ETA: Nigel Lythgoe releases a few more spoiler details in an interview with Ryan Seacrest this morning on KISS:
- David Archuleta will sing “Imagine” (there is also a rumor that Clive’s choice for Archie is “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”. He chose not to spoil any of David Cook’s songs. Since Cookie’s camp is sealed up tight as a drum, we probably won’t know the songs until they are leaked right before the broadcast.
- The Top 2 were able to pick their own coronation song from the Top 10 vote getters of the Idol Songwriters contest. There were only 20 songs total to begin with. Some “contest”, huh? Think TPTB didn’t like the song that got the most votes? They just changed the rules of the game midstream. Makes it hard to do the contest again next year, don’t you think?
- There’s going to be another “Dead Elvis” video (last year, Celine Dion sang a “duet” with Elvis Presley), this time including several people. Blech.
- The “biggest star” in the world will be there. Whatever!
- Nigel confirmed that the Top 5 will sing duets with “somebody.”
ETAA:
- David Cook is performing U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”. Not sure if it’s his own pick or the producer’s pick… This will be the first U2 song sung on the Idol stage on performance night. Contestants have tried, but have never been able to get U2 songs cleared.
More spoilers here.
The producers are keeping a tight rein on the song choices for the Finale. Last year, the Top 2 were able to pick two of the three songs they performed for the big Tuesday finale showdown. This year, TPTB feel it necessary to allow Clive Davis, who was recently demoted from his position at BMG, to pick a song for the Final Two. The tight rein tells me that the producers are trying extra hard to control the outcome of this year’s contest. It’ll be pretty easy to tell who they want to win by the songs Clive picks for the contestants (Anyone remember the crappy “Open Arms” pick for Elliott Yamin Season 5?) and how the songwriters contest finally plays out.
I think the producers are gunning for a David Cook win. He’s the contestant with the most commercial potential. He’s got music that can be played on pop stations right now. Even his pre-Idol EP Analog Heart, although demo-quality, contains glimpses of Cookie’s potential as a successful artist. Archie’s appeal isn’t as certain. If his trainwrecktastic take on Chris Brown’s “With You” last week is any indication, Archie may have a hard time finding a spot on the Top 40 charts. His inspirational ballads are better suited to Adult Contemporary–not a market that sells a ton of product.
But the producers don’t always get what they want. See Hicks, Taylor. The voters decide. Yes, I really do believe that. And this year’s contest is shaping up to be a close one. We haven’t had one of those since the Season 2 showdown between Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard.
So, here’s how the song picks are going to work One song is a pick from Clive Davis, One song is a contestant pick, the other is whatever heinous tune wins the American Idol Songwriting contest.
What do you think will happen peeps? Should the contestants pick a new song, or reprise an old one? (I say wow us with something new). Just how hideous can Clive Davis’s pick be for the two Davids? And speculate on which craptastic song will win the Idol songwriting contest…
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We don’t know that Archie asked to sing “Crazy” in the finale. We know he and Jason sang it pre-top 24 rounds. That’s all.
Somebody might argue the reverse. Archuleta is nothing but voice so he’s the pure form of music (organic). Cook uses an electronic guitar most of the time, ergo, he is artificial. He’s like a big old BPA container full of Red Dye #2 LOL.
I’m glad that you have found an artist that you like, but I don’t think that everybody will agree with you. Some people are moved by Archie singing too. Some people prefer people with pure voices. Doesn’t mean it’s junk food. Just means that it’s different food.
If it were me, I would say that Archie’s food is more gourmet food. Food that is designed to be enjoyed for it’s perfection. Meanwhile, Cookie’s is more like comfort food. A big old plate of ribs, bowl of tomato soup or Mom’s Mac & Cheese. Not as fancy to look at, but comfortable and satisfying. It is debatable which would be more nutritious.
And, like most people, sometimes I want me some fancy gourmet food and sometimes I want me some comfort food. And that’s okay too.
Of course, there are lots of analogies out there. Maybe somebody else thinks Cookie’s music is like Thai-Cajun fusion cooking with a dash of Ukranian spices and a Peruvian twist.
And, let’s not forget that Springsteen cleared a song for Taylor during season 5 - “Dancing In The Dark.”
I think Cookie will do an awesome job on ISHFWILF. Kalan Porter sang it on CI a few years ago, and, if he can nail it, there’s no doubt in my mind that Cookie won’t be able to.
This is Tulsa’s FOX channel: http://www.fox23.com/
I just called the station and the news guy looked through all the scripts and could find no mention of Adam. (Thank you Fox Tulsa for the help!). He said they do have a reporter in L.A. who did an interview with David & David was talking about the new BOK Center here. That’s about all I have. I will check the other channels, but doubt there is anything.
I agree with your post reinharv. David cook is favored now, but it wasn’t always this way. He started out as a dark horse and he earned his place as a frontrunner by giving consistently giving solid and amazing performances. The ones that the producers favored in the beginning were michael, david archuletta, carly, and brooke and imo amanda to a lesser extent. I don’t think the producers really expected DC to become as popular as he did. he certainly was not a favorite of simon. he became popular and a favorite of the producers because he consistently showcased his talent throughout his performances.
I also am glad that they let the idols choose their own coronation songs, I think that is fairer to them and prevents a situation like last year, where the song that was sung was right for ordin, but did not suit blake at all. this year the contestants have a better shot at choosing a song that fits them, i hope that they let them choose the songs in future seasons of AI.
In regards to the clearance for the U2 song goes, this is actually not the first time that U2 has cleared a song for an AI contestant. Back in season 4 they cleared”Where the streets have no name” for Nadia Turner. The producers did not offer her this song, but Nadia knew a cameraman that had worked with them and she asked him to ask their permission. the song did end up getting cleared for her but it was after she got eliminated.(I read this information from an article on Mtv’s website). Kurt Nilsen from Norwegian idol has sung at least two songs by U2 on the show. I am glad that DC gets to sing a U2 song on AI, I hope he does well on it .
If this was posted earlier, please delete as I did not see it!
A contestant on X Factor sang U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wijz8GQzhI
Well Archie admits here he couldn’t get something cleared, so maybe it was Crazy
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-05-19-idol-davids_N.htm
Yeah, Kirsten, I see what you’re saying. My point was about the amount of substance and depth each artist has (I’m not using the word “singer,” because even though AI is a “singing competition,” it really should be an artist competition).
And I really don’t want to invite a swarm of attacks, but I must be deaf because I just don’t hear “perfection” or “purity” in Archuleta’s voice. I feel like maybe one of the judges said it in the beginning, and people just repeat it. And I’m not looking for perfection; imperfections are what give character, but all I hear from DA’s fans is that his voice is perfect, and I just don’t hear it.
LOL, I would argue that both Archie and Cookie have a bit of affectation. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Jason, now, he’s truly organic. Talk about green! I mean, I think I noticed a broccoli florette in his dreads during his SOTR performance. I suspect when it’s all said in done, Jason will have multiple grammy awards and a peace prize under his belt. Just sayin.
That wasn’t brocooli. That was mold. Darn dreads are hard to keep clean!
[runs and hides from Jason fans]
I think we can all agree on one thing: Robbie (aka “I Look Like a Rocker Therefore I Am” or “Wig Man”) Carrico was cheese in a can.
Y’all are making me want cheese fries like MAD. They kill me slowly like Archie’s With You, but they taste good like DCook’s Billie Jean.
However, nice to meet you, annoula. Your post was heartfelt, and your opinion is valid. I happen to agree with it, so that helps your cause with me. I would probably liken Archie more to a musical Dementor, sucking the soul out of the room, but that’s just me, I’m sure.
True, and I meant to disagree with the poster that said Robbie was a TPTB choice for top 12. They consistently called him out on his lack of authenticity. Sure, it was deserved, but I doubt he was expected to go far in the competition.
From USA Today article about their albums:
“As in previous seasons, both finalists will release albums.
Cook wants “a pop-based rock” record, citing such influences as Switchfoot and Jimmy Eat World. Archuleta will seek music “that’s in the soul,” along with pop that fits someone his age.”
Archie’s album sounds more “tasty” to me. Cook’s taste in pop-based rock. seems a little “junky.” ;)
Everything on AI is pretty much cheese. When they release their albums, the world will still spin on its axis and we can listen to the music we like and ignore the stuff we think is crap. Just like we do with non AI stuff.
On Cook singing the U2 song- my only concern would be that it is SO well known to everyone, that he could be slammed if he tries to change it up too much, and slammed if he doesn’t measure up to the original. I think he can pull it off, but he needs to watch his pitch this week.
It’s funny–I heard With or Without You on the radio the other day and I thought, “that would be a great song for Cook!” Unfortunately, I’m not so sure about ISCFW… Think it would be better sung by Michael Johns, frankly. It’s got a bit of a bluesy/soul sound.
I’ve found I’m much better off having no expectations for performance night–that way I’m always (most of the time) pleasantly surprised.
At least Cook gives real life examples. I have no idea what “soul” means to Archie. Based on his performances on the show, I don’t see much “soul” coming from him. Guess we’ll see.
I didn’t have a chance to read all of these posts, but for me Archie is all about soul. From auditions Heaven to Angels, to Imagine, that is pure soul to me. Soul means different things to different people perhaps, but I guess a good example for me is that Archie has soul, Jordin Sparks not so much. Can’t explain it, it just is.
Also for me it’s not about how much he’s gonna sell this year or next, but the possibilities are endless. I see exponential growth possibilites, for Cookie, I don’t really see it. He is where he will be in 5 years. I can barely watch Archie as a child on Star Search, I thought it was horrendous for the most part. Now watching him takes my breath away and I don’t mean that in a skeevy or fangirly kinda way. I actually mustered up some nerve to watch With You again and after the horrendous beginning he sang the crap out of that song. It was the dumb ass lyrics that derailed him, not the genre. It wasn’t something that would ever come out of his mouth. Somehow I don’t think Daddy picked that song……
Anyway, it’s all going to be played out on the stage tomorrow and for the next few months as this saga does not end on Wednesday. It’s gonna be interesting.
For people who haven’t listened to Cook’s original music, what he’s displayed on American Idol is only the tip of the iceberg. He writes a hell of a good lyric and a good hook. Like cheese said earlier in the thread, with a little songwriting help and some studio polish, he’s ready for mainstream.
Both of them have growth potential. Just because an artist is 25 years old and has a firm idea of who he is musically does not mean that said artist is going to be the same person 5 years down the road. That really sells the artist short.
I don’t get “soul” from the performances Archuleta’s given on the show, either. Unnecessary vocal runs all over songs that don’t need them disguised as “soul,” sure.
Sarah,
I agree with your point about David Cook’s AI music is just the beginning.
Analog Heart has some beautiful songs written and sung by DC.
Wasn’t it one of Cook’s Drama teachers that said DC is multi-talented and has several more gears he can do into during this competition?
Can’t wait for the surprises during the finale tomorrow.
Biggest Star? Paul McCartney gets my vote. Paul and DC could sing a fabulous duet together.
Paul and Michael Jackson did a few duos together. Michael sang falsetto, just like DC can do.
“Say, Say, Say,” “The Girl is Mine” and “The Man” from Paul’s Pipes of Peace album. It is a lesser known song with an inspirational message.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rXgim4YXLXk&feature=related
I swear, If David Cook and Paul McCartney perform a duet together, I’d have a Royal moment right there.
m_3eebd718a53f23a498db17375d069b27
Looking forward to watching the AI finale.
Cant’ wait to vote for DC!!!
Well they did hint “a real big star” so it can’t be Mariah nor Neil Diamond because both of them were mentors and already performed a song on AI this season. This is interesting. In my book, McCartney is pretty “big” to me and would be a very big surprise.
if Archie is singing “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” it’s what Clay Aiken did once when he came back as Wildcard and again I believe in the finale, and a 3rd time when he came back on the show and shocked everyone with his new look. Like him or hate Clay, Archie can’t top Clay doing that song and again, if I was competing for the
, I wouldn’t touch it with a 10-foot pole because it’s been done before too many times. If this is true, it’s interesting because this has turned out to be a Clay/Ruben competition and Archuleta is doing it. Archuleta is not in the same league as Clay if you are going to do a ballad.
When Cook performed songs that were not “well known” it didn’t go over too well with Simon or Randy. Doing a well-known song people can relate to is a better choice and more risky because people can compare. When Cook performed
by OLP, I loved it but there are not well known here in the US and the judges hated it.
Whatever Cook does, he needs to the the beginning, middle, and end version of the song rather than leaving us craving for more and I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, doesn’t have a slow build towards the “meat.”
Oh my gosh! (hehe, Archie can I borrow your GOSH for this comment)
U2?!?!? Just like my dream! Im a big U2 fan and Im so happy that Cook gets to sing this.
I still hope for Archie doing Gnarls BArkley’s “Crazy”.
“Dont Let the Sun Go Down On Me”? I hope not. Bo and Clay Aiken sang this in the past and I am so tired of this song already. Why don’t they choose a rock ballad instead? Like “Chasing Cars” or even a ballad version of U2’s With or Without You (see Utada Hikaru’s version) for Archuleta? That would be great! Still within his comfort zone but something different.
I’m guessing THE BEATLES? Paul McCartney and the rest of The BEatles a la last year’s Elvis mode???
Okay…this is how I think it will go tonight:
Cook will cook the hell out of all 3 songs:
On the songwriter’s choice he will play acoustic guitar and use his amazing voice to make gawd-awful lyrics palatable.
On the U2 song he will play his Les Paul and rock the shit out of it!
Clives choice-doesn’t matter the song- he will do the cook it in the traditional way of starting sexily queitly then end it with that amazing crescendo style he has.
He will rock the effin’ HOUSE!
DA- will sing all 3 songs in the same boring bland way, which is actually mindnumbingly boring - won’t be an uptempo beat or note in any of the 3.
Can anyone see him really and truly getting play time on the radio, video rotation or keeping the interest of the tweens? No? Neither do I. I honestly and truly think he is a cute kid with a pleasant Muzak vocals.
That would be pretty disgusting, imo. I don’t think Paul and Ringo would cheapen the Beatles legacy with a stunt like that.
If they did decide to pull off a virtual Beatles reunion, I think they’d do it via their own self-produced overly-hyped special.
Peruvian twist? Sign me up for a tasting.
I would have to say that singing is a mix of emotion and sonic quality. Some like Dylan and Cohen make up in emotion what they lack in sonic quality and others like Groban lack emotion. The best singers are sonically pure and emotionally rich. These are rare..(See Elvis Costello)