by Michael Bublé’s Quest for Perfection
Michael Bublé has established himself as one of the most popular contemporary jazz and pop singers of this generation. With his smooth vocals and polished style, Bublé has sold over 75 million records worldwide. Behind this success lies a strong drive for perfection that has fueled his prolific career. However, perfectionism is a double-edged sword – while it pushes Bublé to achieve great things, it also risks burnout and lack of spontaneity if not properly managed. This article explores Bublé’s perfectionist tendencies and how he has learned to harness this trait productively.
High Standards in the Studio
Those who have worked with Bublé say he sets incredibly high standards for himself in the studio. According to producer David Foster, who has collaborated with Bublé on multiple albums, “Michael is a perfectionist to the nth degree.” Bublé is known for meticulously refining every aspect of his recordings, from his vocals to the instrumental parts. He will often spend hours re-recording a single line or phrase until he achieves the precise tone, pitch, and emotion he desires.
His fourth studio album, Crazy Love, provides a clear example of Bublé’s perfectionism in action. The album took over two years to complete as Bublé insisted on recording each song perfectly. He would frequently call David Foster in the middle of the night with ideas for improving or tweaking a song. According to Foster, “We’d be working on a song and he’d say, ‘You know what would be really great? If we brought in a string quartet here.’ And we’d have to stop and re-work everything.”
This level of attention to detail extended to every element. Bublé worked closely with his vocal coach to refine his breath control and placement. He experimented with subtle changes in arrangement and even re-recorded parts that were perfectly fine to most listeners. The results of this painstaking process were albums with an exceptionally polished, cinematic sound that helped propel Bublé to new commercial heights. While exhausting for all involved, Bublé’s quest for the perfect recording paid off.
Demanding Perfection on Stage
Bublé brings the same perfectionist mindset to his live performances. He is notorious for spending hours and hours in rehearsals, fine-tuning every aspect of a show from the choreography to the song arrangements. Like in the studio, Bublé leaves no detail unattended. He works to ensure flawless vocals, tight band coordination, and an engaging stage presence across two-hour sets.
This was evident during Bublé’s massively successful 2015-2016 tour for his album Nobody But Me. The production values and choreography for the 130-date world tour were incredibly elaborate. Bublé spent months in rehearsals perfecting the intricate dance routines and tight ensemble numbers. On tour, he was notorious for doing multiple full rehearsals on show days to maintain the high level of artistry.
Behind the scenes documentaries from the tour reveal Bublé’s intense focus during rehearsals. He is shown micromanaging the band and backup singers, adjusting vocal harmonies, instrumental parts, and choreography until the full package comes together seamlessly. While grueling, this dedication is clear in Bublé’s electric live shows. Fans are treated to flawless, cinematic performances that feel as polished as his studio recordings. Bublé’s perfectionism is a key factor in his ability to consistently deliver unforgettable live concerts.
Striking the Balance with Collaboration
While Bublé demands excellence, he is not a solo artist. His perfectionism manifests not as a desire to do everything alone, but rather as a commitment to collaborating with the best possible talent who share his vision. Bublé thrives on working with co-writers, producers, and musicians who push him to greater heights through their combined artistry and expertise.
Take his long-time collaborator Alan Chang, for example. As Bublé’s musical director, Chang is deeply involved in orchestrating Bublé’s live shows and studio work. But rather than seeing Chang as an employee, Bublé views him as a valued creative partner – someone who challenges Bublé’s ideas and helps him realize his artistic vision. This collaborative spirit is evident in Bublé’s willingness to take suggestions, as seen in his relationship with producer David Foster.
Bublé’s collaborative tendencies stem from his belief that combining talents yields the best results. By surrounding himself with equally dedicated collaborators, he is able to leverage their collective skills, perspectives, and perfectionism. This balanced approach to collaboration, rather than isolated perfectionism, has allowed Bublé’s career to flourish through dynamic artistic growth. His willingness to both lead and follow based on the strengths of his collaborators demonstrates emotional intelligence alongside his perfectionist work ethic.
The Risks of Perfectionism
While perfectionism clearly drives Bublé’s success, it also presents risks if not properly managed. For one, an unrelenting quest for flawlessness can foster unrealistic expectations and potential frustration or burnout when the “perfect” standard is never fully attained. It also threatens to stifle creativity, as minor imperfections are where innovation often occurs. There is a fine line between improvement-oriented perfectionism and detrimental all-consuming perfectionism.
Additionally, an overly perfectionist mindset risks making the artistic process feel like a chore rather than an adventure. For Bublé, whose charm and passion are core to his appeal, losing the joy of music-making could undermine his artistry. The rigidity of perfectionism doesn’t always allow for spontaneity, which is part of what makes live performances magical. Striking a balance is necessary to sustain a long career.
Finding Fulfillment Through Balance
It seems Bublé has learned to strike the right balance. While fiercely dedicated to his craft, he is still able to maintain enthusiasm and presence on stage after over two decades in the business. Rather than being defined solely by his quest for flawlessness, Bublé’s artistry is grounded in authentic joy, vulnerability and connection with his audience. He is not afraid to show imperfection or make light of mistakes – a testament to an inner confidence not dependent on being completely perfect.
Bublé also makes sure to carve out time for family and renewal away from work to recharge creatively. Major breaks between album cycles and moderately-paced touring schedules prevent burnout. With this balanced approach, Bublé’s perfectionism enhances rather than hinders his career fulfillment. He remains hungry to grow without frustration. Most importantly, Bublé’s passion for the art seems fueled more by love of music than a need to prove himself. This perspective is what allows his perfectionism to serve rather than rule him after two decades at the top of his field.
In the end, Michael Bublé demonstrates that perfectionism is most effective when balanced with collaboration, perseverance and joy. His dedication to excellence continues pushing his artistry to new heights, delighting fans worldwide with his polished live shows and recordings. Through balancing his intense work ethic with rest, spontaneity and a balanced personal life, Bublé has sustained a prolific career driven by passion more than external validation. His journey offers lessons for channeling perfectionism’s positive drive while avoiding its potential pitfalls. Two decades in, Bublé’s star continues to rise – a testament to his ability to harness a perfectionist spirit productively.
