So I’ve been hooked on American Idol since Taylor Hicks pulled out his harmonica in his first audition last season. In the past, I’ve equated my growing enjoyment of that show to getting older, but when I tried thinking about it objectively, I realized that it’s just riveting television. Now, in the interest of keeping up with the blog-o-sphere, here’s a Top Five Friday in honor of American Idol.
I’m still a relative newcomer to the show, having only watched last season and this season so far. But I’ve seen enough to recognize that the contestants make the same mistakes over and over again, and most of their mistakes involve picking songs that aren’t right for them. Especially in the weeks between the top 24 and top 12, in which the contestants are given very little thematic guidance to help them pick their songs.
So, here’s my list of five songs I think could help out these Idols-in-Training.
1. Rain King - Counting Crows
This is an up-tempo song that could be used to highlight the range of the singer. They could arrange the song to include a verse, a chorus, and the ending of the song when Adam Duritz really blows it out. For some reason, I’m picturing a woman singing it. Maybe Gina from this season. I think she could knock it out of the park with her big voice. Plus, the androgyny of a woman singing Rain King is just edgy enough for her to keep her edginess, but not edgy enough to be really edgy. It would be American Idol edgy.
2. Wild Horses - Rolling Stones
For me this song could do two things. It could show that a country singer is in touch with rock music. Or it could show a softer side of a rocker. I know he’s gone now, but I’m thinking if Sundance had picked this song instead of Knights in White Satin a couple of weeks ago, he might still be around. Of the remaining contestants, I think Chris Sligh would be the obvious choice to give this one a try. Let America see his softer side without giving up his rocker roots.
3. Holding on to You - Terence Trent D’Arby
Maybe I’m getting a little too far from the mainstream with this pick, but I’ll explain why. Randy has made it clear that he won’t like any performance of songs originally by Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Otis Redding, and pretty much any of the best male r&b singers of the last 40 years. So, if you are an r&b or soul singer in the competition, how can you possibly please him? Sing a song he’s not familiar with and tear it up. Holding on to You is a traditional r&b ballad with a ton of chances for runs and big moments. Plus it has a beautiful melody. Maybe Brandon or Phil could pull this one off.
4. It’s the End of the World As We Know It (and I feel fine) - R.E.M.
How about another up-tempo number that would really get some energy going? This song would bring the house down if someone was gutsy enough to try it. There’s a pretty good opportunity to show off your range during the chorus, but this song would be mostly about performance. Chris Richardson has already proved that he can handle the machine-gun lyrics when he did Geek in the Pink, so I think he’s a good choice to try this one. But if Sanjaya could pull this one off, he would prove to everyone that he belongs in the competition (I don’t think he belongs in the competition).
5. A Long Walk - Jill Scott
Remember what I said about Randy and his dislike for any male singer who tries to sing Stevie Wonder, etc.? Well, same goes for women. That means that Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and all the other great female r&b singers of the past 40 years are off limits, too. I give you Jill Scott and this wonderfully smooth song. In the right hands — maybe Melinda Doolittle’s — this song would blow the doors off the competition.
If five-years-ago me could see me now, I’m not sure he’d be all that happy that I’m so into American Idol. But it has become more than a singing competition. It’s a cultural phenomenon that you can’t ignore anymore. Something like 30 million viewers tune in every week. That’s about 10 percent of the total population of America, and that’s A LOT of people. So, for better or worse, I’m hooked. Now lets see how the top 12 shake down this year!P.S. I’m rooting for Melinda and Chris S.
