American Idol 14 Top 6 Arena Anthems Song Suggestions

AMERICAN IDOL XIV: TOP 6: L-R: Quentin Alexander, Rayvon Owen, Jax, Clark Backham, Tyanna Jones and Nick Fradiani.  CR: Michael Becker / FOX. © FOX Broadcasting. This image is embargoed until 10:00PM PT.

This week, April 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), on American Idol, the Top 6 will each be singing two songs based a theme tilted “Arena Anthems.” What do YOU think the Idols will choose to sing?

American Idol 14 Spoilers – The Top 6 Record Arena Anthems (PHOTOS)

I must ask, am I the only one here who is actually super excited for this week’s theme? Despite the cluster**** that was last week’s show, I think we will be in for some super fun and energetic performances. I do have some issues with the theme “Arena Anthems,” but me being ever the optimist I think the contestants will really dig deep with a great round of songs to perform. I love a good concert, so for me, I hope the contestants above all else sell to the audience why they belong on the Idol tour. I feel that of the contestants, this theme caters the most to JAX, Tyanna and Nick, and might be a challenge for Clark, so this week will be super interesting based on the songs they chose.

Read More: American Idol 14 Top 6 Theme is Arena Anthems

Now on to what I don’t like about this theme.

The main issue I have with the theme this week is the vagueness of it all. For real, what makes a song qualify as an arena song? Does it have to be uptempo? Are slow ballads not allowed this week? Who is giving the definition this week of what is an arena song to the contestants?

Ya see what I mean people? Once again, this theme week is BROAD, so take my suggestions with a grain of salt.

I can already see it now, come Monday afternoon when the songs leaks and everyone is face-palming themselves and questioning how “that” song made it onto the list. As much as my list is filled with some (well in my opinion) great song ideas, with the producers calling the shots and basing concert songs off their definitions, I would almost guarantee we will hear songs that have been super overdone (I’m looking at you asteroid song!).  I hope the contestants at least try to steer clear of “that” song.

As I mentioned before, my idea of an arena concert song is very likely going to be different from yours, so please don’t beat me up in the comments if you disagree. Thanks for reading by the way, and I hope you enjoy perusing my list.

Clark Beckham

Clark is still the one to beat. While last week Nick emerged as a potential competitor who has a chance of stealing his crown, I still think Clark is running away with this thing. Clark seems to prefer the slow emotional songs where he can take his time, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what he pulls out. I want to see some more risk taking and uptempo songs from Clark! Hopefully we see this theme bring that out of him.

1- Still Rainin’, by Johnny Lang. I think this is perfect for Clark. Bust out the electric guitar and rock with this song. My dream song for Clark this week.
2- Stay With Me, by Sam Smith. I know, I know, who knows if this actually qualifies as an arena song, but I still think Clark could do well with it.
3- Creep, by Radiohead. I think I have requested this song 3 times now from Clark. Before his audition was shown on TV, Clark had a magical cover of this song up on youtube. Please, pull out this song at sometime this season Clark, we all want to hear it!
4- Wherever You Will Go, by The Calling. This could be a lot of fun to hear Clark try out. If he can I would love if he slowed it down for a more emotional performance, but keeping it rock would still be awesome. There is a remarkable slow version of this song on Youtube by a singer named Charlene Soraia that would be amazing for Clark.
Song To Avoid: I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing, by Aerosmith. I swear, if someone sings this song I will break down and cry.

JAX

I love JAX. I have loved JAX from the bringing and I have even suggested the fanbase name that now has thousands of members. JAX and Nick are my 1 and 2 respectively. Now that I have said that and she knows I love her, I think JAX is ruining everything going for her in this competition with her song choices. When we saw Beat It on the song spoilers for JAX, we all knew what it was going to be, and it was not a good thing. JAX has SO much going for her right now: she has the twitter game down pat with all her follow sprees and fan calls, she has the look and she has the most friendly personality, so why is a girl who is playing the idol game so well struggling with song choices!? I just don’t get it! JAX should be slaying these performances! She has an amazing instrument but she insists on going with songs that either don’t work for her, or won’t give her a moment. JAX has said in interviews that she has such a wide library of musical knowledge of songs, yet she decides not to go for performances that people will remember. When JAX was deciding on songs last week, did she really think Beat It is the kind of song that will give her a moment?! Unless JAX manages to right her song picking decisions, this will end up being the reason she finishes 4th or 3rd. Please JAX, I’m begging you, take time when deciding what song to go with, think about if it really will get you votes and if you can have a moment with it.

1- Time For Miracles, by Adam Lambert. My dream song for JAX this week. This is the kind of song you have a moment with. JAX could slay it.
2- Bring Me To Life, by Evanescence. Start off slow at the piano, then rock out for the big parts. Angie and Jena both did this song already, but JAX could still put her own spin on it.
3- Lights, by Ellie Goulding. I’m gonna say it even though I doubt she will do it: slow at piano. This song, done all at piano is the kind of moment JAX needs.
4- Bridge Over Troubled Waters, by Simon and Garfunkel. Yes people, I know this song is not an arena song, so I am not suggesting this song for JAX for this week. By this point last season, the often comparable Jena Irene already had a moment with songs like Creep and Decode. JAX needs one of those moments, and I think this can be for her what Creep is to Jena Irene.

Song To Avoid: Chandelier, by Sia. This would be the kind of song that would do nothing for JAX. This song is super hard to pull off, and even if she did managed to stay on pitch, it would still leave the audience going “meh.” Best to pick a song that will give you a moment this week, JAX.

Nick Fradiani

I don’t care what anyone says, last week was Nick’s week. Both of Nick’s performances were delivered with the skill of a pro who knows exactly who he is. The Nick train is chugging right along! He has finally emerged as the front runner that I thought he could be all season, and I think he picked just the right week to break out. If this had not been the week Nick broke out, I would have been seriously worried for him, but for now, I’m glad he finally is in a position to give Clark a run for his money. In the end, as much as I love JAX, I think her song choices will eventually be her downfall, so as much as I wish it could happen (and still do! I will vote my fingers off to make a JAX and Nick finale happen), I think the final two will be Clark and Nick. This week, Nick needs to continue his upward trajectory; he has our attention, let’s see what he does with it. Taking down Clark will be no easy task, but last week’s performances was a giant leap in the right direction.

1- Shut Up And Dance, by Walk The Moon. The PERFECT song for Nick this week. It’s current, fits the theme and is perfect for Nick’s voice. Pretty please, Nick?
2- Yellow, by Coldplay. I’m not totally sure if this song is really an arena song, but I would love to hear Nick bust it out if it gets the okay from the producers. I love this song and I can see Nick nailing it. This song has some pretty powerful lyrics like “for you I’d bleed myself dry,” and if Nick brings the intensity to the words I think he will have another much needed moment.
3- Over My Head, by The Fray. Nick has said these guys are one of his favorite bands, so why not try out one of their songs. I think Nick could slay this one.
4- Coming Your Way, by Beach Avenue. Nick’s band’s own original song would sound epic on the idol stage. I don’t know if he’d actually do it, what with the theme possibly holding it back depending on how specific it goes, but if he did it would be epic.
Song To Avoid: Don’t Stop Believin’, by Journey. No. Just no. Not only would this song choice be totally predicable, but it would do nothing to help Nick. This does not just go out to Nick, but for all contestants: it would be best to just steer clear of this one.

Quentin Alexander

I will honestly be shocked if Quentin is not in the bottom 2 after what went down with him and Harry. Quentin spoke from the heart in those moments, and I really respect him for how he refused to be bullied by Harry. I know that I would never have the guts to do what he did on live TV, and personally I want to applaud him for standing by his words. Sadly, most of the public disagree with me. I find it almost bizarre how so many people across Facebook, Youtube and random news articles all seem so against a man who refused to be bullied. The most appalling thing for me is how some websites are actually spinning the story purposely against Quentin. I honestly don’t get it, but in the end regardless of who was right and who was wrong, the outburst will be the reason Quentin will be in the bottom 2 come Wednesday. I hope he can pull off a showstopper in his save me performance.

1- Sail, by Awolnation. My dream song for Quentin this week. This song is absolutely perfect for him.
2- Paint It Black, by The Rolling Stones. I feel like there are some really great songs out there that are perfect for Quentin this week. This is one of those songs.
3- Smells Like Teen Spirit, by Nirvana. This song seems right up Quentin alley. He could do great things with this song.
4- Creep, by Radiohead. I gave this song to Clark, but I’d equally love to see Quentin take it on. Maybe he can say the song came to him when he thought of Harry. Heh.
Song To Avoid: Bohemian Rhapsody, by Queen. Great song, but it is really overdone. Also, no human on earth can outdo the rock god that is Freddy Mercury, so best to go with another song.

Rayvon Owen

I said before that Nick Fradiani owned the night last week, however while the night belonged to him, the performance of the night went to Rayvon. Always On My Mind was downright spectacular, but will it be enough to keep him safe? Personally, if I was judging the contestants on their performances alone, not only would Rayvon be safe, but he would be in the top 2. However, since this is Idol and things are a lot more complicated, I am worried for Rayvon again this week. Regardless if he is in danger, Rayvon needs a good setlist to go beyond 5th place. Rayvon’s songs need to be epic, because as I said before, if he is in the bottom again, it won’t be because of his performances, so he will really need to nail it. Rayvon is this season’s fighter and underdog, and I am really curious to see how far strong performances and good luck will push him in the competition. Hopefully into the top 4.

1- Let Me Love You, by Ne-Yo. This is the kind of song I can see Rayon absolutely killing.
2- Clocks, by Coldplay. This is an amazing song that Rayvon could do well with.
3- Run, by Snow Patrol. This could be epic if he does it right.
4- Seven Nation Army, by The White Stripes. While an odd fit on paper, I think this can work out well for Rayvon.
Song To Avoid: Love Runs Out, by One Republic. At this point I think this song is cursed. 2 Idol contestants have sang this and each has gone home after performing it. All contestants should try to avoid One Republic this week just in case.

Tyanna Jones

My only gripe with Tyanna’s performance of Proud Mary was that it wasn’t longer. I wanted to hear more of the loud dancing parts of the song.  As much as I personally liked Tyanna’s last performance, songs like that are not going to get her the title. If I was a close friend of Tyanna’s, I would want to sit her down and start forming a game plan that will get her the win. Tyanna clearly thinks her strong suit are those fun upbeat songs, and as good as she is at them, she needs more performances like Stay if she wants to win. If I could, I would plan out Tyanna’s weeks so that each included a song like Proud Mary and a song like Stay. Two upbeat performances while fun won’t win the game; songs like Stay will. Just my 2 cents. Tyanna needs another real moment that will remind the audience how amazing she is at those slow songs in addition to the fast ones.

1- Spotlight, by Jennifer Hudson. A big diva song would work wonders under the instrument that is Tyanna’s voice. Could be a great show.
2- My Kind Of Love, by Emeli Sande. If she wants to go for the really punch-filled songs, I think she could do well with some Emeli Sande.
3- River Deep, Mountain High, by Ike and Tina Turner. Though not my number one pick for Tyanna, as I want to hear her do something current, she could still work wonders with this song.
4- Battlefield, by Jordin Sparks. I love this song and I would love to see Tyanna take it on.
Song To Avoid: Turn The Beat Around, by Gloria Estefan. This song is HARD to pull off, and I worry Tyanna would really struggle if she picked it.

Whew!!! All done! So those are my thoughts, what are yours? Who do you thing HAS to be on the tour, and who do you think will be just missing the cut on the opportunity of a lifetime? Sound off in the comments!

Thanks for reading again, and if you liked what you read and you want to show your appreciation, I would really appreciate if you follow me on Twitter at @adamhsamuel.

Oh, I almost forgot! Before I sign off, I just want to give myself a pat on the back for totally calling one of Jax’s, Joey’s and both of Nick’s song choices last week!

*pats self on back.

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.