Beatles Week on American Idol

MJ, they can only pick Lennon/McCartney songs? Is that true? I’ll have to think about this before I venture my guesses.

I love the Beatles. My 16 year old is a huge Beatles fan but hates Idol…even he wants to watch this week. I warned him it might not be to his liking, lol.

My absolute favorite Beatles song of all time is “We Can Work It Out”. I’m not really sure why I like the song so much, I just do. I hope someone does it. I can see Michael Johns or Brooke White doing that one. Guesses later!

Here’s mine:

Jason Castro: Hey Jude/Do You Want to Know a Secret/Strawberry Fields Forever/And I Love Her

David Cook: Come Together/I am the Walrus/She Came in Through the Bathroom Window

Michael Johns: Eleanor Rigby/Back in the USSR

Michael A:I Saw Her Standing There/Michelle/When I’m Sixty Four,(heh)

David H: The Fool on the Hill/Penny Lane

Chikezie: Let It Be/ Yesterday

Amanda: Don’t Let me Down/Helter Skelter

Carly: SGT Pepper’s/Oh Darling

Ramiele: A Taste of Honey/ Here There & Everywhere

Christy: From Me to You

Syesha: I Want to Hold Your Hand

Brooke: If I Fell/All My Loving

I am sure there are lots on here they aren’t approved to sing, this is just what I would like to hear them try.

Hopefully not a one will try *Something*, Taylor owned that one on S5.

The song they can choose from are only from the EARLY Beatles period. I’m not sure if their hippie music is considered “early”.

Thinking it through, David Cook took a beautiful slow ballad and turned it into a rock song. That’s what Simon wants. He want “unpredictable”.

So technically, the rockers shouldn’t choose the rock-y songs. Brooke and Jason should totally take songs NOT in their genre and transfer them into their genre. Or else we’re going to get the same old feedback from Simon – that was so old fashioned, karaoke, cabaret, etc., etc. However, if they change them up TOO much, then they get – you shouldn’t mess with the classics. Poor kids! Who knows?!

Wanted to add that last year on the finale, quite a few of the Beatles songs were performed. One was SGT Peppers (Kelly Clarkson) so it might not be as limited as we think.

Wanted to add that last year on the finale, quite a few of the Beatles songs were performed. One was SGT Peppers (Kelly Clarkson) so it might not be as limited as we think.

That was to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and they were given some kind of special release to sing those songs (there were lots of tie-ins for that anniversary last year). The one exception was “I Saw Her Standing There”…I guess they couldn’t resist. Will we get a reprise of “I Saw Him Standing There”?

I’ve heard rumours that it’s only the “Early Beatles” as well. I will throw something at the TV if it turns out to be true and Randy starts complaining about song choice. “Hey, Dawg, read the memos!”

After hearing Sarah McLachlan singing “Blackbird” this weekend, I was thinking that might be what Brooke wants to sing.

Hmmmm….

Jason Castro – Norwegian Wood
Amanda – Sgt Pepper’s
David C -Falling, (actually I just saw it’s I’ve just seen a face and I agree with you MJ) Day tripper
Ramiele- Here there everywhere (altho I think she should sing something uptempo for once but I can’t find one that suits her)
Brooke -Do you want to know a secret
Michael J- I’m a loser (hee)
Sayesha – who cares
Kristy – who cares
David A -Long and winding road
David H -Again, I can’t top yours MJ, I’ll go with that
Chikeze – god knows!!
Carly – Back in the USSR

Do we know if they have to use the original arrangement? I was thinking they have pulled that on contestants before, but I don’t recall the the theme…

I would love to hear David H sing Let It Be, but have a quarter that says Awwwwchuletta gets that song…and goes last…again…

p.s. can we change it to Chickezie singing I’m a Loser…heh…

Baby It’s You is not a Lennon/McCartney composition. It was a cover song they did on their first album. Here’s some ideas;

Michael – It’s Only Love
David H – Ticket To Ride
David C – I Feel Fine or She’s A Woman
Jason – Norwegian Wood
David A – Do You Want To Know A Secret
Chikezie – Drive My Car

Ramiele – All I’ve Got To Do
Carly – All My Loving
Kristy – Here, There and Everywhere
Brooke – Yesterday
Syesha – Ask Me Why
Amanda – Day Tripper

Please correct me if I’m wrong: isn’t “let it be” a sad song again? Would that be a problem for David A to sing? Sorry I am not familiar with the songlist. But “I saw her standing there” seem fit for him.

Typo on my list. Michael A is of course supposed to be David A.

I recently realized that I don’t really know much about The Beatles’ music. I only recognize about 12 of the songs that all of you have listed so far and I only know some words to about 8 of them.

Tuesday will be an interesting night for me.

Would you guys do me a favor? I don’t have a VCR/recording device, would appreciate your putting the highlights up here (or at Rickey)…it really helps me keep up with AI….or refer me to another site that will have the Wednesday highlights.

I don’t think little David will sing anything slow..let it be, yesterday, long & winding road.. No Way….If he does Simon will crucify him. He better bring a little fun his way like ticket to ride ,day tripper or can’t buy me love. I do love the choices you gave all the others mj – especially blackbird and revolution for Jason and Cook. :thumbup_tb:

Do we know if they have to use the original arrangement? I was thinking they have pulled that on contestants before, but I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t recall the the themeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

IIRC, that theme night was “We Want Jordin to Win so Here is This Crappy Song that is Totally Arranged so that it Will Expose Every Weakness in Your Voice and You Will Sound Like an A$$ ” aka Final 2 Night Season 6.

Really, everybody should be able to pick a good song this week. Even if you can’t re-arrange a song to save your life”, you should be able to find an arrangement somebody else has done to suit your style.

A quick search on Amazon found compilation albums of Beatles in just about every format imaginable…”Mowtown Meets the Beatles”, “Stax Does the Beatles”, “Come Together: Soul/Jazz Tribute to the Beatles”, “Instant Karma”, “Country Music Tribute to the Beatles”, “A Reggae Tribute to the Beatles”

The Beatles have been covered from everybody from Ella Fitzgerald to Elton John, Aretha Franklin to Green Day, Joe Cocker to Tina Turner, Dolly Parton to Willie Nelson (Lu: even John Denver!), U2 to Tiffany, Avril Lavigne to Jack Johnson, The Flaming Lips to Stevie Wonder.

If you can’t find something to sing, you should get booted.

Here is what Nigel Had to Say about Beatles week:

Now that the Idol finally has use of the entire songbook — which includes 180 tunes — Lythgoe knows just when to use them.

“When the Top 12 sing for the first time this season, it will be the music of Lennon and McCartney,” he told Seacrest. “We’ve given them a list because it’s all of the early songs — from ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ to ‘Got to Get You Into My Life.’ These fantastic songs. It’s one of the few areas that everybody knows.”

So, the list ends with “Revolver”–nothing from Sgt Pepper Onward…

I’ll have to revise my list!

I want to hear and watch David H. sing Come Together.

Side note.. I’m having an issue with an add-on or something on IE7 that keeps crashing this site and only this one. Can anybody help? Sorry if I shouldn’t post this but it’s driving me nuts!

I agree with all your choices, mj, except for David H. I cannot imagine him singing “Got To Get You Into My Life”, I just can’t… I’d like to hear him sing “Eleanor Rigby”…

Helter Skelter and Back in the USSR would be perfect for Amanda and David C.

Kristy said in an interview that I saw this weekend that she would make her Beatle’s song a country song. I hope that that gets her sent home.

I love the middle Beatles period, too, but I’m having trouble matching these songs to these Idols. Maybe I love the songs too much to hear them with glory notes and melisma.

Jason: Norwegian Wood, You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away
David C: What You’re Doing or Girl. I’ve Just Seen a Face is a good choice too.
Michael: And Your Bird Can Sing, It’s Only Love
Archuleta: Baby’s in Black or I Feel Fine
Chikezie: Got to Get You Into My Life
David H.: ???

Brooke: You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away
Rest of the girls: who cares

I suspect that the backup singers will ruin the harmonies and bandzilla will add unnecessary adornment to pretty much anything unless someone has the guts to just accompany themselves on guitar or piano. (Are they still allowed to play instruments?)

OMG I could care less what the contestants are singing. I want to know what Kat is singing!!!! :jittery_tb: I’m so excited!!

But really I hope Jason C. and Brooke do well, I love them.

Too bad they did 60′s week the first week. It takes a bit off the edge of Beatles week for me. I have no idea what any of them will do but in terms of the season I’d like to put an early bet on David H. going a lot farther than expected.

He’s the only “personality” emerging so far with an interesting back story. While I’m enjoying the season, I’ll have trouble remembering any of them when they leave. I’ve already forgotten all the contestants gone already. On a show like Idol, being a memorable character really means something

I was still puzzling over what some of them could sing and it occurred to me that the Beatles wrote really tuneful songs without a lot of glory notes. I can’t really think of any song that has the big glory note. Good luck Sayesha.

But with simple guitar melodies, Brooke and Jason should shine this week. I think Norwegian Wood was made for Jason and accoustic guitar. But I suppose he’ll be slammed for doing the it. Or Brooke the same.

Does that mean no Polythene Pam?

I was still puzzling over what some of them could sing and it occurred to me that the Beatles wrote really tuneful songs without a lot of glory notes. I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t really think of any song that has the big glory note. Good luck Sayesha.

The belters and soul singers are pretty much screwed. Rockers and ballad singers will be fine.

That was probably by design.

Would you guys do me a favor? I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have a VCR/recording device, would appreciate your putting the highlights up here (or at Rickey)à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦it really helps me keep up with AIà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.or refer me to another site that will have the Wednesday highlights.

HUH? I post all the results as they happen…write an extremely thorough recap, and lately I’ve been posting video courtesy of the awesome Lawrence.

Seriously, what am I missing?

Seriously. Nothing. :thumbup_tb:

Seriously, what am I missing?

Real time streaming video sent to personal computers?

I am also really enjoying this season. So much, in fact, that unlike jpfan, I do remember even those who have so far been cut. Especially Alexandrea and Asia…sigh. There’s also Josiah and even (gorgeous) Cardin McKinney I did not see enough of. For me, this has been a really great season so far. I am definitely much more invested now than I ever was at any point last season.

I sure would like to see somebody do I Am The Walrus. Heh. (Is that included in the songlist?)

damn it, I can’t edit and I forgot my :lol_tb:

Did you find a list of the songs somewhere?

I found these..This songbook contains 73 of Lennon and McCartney’s most loved songs. Arranged for voice, piano, guitar and organ.
Illustrated with b/w photos of the Beatles.

SONGS INCLUDE:

A Day In The Life
A Hard Day’s Night
All My Loving
All You Need Is Love
And I Love Her
Baby You’re A Rich Man
Back In The USSR
Because
Blackbird
Can’t Buy Me Love
Carry That Weight
Come Together
Day Tripper
Don’t Let Me Down
Eight Days A Week
Eleanor Rigby
For No One
Get Back
Girl
Give Peace A Chance
Golden Slumbers
Good Day Sunshine
Got To Get You Into My Life
Hello Goodbye
Help!
Here, There And Everywhere
Hey Jude
Honey Pie
I Am The Walrus
I Don’t Want To See You Again
I Feel Fine
I Want To Hold Your Hand
If I Fell
In My Life
I’ll Follow The Sun
I’m A Loser
I’ve Just Seen A Face Lady Madonna
Let It Be
Love Me Do
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Magical Mystery Tour
Maxwell’s Silver Hammer
Michelle
Mother Nature’s Son
Norwegian Wood
Nowhere Man
Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da
Paperback Writer
Penny Lane
Rain
Revolution
Ringo’s Theme (This Boy)
Rocky Raccoon
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
She Came In Through The Bathroom Window
She Loves You
She’s Leaving Home
Strawberry Fields Forever
The Ballad Of John & Yoko
The Fool On The Hill.
The Long And Winding Road
Things We Said Today
Ticket To Ride
We Can Work It Out
When I’m Sixty-Four
With A Little Help From My Friends
World Without Love
Yellow Submarine
Yesterday
You Never Give Me Your Money
You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
Your Mother Should Know

Beatles Songbook

It’s a more enjoyable season with lots to go so anything can happen. It’s just my opinion that there was nothing really unique about any of the people that have gone or most that are left. I don’t wish ill on any of them and will be happy if they make names for themselves.

I’m not seeming a ton of memorable personalities though. If half of them left tonight I honestly wouldn’t remember them at all.

I think those of you who have listed all sorts of late-Beatles songs need to update your lists. Everything I’ve read indicates it’s early Beatles music only – up to around Revolver, or 1966, as MJ noted upthread. So no more songs from Let It Be, Abbey Road, Hey Jude, Sgt. Pepper, White Album. I’m thinking “Got to Get You Into My Life” would be a good one for Michael Johns to try.

I am shocked that we don’t at least have a fake spoiler list yet. You would think at least one friend or family member would have coughed something up by now.

I’m excited about tomorrow night and this season in general. I can’t wait for “you shouldn’t try to take on the Beatles, dawg”

I know it’s your opinion, jpfan, and that you don’t wish ill on any of them for sure. I’m sorry if you felt I was maybe implying otherwise by my post. I hope not because I certainly wasn’t. I just thought it was interesting that we felt differently about certain things, or certain contestants, in particular.

“Get Back” – Amanda
“Paperback Writer” à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ David H. (Only because if he sings about love I’m gonna have to change the channel)
“Michelle” à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ Chikeze
“We Can Work It Out” à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ Ramiele
“Help!” à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ Carly
“And I Love Her” à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ David C.
“Can’t Buy Me Love” – David A.
Strawberry Fields Forever – Jason C.
“I Should Have Known Better” – Michael Johns
All My Loving – Brooke
Got to Get You Into My Life – Kristy Lee
“Don’t Let Me Down” – Syesha.

As much as people love these songs, as someone else said, most of them don’t really showcase vocal talent.

Overall, I don’t imagine the critiques will be that favorable, and we will have waited all these years for nothing.

If Michael Johns can get something like “Got to Get You Into My Life”, I fully expect him to have the breakout performance Simon and I have been waiting for. Boy likes to run around the stage and that little studio setting was kinda restrictive for him.

And now we get to see who fades away on the big stage or who gets “DeMato Eyes” when presented with a full audience. It’s one reason I’m hoping Michael Johns does well, he seems to really like an audience.

I fully expect him to have the breakout performance Simon and I have been waiting for.

I have also been waiting. I’m really liking Michael now, too.

This list would work for me. It’s got a few contestants stepping outside their boxes.

Amanda: We can Work it Out
Brooke: Come Together
Carly: Let it Be
Ramiele: Lucy in the Sky
Syesha: Day Tripper

Chikieze: Get Back
Davia A: And I Love Her
David C: Can’t Buy Me Love
David H: Ticket to Ride
Jason: Got To Get You Into My Life
Michael: All My Loving

This could be a trainwreck for about half of these singers. :help_tb:

ETA: I think David Cook, Jason or Brooke should get the pimp spot this week

Okay, here’s my list:

David A. – “Nowhere Man” (boring and predictable for him) or “And Your Bird Can Sing” – come on David, step out of your box!

David C. – “Should Have Known Better” or “We Can Work It Out”

David H. – “Paperback Writer” – or “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”

Michael J. – “We Can Work It Out” or “Do You Want To Know A Secret” (I think this would sound great with the Aussie accent)

Chickizie – “I’m a Loser” (lol) or “Drive My Car”

Jason C. – “You’re Gonna Lose That Girl” or “If I Fell” , or “I’m Only Sleeping”

Kristy – I was going to pick “Act Naturally” but then I realized that that song was written by someone else so I guess I’ll have to go for “In My Life”

Carly – “I’m Looking Through You”

Syesha – “Good Day Sunshine” this is the only song I can picture with even a hint of a glory note – or at least she can screech the whole song.

Amanda – “Anytime At All” or “Hard Day’s Night”

Ramiele – “Tell Me Why” (this was the hardest choice for me)

Brooke – “If I Fell” if Jason doesn’t do it or “Do You Want To Know a Secret”

I canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t really think of any song that has the big glory note. Good luck Sayesha.

Tina Turner did a slowed down version of “Help” that would be great choice for any of the singers, in my opinion.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7fn3YH8-s4c

MJ – I love your choices! Very appropriate. I’ll try my hand at this and switch it up just a little….

“All I’ve Got to Do” – Syesha
“Here, There, and Everywhere” – Ramiele
“She’s a Woman” – Amanda
“Things We Said Today” – Brooke
“Got To Get Your Into My Life” – Carly
“I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party” – Kristy

“For No One” – David A.
“I’m Looking Through You” – Michael J.
“You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” – Jason C.
“She Said She Said” – David C.
“Can’t Buy Me Love” – David H.
“I Call Your Name” – Chikezie

OMG. I forgot Kristy Lee. How could I forget such a memorable singer?
I’d give her Love Me Do and have her countrify it.

“Got to Get You Into My Life” would be perfect for Michael!

I’ve got to go but will take some time to guess later on. I don’t think they should rearrange Beatles songs because a- the judges will say don’t mess with a classic and b- because they shouldn’t mess with a classic. :wink1_tb:

I’ll change Amanda’s song to Day Tripper. It’s hard to find good songs for her with appropriate lyrics. “Run For Your Life” is also good for her, but the lyrics are not.

A spoiler has emerged:

Take with a grain of salt, but someone in the DialIdol forums says they know Jason’s sister and he’s singing “I’ll Follow the Sun.”

Idol Forums

It’s perfect for a swan song…heh.

I am feeling like a total loser because I do not recognize most of the songs you guys are listing…… maybe once they sing them. Glad we got a thread to play the game though

The only reason I know them is because I’m old.

A spoiler has emerged:

Take with a grain of salt, but someone in the DialIdol forums says they know Jasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s sister and heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s singing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll Follow the Sun.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Idol Forums

Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s perfect for a swan songà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦heh.

BITE YOUR TONGUE!! :gulp_ee:

Take with a grain of salt, but someone in the DialIdol forums says they know Jasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s sister and heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s singing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll Follow the Sun.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Well the sentiment sounds kinda like Jason! “tomorrow may rain so I’ll follow the sun” lol

But I was hoping he’d sing Norwegian Wood. Sadly sciencefan, me too so I know them all!

I love “I’ll Follow the Sun”.

VFTW says the call in phone number is so we can ask the judges or contestants a question!!!
SHRIEK!!

:rolleyes_tb:

You have to leave your question on voicemail and they call you back if they want.

Norwegian Wood –
I didn’t recognize the name.
It’s funny how we like the sound of a song without realizing what the words are about.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Wood_(This_Bird_Has_Flown)

I just don’t get why TPTB fights back on song spoilers. Heck, I think they should even release them. I think a lot of people will get excited/nervous/curious when they know who’s doing what and it would get them even more excited about tuning in to the show. JMO.

I think so, too.

Or they might fear that people might choose NOT to watch the show based on the song choices.

Take with a grain of salt, but someone in the DialIdol forums says they know Jasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s sister and heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s singing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll Follow the Sun.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

Great song, one of my faves. It won’t have to be chopped in half either because it’s very short at under 2 minutes.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Gh6NS2D0pW8

My revised list.

David Cook: Eleanor Rigby
Jason Castro: Good Day Sunshine
Michael Johns: And I Love Her
David Hernandez: Michelle
Chikezie: Can’t Buy Me Love
David Archuleta: I Saw Her Standing There
Brooke White: If I Fell
Carly Smithson: I Want to Hold Your Hand
Amanda Overmyer: Got to Get You Into My Life
Syesha Mercado: P.S. I Love You
Ramiele Malubay: Here, There And Everywhere
Kristy Lee Cook: All My Loving

Oh boy, Im cringing already. Im very attached and protective of my Beatle songs. I think whoever gets “Oh Darling” will either soar with the eagles or crash. Its that kind of song. They will have to change some of these classics up so we wont be comparing it to the Beatles version.

I think songs like Paperback Writer for example will be “safe” choices but songs like “The Long and Winding Road”, “Let It Be”, “Oh Darling”, and “Hey Jude”, well that just aint right.

I hafta hand it to my boy T, he really took a chance on “Something” but even I had to cringe just a bit. He did the song very well BUT, its a Harrison tune and in my mind, it can never be duplicated but thats just me. Its a definite conundrum.

This will either be a curse or a blessing. Im thinking in most cases it will be the former.

Well, according to this article, they only had 25 songs to choose from this week. Should be an interesting show tomorrow.

Oh boy am I NERVOUS about tomorrow. The Beatles lover in me is afraid, the American Idol fan in me is crossing fingers.

DARN on the EARLY Beatles….I totally thought Amanda would attempt “Helter Skelter”

Oh well. I’ll have to really think about the choices now…

I hope for some NICE surprises, because I’ll be so bored if I hear the overly done Beatles songs that are being butchered in enough commercials.

Here is to not hearing “Yesterday”

Leave it to Nigel. After making such a big deal of getting the Lennon-McCartney songbook finally cleared to sing, he limits the list to 25 songs. :rolleyes_wp:

It’s freaking ridiculous Sarah. 25 songs for 12 people to chose and it doesn’t sound like they are allowing repeats from the article pj posted. It’s an interesting read:

Why were there themes for the semifinals this year? In past seasons it was completely open-ended.
NIGEL LYTHGOE: Because I think last year we started on a strange footing, where people were choosing songs that they like, and you can’t just choose songs that you like. You have to choose songs that you think the public are going to like. I think they’re too naà ¯ve at that early stage of the competition to realize that. So we said no, we’ve got to choose songs with melodies, songs that you can perform, or songs that the public might know.

Now if that isn’t the biggest pile of bullshite I’ve ever read! Seriously? So ‘kids’ don’t know what the people like? REALLY? The old guy creating the show making people listen to the SAME frigging songs year after year definitely know what they are doing. I am not saying he’s completely stupid, AI is a cash cow, but the top 24 round was full of great songs last year IMO. Not sure what he’s thinking here….

MrsTrep… I can’t believe that I hadn’t thought of this before today, but I’d almost wager that part of the reason (and part of the reason for the limited list too) is to circumvent going over the producers’ heads to clear songs. It’s widely rumored that last year, Blake got Maroon 5 to clear “This Love” for him to sing on top 3 night as his “prodcuers choice” song, even after the producers said they couldn’t get it cleared. The rumor is that he had a connection to the band through the former drummer, and so after Nigel said they wouldn’t clear it, he personally called them and asked if he could sing it, and they said yes. Methinks Nigel might not have liked that too much. So now, not only do the contestants get restrictive themes, they also get restrictive lists to keep that from happening.

/tinfoil hat

Nah, I don’t really think that’s it, Sarah. Nigel himself admitted that Blake got his song cleared. I think it’s that they are erroneously connecting some dots. Last year’s show was universally panned (which I disagree about, but still) and they looked back at the semi’s and wondered what went wrong. They had Sligh, Blake and others doing songs that were actually interesting, instead of run of the mill Idol fare. Maybe TPTB think that’s why they didn’t “grab” the audience at first.

Or maybe, they didn’t want to show off the judges’ lack of recent musical knowledge. 311, anyone?

Or maybe they want to control the outcome through song choice and other manipulations. /tinfoil hat

LOL.

If they’re only doing the earliest Beatles songs it’ll be alot like last season’s British invasion show. The songs are very popish and will not show off strong vocals. The people who do the best will be the “personality” types for example,singers like Taylor and Sanjaya who did a good job with the Kinks song last season. The songs have to be fun to catch the spirit but not kareoke versions either.

People who I see not having a great night: Ramiele, Syesha, Carly, Micheal, Chiceze, Kristy.

NIGEL LYTHGOE: Because I think last year we started on a strange footing, where people were choosing songs that they like, and you canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t just choose songs that you like. You have to choose songs that you think the public are going to like. I think theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re too naà ¯ve at that early stage of the competition to realize that. So we said no, weà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve got to choose songs with melodies, songs that you can perform, or songs that the public might know.

Hmmm, why then Nigel did the first episode of the semis for the girls last year have a better selection of songs than anything we have seen so far this year?

Nigel’s an ass. Oh I’m sorry, did I say that out loud?

I have a wish list of what I’d like to see, but I think some choices aren’t popular enough, or not appropriate.

First I’d kill to see some one do “Why Don’t We Do It In the Road”, John once said in an interview that he thought this was Paul’s best song (heh, that John). Probably Amanda, it suits her range or lack there of.

You know one of the rocker guys has to do “Helter Skelter” (if its approved).

I want Jason to do “I’m Only Sleeping”. I love this song!

David A. should sing some thing fun and bouncy, how about “Bungalow Bill”.

Please God, don’t let any one do some of the sappier Paul songs (this is a vain hope I think). The girls will eat these up and probably David’s H&A.

“I’m So Tired” is another I like (hmm maybe I have sleep on the brain, go figure!). Ooo or maybe David A can do “Lovely Rita”! And a final must would have to be “Polythene Pam”!

Oh please let the fates hear me!!!!

25 songs is complete and utter crap. Way to ruin your own Beatles night. They probably asked the judges to name all the Beatles songs they know and it added up 25. It sucks even more that it’s first come, first served on song choice. They probably gave David A the list of songs when he was 12 years old singing for Kelly Clarkson.

This kind of takes the fun out of picking songs. Bleh

They probably gave David A the list of songs when he was 12 years old singing for Kelly Clarkson.

…lol

LMAO, cheese!

Exactly, Cheese. That’s why I didn’t even try after reading that. I was going to work on my picks tonight.

I said this on the other thread, but I’m pissed that we can’t have a David A (I think I’m gonna start calling him Archie) and Jason C smackdown on “Crazy.”

After all the comments from Randy and Paula today, I guess Michael or Carly will be in the pimp spot tomorrow singing the song of their choice. I was thinking that David C and Jason would be getting some love from the judges in these interviews, but I guess Paula and Randy are sticking to the pre-season script. I wonder which one they’ll stick in the dreaded first slot tomorrow?

Well, haven’t both MJ and CS had the pimp spot? I guess they may wipe the slate clean now that it’s top 12. Oh well. Grr.

I went back and re-listened to last week’s performances, and for me Jason and Brooke were the clear standouts. Carly and Michael didn’t sound as good as I remembered, but David A and Chikeze were better than I had thought. David Cook, on the other hand, didn’t sound nearly as good as I remember. I give him props on the original arrangement, but the vocals weren’t as strong as they could have been.

I’m excited about tomorrow– the new set (which, according to spy reports sounds pretty darn cool), the finals atmosphere, the Beatles (even if it is just 25 songs)… and an overall talent level that should hopefully give as good a Top 12 show as season five and especially season three (GREAT night, if you don’t remember!).

By undercover news:
David Archuleta To Sing Like Steve Wonder On American Idol
by Paul Cashmere – March 11 2008

American Idol one-to-watch David Archuleta will do a Beatles song on this week’s show but he won’t be using their arrangement. Instead, Archuleta will cover the McCartney classic the way his hero Stevie Wonder recorded it.

David will perform ‘We Can World It Out’.

Although the song was first written and recorded by The Beatles, Stevie Wonder had a major hit with a rhythm ‘n’ blues version of song when in the 70s.

Archuleta is the one they expect will win this year’s show. His talent is well above the other finalists.

David cites Wonder as one of his influences, along with Natalie Cole, Kirk Franklin and Bryan Adams.

‘We Can Work It Out’ by Archuleta will come complete with a string section.

Undercover News

Dang it. Sounds like it’s perfect for David. Plus it’s upbeat, so I think he’ll get another tongue bath from the judges. BRING YOUR TOWELS. Pimp spot anyone?

Oh and the press will declare the winner (again) because they’re just as dumb as the judges. I can just imagine the headlines Wednesday morning.

(Why am I am so anti-Archie, you ask? Well, I just have a hard time swallowing things that are forced down my throat.)

My favorite Beatles song is going to be sung by David A.!?!!? Bleech. That’s information I didn’t need.

Yuck. I don’t like the Stevie Wonder version of “We Can Work It Out” at all. I’m sure it won’t be any better with gasping and lip licking.

Oh yeah the slate is definitely wiped clean when the top 12 starts re: pimp spots, etc.

Season 5, Chris D had the pimp spot in top 20 week and then again on top 12 week (which bodes well for David A having it again). IIRC, Jordin had it last year, but it was her first pimp spot.

So I fully expect one of the judge faves (Gasp!, Carly, or Michael) to have it, even though they’ve all had it already. And yeah, whoever goes first is who they want to throw under the bus. I’m betting on David H. Again. Could be Chikezie or Kristy Lee though… maybe. If they really want to piss us off, it will be Jason or David C (who will likely start showing tire tracks across their backs in 2 weeks, max).

Archuleta is the one they expect will win this yearà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s show. His talent is well above the other finalists.

OMFG. Pimp, pimp, pimp. Even if I didn’t like just about all the other finalists better than him, I wouldn’t agree that his talent is “well” above the others. Puh-lease.

ETA: It will be interesting to see who’s swallowed up on the new biggah!than!evah! stage.

I bet it’s Jason who is swallowed by the new stage, and that short Asian girl.

I am concerned for David’s voice after last week, but believe he could pull it off. That’s a good song choice for him, allowing the audience to see a different side of him. The kid is smart.

Didn’t Earth Wind & Fire do a cover of “Got to Get You Into My Life?” That version could work for Chikeze or Syesha..

I’d love to hear one of the girls do “For No One” (assuming they do it well of course) which has always been my favorite less-known Beatles song.
And I’d love it if David C or Jason do “Nowhere Man”.

Taylor did Lennon/McCartney on tour: “Don’t Let Me Down”. Has anyone else? It must not be such a big deal clearing the songs for the tour?

I don’t see what good it’s going to do David A. to do a karaoke version of a Stevie Wonder cover. The whole point is to make it their own. But since he’s the golden boy, perhaps no one will reprimand him for it.

Jason Castro is supposedly singing “I’ll Follow the Sun.”

That’s a perfect song for him.
I’m glad.

TROUBLE!

“The “Idol” rehearsals are on, and we’re told the new set is amazing — but it’s got some big problems!

We hear the computers that control the doors to release the contestants at the beginning of the show are not working.”
TMZ

Song Spoilers from TMZ!

David Hernandez — “I Saw Her Standing There”

Syesha Mercado — “Got To Get You Into My Life”

Michael Johns — “Across the Universe”

Carly Smithson — “Come Together”

David Cook – a rocked-out version of “Eleanor Rigby”

Brooke White — “Let It Be”

Chikezie — “She’s a Woman”

Ramiele Malubay — “In My Life”

Jason Castro — “If I Fell”

Amanda Overmyer — “You Can’t Do That”

Kristy Lee Cook – country rendition of “Eight Days a Week”
She sang next to last.

David Archuleta — “We Can Work It Out”
Archie went last.

Speaking of Katharine McPhee does she still have that guy stalking her from St. Louis?