Danny Gokey Performs New Songs at Wolf 95.7

I really want to like Danny…honest I do. He was my favorite audition of this season. He just does so much shit that makes me hate him. It starts with the horrendous hand gestures that makes this performance so fake to me and continues with all the freaking money he’s spent on glasses while continuing to retweeting his own twitter messages begging for money. I’m not going further back than about 3 weeks for this or there would be much more that I didn’t like.

Seriously Danny, step away from the glasses store and donate yourself. Never retweet begging messages…once is enough (or maybe in your case too much). I’ll be honest and say that Pastor Rolex probably has a shitload to do with my take on all things Danny Gokey. I’ll also be honest and say that Danny hasn’t learned a fricking thing from that.

So while I like this song better, I find it to be negative country. I actually (because I’m about disclosures) have no clue what is or isn’t country these days, but I’d venture a guess that this song isn’t country (if only because I like it a bit).

My gosh, I love his voice. And kill me, but I love the la-de-da-de-da’s on up into the falsetto on It’s Only Love. I like Best Days too so it doesn’t matter to me what the single is. I’ll listen.

Yes Danny is most suited for Christian music. Love his voice hate the la de da’s.

Is the song “Better Days” like in the post or “Best Days” like rayni says?

Anyway, I like that song. Not a Danny fan much, but he actually does do a nice job with Best Days and It’s Only. Things just might work out for him after all. Good job Danny.

Side note: Too bad Taylor Hicks couldn’t have gotten a song like Best Days to sing. Kept thinking of Taylor while Danny was singing that. That song would have suited Taylor’s voice and style perfectly………oh well.

Decided to give a listen to Best Days by Danny. Actually, I think it’s a pretty good song for the type of music he is singing now. IMO it’s a much better song than the other one. And, looks like he has been in touch with a stylist. He seems more comfortable this go round. He was not one of my favorites, but this is a good song for him and for those of us who feel a little down much of the time. Hopefully, he will take off and do well. Go Danny.

I thought “It’s Only” was supposed to be the inspirational hit of the season! What the hell happened, Danny? Too many la la la’s?!

I take it back, I’ve been saying that “It’s Only” was much better than I anticipated. Listening to it again? Not so much. And the other song is just boring.

Stick to Gospel. Really.

I haven’t been a Danny fan, but think that he could definitely have a hit with “Best Days”. I didn’t like “It’s Only”, (though I can see him performing it at fund raisers for his charity, and on Idol Gives Back), but depending on what the final version of “Best Days” sounds like, could end up buying that one. Never thought I’d even consider buying anything from Danny, but I’m glad I kept an open mind, because he did a good job with this one.

I did not like Danny at all on Idol but he sounds really good here. I’m wondering if they’re may be planning on releasing both of these songs at the same time…It’s Only to Christian radio and Best Days to country radio.

I really want to like Danny’ ¦honest I do. He was my favorite audition of this season. He just does so much shit that makes me hate him. It starts with the horrendous hand gestures that makes this performance so fake to me and continues with all the freaking money he’s spent on glasses while continuing to retweeting his own twitter messages begging for money. I’m not going further back than about 3 weeks for this or there would be much more that I didn’t like.

Seriously Danny, step away from the glasses store and donate yourself. Never retweet begging messages’ ¦once is enough (or maybe in your case too much). I’ll be honest and say that Pastor Rolex probably has a shitload to do with my take on all things Danny Gokey. I’ll also be honest and say that Danny hasn’t learned a fricking thing from that.

So while I like this song better, I find it to be negative country. I actually (because I’m about disclosures) have no clue what is or isn’t country these days, but I’d venture a guess that this song isn’t country (if only because I like it a bit).

Most of the glasses that Danny has were given to him for free.

Also, I think that both of these songs could fit into country music, “It’s Only” as more of a inspirational country song and I think that “Best Days” will fit into country music as well. Both songs IMO, have a country feel to me, “Best Days” more so than “It’s Only” and I think that the studio version of “Best Days” will have even more of a country feel to it.

Danny sounded great as usual in these peformances. I hope that both of these songs are released for sale, in December. I will buy both songs and I know a lot of other online Danny fans that will as well.

I love Danny’s voice whether it country or Christian music, so I do like both of these songs and think Danny will have a hit album next year.

Strong people who don’t compromise themselves like Danny will always have their detractors no matter what product they put out.

I applaud Danny for staying true to who he is.

Both songs aired so far are strong numbers that showcase his incredible voice; and are great examples of the diversity he brings to his music.

And he has never looked better.

GO DANNY!

I also really like both songs. Need to hear the recorded version of “My Best Days are Ahead of Me” before i decide which one I like better. I would not be surprised at all if “It’s Only” was released to Christian radio along with country radio because I am sure it would be a huge hit with that audience; however, I do consider It’s Only to be a country song as well. I listen to a lot of country music and I can see both songs being hits on country radio. It is sometimes better for a new artist to debut a more uptempo song so that may be why his label is considering releasing Best Days as the first single or maybe they will release both – that would make Danny’s fans very happy.

I would not be surprised at all if ‘It’s Only’  was released to Christian radio along with country radio because I am sure it would be a huge hit with that audience; however, I do consider It’s Only to be a country song as well. I listen to a lot of country music and I can see both songs being hits on country radio. It is sometimes better for a new artist to debut a more uptempo song so that may be why his label is considering releasing Best Days as the first single or maybe they will release both ‘“ that would make Danny’s fans very happy.

ITA. I think that Danny fans are definitely hoping that they release both songs in December. I could see “It’s Only” doing well on Christian radio stations, even though, like you I also see it as a country song.

I love Danny’s voice. Both of these songs are great! Can’t wait for the album : )

I really want to hate Danny’ ¦honest I do. His audition during the season wasn’t fantastic for me, and it seems to be fashionable nowadays to hate him. But he just keeps doing such great performances and genuinely seems to be such a good-hearted guy that it makes me like him despite the fact he’s been cast in the role of ‘Ultimate Idol Villain’ by the powers that be.

;)

Dude can really, really sing. I hadn’t heard ‘Better Days’ (or ‘Best Days’, whichever turns out to be the actual title) before seeing this video clip, but I think it sounds great. I think it is even stronger and will have wider appeal than ‘It’s Only’, so I think they did the right thing switching up and making this the lead single instead.

I probably wouldn’t agree much with Danny politically (I get the feeling he’s a bit liberal, and I’m way conservative) but I genuinely respect the fact that the guy ‘walks the walk’ and lives by his beliefs, volunteering his time to causes even (and especially) when the cameras aren’t rolling. I think he’s a good hearted guy who gets misunderstood a lot, and that just endears him to me all the more. I was pretty sure I wanted to get his album anyway (despite not being much of a country fan) just to support the guy that I think is so unfairly hated, but now that I’ve heard and liked both songs I’m sold for sure.

I still think this guy has the best chance at being a surprise success this year. I was/am disappointed at Kris’s sales projections so far, as I really like Kris (although not wild about his single) and it seems sales are drastically less this year than anyone could have expected, and I hope that Kris’s album gets legs and is able to sell a decent amount. But I think Danny’s fanbase might have been underestimated, and with strong singles (and I do think his are the best so far, which actually surprises me) he could really have a shot at this. It will depend on how well he does on country radio though.

I don’t love Danny, but I listened to both songs.

“Better Days” (best days seems like a better title?) is the better song, but i think that they are both good songs. Kinda awkward that he remained seated during Better Days–it’s uptempo–needs some moving around.

Better Days could be a country-pop (or country-AC) crossover, depending on how it’s produced. It needs more in the recording than the quiet piano and rhythm guitar in this live performance. It’s Only is a sappy, sentimental country song. So I think Better Days could have a wider audience.

I’m actually willing to listen to Danny’s cd streaming when it comes out, based on these songs to see if I might want to buy it, or perhaps download a few tracks.

I hope Danny stays away from Christian music–which is really close to country, so there’s a risk there. If he gets labeled Christian, then the pop world will be closed to him. (Also, I hope he doesn’t talk when he’s promoting his album. He’s a far better singer than talker.)

Wow. Danny is a liberal?? IMO… Not so much.

“BD” is pure genius and should be the single.

I really want to hate Danny’ ¦honest I do. His audition during the season wasn’t fantastic for me, and it seems to be fashionable nowadays to hate him. But he just keeps doing such great performances and genuinely seems to be such a good-hearted guy that it makes me like him despite the fact he’s been cast in the role of ‘Ultimate Idol Villain’ by the powers that be.

“Hate” is never “fashionable.” Good for you.

Still an open question if country accepts Danny but I’m glad they’re going with BD. I like the guitars sound.

Danny sounds excellent. I really like Best Days!

I think he’s a good hearted guy who gets misunderstood a lot, and that just endears him to me all the more.

Yes, me too. I loved your post Daniel B. I’m so glad that Danny is beyond AI World now. I was listening to him talking on the Seattle radio station this morning, and the DJ introduced him as from AI, and then added something like “but you’re much more than ‘from AI’ now”. So true. There will likely be a new bad guy annointed in a few weeks, and I’ll feel sorry for that poor soul, but it’s so nice that Danny is beyond that realm now. Danny did say this morning that the single will be “Best Days”. I think that’s a good decision. I really like “It’s Only” and Danny has the genuineness to pull a song like that off, but I like the upbeat “Best Days” as an introduction for him, I think this is a song that a lot of people will really like right off the bat, without getting wrapped around the axle on the faith aspect that “It’s Only” presents.

It was nice this morning, the DJ sounded very warm and positive toward Danny. Something that I’m sure they weren’t expecting happened. A lady called in and said that she was having heart problems similar to what Sophia had, and was asking Danny about it. He showed a lot of interest in her and was very nice to her. I love his voice, but it’s nice that he’s such a sweet person too.

“But he just keeps doing such great performances and genuinely seems to be such a good-hearted guy that it makes me like him despite the fact he’s been cast in the role of ‘Ultimate Idol Villain’ by the powers that be.”

Very intuitive post Daniel B. Some people do go beyond the “I don’t like their voice or music” to personal attacks on people they don’t even know, not just for Danny, but for other Idols also, Kris, Adam also.

Danny is just so darn inspiring to me; he stays true to what his goals are and he doesn’t let anyone keep him down- a good life lesson.

I love both of his new songs that I’ve heard and would be happy with either as a single. I hope both are available for purchase come December. And VERY anxious to hear more – I think he is going to put out quite a versatile album for us.

It was nice this morning, the DJ sounded very warm and positive toward Danny. Something that I’m sure they weren’t expecting happened. A lady called in and said that she was having heart problems similar to what Sophia had, and was asking Danny about it. He showed a lot of interest in her and was very nice to her. I love his voice, but it’s nice that he’s such a sweet person too.

I thought it was sweet how Danny tried to be helpful to that woman that called in today. Also I am glad that the radio station DJ were positive towards Danny.

I like the new song more than “It’s Only.”

Here is the new studio version of “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMoS2tb4R7s&feature=player_embedded

I really like It’s Only and am a little disappointed that it is not Danny’s first single but I do understand that My Best Days are Ahead of Me may be a better first single. It is upbeat and radio friendly and just like It’s Only, it fits Danny perfectly. Once again he is staying true to himself. I wonder who wrote it.

I wonder who wrote it

.

Here is what Brian Mansfield wrote about Danny switching songs and about who the songwriters are for “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me”.

My Best Days Are Ahead of Me was written by Marv Green (Lonestar’s Amazed, Reba McEntire’s Consider Me Gone) and Kent Blazy (Garth Brooks’ (Ain’t Goin’ Down) ‘Til the Sun Comes Up, Chris Young’s Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song). The single will be going to country radio shortly, but it’s already on Danny’s MySpace page and YouTube. A digital single will be available Dec. 22.

Since this song will be available for download December 22, I wonder if “It’s Only” will still be available for download on the December 8 and December 15?

Thanks JX223

You can always count on Brian Mansfield to get the scoop out of Nashville. As I suspected, Danny’s label decided to go with the uptempo song as they usually like to lead off with an uptempo song as opposed to a ballad.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2009/11/danny-gokey-switches-singles/1

I really like It’s Only as a showcase for Danny’s vocals and emotional connection to his singing, but I’m equally happy with My Best Days which is very fun and upbeat. Danny is a singer who can do well with both types of songs (among others), so it’s great to see that in action already with these first two tracks coming out for his album. Seeing Danny perform live on the LA tv broadcast, it was clear he’s really happy singing both of these songs.

Danny was recording new songs as recently as the days leading up to the CMAs. I wonder if this is among the newer songs he recorded, and after hearing how well it came out, they reconsidered which song to go with as the lead-off single.

It’s interesting the perceptions, as some are finding Best Days to sound more country than the slower song. I found It’s Only to have a definite country vibe for me, and the lyrics to be very country. Best Days to me has more crossover potential, although still distinctly country.

I understand Danny said today in an interview that his non-profit will be working to feed 1500 people in need at Thanksgiving, in addition to other programs they are working toward or have already got underway. Good for them, that’s no small undertaking.

Thanks JX223

You can always count on Brian Mansfield to get the scoop out of Nashville. As I suspected, Danny’s label decided to go with the uptempo song as they usually like to lead off with an uptempo song as opposed to a ballad.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2009/11/danny-gokey-switches-singles/1

I am glad that we have Brian around to give us scoops on Danny and Nashville. :)

Also I hope that we find out soon if “It’s Only” will still be available for purchase in December. Even though it’ s no longer the first single, I wish that the label would still release the song for purchase in December, as a song off the album.

Hmm…after listening to both songs, I think I still prefer ‘It’s Only’. Maybe it’s because I tend to prefer ballads over uptempo songs in general.

I hope they preview more songs off Danny’s album soon; March seems SO far away right now.

I hope they preview more songs off Danny’s album soon

I do too. I hope that we hear a romantic love song from him next. I think that he would do well with romantic songs.

really want to hate Danny’ ¦honest I do. His audition during the season wasn’t fantastic for me, and it seems to be fashionable nowadays to hate him. But he just keeps doing such great performances and genuinely seems to be such a good-hearted guy that it makes me like him despite the fact he’s been cast in the role of ‘Ultimate Idol Villain’ by the powers that be.

DanielB, I really loved this post. It had me laughing, and I think it speaks volumes in a very light hearted and humerous way. Good post!

Seriously Danny, step away from the glasses store and donate yourself.

As Jx223 pointed out earlier, many of Danny’s glasses were given to him. I know the other day I heard him in an interview thanking his eye doctor profusely for being so generous and giving him glassess. I also remember reading right around the end of AI or after it was over, some quotes from Danny’s eye doctor about what a nice guy Danny was and how he always hugged everyone in the office. LOL.

However, even if Danny had bought his own glasses, I don’t think that it would be wrong to ask people to consider supporting SHF. That would be sort of like saying that Adam should stop buying so much makeup (that Bare Minerals stuff is really expensive..lol)and expensive jackets if he’s going to tweet asking people to support Donors Choose.

Honestly, it’s just promoting an organization that’s purpose is to help people. It’s up to individuals as to if they want to or feel they can afford to support the cause.

He showed a lot of interest in her and was very nice to her. I love his voice, but it’s nice that he’s such a sweet person too.

Danny always shows interest in the individuals that he interacts with. Everyone who meets him comes away with a positive impression of him. Just the other day I read a quote from Carrie Underwood calling Danny “just the sweetest person.” Even Jim Cantiello, who loves to snark on Danny, has commented on what a nice and genuine person Danny is, saying he was misunderstood and was a good sport. Personally, I think Cantiello is a two faced jerk, but still at least he admits that he initially misunderstood Danny.

I could go on and on, but why? It seems some people are determined to hate this guy that they do not know, despite the fact that EVERYONE who knows him seems to think he’s a good guy. I, personally, believe that some people have invested so much time and effort hating on Danny on a very personal level, that they will not ever give him a chance. To change their minds about him at this point would mean that they would have to confront their own actions. It’s hard for some people to admit that maybe they were wrong. It’s just easier to continue believing that he is an evil villian.

As to the song switch. I actually like It’s Only better than Best Days, but it seems that Best Days perhaps has a wider appeal. I still think that It’s Only sounds country, and that Danny may be able to release it later, and it be more accepted. Perhaps it’s just not the best first single. Just as Adam said he doesn’t want to put himself in a box and limit himself, I think the same applies to Danny with regard to singing songs with religeous references. People will try to put you in a box and define you by that. So I think it’s best to have a broader song initially, and then later it would be okay to occasionally have songs that have religeous overtones.

aek-
Very good post above! Yes, Danny has bought 15 pairs of glasses (hardly a fortune for a two income family with no kids, when Sophia was alive); the rest were gifts from fans or from the optical doc.

Danny also donates himself on a daily basis; his main passion besides music is his 401C charitable foundation (feeding 1500 people this thanksgiving); of which he is the unpaid CEO.

I’m torn between his first two songs; which I think speaks to how good they both are (at least for me)- one is just plain fun and one is beautiful and inspiring and really shows his vocal skills. But I have noticed non-Danny fans like Best Days better; I think they are less likely to appreciate ballad Danny like some country or AI fans of his are.

JX223, aek and pjg, great posts!:-). Danny rocks! I love both singles and hope both will be available. I have to admit that I had to get used to hearing “Best Days” because it sounded more “country” than “It’s Only,” and I am still used to “Maria Maria and the Carrie and Rascal Flatts songs he has sung, lol. But they are both great, and I can’t wait for the cd.