This week’s theme for the Top 4–songs that shaped Rock n’ Roll–is finally broad enough that all the Idols should be able to find songs that suit their style.
The Idol picks are based on a list of songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”. Here’s the list. Pick your songs for the Idols–I’ll be back with my list in a bit…
ETA: My List after the Jump…
Looking through this list, I could start a whole other conversation on how some of these songs made the list, while others didn’t *scratching head*, but I’ll leave that to another thread and just make my picks. Here they are:
Syesha Mercado -
- “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green - Classic soul from the 70’s. She could really shine on this smooth, sexy number if she keeps the screech in check.
- “Time is on My Side” by the Rolling Stones - A bit of a departure for her, but I think she could pull off this early blues number from the Stones.
David Cook
- “Rosalita” by Bruce Springsteen - David could shake the CBS studios to it’s core with this joyous anthem.
- “Layla” by Derek and the Dominoes - David could slow this up the way Eric Clapton did in a later version, or rock it up like the original.
David Archuleta -
- “Many Rivers to Cross” by Jimmy Cliff - Another message song, but this time it’s cool.
- “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke - See above. If Archie gets his voice back this week, he could do a lovely job with this one.
Jason Castro
- “Uncle Johns Band” by the Grateful Dead - So funny I would pick this song, ’cause I actually hate it. But, I think it would be a good fit for Jason.
- “All Along the Watchtower” - Jimi Hendrix - But do it more like Bob Dylan. An acoustic version has the potential to be really powerful.
These song picks aren’t my favorites, but at this stage of the game, I think the Idols have to pick big, classic songs that the audience recognizes to make it to the next round.
ETAA: If I were picking crazy - David Cook singing “London Calling” by the Clash — what I wouldn’t give to hear him sing the line “Phoney Beatlemania is biting the Dust” that would be awesome!
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colette, I actually saw the Beach Boys perform with Chicago in 1989. Three of the originals were on tour and it remains today the best concert I have seen. Carl was the heart of the group. I hope these predictions are right.
Jason can sing any Bob Dylan song, but today I heard Like a Rolling Stone and feel this would be the best one. I would love to see Syesha sing Needles and Pins. I can actually see David Cook doing White Rabbit, but I will be happy with the Beach Boys for him.
How about Dion’s - A Teenager in Love for David A.? OK, it’s a joke.
archie should sing these 2:
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” -Eva Cassidy cover (acoustic-guitar like imagine) http://youtube.com/watch?v=sYyQcQSqpbI
“Stand By Me” -Ben E. king (acoustic version with a more soul vibe) http://youtube.com/watch?v=QxRyPKYlIsc
or a bit uptempo
“Superstition” -Stevie Wonder- ‘maybe’ these songs can step up his game..and quit singing ballady songs.
I am getting really worried about Jason’s picks. I hope he spent some time on youtube or had some help doing it. If he sings I shot the sheriff he deserves to go home.
Hey, guys,
Today’s my birthday! Unfortunately, I’m meeting friends for dinner tonight, so I’ll have to catch AI on my DVR when I get home. I started to make some excuse, but it’s kind of hard to explain why I might rather stay home and watch American Idol rather than be taken out to eat on my birthday, y’know? (the real question is how did I find these people who do not watch American Idol?)
I think I could die happy today just because of the gifts of Youtube (not to mention finding David Cook this past year). One of the USAToday coaches’ suggestion for Syesha is this:
And when I went and looked up the tune on youtube, I found this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orNpH6iyokI
My cats are still wondering what in hell I’m laughing so hard at! Wouldn’t you love to see something like this on the AI stage? What in the world could Simon find to say about IT?
Rita
Happy birthday, Rita. :)
I have had this weird thought all day about David C singing Pretty Woman and I can even (almost) hear it, too. I had had to ask my Cooky-fan friend if that song is even on the list, and she told me it sure was. Heh. ;)
Hi purplesmile, thanks. Someone else at the USA Today blog suggested that for David. It really could be good, I agree. Lots of room for him this week! You can bet that before I leave the house tonight I’m going to check and double check the settings on the DVR. I actually thought about asking someone else to make a VHS tape of it in case something screws up at my house. Like last Sunday, I was getting ready to go out, and right before I could start doing my hair, the power went out.
I’m really looking forward to this week. I hope I’m not disappointed. I remember the week in Season 5 when the theme was Love Songs, the song choices for Taylor were so wonderful, and he got saddled with one that was not very good, and at the last minute. And it showed. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen to my favorite this season.
Rita
There is only one musician for me and that is David Cook. He is in another league. I love the way he arranges obscure nothing little songs and turns them into current modern day hits. I see a lot of Soul Patrol are also voting for David Cook. I would not buy any of the others. David A does not record well and has not found himself yet. I don´t particularly like frilly singers like Syesha and Jason less said soonest mended.
They are all talented but for me only one stands out.
I would love for any of them to sing Stand By Me. It is my favorite song and can really see David Cook singing it the best. I love my Jason, but after listening to Dylan this is the route to go.
Syesha would be wise to go with the Shrilles’ Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? It was written by Carole King and is timeless.
I know it won’t happen, but it would be great if David A. sang a love song from a teen’s perspective.
So, I’ve been away from the computer for a bit, you know sleeping and getting ready for work. I Shot The Sherrif is a real possibility for Jason? I keep seeing that mentioned. I picked that for him on Sunday, because I thought it would be good for him (although not too popular here from what I’ve been reading).
I thought I had no chance of getting a prediction right this week. I never look at spoilers, so I guess I’ll find out tonight.
Actually, even though I picked it for him, it’s not one of my favorite songs either. But it’s not that bad! I’ve just heard it way too many times.
First off, I’m a big Jason supporter…
I really hope you fellow “Dreadheads” start warming up to at least the possibility that he can do something cool with Sheriff. Not encouraging to see all the negativity towards it. I’m sure auditioners in the past have botched it terribly but I personally am a big fan of both the Marley and Clapton versions. It is not outside the realm of possibility that he can make it work in some way!
As for Tambourine Man, I haven’t seen as much hating towards that one so that’s good.
I’m not sure when the “spoilers” become “official” but hopefully sometime today folks will start turning the tide on Jason’s song choices back toward the positive!
Phlophonic, negative’s good. We freak out over Cookie, and he always comes through. ;)
Are the spoilers official or is it still alot of rumors? Earlier somone told me Sheriff was mentioned by a poster as a “possibility” and it got translated as a “spoiler”.
Thanks GwenD. But no one really needs to freak out over Cookie until the finale realistically. This week is down to Syesha and Jason and I just hope my boy comes through!
If Jason sings ISTS with the same passion and sense of abandon as he displayed on his Badfish video, it could be awesome. He does seem to have a mojo for reggae or ska and we need to feel his mojo. Ahem. You know what I mean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVNWEjNxRU4
I’ll invite you to personally come back this evening, when the song spoilers for Cookie are revealed. You won’t even believe that he’s considered a frontrunner. Believe me. And, I’ll be one of the whiners, too. :)
I Shot The Sheriff with bongos or drums - hoping for drums - it would be another side of Jason that the audience hasn’t seen - it would be a change-up. I hope hope hope he will do this!
Jason Castro:
“Do You Believe in Magic”
“Stand by Me”
“Maggie May”
“Bridge Over Troubled Water”
David Cook:
“Light My Fire”
“Maybe I’m Amazed”
”nights in White Satin”
“Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”
”Pearl Jam’s Baba O’Riley“
”Hungry Like the Wolf”
“When a Man Loves a Woman”
(I would never recover from that one)
The other two can go home now. Thank you for your participation!
I’m late on this but I don’t care…
I love Dave Grohl! haha that video is awesome.