American Idol 11 Top 12 – “Songs From The Year They Were Born” Song Picks!

By On 03/13/2012 · 61 Comments · In American Idol, American Idol 11

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On Wednesday, The American Idol 11 Top 12 will sing “Songs from the Year They Were Born”.   Here are my picks.

Colton Dixon – October 19, 1991 – “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak – He should sit at the piano for this one.
Deandre Brackensick – October 21, 1994 – “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World” by Prince – If he can get it cleared. Back to the falsetto–but with some careful coaching!
Elise Testone – July 29, 1983 – “Stand Back” by Stevie Nicks – Stevie Nicks is tailor-made for Elise
Erika Van Pelt – December 12, 1985 – “Smooth Operator by Sade – I think Erika could pull this off without sounding boring.
Heejun Han – April 20, 1989 – “If You Don’t Know Me By Know” by Simply Red – Another heartfelt ballad for Heejun, but with a little soul.
Hollie Cavanagh – July 5, 1993 – “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes – Something a little different for Hollie.
Jermaine Jones – November 3, 1986 – “Living In America” by James Brown – This could be a trainwreck. Maybe that’s what I am hoping
Jessica Sanchez – August 4, 1995 – “Ill Stand By You” by The Pretenders – At the risk of pissing off the Pia fans–Jessica could nail this one.
Joshua Ledet – April 9, 1992 – “Real Love” by Mary J. Blige – Yeah, I know. A little weird. But I’m absolutely envisioning this in my head.
Phillip Phillips – September 20, 1990 – “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel -  Phil’s got to be careful not to mush mouth the words, but it could be right in his wheelhouse.
Shannon Magrane – October 21, 1995 – “You Are Not Alone” by Michael Jackson – I predict this WILL be her pick.
Skylar Laine – February 1, 1994 – “All I Wanna Do” by Sheryl Crow – A fun song for Skyler, though something tells me she’ll end up with “Come To My Window”

 
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  • Anonymous

    This theme always seems so nice and wide open but never really seems to work well in practice as in theory. If it’s anything like in past years, I predict that at 10 out of 12 will sing something that’s been done on Idol before.

    Nevertheless, here are my (not entirely serious) picks in chronological order:

    Elise (1983) – “Back on the Chain Gang” – The Pretenders

    Erika (1985) – “We Belong” – Pat Benatar

    Jermaine (1986) – “True Colors” – Cyndi Lauper

    Heejun (1989) – “Good Thing” – Fine Young Cannibals  (absolutely no Michael Bolton or ballads!)

    Phillip (1990) – “Man in the Box” – Alice in Chains

    Colton (1991) – “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana

    Joshua (1992) – “My Lovin’ /You’re Never Gonna Get It – En Vogue

    Hollie (1993) “All I Wanna Do” – Sheryl Crow

    Deandre (1994) – “Can We Talk” – Tevin Campbell

    Skyler (1994) – “Because The Night” (10,000 Maniacs cover)

    Jessica (1995) – “Waterfalls” – TLC

    Shannon (1995) – “Runaway” – Janet Jackson

  • waynestrong

    I’d like to hear Colton do “to be with you” by Mr. Big. Its one of my favorites.

  • http://twitter.com/JTHunsaker JT Hunsaker

    I can’t imagine Radiohead clearing their music for a show like Idol, anyway. 

  • Anonymous

    I’ve only known it as a Simply Red song. I didn’t even know who Teddy Pendergrass was until Taylor Hicks covered his song in season 5….so I guess I’m not in touch with my own “R&B/Black folks”, right? lol

    There are lots of non-R&B songs posted here without the unnecessary “music education” disclaimer…that’s not what this blog is for. A simple friendly “FYI” comment related to song origins would do nicely….in fact, thats what’s usually done around here.

    Like my grandmama always said…”Educate, don’t spread the hate”. 

  • Incipit

     JT Hunsaker,I know, it doesn’t seem likely, but “Creep” was sung on Canadian Idol (2X, I think) and and used on Rockstar INXS and Supernova, it’s kinda like Hallelujah, in the number of shows it’s been on. *Snerk*

    Now, whether TPTB would want it on AI is anyone’s guess, or what the Producers would do to it…I’d just as soon they left it alone. JMO.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/D3M7HMQJO6FR7KB2XKVQK7EJHY ShannonM

    Ummm, Jacob?!!?!  Just gently playin with you- i knew who you meant- but I think this is why Joshua is not gettin the props he deserves- too many folk may be nervous he is gonna get Lusky with it!!!

  • Anonymous

    I usually look for picks that aren’t the most obvious, although it’s pretty tough for some of this crew.  I guess I won’t have to pick for Jermaine, so my job is already easier…

    1.  Elise (1983):  ”Love Is a Battlefield”-  Pat Benatar

    2.  Erika (1985):  ”Running Up That Hill”-  Kate Bush

    3.  Heejun (1989):  ”Hold Me In Your Arms”-  Rick Astley

    4.  Phillip (1990):  ”Hard to Handle”-  The Black Crowes

    5.  Colton (1991):  ”November Rain”- Guns n’ Roses (Yes, I know;  they’ll never get the rights)

    6.  Joshua (1992):  ”Why”-  Annie Lennox

    7.  Hollie (1993):  ”Linger”- The Cranberries

    8.  DeAndre (1994):  ”The Most Beautiful Girl In the World”-  Prince  (MJ, this is so perfect, I can’t disagree)

    9.  Skylar (1994):  ”Stay (I Missed You)”-  Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories

    10.  Jessica (1995):  ”Fake Plastic Trees”-  Radiohead

    11.  Shannon (1995):  ”You Learn”-  Alanis Morissette

  • Anonymous

    but if you feel that you are – ok.

    Wut? lol.  No. You went there with your comment about folks ignoring black music. Pulling the card. Totally rude and unnecessary.

  • waynestrong

    Street Corner Symphony performed Creep on NBC’s “The Sing OFF”

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/D3M7HMQJO6FR7KB2XKVQK7EJHY ShannonM

    oops…don’t see a delete function- posted on wrong topic!!

  • Incipit

     waynestrong – I loved that show, but I never seem to catch it – They are the only show that gets the balance right on the judging, IMO. I’ll have to check that out. So they did “Creep”? – That’s what I mean – kinda like “Hallelujah”, for the number of shows it’s been on – and add one more.

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