American Idol 9 Top 12 Theme Is The Music Of The Rolling Stones

I don’t predict much good out of this week :/. Once again, I’m not particularly sure of any RS songs, but based on what I’ve heard, this is what I’m thinking….

Siobhan – Paint it Black. However, it will be too odd for my tastes, and I love Siobhan.
Katelyn, Didi, or maybe Crystal – Gimme Shelter.
Andrew – Sympathy for the Devil (which turns out to be a trainwreck).
Someone’s gonna do Satisfaction, too. I dunno who.

Eh >_>. I’m not too excited about it.

I actually like their music, but as a theme…why? It’s not as if viewers don’t respond to more recent music when it makes it way onto the show.

The Rolling Stones have a huge song list, and as long as the Idols stay away from the songs that should never be done (Satisfaction, Honky Tonk Woman, Get off of my Cloud, Brown Sugar) they should have a good time.

There are lot’s of songs that sound like Country rock that would be good for Lee, Casey or Aaron
Waiting on a Friend
Under My Thumb
Paint it Black (I like this especially for Lee)Siobhan could pull this off
Andrew- You Can’t always get what you want
Wild Horses- DiDi or Siobhan
Sympathy for the Devil- Casey or Alex
Time is on my Side- Crystal, Lily, Didi or Andrew
As Tears go by – Tim
Beast of Burden- Michael
Let’s spend the night together Crystal, Lily, Didi or Andrew
Angie- Casey, Michael, Andrew or Alex

Not knowing who will be in or out, people that I can’t imagine singing the Rolling Stones are Katie, Paige, or Toddrick

love the stones. but this is a train wreck waiting to happen. this week i’ve skipped watching the show and just watched a few of the more promising looking performance vids that you put up as it has gotten too painful to watch the whole show. With the stones as the theme, I suspect next week will be worse than ever. Very few people are capable of doing credible renditions of stone’s songs imo.

Someone *is* going to try and get away with “Satisfaction”. Don’t dooo iiiitttt! Just don’t unless you want to get compared with a certain someone from Season 8.

Also, I’m going to kill Casey if he tries “Sympathy for the Devil”. Oh no. The song should be made either tongue in cheek or acoustically, and he can’t really pull of neither.

also, Wikipedia lists 181 songs, so there should be something for everyone: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:The_Rolling_Stones_songs

With the stones as the theme, I suspect next week will be worse than ever. Very few people are capable of doing credible renditions of stone’s songs imo.

That was my exact thought as well when I read the headline. Grew up with the Rolling Stones. One of my very favorite. Last year first theme was Michael Jackson, this year Rolling Stones – guess the producers want to know right of the bat if there’s actually any talent whatsoever in the group.

What a mismatch. S9′s anemic crew with the Stones. Is there even a rocker in the whole crew. Expect lots of boring, acoustic change ups. Sadly, it won’t even be fun in a trainwreck way. Painful really.

Siobhan could pull off Satisfaction, and I am drooling just thinking about it. And Simon will laugh and say that might have been better than someone did last year. Alto Adams 2 nites of it were awsome to me. I hope she does some rock version, she will kill it. The others have some slower songs to choose, and please no Wild Horses, ewwwwww. I love the Stones and I hope some of them can make me happy to hear some of those songs.
I am also picturing Siobhan coming out with a black hoodie on like Ryan Star did on Rockstar and singing Paint it Black. That would be cool.
I love when there are themes so they can narrow it down as to what to sing, and cant get totally blamed for song choice.

Am I the only one thinking this is a great theme week? I’ve been waiting for this one for years!

Casey will have a lot of choices as a number of RS songs have a country vibe. Their ballads will be well suited for our singer/songwriter contestants. Crystal and Siobhan are going to tear up whatever they sing. (This is going to be a great night for Crystal!) And, if Lee survives for next week, he will be the only one able to rock it, so I’d expect good things from him. Ahhh… can’t wait!

Do you think Mick will mentor? Oh. My. Gosh. This is going to be cool!!

I wonder if Katie know who the Rolling Stones are?

I think it’s a great theme, too. I think I’ll wait for the Top 12 to be revealed before I do any real song speculation, but I can hear Lee singing “Under My Thumb” for some reason. I hope Siobhan finally rocks out a bit.

I think its a great theme and I’ll also wait for the top twelve before guessing at song choices. LOL if anyone tries to cut “Sympathy for the Devil” down to 1:15.

With the stones as the theme, I suspect next week will be worse than ever. Very few people are capable of doing credible renditions of stone’s songs imo.

Idol is kind of a backward world. Whenever there is a theme that sounds like it will be an epic trainwreck, we get some amazing moments.

I thought Queen night during Season 5 would be atrocious and it was actually kind of fun.

During Season 6, Bon Jovi night had trainwreck written all over it and the ladies seemed doomed. Lakisha, who had been driving on fumes even admitted to Jon’s face that she had no idea who Bon Jovi was. And then she came out and blew everybody away (especially me). It was a great night.

During Season 7, they had a Mariah night which seemed doomed from the start. When has anybody sang Mariah and not been ripped a new one? The boys seemed especially at a disadvantage and then we got Cook with “Always be My Baby”.

So, I’m cautiously optimistic for next week.

I think Lee or Mike does “Satisfaction”. Somebody has to do it or it isn’t RS night. It’s a restricted catalogue so people better not go crazy with the S8 comparisons. Although, I would laugh if we get dueling Lamberts. Who am I kidding, if Alex sings this song I’m going to need oxygen after I fall off the couch laughing. Cute kid, but he doesn’t have the swagger or confidence for that song. He better strip down something and let his voice sell the song (he’s got a great voice).

I think Didi can do something with “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” if she can elbow her way to the front of the line to get it (if Todrick is still around, she’ll need a stun gun to subdue him since Glee did a cover of this one).

For some reason, I see Lily doing “Jumping Jack Flash”.

I wonder if Katie know who the Rolling Stones are?

I don’t think it matters because she’ll be watching the show from her family room sofa.

Rolling Stones week? Squeeeeeee!!!! *ahem* Did Ryan say the band will actually be appearing/mentoring the kids or will this be like Beatles and Michael Jackson weeks and only the songs… could be a chance for through-the-roof ratings just to see the Stones on AI but I can’t help wondering if it’s a cheesy excuse to bring Susan Boyle on to soullessly warble her cover of my FAVORITE RS song “Wild Horses”…

Songs I’d like to hear : Beast of Burden (Casey or Mike), Far Away Eyes (Lily?), Wild Horses (Didi, Crystal, Lacey, Lee). You Can’t Always Get What You Want (Todrick, Siobhan)…

Rolling Stones?!?!?! Really? Are you sure they want a girl to win this year?

Soooo much of the Rolling Stones is based on performance…and that is not the strengh of the current crop. Yikes!

Might be a good place for electric guitar moves for Casey tho — assuming he makes it.

Only Lynch and Crystal are locks for top 12. I can see Crystal doing well with this if she would put down her guitar. But Mike? ummm….

Oh yeah, Didi is a close-lock for top 12 and I guess she will have to go with Angie or As Time Goes By … which will be another slow song for her…

Oh yeah — and having the group’s music available in a special area on iTunes for sale must be a big sell cuz I never thought I would see the Rolling Stones on this show…sadz

I loved to hear Casey sing Gimmie Shelter

Crystal would sound amazing singing Angie but she probably needs to shake things up a little so maybe Paint It Black

Alex should go with Waiting on a Friend

Didi The Last Time or Winter

Rolling Stones?!?!?! Really? Are you sure they want a girl to win this year?

This reminds me of Mariah Carey night. The guys will be picked apart for being kareoke and the girls will be praised for sounding different.

I actually like their music, but as a theme…why? It’s not as if viewers don’t respond to more recent music when it makes it way onto the show.

I think a large part of it is because it’s hard to come up with a current artist who has as big a catalog as these old timers who’ve had dozens of singles and multiple hit albums. Personally I like these types of theme nights cuz it’s kinda like music education for me. It’s like Rock Band in that it familiarizes me with these really famous older songs in a fun way. S7 had some REALLY old theme nights (60s, 70s, Neil Diamond), but those nights actually introduced me to some cool songs besides the biggest hits.

That said, this will probably be true:

What a mismatch. S9’s anemic crew with the Stones. Is there even a rocker in the whole crew. Expect lots of boring, acoustic change ups. Sadly, it won’t even be fun in a trainwreck way. Painful really.

I predict Crystal and Siobhan will be good. Everyone else will do those boring acoustic change ups. This coming from someone who actually likes people like Didi and Alex! But I hope Kirsten’s right that Idol is a backward world and we get some moments. This season really needs some right about now.

Btw, is tonight’s show at 8 or 9pm?

Idol is kind of a backward world. Whenever there is a theme that sounds like it will be an epic trainwreck, we get some amazing moments.

I agree. I am looking forward to this.. can’t wait to see which are the 12 are getting thrown into it. We might get a moment or 2 out of this. And at least one hell of a trainwreck. Can’t wait.

Well whatever they don’t they should NOT sing country!! Don’t do it! Simon hates country! He won’t have anything nice to say with anybody!

I can’t help wondering if it’s a cheesy excuse to bring Susan Boyle on to soullessly warble her cover of my FAVORITE RS song “Wild Horses”…

That was the first thing that popped into my head!

Wild horses…

Oops! I ment whatever they DO!

I hope they still with the Jaggar/Richards songbook and not venture into music that the Stones simply covered. The Stones had a top 40 hit with “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” That’s one song I don’t want to hear next week.

This could be a breakout week for Casey:

Casey James – “Parachute Woman” or “Pain in My Heart” (which really isn’t a Stones’ original, but they made it popular on an early album). Both have great guitar riffs and are unexpected.

Alex Lambert – “You Got the Silver”

Mike – will probably do something expected like “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” or “Paint it Black.”

Lee – “You Better Move On”

Crystal – “Look What You’ve Done” or “Honest I Do”

Didi – “As Tears Go By”

Siobhan – “Tell Me”

I hope they still with the Jaggar/Richards songbook and not venture into music that the Stones simply covered. The Stones had a top 40 hit with “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” That’s one song I don’t want to hear next week.

I hope they stick to actual Stones originals, too. It will probably depend on whether one of their favorites wants to sing something outside the songbook.

lol, I’m imagining all of the girls fighting over “Wild Horses” so they can do The Sundays version. I hope Lilly wins the battle.

The challenging things about a lot of the Stones repertoire is that many of them are very much *band* songs: the final effect is a product of an intensely memorable guitar line *plus* Jagger’s voice plus other layers like expertly integrated backing vocals, signature percussion or keyboard and so on.

I’m not sure “Gimme Shelter,” for example, really exists without that menacing guitar opening and the back up vocal wailing that “it’s just a *shot* away.” Same is true of “You Can’t Always get What You Want.” Even in the Glee version, you need a full on choral effect, horns, and an amazing front vocal to recreate the song, and an Idol contestant stands a danger of being either swamped or underserved by the house band.

And there’s the issue of lyrics and emotional connection. The overall tone of the Stones is very dark: frustration, alienation, cynicism, a cold-hearted or melancholic take on lost passion.

Last year, Adam’s “Satisfaction” was not a fave for me, although it was very well sung, because it was a little too shiny for a song about utter frustration. But Adam did have a deliberate take on the song, which was to sort of turn it into a fun vocal jungle gym.

This year’s men in particular have been so overwhelmingly *earnest.* They’regoing to need not to come out and try to deliver this stuff like nice songs about being a nice man who you’re supposed to be, and a dad who’s always with you in your heart, and a slightly sad guy who loves you la la la. Because that’s really not what this music is about.

I do love that often on these theme nights, who does well totally surprises you:

People I think might do well with the theme: Crystal, Siobhan, Casey, Alex

Lee will sing his exactly as if he were singing Lifehouse or similar, which will be annoying. Andrew will sing it as if he’s a guy on YouTube with a guitar doing a cute take on a pop song, since that’s all he does,

I have no idea what Michael or Todrick or Aaron (if still around) will do. Tim will be . . . awful.

Lilly will probably find a clever take, but we haven’t seen her deliver much emotion yet, so IDK. Katelyn needs to be ingenious & musical, as she was with the Scientist. Didi might tackle one of their sad, slow songs well. I expect Lacey to go home, & Paige so no guess there.

If they’re still here: Katie and Aaron and Paige will be at risk of sucking hard.

Lesser Known Stones Songs the kids might try:

Memory Motel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE_QQJwF_xk

Salt of the Earth
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x21rek_rolling-stones-salt-of-the-earth_music

She’s a Rainbow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQIcFvbWRe0

Hang Fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zJ-d0bb_Wo

See I like all of PatD’s suggestions.

A good week to stray away from the obvious and have a breakthrough by doing a song that hasn’t been done on the shown and isn’t in a million movie soundtracks.

Can you picture Keith Richards as a mentor…hu boy!

At first, I was very very happy about this theme week – lots of great, iconic music to choose from!

Then, I remembered what styles everyone sings this year, and I got a little nervous. I guess we’ll see how it turns out. I imagine we’ll get a lot of very changed up versions of RS songs, because none of these guys (except Lee I guess) are really rockers.

I imagine some will really be able to shine (if they can find the right song, and mix it up just enough to fit them, without completely obliterating the original version). And then, I’ll expect a few clunkers too, especially from some of the less experienced people who aren’t as good at mixing songs to suit them.

I personally love Paint it Black, and hope someone does that one! (Yeah, Gina Glocksen, lol)

Last year, Adam’s “Satisfaction” was not a fave for me, although it was very well sung, because it was a little too shiny for a song about utter frustration. But Adam did have a deliberate take on the song, which was to sort of turn it into a fun vocal jungle gym.

I think Adam construed the song as being purely about sexual frustration and decided that that deserved a much lighter take! The joke rendition of the song, if you will. I actually thought his version was hilarious and a great way to look at it — the Stones have always been big jokers, too. I kind of think they would have dug his funny rendition.

Can’t say I can see too many of this year’s crop going for humor, though… Although come to think of it I believe that might be a good route for some to take with the Stones oeuvre.

I think I’d like to hear Siobhan change up the gender and do Play With Fire or maybe Get Off of My Cloud. (Not a funny version, though!)

And maybe Angie for Alex.

And Ruby Tuesday for Didi.

I think this won’t be a very easy theme for most of them, because you really will have to make these songs you’re own. Nevertheless, they’re actually mostly simple enough, basic bluesy songs and not so reliant on repetition, like a lot of rock, that they won’t have time to make an impression in the under-two-minute time frame, if they’re up to the challenge of using their own phrasing and expression. A lot of the girls are, I think. The guys, I’m not so sure.

this could be the week a handful of contestants really separate themselves from the crowd. Or it could be a total trainwreck.

During Season 6, Bon Jovi night had trainwreck written all over it and the ladies seemed doomed. Lakisha, who had been driving on fumes even admitted to Jon’s face that she had no idea who Bon Jovi was. And then she came out and blew everybody away (especially me). It was a great night.

I remember that. … It was a great night.

Of course, while Lakisha *was* running on fumes at that point, she had also come out and blown everybody away back in the semifinals! That being the case, I’m not sure how similar she is to anybody in this year’s group, lol.

Siobhan – She’s So Cold
Didi – You Can’t Always Get What You Want
Crystal – Midnight Rambler
Lilly – I Want to Be Loved
Mike – Miss You
Casey – Sympathy for the Devil
Andrew – Angie (Stripped down, honest and melodic…PLEASE)
Lee – Ruby Tuesday
Alex – Wild Horses

Last year, Adam’s “Satisfaction” was not a fave for me, although it was very well sung, because it was a little too shiny for a song about utter frustration. But Adam did have a deliberate take on the song, which was to sort of turn it into a fun vocal jungle gym.

I agree – he tackled the song with a very deliberate purpose in mind, and made it OTT on purpose, to suit that. I’ll be the first to admit, that, while the original performance wasn’t 100% where it needed to be (some Todrick-esque, good, but not all the way great happening there) – the reprise during results night was UNBELIEVABLE! I just love seeing the other contestants in the background going “omg – is this guy for real?”

Going back OT though (sorry for the digression) – I think none of this year’s contestants should feel they need to go in that direction, or really rock it out to the extreme – because frankly most of them can’t do that, and aren’t suited to that. Just find a song (even a harder rock song), and make it work for you. That’s key.

When I saw this, all I could think of was Adam singing “Satisfaction”. I am looking forward to this week. I am not a realy Stones fan but I have liked a few things by them.

Here’s What Not to Sing’s record of all Idol performances of Rolling Stones’ music. It’s not long, and I think there’s confusion because they’ve listed each performance of “Too Proud to Beg” as a Stones cover–but the pre-Stones version by the Temptations was just as famous.

Similarly, Taylor Hicks did Not Fade Away, but I think he was probably going more Buddy Holly then Stones.

So Satisfaction,* done successfully by both Lambert and Bice, is the only attempt at pure Stones on the show. . . except the doomed attempt by Gina Glocksen at Paint It Black.

Yikes, kids!

Oh, and don’t do Too Proud to Beg.

* Upon rewatch, I think I agree with you, Mary and Lucy, that Lambert was deliberately being cheeky.

** Bo’s version was pretty cool, too

So Satisfaction,* done successfully by both Lambert and Bice, is the only attempt at pure Stones on the show. . . except the doomed attempt by Gina Glocksen at Paint It Black.

Wow – didn’t realize that so few people ever did RS songs – kinda surprising! I actually remember liking Gina’s performance, but I think that’s the week she got kicked off, which was too bad. Rocker chicks just never seem to get much love on AI.

So, this should make next week even more interesting! TBH, I think it’ll get interesting to see them all on the big stage, with a set theme week. I feel with such an inexperienced field, some of the fav “underdogs” might struggle when forced to fit a theme, and to really project and own a bigger stage.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the semi-final round stage is SOOO incredibly small! Just sitting with a guitar on a stool can still fill the place up ok. But being on the big stage is another issue. And if you can’t back up an understated performance with some personality…idk. Should be interesting to see what happens!

The Stones recorded a fair number of blues songs. I think most of the contestants should look at those. They need something with a melody that shows off their voices. Most Stones songs don’t do that.

As one of the dozen people who followed The Next Great American Band, I recall goosebumps from the Clark Brothers take on “Gimme Shelter.” One of the guys could get real gritty with that one. Otherwise, I really hope they lean toward the more energetic numbers. Oh, and one of the girls should absolutely do “Beast of Burden.” Bette Midler did a great version of that back in the day.

* Upon rewatch, I think I agree with you, Mary and Lucy, that Lambert was deliberately being cheeky.

** Bo’s version was pretty cool, too

Oh, I’m *positive* Adam was being cheeky — You could see his “zodiac show” zaniness all over his face! And, even though I’m a person who’s been to more Stones concerts than I’m actually able to count by now and should thus probably have thought that it was sacrilege, I actually thought it was charming and darned appropriate! Adam, man of the 21st century, just came out and made the song very very openly sexual — with a smile. … Something that they could never have really gotten away with back in the day, despite how sexual this and so many other of their songs are!

Bo’s Satisfaction was very nice, too.

For the serious, non-cheeky take on the stones by reality-show contestants — Well, that is definitely Gimme Shelter by the Clark Brothers (now Sons of Sylvia) in the top six round of Next Great American Band. Wow, just wow.(If you haven’t seen this, look it up on youtube — “clark brothers” “top six” will probably get you there.)

I hope no one does saristfaction.Not because he owns the song, because he doesn’t, but I FLOVED satisfaction (adam’s version),and just FOR ME,I’ll be too distracted by that to like the performance.

Anyway I think this is a DREADFUL theme week.2 reasons;
1.not current at all!!!!!! ;(
2.Crystal will KILL it and I hate crystal…

My first thought was that every single person would do “Wild Horses.” But there are some good R&B-ish songs in the Stones’ catalog. I could see creating a moment with “Fool To Cry.” Hopefully we’ll get some upbeat stuff though…

Time…time…time, I am loving this theme so much! I think the girls will have an easier time of it. A guy should not attempt to sing the Number One Song of the Rock Era. Any number of the girls could pull it out.

The Rolling Stones music will always be revelant, and becomes current through new arrangements. I hope they don’t choose cover songs.

This could be a breakout week for Casey:

Casey James – “Parachute Woman” or “Pain in My Heart” (which really isn’t a Stones’ original, but they made it popular on an early album). Both have great guitar riffs and are unexpected.

I agree that Casey could have his moment, but I’d rather see him do “Love Is Strong.”

The lead singer, Mick Jagger, did not depend on a guitar to get him through some awesome moments. It would have been interesting to see what Todrick had planned with singing Satisfaction. I hope the guitar is not used as a crutch and some of the contestants get out there and cover that stage.