Chris Medina – What Are Words – VIDEO

I don’t even have words for that.

I just hope some good comes out of it. That’s all I have to say right now.

Oh geez there is a video too?

This is just too, too much for me. I couldn’t make it past the first verse. Having said that, I do hope he gets some money out of it, he seems like a nice guy.

I actually like the song better having heard the entire thing. The chorus is too high for him, but the rest of the song fits well within his range.

tinawina – I agree – I hope some good comes of this. I had a very negative reaction at seeing the 19E copywrite language pop up at the end of the video. Maybe that’s standard, but I don’t ever recall seeing this type of language displayed so prominently on a video.

Wow. Very powerful. If I didn’t know the back story it wouldn’t have been so powerful, but this tragic story touched our hearts. Some people have said he used her, and maybe that is so. I certainly wouldn’t fault him. He’s going to be able to raise money for her care. Nothing wrong with that. I’ll buy it, and recommend it to others. I really wish them both the best. I don’t think he was one of the best on AI, but I hope he uses this opportunity as a springboard to stardom. Again, there’s nothing wrong with that.

I hope this helps Chris out, but it’s definitely not my thing.

I’m sorry but the exploitation of a vulnerable person is simply disgusting. IIRC, there was reports after she was shown on Idol that she did not like how she looked and according to her mother she hit herself and that was how she showed self-loathing. Now these asses put her struggles in a fucking cheesy music video. Has Medina or the record label said that the proceeds of the single/ video are going for medical care or is it just a quick money grab by 19/Universal. I’m so offended by this I don’t even know what else to say.

Love it! I read an interview where he said he heard the cracks about him exploiting his fiancee but his intention was to find somebody to help her, and it did. Someone donated a specialized van so she can be taken around more easily. So if that’s exploiting, then exploit away. Proceeds from the single are going to a fund set up for her, by the way.
I do agree that the chorus should be sung a few keys lower (shades of Katy Perry) but it just gets me in the heart, and that means something to me.

I hope Chris gets some writing credit. It was his line “what kind of man . . . ” that was the inspiration. It was a great line. What a beautiful girl in those pictures.

I refuse to watch it. It’s a matter of principle.

Proceeds from the single are going to a fund set up for her, by the way

What part of the sales are actually going to her. Is 19E and the record label donating their share or is it just Medina donating his share and is his share what’s left over after subtracting studio, video, songwriter and producer costs. Details and sources would be appreciated.

I turned it off as soon as I saw they were using film of his fiancee. Sorry – I find this way too exploitative

Wow…He sounded way better here than any time on AI. Good for him! That song really touched me. I think he is legit and I wish him the best with his music.

I do not support this…using video of his fiance. Wow just tactless. I hate this blatant pulling of the heart strings of the public.

“What are Words” is up in it’s entirety on youtube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J1OTwL02LA

I kind of like this song, but I’m just not a fan of Chris’ singing. He sounds very heartfelt though. Good luck to him and Juliana.

Proceeds from the single are going to a fund set up for her, by the way.

Do you have a link for that information? That wasn’t part of the original press release for Chris’ song.

What part of the sales are actually going to her. Is 19E and the record label donating their share or is it just Medina donating his share and is his share what’s left over after subtracting studio, video, songwriter and producer costs. Details and sources would be appreciated.

I agree.

IIRC, there was reports after she was shown on Idol that she did not like how she looked and according to her mother she hit herself and that was how she showed self-loathing.

Her mother wrote about that on her facebook. Ever since I read how upset Juliana was at seeing herself on AI, I’ve felt very uncomfortable with any further use of that footage. I saw it on ET and The Insider last night, and I couldn’t help but feel incredibly sorry for Juliana and what she’s enduring.

Are they selling the video too at iTunes?

I agree that it would be helpful to know how much 19E is making from this vs. Chris; however, I do think that Chris will be using money from his portion of the proceeds to help Juliana, and the exposure may allow for others to contribute to her cause.

I don’t see how this is any different from videos showing children diseased with malaria (Malaria No More) or Haitian people who are gravely ill as a result of the tragedy there, both of which were shown in videos for fundraisers on IDOL. I do agree that the issue of where the money is going should be cleared up, though.

It’s just ok for me. I hope that Chris and Julianna are getting a fair cut of this.

I had to go to another computer to see the video. Sorry, but I don’t agree with using footage of Juliana in this way.

ETA:

Not everyone in the world is out to con others.

Who is saying that Chris is “conning” anyone here? What I am uncomfortable with is that there was no mention of any of the proceeds of the song going to Juliana’s medical fund. In other situations where songs are recorded and sold for the benefit of charities or victims of tragedies, it’s made very clear that the proceeds are donated. It’s not unreasonable to question whether that is occurring here and request a source for that information (especially since the OFFICIAL press release for this song and video did not indicate that). Usually, the artist receives very little of the price of a downloaded song, something like 10%, so is this the situation here or some other split of profits?

The video and song are heartbreaking. Will definitely buy it just to contribute and also because that guy is willing to be accused and maybe exploited if it will help his fiancee. It puts any little daily complaints into perspective, huh.

I guess something is wrong with MY hearing! I loved it! It was natural and raw and real! Just my opinion. I don’t get where there are those who say he is just “using” his fiance. How is he doing that? It would be different if he didn’t use the money FOR her but he is. What is wrong with that? I understand if you don’t like it, and that is fine, but I just don’t see where you can say he is “using” her? Now I would not like him in the top 24 and I am happy he is not but I still liked this song and video. Crazy I know.

From Billboard:

Chris Medina tugged at “American Idol” fans’ collective heartstrings with his emotional audition a few weeks ago, and again on Wednesday night (Feb. 22), when his shocking elimination drove even Jennifer Lopez to tears.

But despite the fact that Medina is not in “Idol’s” top 24 this year, things are looking up for the 26-year-old musician and Starbucks barista. After his elimination, Medina went into the studio to record an original song, “What Are Words,” with hitmaker Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins (Mary J. Blige, Lady Gaga). The song premiered overnight on iTunes, and the proceeds from downloads will go towards the Juliana Recovery Fund (laurusfoundation.org) – a foundation for his fiancée Juliana Ramos, who was left brain damaged after a serious car accident that occurred two weeks before they were set to marry. The “What Are Words” music video was scheduled to premiere Friday at 2 pm ET on AOL.com, followed by a stint on NBC’s “Tonight Show With Jay Leno.”

I’m not sure what to think, it’s a perfect song for him. I had heard about Julianas reaction to seeing herself on tv, so I hope that she is ok with them using her in the video. If this was done to help raise money for Chris and Juliana and it doesn’t upset her, then it’s a good thing for them.

I liked his voice at his first audition, and it sounded more like that in this song. Even though he didn’t make the top 24, it’s good that this is also giving him a bit of a break in music, I remember him saying that he was going to give it up, that’s probably why they were trying to raise money. I saw on youtube even before he was on Idol, he did something on a local tv show to raise money.

I thought it was beautiful and if it helps her then I’m all for it.

Interscope is pushing this in their weekly email. Funny to see an email subject line with Dr. Dre, Lady Gaga and Chris Medina.

song is #68 on iTunes.

Lovely song, touching story. I’ll buy it if it’ll help out. I can give a buck to help a guy and girl out.

lovely song! I’m happy this was made to help them.
I would buy it if it was available on Itunes Canada

Holy crap his facial expression makes him look like a chubby homeless Rachel Berry.

The video made me feel like crying. How scary that life can take a turn on you so suddenly. I actually was freaking out a bit when I was driving on the highway tonight. You just never know.

I like the song and I wish them both the best.

I would not buy this set-up,…this is a REALITY show, and ALL reality shows are staged…They likely had all the details worked out with Chris WEEKS in advance..This is extremely transparent!

Chris is on t.v. Finally, I got the right night.

Chris and Juliana are a beautiful couple…

I hope the song gets on top 40. I must be a mush.

edit: I don’t care if this is a set up. There is a gorgeous girl who needs all the help in the world.

@iluvai- yes she does deserve a lot of help, but there are many ways to do this without pimping a very sub-par singer, and possibly lining UMG, AND 19′s pockets, as Leno stated tonight only “a portion of the proceeds will go to the Juliana relief fund.” Universal and 19 could very easily have set up a well publicized charity donation drive in a myriad of ways, other than this…

lovely song! I’m happy this was made to help them.
I would buy it if it was available on Itunes Canada

I bought the song on iTunes Canada.

Chris Medina’s back story did not bother me as it seems to have bothered others. Idol has a history of promoting these sad stories – I suppose they think it shows people overcoming hardship to live out a dream, Chris seemed like a nice guy and my impression was that he did not want to exploit his fiance for his own gain. I too hope that this song helps them financially. I also think that he was an early favorite of the judges and would probably have gone on to the top 24 if he hadn’t blown “Fix You” in his final appearance before the judges. No way they could put him through after that. I wish them both all of the best.

Chris got a lot of slack on these blogs for not being a great AI-type of singer, but I think he sounded superb on this song. The lyrics and the melody were just touching, even without the video. And, I don’t think he’s being exploitative for self-profit. He’s showing the world how much he loves his fiance and stands beside her in a time of need. How many other people can say they would do the same thing? Good for Chris. I wish him all the successes his music will bring him.

Never cared for his voice myself so I’m not sorry that he’s not in the Top 24.
I agree with jaybee… this was all planned in advance.