Actually, it’s a moot question at this point. We already know half the songs the Idols are singing–there is only a little room for speculation.
Here’s how it works: The Final 3 sing 3 songs apiece. Each Idol is assigned a judge who picks a song. The Idol picks a song and The producers pick a song. The Idols have no control over two-thirds of the song choices. It’s a process that allows TPTB to control the outcome. Want to throw an Idol under the bus? Make them sing the dour “Vincent” (Clay Aiken, S2) and then change the arrangement at the last minute! It’s a veritable minefield for the remaining Idols.
Here is what we have so far:
David Cook
- Simon Cowell chose: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack
- David chose: “The World I Know” by Collective Soul
- The producers chose: undetermined
Syesha Mercado
- Randy Jackson chose: “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys
- Syesha Chose: undetermined
- The producers chose: undetermined
David Archuleta
- Paula Abdul chose: “And So It Goes” by Billy Joel
- David chose: undetermined
- The producers chose: “Longer” by Dan Fogelberg (this is a brand-new spoiler)
I’m not going to attempt to pick songs for the Idols this week, but I do have a few thoughts.
The last two weeks of Idol performances have–in a word–sucked. Nobody seems to be enjoying their time on the Idol stage these days. Fun times spent flying to Las Vegas last weekend to see the Cirque du Soleil meant less time practicing and resting. It showed in the Idols’ performances last week. While all 4 appeared burnt out, the surviving 3 seemed as serious as a flipping heart attack. The playful camaraderie between the constants has slowly evaporated as each Idol has been eliminated. It’s hard to imagine the kids left–at this point–pulling off an exuberant group number. The energy and chemistry required are MIA. Hopefully, the hometown visits recharged the kids’ batteries, and there will be some new attitudes emerging on the Idol stage come Tuesday. As far as the producers are concerned: Sleep. It’s a good thing. Fit it into the kids’ schedules, will ya?
ETA: I’m also wondering how Papagate is going to affect the proceedings this week. Daddy Archuleta, who appeared to be micro-managing David’s performances and song choices won’t be with David backstage as he rehearses with the band and the vocal coaches. Will little Archie wither under the strain? How will the controversy affect the voters? I’m thinking he’s going to get a ton of pity votes if he tanks on Tuesday. America may think it cruel and unjust to separate a minor from his own father at such a crucial time of the competition. I mean, poor David is only 17! It looks like a win-win situation from here, at least as far as the competition is concerned. From a personal standpoint–not so much. Poor little David, for reals…
So, peeps, what do you think? What should the Idols sing? What should the Idols do? Are you looking forward to the Final 3? Discuss!
I want to see Cookie get the pimp spot this week, not that he hasn’t had it before, but I think it’s about time he get this week. LOL
Agreed, PM. I don’t think the “pimp spot” really matters at this point. There are only three performers. Even the fickle and forgettable American viewing public can remember three people - LOL. The pimping does matter though. While the judges comments may only have a minor effect of the fan bases, I bet their comments sway the casual voters or people who vote based on a given week’s performances. I have heard casual viewers (mom/dad/friends) say things like “Oh, I thought that was good. I guess I was wrong” after the judges give a negative comment.
DC should get the pimp spot since DA had it for top 4 and Syesha had it for top 5. I agree that it doesn’t really matter very much anymore - the judges’ pimping and the performances themselves matter much, much more. It does give ME some time to collect myself before DC performs, so I will be grateful for any pimpspot that comes his way. We know that DA’s crusty old funeral songs will be the bomb no matter what. It will be interesting to see who out of DC and Syesha gets told that they’re worthy to go to the finale.
I still wouldn’t be shocked to see DC sent packing so that he can more readily front a fake band. I don’t think they would go that route with their winner or potential winner, so if they really don’t want him as a solo artist, they could boot him off this week. I’d prefer that he win, but as long as he sings his butt off this week and makes me proud to be a Cooktard, I could deal with a 3rd place finish.
I’ve even done that myself! But then I smack myself and remember how much smarter I am than they are
Yeah. I second-guess myself after hearing the judges sometimes. But, I think the judge’s praise after the last performance will last a little longer in the mind of the casual viewer. I still remember Simon’s response to Fantasia after her performance of “I Believe” - “I believe you just gave you acceptance speech.” I think that gave her the voting boost she needed, and that’s because he had just been on the news a few days earlier saying that Diana DeGarmo would take it all.
LOL Kirsten, you crack me up with your rants. :)
I’d like to see Fred Bronson from Billboard do a little choosing one year. When he’s made suggestions in the past, I think they’ve generally worked out pretty well (Kat McPhee and “Black Horse & The Cherry Tree” comes to mind). Plus, he might actually pick songs that have some sort of relevance to today’s music scene. Not “She Works Hard For The Money” (I’m sorry, I still can’t get over my WTF reaction when they announced that as Jordin’s producer song choice last year. Worst. Song. Choice. Ever.).
I’ve resolved to not worry over dcook’s songs or performances tomorrow. At this point? My attitude is: que sera sera. Though I do wonder if that “American Woman” rumor is true, if he’ll do the Lenny Kravitz version? I lurve Lenny Kravitz, so I might actually like it if he does.
Syesha should chose: “Feel the Fire” by Stephanie Mills, “I am Changing” by Jennifer Holliday, “Here’s Where I stand” by Tiffany Taylor, “Lately” by Divine, “Who’s Loving You?” by the Jackson Five or “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Kahn
Producers should chose for her: “Work it out” by Beyonce, “Umbrella” by Rhianna, or “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight
Can’t do Beyonce- Simon and her are mad at each other.
Is “Longer” a confirmed spoiler?? I know it’s listed on this site, but is it confirmed?? Source, please:)
Actually, I’d like him to go 2nd because you can get in a lot of votes while the last person is still singing. They open the phone lines about 5 minutes early.
If the producers give Syesha a plumb song like “Umbrella” and stick the David’s with moldy oldies, then I will have to assume they want her in the finals.
Mandisa did a pretty good job with I’m Every Woman (IIRC), but she was more of a true belter. Don’t know if Sy could pull it off. Rhianna’s songs would work better because, well, Rhianna isn’t much of a singer. LOL
amber, I believe the source was a poster over at Rickey’s who’s been reliable before…and if MJ posted it I gotta think it’s a solid spoiler ;)
Actually, at the AI site, they call that a five minute “test window”, to see if the lines are working properly. Any calls made during that time, they say, won’t count. :(
well, I didn’t think it would be posted here if not true, but I haven’t seen where it came from. Just curious. and hoping it’s not true:)
Aww, I now need an umbrella for my parade.
Ooops. Sorry.
So DA has two ballads in store right now for tomorrow night? 20 bucks says he won’t do any better himself with his own song choice. Those songs are popular, though; he’ll probably get a huge amount of the swing vote again.
DC will probably get the pimp spot, yes, but I don’t think it matters too much now. As it is flipping obvious that TPTB will crush anything getting in the way of their David/David finale, the judges will probably end up pimping the David TPTB want to win, and slightly de-pimping the other one. Just my guess.
ETA: Why the heck is DC almost always in the middle of these group shots lately? Just a thought…
I think it’s aesthetic. Both Archie and Syesha are short…
Because he’s significantly taller than Archie and Syesha. They usually have him sitting and them standing or in the case of the TV guide cover, he’s leaning forward. Even when they all sit down, the height difference is noticeable.
I can’t understand why everyone says his music is too old this week. He didn’t choose them. Why is everyone crucifying him for that. People are getting out of hand. Give the kid a break. He’ll do just fine’ I think he’ll get sympathy votes and the young votes’ No problems there’
The music itself isn’t too old. The subject of the lyrics is too old for him. Paula’s song is a song of an experienced and wounded person. Longer is not believable froma 17 year old who appears much younger in his demeanor.
Yeah, I agree with MrRJ on this one. Although, I have myself been astonished by the actual age of the songs sung on this season (that’s more of an indictment of tptb rather than the contestants) it’s really the subject matter. I understand it’s probably difficult to find the right content for Archie - considering he is 17, but looks about 13 or 14. Perhaps they can clear the Rainbow Connection? I’m kidding! I love Kermit - and that song - seriously, the love is kind of irrational at my age. So, don’t get any ideas stage-daddy.
By locking every single week in a theme, they’ve hamstrung the contestants with old songs. Before, they had the chance to use newer music in the semi-final rounds.
LONG post coming up, but I took some time and put some thought into it. I hope y’all don’t mind…
*
Whenever I listen to a song, or see a play, or read a book, I enjoy it for what it is the first time I listen to/see/read it.
However, if I listen/see/read again, it may mean something completely different to me. And if it means something different to me, surely it means something different to someone else.
And if someone wants to sing that song, or produce that play, or rewrite that story– how it makes them feel– then I have absolutely no problem with that.
It’s an idea I’ve heard referred to as “open text”– that is, whatever any particular art form is when it is created does not mean that it must stay that way forever. Composer’s/songwriter’s/writer’s intent is one thing, but it is always up the artist to provide their own interpretation. I think we should all be open to these various interpretations.
All the time artists cover others’ songs in completely different ways. Old plays/musicals/operas are presented in new settings, in different contexts. For example– Peter Sellars producing Mozart operas in modern settings. Chris Cornell turning a Michael Jackson pop classic into a brooding, haunting rock song. Just because these productions aren’t true to the original does not mean that they are any less real, or important, than the original.
What I guess I’m trying to say, in a roundabout way, is that I always try to keep an open mind when I hear these song choice spoilers. When Ewan MacColl first sang “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” it had its own meaning. Does that make Roberta Flack’s, or Leona Lewis’s, or whoever’s, version less powerful or beautiful? I say no! So, when we hear David Cook is taking on this song, I keep the original in mind, but I am also open to the fact that DC might make it something truer and more beautiful to him, and therefore, possibly even to us.
I feel like we should do the same for David Archuleta, with “And So It Goes” and “Longer.” These ARE older songs, first written and sung by older men, whose lyrics meant something specific to them at the time of their writing. However, when little Archie takes the stage tomorrow night, I don’t think we should immediately judge him for singing a song “too old” for him. Forget Billy Joel and Dan Fogelberg for a moment, and try to understand how these lyrics could become real and powerful for a 17-year-old “kid.”
I think an open mind– free from Idol scandals, the schemes of TPTB, and what we think is appropriate for their age, style, or gender– could allow us to enjoy all three of these contestants on whatever songs they sing, whether chosen by them or given to them. I find myself enjoying the performance shows much more when I keep an open mind, considering each song as an “open text.”
Interesting theory Preston. However, I disagree with how a very young 17 year old can sing words of lost loves and bitterness and pain. He is too young to have experienced such wounds. “For every time I felt a rose, it seems I only felt the thorns” Not DA’s fault. Paula is an idiot.
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Preston, I can definitely see what you’re saying. But, the problem I have with Archie’s song choices are not that they are so much older, but that he lacks the experience to make those songs believable. I listened to David Cook talk about how ABMB jumped out at him because the lyrics spoke about the love between two people which would always be there. He was able to make that work for him. I have to believe that at age 25, he really has experienced such an emotion. I’ll be gladly corrected if I’m wrong, but I highly doubt that Archie has, at this point, experienced anything more than puppy love - if that. Now, I’m wanting him to interpret lyrics as a change of pace, and believe it or not, there are songs out there which he can make personal.
That being said, this is pretty much an open week. I still cannot understand the datedness of the songs.
If he sings those lyrics, that is. I remember him not singing the first, most famous verse of Imagine because the lyrics didn’t mean as much to him. He may be young, but I think for the most part he knows what he’s doing.
Can’t argue with that. :D
There’s a rumor going around Archie’s personal song choice. Get this - he’s supposedly singing Chris Brown’s “With You”. I about fell off my chair when I saw this. Strange song choice but at least the kid is actually taking a risk for once. If this really IS his song, just WOW.
Say it isn’t so , Simon is trying to sabatage DC by choosing TFTEISYF . I could see this song choice for Syesha but for a rocker who Simon scolded for not staying true to his rocker self , not. I smell a rat and his name is Cowell. I have always thought that tptb would set this year up for little David . I truly hope that I am proven wrong .
IMO DA is so one dementional and quite boring and predictable . In contrast , DC has been consistant in different stlyes of music this year , Music of the Night was brilliant and Little Sparrow was just beautiful. I see a long successful career
ahead for him but I believe that tptb are pimping DA.
I hope this is true because it would Hi. Larious. I’ve needed a good laugh for a while, Boo.
Wow is right.
ETA…Erasing my post.
I would like to see some HONEST comments from the judges that actually apply to the performance we just saw. No OTT or negatives but geniune remarks. TPTB know how much the judging has been criticized. This would be so nice for a change.
i think i would fall out of my chair if that song choice was true for DA. probably a scary board false rumo though.
ugh at da doin chris brown NO
Quote (Good morning, and happy Tuesday. I’m just popping in to verify “with you†by chris brown IS David’s choice. I would have spilled yesterday, but there were more Cook fans in here from early afternoon until late, LATE in the night then Archies. I’m wondering if they were here to get the spoilers? If so, I wasn’t going to give them. Next week I can email archies if need be)
Enough said. David needs our votes tonight more than ever. VOTE VOTE VOTE!) by Damolegirl in Rickey) Close Quote
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So this confirms that Archie is doing With You - Chris Brown. Finally, something current, modern, young, contemporary and outside his box of ballads. Wish both Davids and Syesha the best of luck. May the best singer wins!
OMG!!! I am going to die of laughter now. I am so excited to go to work now so the hours can fly by and I can witness the laughfest of archie singing this song. oh oh, can i tivo the “boos” hahahahahahahahaha. god, made my day so far!!!
Hahaha… Yes it is funny that Lil David is going to sing With You - Chris Brown. I still can’t picture him singing an R&B song… Well, I hope he can do a good job out of it. No ill-wishes…
I just listened to With You. I’m not that familiar with most of Chris Brown’s songs, but I really do like him. This seems like a good contemporary choice for David A. There’s a helluva lot of lyrics in that song, he can cherry-pick the most innocent ones and make it work as a cute little first-love song. Better suited to him than Love Me Tender. He can run all over the place with it, too. Not that I want him to win this thing, but that’s a good choice.
I predict Cook to do “Yo’ Face” (I’ve been reading the TWOP boards, too) as an acoustic. If he followed any of the publicity from his trip home at all, he should know that his fans love, love, loved his acoustic sets that he did there.
Can’t wait until other choices are made known!
Rita
The producers must really want Archie gone. Those are two of the most dire songs I’ve ever heard. What are they going to do now, steer his pick to Seasons in the Sun?
LMAO - this is the best part of the spoiler. The fact that whoever this person is - they think they need to keep Archie’s song a secret from the Cook fans. What good does that do? It’s certainly not a trade secret of any sort - the other contestants probably know what everyone is singing long before the rest of us do. So, what where the Cook fans going to do with that information exactly? And, how could it be harmful to Archie?
hehe..I did find it funny too! I pasted that information from the rickey website, from Damolegirl. Those tweenies are really funny!..