A while ago, I was trying to get the lyrics of Long Time Ago, the old song arranged by Copland. I had three versions by well-known singers, and I couldn't understand the words that they were singing. Trying to get the words of particular versions of other songs, I found that some singers had good diction and others were terrible. Good diction seems to have little correlation with musical training. Andy Stewart, Kenneth McKeller, The Wolfe Tones, Thomas Hampson and Frank Sinatra, with very different training, have or had good diction (although I have trouble with Celtic words). I believe that a singer should make the effort to be understood. Ballad singers without conservatory training seem to average high on the scale. Opera singers are trained in diction, but those who sing clearly are balanced by many who get carried away by the notes. Who can you name as examples of clarity?