Beatles Week on American Idol
A little news–On Wednesday’s results show, Ruben Studdard will be the guest performer. He’ll be singing the new boot song, “Celebrate me Home.” Next week, Katharine McPhee performs with David Foster.
This week, the Idols take on the Beatles’ song book. I’m simultaneously excited and horrified. As a Beatles freak I look forward to hearing these great songs performed–but performed well. And as we know, anything can happen on the Idol stage. I remain cautiously optimistic…
Check out my song picks for the Idols after the jump. What are yours? Share in comments! Remember, only Lennon/McCartney songs count. George Harrison wrote many incredible songs recorded by the Beatles (“Something”, “Here Comes the Sun”). Lucky for George, Michael Jackson/Sony ATV never got their grubby little hands on his songs…
ETA: Looks like I’m going to have to revise my list:
Here is what Nigel Had to Say about Beatles week:
Now that the Idol finally has use of the entire songbook — which includes 180 tunes — Lythgoe knows just when to use them.
“When the Top 12 sing for the first time this season, it will be the music of Lennon and McCartney,” he told Seacrest. “We’ve given them a list because it’s all of the early songs — from ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ to ‘Got to Get You Into My Life.’ These fantastic songs. It’s one of the few areas that everybody knows.”
The list ends with Revolver–nothing from Sgt Pepper onnward…
My favorite period is the middle period–Beatles for Sale through Revolver.
This is really a wish list. There are too many obscure songs on here that would never get picked, but here goes:
- David Archuleta – “Here, There and Everywhere”
- Jason Castro – “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”
- David Cook – “I’ve Just Seen a Face”
- Kristy Lee Cook – “What Goes On”
- Chikezie – “I’m Down”
- David Hernandez – “Got to Get You Into My Life”
- Michael Johns – “We Can Work It Out”
- Amanda Overmyer – “Wait”
- Ramiele Malubay – “Eleanor Rigby”
- Syesha Mercado – “Drive My Car”
- Carly Smithson – “Can’t Buy Me Love”
- Brooke White – “For No One”
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90 Responses to “Beatles Week on American Idol”
After all the comments from Randy and Paula today, I guess Michael or Carly will be in the pimp spot tomorrow singing the song of their choice. I was thinking that David C and Jason would be getting some love from the judges in these interviews, but I guess Paula and Randy are sticking to the pre-season script. I wonder which one they’ll stick in the dreaded first slot tomorrow?
Well, haven’t both MJ and CS had the pimp spot? I guess they may wipe the slate clean now that it’s top 12. Oh well. Grr.
I went back and re-listened to last week’s performances, and for me Jason and Brooke were the clear standouts. Carly and Michael didn’t sound as good as I remembered, but David A and Chikeze were better than I had thought. David Cook, on the other hand, didn’t sound nearly as good as I remember. I give him props on the original arrangement, but the vocals weren’t as strong as they could have been.
I’m excited about tomorrow– the new set (which, according to spy reports sounds pretty darn cool), the finals atmosphere, the Beatles (even if it is just 25 songs)… and an overall talent level that should hopefully give as good a Top 12 show as season five and especially season three (GREAT night, if you don’t remember!).
Undercover News
Dang it. Sounds like it’s perfect for David. Plus it’s upbeat, so I think he’ll get another tongue bath from the judges. BRING YOUR TOWELS. Pimp spot anyone?
Oh and the press will declare the winner (again) because they’re just as dumb as the judges. I can just imagine the headlines Wednesday morning.
(Why am I am so anti-Archie, you ask? Well, I just have a hard time swallowing things that are forced down my throat.)
My favorite Beatles song is going to be sung by David A.!?!!? Bleech. That’s information I didn’t need.
Yuck. I don’t like the Stevie Wonder version of “We Can Work It Out” at all. I’m sure it won’t be any better with gasping and lip licking.
Oh yeah the slate is definitely wiped clean when the top 12 starts re: pimp spots, etc.
Season 5, Chris D had the pimp spot in top 20 week and then again on top 12 week (which bodes well for David A having it again). IIRC, Jordin had it last year, but it was her first pimp spot.
So I fully expect one of the judge faves (Gasp!, Carly, or Michael) to have it, even though they’ve all had it already. And yeah, whoever goes first is who they want to throw under the bus. I’m betting on David H. Again. Could be Chikezie or Kristy Lee though… maybe. If they really want to piss us off, it will be Jason or David C (who will likely start showing tire tracks across their backs in 2 weeks, max).
OMFG. Pimp, pimp, pimp. Even if I didn’t like just about all the other finalists better than him, I wouldn’t agree that his talent is “well” above the others. Puh-lease.
ETA: It will be interesting to see who’s swallowed up on the new biggah!than!evah! stage.
I bet it’s Jason who is swallowed by the new stage, and that short Asian girl.
I am concerned for David’s voice after last week, but believe he could pull it off. That’s a good song choice for him, allowing the audience to see a different side of him. The kid is smart.
Didn’t Earth Wind & Fire do a cover of “Got to Get You Into My Life?” That version could work for Chikeze or Syesha..
I’d love to hear one of the girls do “For No One” (assuming they do it well of course) which has always been my favorite less-known Beatles song.
And I’d love it if David C or Jason do “Nowhere Man”.
Taylor did Lennon/McCartney on tour: “Don’t Let Me Down”. Has anyone else? It must not be such a big deal clearing the songs for the tour?
I don’t see what good it’s going to do David A. to do a karaoke version of a Stevie Wonder cover. The whole point is to make it their own. But since he’s the golden boy, perhaps no one will reprimand him for it.
Jason Castro is supposedly singing “I’ll Follow the Sun.”
That’s a perfect song for him.
I’m glad.
TROUBLE!
“The “Idol” rehearsals are on, and we’re told the new set is amazing — but it’s got some big problems!
We hear the computers that control the doors to release the contestants at the beginning of the show are not working.”
TMZ
Song Spoilers from TMZ!
David Hernandez — “I Saw Her Standing There”
Syesha Mercado — “Got To Get You Into My Life”
Michael Johns — “Across the Universe”
Carly Smithson — “Come Together”
David Cook – a rocked-out version of “Eleanor Rigby”
Brooke White — “Let It Be”
Chikezie — “She’s a Woman”
Ramiele Malubay — “In My Life”
Jason Castro — “If I Fell”
Amanda Overmyer — “You Can’t Do That”
Kristy Lee Cook – country rendition of “Eight Days a Week”
She sang next to last.
David Archuleta — “We Can Work It Out”
Archie went last.
Speaking of Katharine McPhee does she still have that guy stalking her from St. Louis?