Sure, Ryan Seacrest is my hero but, man, oh, man would I ever love to be a rock producer. So that’s what I’m doing this week as I call the Idolists into Timbalinder Studios to work with them on the songs they should do this week.
My advice is crucial because there is so much at stake this week, especially for Adam and Allison because they are supposed to be good. Adam, in fact, has the most to lose, especially given his surprising fall from the top spots. He has to pick the perfect song to match whatever theatrics he will bring to the stage.
This is also supposed to be Allison’s sweet spot, so she can’t disappoint, either. Plus, I’m going to make Jenny like her this week. Mr. Consistency Danny Gokey seems to be untouchable and Kris is playing with house money so there is less pressure on them. But at this point, they will still feel the pressure of being “in it to win it”, so I’ll pick great songs for them, too, though.
The challenge for all of them is that they have to do songs that are familiar to an Idol audience (so no Soundgarden of Audioslave for Adam*), yet have to bring their own style to the songs as to not be karaoke copycats.
[*note to Gina and Margo: but wouldn’t you just love to hear Adam peel off some Spoonman or Show Me How to Live? Or dim the lights for Black Hole Sun?]
Adam
So what’s it going to be this week Adam? The restrained, pathos-laden Adam of Tracks of My Tears or Mad World? If so, then you HAVE to do Journey’s Wheel in the Sky and totally blow Randy away IF you keep your wail in check. Journey songs are made for Idol but nobody but you can dare to compare himself to Steve Perry.
Or are you going for the unrestrained, wailing Adam? Then you HAVE to do Guns ‘N Roses Welcome to the Jungle and blow Slash away.
Alternate choices (not as good as the above but credible): Aerosmith Dream On, Led Zeppelin Whole Lotta Love or Jon Bon Jovi Blaze of Glory.
Danny
Danny, Go Directly to Creed. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Scott Stapp’s gruff, impassioned vocals plus his Christian-themed lyrics are tailor-made for you and you have a better voice than Stapp to boot. If you want to go your usual route of start-slow-kill ‘em-at-the-end, go with My Own Prison. At the big finish, you’ll take “I cry out to God seeking only His decision” right straight to church and the crowd will go nuts. Simon will call it “indulgent” but it will be brilliant.
However, I think you should change it up and go big right at the start with My Sacrifice. Also take a look at Higher or one of my all-time favorite songs Weathered.
If you don’t go Creed, here’s a couple of alternates: a high-energy crowd-pleaser like Bon Jovi’s Have A Nice Day or show the judges you are a current rock singer with a song that’s on the radio now, Shinedown’s Second Chance.
Kris
The chicks might love to hear you sing I’ll Be Watching You but Sting is so hard to sing. I hear Stealer’s Wheel Stuck in the Middle With You but the other Idolists are going to ROCK so you have to bring something bigger than that. If you want to play it safe, you could do a crowd pleaser like Jackson Browne’s Doctor My Eyes.
But since you playing to win, here’s what you need to do: strap on your guitar and do Tommy James Crimson and Clover. What will the Kris Lovin’ Ladies do when he sings, “But I think I could love her?” My, oh, my.
[note to Wanda: Prince’s new version made me fall to the floor and cry]
Allison
No, we are not going to do Black Velvet or I Love Rock ‘n Roll. Too predictable, safe and boring. Melissa Ethridge is fine but also a bit predictable.
THE song for you is Shine by Collective Soul. I heard a teenager with a voice just like yours by the name of Charity Von do this song and you can sho’ nuf rock this out just like she did.
Another inspired choice is to reach back and do that bluesy-rock classic of Blue Cheer’s Summertime Blues.
OK, I will stop here and resist my urge to over-think this. I anxiously await your reactions.
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4 comments:
Oh, it's so much fun to think about rock night; this is going to be an awesome week! I'll throw out my opinions Ray, 'cause that's just what I do.
I totally agree that hearing Adam do "Show me How to Live" would be great. But if he sings "Dream On" my head might pop off. That is hands-down my favorite song ever. (I would ditch the Kris fanclub in a heartbeat). I could also see Adam do something from the Rolling Stones.
For Kris, I'm thinking maybe "3 AM" by Matchbox 20. With his guitar, I think he could do a good job with that.
Allison should do Pat Benatar's, "Shadows of the Night"......even if it is predictable.
I'm not sure about Danny. I love Creed so I suppose that's a good choice. What do you think about "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls?
I've been trying to think of something for each of them but the only one I can come up with is Allison. I'd like to see her do a Stevie Nicks song. She can do any of them, some maybe even better than Stevie herself, but I'd really like to see her do "Leather and Lace." I think everyone expects her to rock out but the unexpected might be just what she needs to keep her in the game.
I wonder what Adam would do with something like "American Woman."
Kris - well of course he can sing anything and I'll like it, but what about some Mellencamp? Maybe something more Southern Rock for all those Lynard Skynard fans out there.
Since I'm NOT a Danny fan, I don't really care what he does.
So there's my one-cent worth. If I knew half the songs you do, Ray, I could have actually made some intelligent predictions and charged the customary two-cents. You certainly are a music encyclopedia!
Being a classical soprano, I bow to your superior knowledge.
Hmmmmm. I can know see that all that worrying about your teen/early adult years' OBSESSIVE interest in audiophile equipment components, OBSESSIVE album collecting (you must have one of the most extensive and valuable first edition album collections ever!) is being showcased. Maybe you should leave Ryan alone and apply for Lisa's job at the Washington Post.
I am going to withhold my contestant comments until after they sing. But Prince's version of Crimson & Clover is BRRRRRIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLLLLLIANT and makes me scream like a school girl. When he plays that screaming guitar and sings "I wanna know for sure" I die a little inside. Did you know that I LOVE THAT MAN!?
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