Mariah Carey – The American Idol Performances (VIDEO)

By On 07/25/2012 · 66 Comments · In American Idol, Danny Gokey, David Archuleta, David Cook, Siobhan Magnus, Syesha Mercado

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In honor of pop legend, Mariah Carey joining the American Idol judges panel I present to you her official FOX promo photo. That’s an interesting pose, Mimi!

You can find a list of Mariah songs covered on American Idol over the years at the official website. The list is surprisingly short, especially if you consider that 7 of the songs were performed during a Mimi themed- and-mentored week in Season 7.

Her songs ARE hard to sing. Not only is it hard to find covers, but it’s particularly difficult to find ones that were performed well.

Here are, in no particular order, five of those performances for your viewing pleasure:

Mimi told David Archuleta that she “wouldn’t be mad” at him if he went up into his falsetto for two seconds. David felt she gave him some really helpful advice.

Mariah’s “Hero” helped Danny Gokey advance to the Season 8 Top 13. He got a seal clap AND a standing ovation from Paula. She was so flummoxed she couldn’t count her words. “YOU GIVE US ALL HOPE” screamed Kara.

http://youtu.be/BDKSXZpJtWw

The version of “When You Believe” from Season 9 finalist, Siobhan Magnus, was slammed by the judges–well, except by Ellen DeGenerous who never slammed anybody. Listening back, although the performance was shaky in spots, it had some interesting phrasing.

Randy Jackson put his seal of approval on Syesha Mercado’s slightly pitchy performance of “Vanishing”. The season 7 finalist put her own diva-fied spin on the song. Mentor Mariah had no doubt Syesha could make the song her own.

When Mariah Carey mentored the Season 7 Top 7, fans assumed that the boys would be at a disadvantage. But the performance of the night easily went to David Cook who turned Mimi’s breezy ode to lost love into an angsty power ballad. “I thought he did something really different,” Mimi said of David’s version, “and it made me proud as a songwriter that it could stand the test of time.”

 

 
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  • Incipit

    ” For my money, Blake Lewis should get far more credit than he does for taking songs, rearranging them and giving them fresh and new spins, making you reimagine them in ways you never thought.”

    He probably ought to, hillstreetblooz. If as many people had become interested, he probably would have. But that’s the unpredictable factor – if someone knew ahead of time what would catch on big, all our Special Snowflakes would be Stars, all the time!

    The long term success of “ABMB the Remix” (ASCAP’s wording, not mine)  was completely unexpected, but it caught on, and there it is – and it keeps on making “Chump Change” for everyone involved with the song, including Mariah. I doubt she turns up her nose at a revenue stream, either, no matter how small. They all add up. Heh.

    And yeah, some people liked it then, some people still do. Some people still talk about it. Just like some people like DC’s music, and some don’t. There’s just no accounting for tastes…KWIM? *chuckle*

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_PSHFTD4YV3QOE3INABJUXZSWMU hillstreetblooz

    My special snowflake, Mariah, has been a star, all the time, from her 1st song out the box – so anybody else the largesse of her musical legacy could help out, like Cook, is all good.  I consider it her way of giving back. Maybe now that Cook is kind of in transition careerwise, he should revisit her catalogue to see if there’s anything else he could ‘rework’ to see if lightning can strike twice. Mimi has got songs up the yingyang, so helping the brother out again would be no problem.

  • Incipit

    That’s a sweet thought, hillstreetblooz. I wouldn’t give any odds at all on it ever happening, but it’s definitely a sweet thought.

    You must be so interested in what your Special Snowflake will do on Idol – I know I am. Mariah made a good mentor, IMO -  from the edited clips we were shown. And I don’t have to like her music to respect her talents and accomplishments. That would be kinda silly of me. IMO. Of Course.

    What she will be like as judge when the Live episodes begin has a lot of people curious. Even, dare I say, hopeful? I hope they fill out the panel with other competent and well spoken judges – I may watch the show live, if that happens.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_PSHFTD4YV3QOE3INABJUXZSWMU hillstreetblooz

     Idol will win some viewers, lose some I’m sure in their search to regain some momentum. Perhaps those bidding adieu will be replaced by those tuning in because Mariah is there – I hope so, because Idol could use an infusion of ‘new blood’ in its viewing audience/demographic, kwim?  Idol has shed viewers before and managed to keep on keeping on. Those not inclined to watch this season have lots of other options out there now to choose from. *shrugs* All one can do is say c’est la vie and happy trails.

  • Indigobunting

    How funny ;)

    That is exactly how I started paying attention to him-Was casually watching Ai that year and I was  impressed by this performance.  After looking him up I was so mystified and astounded by the online piling on of the guy that I liked him more, lol.

  • http://twitter.com/therocprince Cory ??

    None of these even get close to touching Jessica’s “My All” performance. 

  • fuzzywuzzy

    Thanks for posting those videos of Mariah mentoring, MJ. It reminded me that she was a good mentor and seemed to really listen to the singing, personalizing her critiques and suggestions for each contestant. I have a feeling that she could be a very good judge, but I’m cautious in my optimism because clearly her appointment is timed to maximize the promotional benefit for the new music that she will be releasing, so it will be interesting to see how candid she will be.

  • Anonymous

    Well Mariah thought Cook’s version was impressive so I guess that says something.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SYFK77IYLRQIVATQ2MJKSW2J7Y Pam

    I saw this post was up last night and didn’t get a chance to comment on it.  I’m glad you put this up mj.  It brings back some good memories of some very good memorable performances.  Archie did a wonderful performance of “When You Believe”.  imo, that was one of his flawless performances but my favorite was Dave’s ABMB.  That was probably of my favorite AI performance of all time.  With all that was going on with his brother Adam’s condition at the time, it made for an extremely moving and emotional performance from him.  The best part about the performance was the fact that Dave tried not to embarrass his brother in any way by bringing too much attention to it.  In fact, that was his behavior through the entire season. 

    I agree with mj about Without You.  Most kids won’t have knowledge of the Nilsson version of the song.  Until I was a little bit older, I have to admit I didn’t. 

    Thanks for bringing back some great memories mj.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_I3NQHPT3NA6VGKK22RCMTGOCII Tiffany

    First pic of seen of her with her boobs covered so give her that but Im surprised she let them use that pic.  She usually photographs really well and that one just says halloween lol and thats all.

  • Anonymous

    Ah, my special snowflake, Danny Gokey!  I get chills when I hear the Gokey Growl on “soul/sorrow.”  “If you reach into your SOUL / and the SORROW that you know will melt away . . .”

    It’s okay, Leandro.  I like James Durbin too.  Second fav Idol CD, right behind my special snowflake (and not far behind either).  Glad James never sang Mariah, though.  Not that he couldn’t — he’s a lot more flexible as a singer than people credit — but it is so not him.

  • Anonymous

    David Cook’s “ABMB The Remix” doesn’t really do much for me, although I agree that he is very good at changing up covers and making them his own.  (Looks to be a good live performer, too, at least from concert vids.)  Very interesting, Incipit, about the ASCAP and royalties.

    For me, David Cook’s original material has been a mixed bag, but there is no denying his talent.  He has a voice that, at its best, is capable of producing chills.  I really, really hope he finds his way in the music biz.  Too much talent to waste.

    FWIIW, I liked (and bought) David C’s first CD, but didn’t like (and didn’t buy) the second.  I did, however, buy one track — “Goodbye to the Girl.”  I get chills listening to his voice on that song.

  • Anonymous

    For my money, Blake Lewis should get far more credit than he does for
    taking songs, rearranging them and giving them fresh and new spins,
    making you reimagine them in ways you never thought.

    I agree that Blake brought something different to Idol, however in my opinion his vocals were so weak that it rather diminished his accomplishments. David Cook was able to rearrange songs as well as sing the hell out of them, so for me there is no comparison.

  • Anonymous

    Oh, Cook’s ABMB is probably my his favorite AI preformance too (or at least top two, or three – LOL).
     
    My second favorite of that night was Jason Castro’s I Don’t Wanna Cry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y9bDAor7UY
     
    both studio versions are still on rotation in my iPod, so many years later.

  • lovesickheroine

    That fox promo pic is just odd. It looks more like a profile picture for match.com

  • http://twitter.com/ljrTR LJR

    David Cook’s interpretation of Mariah’s song was amazing. I love it so.

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