinum in his native Canada and earning Bublé widespread attention. His breakout established him as the newest champion of the classic American standards and helped renew mainstream interest in this genre. In the midst of the pop/rock dominated 2000s, Bublé brought the smooth crooner sound back to the top of the charts. While paying homage to Sinatra, he introduced this vintage style of music to a new generation of listeners.
Bublé would go on to release several more albums heavily influenced by Sinatra’s repertoire and style. 2005’s “It’s Time” and 2008’s “Call Me Irresponsible” both contained collections of Great American Songbook tunes. On 2011’s “Christmas,” he even covered Sinatra’s iconic “The Christmas Song.” Through these albums, Bublé kept the legacy of Sinatra alive for new audiences. He brought a fresh interpretation to the material while retaining the heartfelt delivery that made Sinatra’s versions timeless. By popularizing this vintage genre, Bublé carried the torch first lit by Ol’ Blue Eyes decades prior.
While clearly taking inspiration from Sinatra, Bublé has also incorporated some modern pop sensibilities into his music over the years. For example, his 2008 album “Call Me Irresponsible” had a more contemporary production style compared to his earlier works. Singles like “Everything” and “Lost” blended his crooner vocals with catchy pop arrangements. This kept Bublé’s sound fresh and accessible to younger listeners who may not have been as familiar with Sinatra’s era.
In addition to his musical style, Bublé’s stage presence has also drawn comparisons to Sinatra’s iconic live performances. Like Sinatra, Bublé exudes charisma and charm when connecting with audiences. He engages the crowd between songs with witty banter much in the same vein as Sinatra was known for. Bublé’s concerts feel like intimate living room shows rather than overly produced arena spectacles. This harkens back to Sinatra’s acclaimed live albums from the 1950s and ’60s, where he sang straight to the listener.
While their voices and artistry are certainly distinct, the parallels between Sinatra and Bublé are undeniable. Both possess a rare gift for interpreting lyrics with emotional nuance through their smooth, controlled vocals. They excel at making each standard feel fresh through subtle manipulations in phrasing. Most importantly, they understand how to captivate audiences through sheer charisma and stage presence. In many ways, Bublé has carried on Sinatra’s legacy as the modern king of the Great American Songbook. His success in the 2000s helped introduce new fans to this vintage style and ensured it remains relevant. The torch continues to be passed from one generation of crooners to the next.
Over a decade into his career, Bublé has proven his popularity is more than just a passing trend. He has maintained mainstream relevance through consistent album releases exploring new creative directions, like 2014’s Big Band tribute “No Ordinary Love” and his 2016 self-titled release. While always acknowledging Sinatra’s influence, Bublé’s artistry has grown well beyond mere imitation. He has staked his own claim as an elite interpreter of the American standards. Still, it is impossible to overlook Sinatra’s monumental impact that set the stage for Bublé to achieve what he has. As Bublé said himself, “I owe pretty much my entire career to Frank Sinatra.” The legacy of Ol’ Blue Eyes lives on through modern crooners who continue his mission of keeping this timeless music alive.
