Why can some people sing and others cannot?

I kept wondering this myself. Because I always believed anyone can sing (hitting the right notes). But let's not be naive - some people can't hit the right notes. Although I have no scientific explanation to this, I think this has more to do with being overconfident. I'm certain everyone can hear themselves when they're out of tune. But having a sense of bravado and overconfidence totally overrides that, and we end up just belting it out like that, with total disregard for embarassment. Another theory I have (or probably complementary to above) has to do with a section of the brain called prefrontal cortex. Apparently this part of the brain is responsible for moderating social behavior and determining good or bad. Perhaps when this part of the brain performs at lower levels, people become a bit more inconsiderate or tactless. Sort of like when you're drunk. Surely when you're drunk you gain more confidence to sing, regardless of what comes out. Again, all these are just my musings. I've long been interested with this although I have no scientific background to back it up. But I think I can sing - http://youtube.com/chrisismael

I have no scientific answer, but I believe we all have a gift, for some it is their voice. People can improve their singing, but some singers are born. Some people are athletes, some are math whizzes. Some people are gifted politicians, philosophers or scholars. If everyone had the same talents, it wouldn't be a “gift”, it would just be a human trait everyone has, like breathing.