And he was given this song back in May?
That’s some pre-planning.
It’s just all a little weird.

American Idol is a promotional tool for RCA assets. I don’t think anything you’ve described is anything but business as usual for them.

And he was given this song back in May?
That’s some pre-planning.
It’s just all a little weird.

Doesn’t he have any say-so in his first single?

No. That’s the label’s decision. With good reason. The artist isn’t always in the best position to know which song would do well as a single.

Personally, I just don’t enjoy the sound of Kris’ voice. Give him a song with a lot of words, and that’s a whole lot of his voice to listen to. I like the song, musically, and the way the chorus is mixed should be just right to get him Top 40 radio play. Lyrically, the song kind of makes me groan out loud, but that’s not his fault. Props to The Script for writing a catchy song and to Kris and his people for recognizing what a good fit it is for him.

I don’t get it! Kris has said that his favorite song from the album is one he wrote called I Need to Know. Doesn’t he have any say-so in his first single?

I have to say, I don’t think that’s the point. Why should his favorite song necessarily have to be the single? Maybe it’s not the type of song that would be a good marketing choice for a first single — or for a single at all. Not every song on an album should be marketed as a single. He didn’t say it was the best song on the album, even, he just said it was his favorite, and the reasons might be completely personal.

In fact, my post acknowledged that a good number of Adam fans liked the song. I found the overall response to be a pleasant surprise because Kris does not have the biggest fan base here. But I should have let that last line out because that was not the point of my post.

As an “Adam Fan” I will say that I really think the song is catchy and has potential to become a great first single for Kris (certainly better than most Idol dreck for the first album). That said, I’m kinda looking at it objectively. I personally will prob not buy the single, or his cd, just because Kris on Idol (style wise) was just never my thing, and that kinda music is just not something I typically purchase.

However, “I” hardly matter in the bigger scheme of things And my consensus is that, in keeping with the theme that the idols’ success lies in finding an audience BEYOND just the idol-verse, Kris’s first single has great potential to do just that – which is the best thing he could hope for (and tbh, is kinda what I expected from him – there’s a reason he won, and in part LLWD showcases that – it’s radio-friendly, middle of the road, catchy, yet a little safe, but you don’t exactly want to be daring and risk-taking on your first single off of idol, anyways.)

I don’t get it! Kris has said that his favorite song from the album is one he wrote called I Need to Know. Doesn’t he have any say-so in his first single?

Um, in short, no. He has little to no say. Jive will decide what to release as the first track, and I think, regardless of which one Kris likes best, that this was a smart move, because it is catchy, radio-friendly, and that is most important right now to get Kris’s name out there and move albums once it drops.

I think it’s probably very very common to have the artist’s fav track NOT be the first single, or even possibly to make it as a “radio released” single. Just my take.

I also thought the first single was supposed to be an indication of the entire album. If so, I think I will be disappointed in Kris’ album, sorry.

YES Kris you did it! Can’t wait for the album to drop ;D

alaadam
September 21, 2009 at 6:28 pm
LaurelG-I’m new this year so after the analysis of the thread from Light On-how did it do in the general public??

Sorry it took so long to get back to you, alaadam (I had left the building) but my understanding is that Cook’s LO started slowly and eventually picked up steam. The single went platinum and peaked at #17 on the Hot 100.

Regardless, I remember the first time I heard it on the radio (as a casual Idol observer) and my instant reaction was … ehhh, it’s kinda slow and boring.

My initial reaction to Kris’s was much more positive but then I’m probably too invested in this season to be objective.

[picks up the carpetbag that got dropped off here at 7 this morning]

I’m commented out for today. Liked song. Didn’t sound particularly Kris-like, but good car bopping potential. Will enjoy hearing on radio.

[waves again]

But it’s just one song, maybe the others will be better.

And frankly, every other winner’s single I’ve ever heard (granted I’ve only heard a few here and there, but still) is either pop sludge or Nickelback drek.

This is genuinely a fun, catchy song. I hope that there are songs with more lyrical depth and creativity on the album, but as a first single on an album produced in a few months, this is definitely good.

Also: so few singers on the radio actually have good voices, it seems, and sometimes a mediocre voice puts me off of buying a song I might otherwise have purchased. I guess that means that it’s not necessary to have a lovely voice to have a hit, but I think Kris’s nice voice will be a help to him.