American Idol 14 Motown Theme – What Should the Idols Sing?

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Hey guys! This is Adam coming at you with Motown song suggestions for the top 16! As excited as I am for Idol this week, I’m still super sad to know that 8 of these contestant won’t even get the chance to sing a single note of their songs.

Anyway, if you were like me, you might have let out a massive groan when you found out this week the top 16 would be performing songs from Motown. While I totally agree that I think this theme is overplayed, there are still plenty of excellent songs and opportunities to switch up old songs and make them sound fresh and new! In the past, we have seen contestants like Janelle Arthur and Adam Lambert switch up major Motown hits into unique products that reinvented old styles, so don’t count this week out just yet! Anyway, without further introductions, here are my suggestions.

The American Idol Top 24 are back in Detroit for two more shows! Aretha Franklin mentors the singers. Four singers are eliminated, plus the Top 8 sing. The Boys perform on Wednesday March 4 and Girls, Thursday March 5, 8/7c PM on FOX.  The Top 12 will be revealed in Los Angeles on Wednesday March 11.

BOYS:

Adam Ezegelian

1- My Girl, by The Temptations. Adam has already shown he can rock out, so I think this week is the time for him to slow it down. Maybe he can even rearrange and reinterpret this song into a ballad.
2- Get Ready, by The Temptations. If Adam wants to go for another high energy performance, this song would suit him well.

Clark Beckham

1- Let’s Get It On, by Marvin Gaye. This song seems like an obvious fit. Clark already performed it once and he nailed it then. Granted Clark needs to find a way to stay current, but with this week being Motown, I think he would get a pass doing this song again.
2- This Old Heart Of Mine, by The Isley Brothers. We have yet to see Clark go full on up-tempo, and I think this would be a good song to start him off with.

Daniel Seavey

1- I’ll Be There, by The Jackson 5. I think Daniel will struggle this week finding the right song, but if he goes with something from The Jackson 5, it will at least be age appropriate. That said, I think this song would be perfect for him! This could be epic if he decides to bring back the piano.
2- Signed Sealed Delivered, by Stevie Wonder. Daniel needs to keep things young and fresh to appeal to his crowd. This song will present him as the young budding performer he is.

Mark Andrew

1- Endless Love, by Lionel Richie. Bring a little restraint and he could have a moment.
2- You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, by Stevie Wonder. Slow it down, bring out the family card with this song and there will be tons of votes heading his way.

Michael Simeon

1- Ooh Baby Baby, by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. Michael seems to lean towards the slow ballads, so this would fit right in his wheelhouse.
2- Lately, by Stevie Wonder. Michael lacks a little originality, as most of his performance have just been straight covers. With this song, I think he could totally rearrange it and make it his own.

Nick Fradiani

1- Say You, Say Me, by Lionel Richie. I love this song, and I think it fits right into Nick’s wheelhouse. This song should get the votes pouring in for Nick.
2- Money (That’s What I Want), by Barrett Strong. I’m suggesting this song because I think Nick could make his own version and interpretation of this song. Nick easily could mold this song into any vision he has.

Riley Bria

1- I Heard It Through The Grapevine, by Marvin Gaye. Maybe Riley could rearrange this song and make it his own.
2- For Once In My Life, by Stevie Wonder. I suggest he try something different with this song by losing the guitar and working the stage. It would keep things fresh and interesting for Riley.

Quentin Alexander

1- What’s Going On, by Marvin Gaye. I just really think this song would fit his voice.
2- Shop Around, by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. We have yet to see Quentin go up-tempo, so I think this could be the song to start doing that.

Qaasim Middleton

1- I Wish, by Stevie Wonder. This song is so much fun, and I think Qaasim could really bring the energy to it.
2- Superstition, by Stevie Wonder. This is another song that is very high energy. Qaasim thrives on songs like these and I think he could do it justice and put on a show.

Rayvon Owen

1- I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), by The Four Tops. Look, no one wants to remember the disaster when this was performed in season 12, but I still think Rayvon could kill this song!
2- Hello, by Lionel Richie. This could be a moment, and I think Lionel’s voice really fits Rayvon’s!

Savion Wright

1- Isn’t She Lovely, by Stevie Wonder. Clay Aiken did a lovely cover of this on Scrubs and absolutely slayed it. I think Savion could have a similar moment if he decides on this song.
2- Aint To Proud To Beg, by The Temptations. This is one of those instances where I think a contestant could switch up a song and make it sound new. That said, I’m handing this song to Savion because I trust he would do something different and creative with it.

Trevor Douglas

1- I Want You Back, by The Jackson 5. I think Trevor could totally rearrange this song and make it his own. If he does, he will come across as creative and unique. If he decides to sing it straight though, depending on how he does it, it still could be a strong performance.
2- The Tracks Of My Tears, by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. Adam slowed this song down and had a moment with it, and I suggest Trevor take a similar route.

GIRLS:

Adanna Duru

1- All In Love is Fair, by Stevie Wonder. This song has a lot of range and Adanna could do it justice.
2- War, by Edwin Starr. This song is all attribute and range. Adanna has both so this song is perfect for her!

Alexis Gomez

1- I Second That Emotion, by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. I could totally see Alexis taking this song and making it country.
2- It Takes Two, by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston. I think this is a song Alexis could modify to put it into her lane. Maybe add some fiddles in exchange for the trumpets and the song could sound country.

JAX

1- If You Really Love Me, by Stevie Wonder. Bring back the piano for this song!
2- Since I Lost My Baby, by The Temptations. Do it unplugged with just the piano and it could be epic!

Joey Cook

I am going to leave this one open, as I have absolutely 0% idea what to suggest for her, or what she will actually do. Sound off in the comment with what you think she should sing!

Katherine Winston

1- Baby I Need Your Lovin, by The Four Tops. I totally see a Katherine version of this song already. I suggest she take this song and slow it down, maybe even make it a little dark and dramatic.
2- Leaving Here, by Eddie Holland. Another song Katherine can reinterpret! I think if she slows it down it could sound completely fresh and unique!

Loren Lott

1- Touch Me In The Morning, by Diana Ross. This is a powerful song that Loren has the pipes to pull off.
2- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. This song if not done right comes across as super cheesy, so Loren will have to tread carefully if she goes with this.

Lovey James

1- Nowhere to Run, by Martha and The Vandellas. Lovey seems to lean towards songs like this, so this should be right up her lane.
2- ABC, by The Jackson 5. This song is all about young energy and fresh love. Lovey could really give a performance of this song that would be believable.

Maddie Walker

1- Come See About Me, by The Supremes. Maddie is definitely the hardest one to pick out songs for this week. I know there is not much wiggle room for a country artist in a Motown week, so I suggest Maddie look to past contestant Janelle Arthur and see how she was able to rearrange songs and created her own country lane.
2- Baby Love, by The Supremes. If Maddie wants to countryfy a Motown song, I think this would be an excellent choice.

Sarina-Joi Crowe

1- You’re All I Need To Get By, by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. This seems like an easy fit for Sarina’s voice. I think she really could kill it.
2- Papa Was A Rolling Stone, by The Temptations. Allison Iraheta SLAYED this song a few season ago. If Sarina took a similar direction that Allison did she could have just as big of a moment.

Shannon Berthiaume

1- Whose Lovin’ You, by The Jackson 5. Poor Shannon. Even though I doubt she will survive to perform this week, if she does, I think this is the perfect song for her. If she manages this song like Jacquie Lee did on The Voice, she could possibly have that moment she needs to keep her in the competition.
2- Sir Duke, by Stevie Wonder. If Shannon survives into the top 16, she REALLY will need a moment to last to the top 12. Showing how much she has improved since Hollywood could give her an improvement arc.

Shi Scott

1- Stop! In The Name Of Love, by The Supremes. The secret to performing this song is not coming off as cheesy. I think Shi could perform it in a way that could come across as genuine.
2- You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me, by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. I think Shi has the swagger needed for this song. She will really need to dig deep for the vocals though.

Tyanna Jones

1- You Keep Me Hanging On, by The Supremes. Tyanna loves putting on a show, and I think she could do just that with this song.
2- Heat Wave, by Martha and The Vandellas. This is another high energy song, and I just think Tyanna could really pull it off.

Alright, so those are my thoughts, what are yours? Sound off in the comments down below!
Thanks for reading and as always feel free to follow me on Twitter at @adamhsamuel.

About Adam Samuel 151 Articles
Contributing Writer/Researcher at mjsbigblog.com I'm a typical college student balancing a journalism major with my love for reality singing shows.