More Michael Sarver Interviews – VIDEO – Plus Next Week’s Theme is “Top Downloads”

By On 03/27/2009 · 106 Comments · In Uncategorized

Update: On the John Jay and Rich show this afternoon, Paula Abdul says next week’s theme is “#1 Downloads”. That narrows it down a little…

I’ve confirmed that next week’s theme will be “Top Downloads”. So, yes, it is an iTunes related theme…. Good work Top Idol!

Update: Now with Press Conference quotes! AND Good Day NY and LA videos after the jump.

Even more press conference quotes: MTV, USA Today, Zap2it, and LA Times.

More interviews from Idol bootee, Michael Sarverr:

Michael tells Ryan Seacrest on his radio show this morning that he’s a songwriter, and has written hundreds of songs since the age of 14. I did not know that! Michael is also flattered that the judges actually considered saving him (nice of him to say–if that little post-song conference the judges had wasn’t fake, I’ll eat my hat.)

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Quotes from today’s press conference:

  • Is having young kids a disadvantage? “Actually, I would consider myself at an advantage because I have a level of inspiration from something that someone without kids doesn’t get to experience. They are rock solid and they are the core of my purpose. They’ve driven me into this and have been so inspiring in the way that they love me and support me and if anything it would be an advantage rather than a disadvantage. Without a doubt difficult and very hard to deal with at times, missing them, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
  • He describes the album he’ll make, “It’s definitely gonna be an R&B pop soul album. I really like the R&B pop style of Justin Timberlake, all the way across the aisle to Gavin Degraw and bringing in some of that soulful rock, just a combination of those kinds of things.”
  • Does Simon and Paulaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s horsing around frustrate him? “Number one, I enjoy that because what people need to understand is that this is supposed to be a fun thing. It’s supposed to be enjoyable, it’s supposed to be the time of our lives and they help make it that by goofing around–like Simon coloring on Paula’s face. That was just absolutely hilarious. It does make it complicated sometimes when, if you may feel like they’re not really listening to you, but overall the fun that they’re having on the show makes everybody smile and that’s what entertainment is all about–bringing a positive light to the TV world.”
  • He and Danny and Anoop played basketball the other night. What kind of player is Anoop? “Anoop can play some ball, but I’ll tell you he’s a very intense basketball player…and when Anoop missed he did not like it. He would beat himself up until he got it. Very intense, very passionate about a sport that he loves very much.”
  • About Kara’s comment that she didn’t know what kind of artist he was–does he feel he showed America the artist he is? “I really do actually feel like I showed that, number one, I’m not as country as people thought, and number two, that there’s a lot of soul in me. And I’m a soul singer. It doesn’t matter if you mix soul with rock, pop or R&B à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’  there’s soul. I believe I established that, and I believe that I established that I’m the type of artist that will not only work my tail off to do what I do, but that I never give less than 110 percent when I’m performing, and I believe I showed that.”
  • Michael is a songwriter, “There’s something that America does not know so much about me, but they’ll find out. I am a serious writer and I’ve written over 890 songs since the age of 14. And there’s a lot of stories…a lot of life, hard lived life, good lived life and my happiness that I’ve experienced in life now all through my music and I’m gonna share it.”

Here’s his interview with FOX NY. I JUST ADDED GOOD DAY LA! Michael seems like an all-round good guy:

Video after the Jump

FOX NY

FOX LA:

video courtesy of lawrence

 
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  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    lol… do you guy guess somebody will try to sing Light On or Crush????

  • soundscene

    What does “top downloads” mean? Is it the top 100 of iTunes? Is it the top 100 of any genre on iTunes? Is it songs that have sold over 1 million copies? Way to be ambiguous Idol.

    At least it has the potential to be current, though. Just the potential–I’m sure more than one will manage to sing an old song.

  • gingerly

    Just the potentialà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m sure more than one will manage to sing an old song.

    Or make a new song sound old…

  • Valentin432

    It’s the same to me as Hits from the Billboard 100, pretty much anything can be put into this category.

    I like it because it’s been three weeks in a row with theme nights that were very restrictive in terms of song choice.
    This is going to be a more diverse show with everyone doing their thing.
    Unexplainably tough, these type of theme weren’t very successfull in the past, I still remember Daughtry belting 100 times what if… not a great memory.

  • snuffles

    Well at least downloads will be limited to songs from the past 10 years. I Tunes didn’t officially come into existence until January 2001.

  • soundscene

    Well at least downloads will be limited to songs from the past 10 years. I Tunes didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t officially come into existence until January 2001.

    In theory, but there have been older songs that have managed to get downloaded quite a bit. Somebody might decide to sing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”.

  • Layla

    This has the potential to really let them sing something current and more in their own style. Looking forward, as always to see what my boy Adam does.

  • lurksalot

    If it’s Top 100 — as of what date? or Top 100 ever on iTunes? Minus the ones they couldn’t clear.

  • silverbabe

    Soundscene – I remember Adam saying in an interview that the one song he really wanted to sing on Idol is Journey’s “Dont Stop Believing” and he said that the way he sings it it’s not karoke. But then the judges might give him crap for not singing something current.

    Although imagine him singing some Beyonce or Lady Gaga. Could be an epic win!

  • http://www.myspace.com/rjveritas MrRJ

    Hey Sarver is one heck of a nice guy and I hope he is a great songwriter. I think his vocals would be very nice on songs he writes or match his comfort zone. His song choices on Idol mostly left him lacking. I am impressed with him as a human being.

  • adamandeva

    Yes! Very excited for this week’s theme and what Adam will do! I know people may hate this, but i’ve got two words for Adam: JUST DANCE! Lady Gaga FTW! LoL.

  • pj

    It seems like last time they did iTunes, it had to be on the current charts, but could be of any genre, so that’s my guess.

  • OhWhatAWorld14

    If somebody sings Home Sweet Home by Carrie Underwood they will get all my votes. (Even if it is my arch-nemesis Danny Gokey)

  • sr4mjc

    I also read that Adam wanted to do Don’t Stop Believin. However, I think it was also released on his birth year, so maybe he’ll keep that in his back pocket in case that theme comes up. I’d love for him to take on Lady Gaga.

  • soundscene

    It seems like last time they did iTunes, it had to be on the current charts, but could be of any genre, so thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s my guess.

    Yeah, season 5 I guess they did iTunes (I don’t actually remember lol, somebody reminded me), and it was from any genre.

    The theme is “top downloads” so not top 100 of anything. They could just mean singles that have sold more than 1 million on iTunes, or it could, once again, mean any single that’s currently charting on an iTunes chart. That opens it up to a ton of songs. Or it could mean any song that’s ever been on the main download chart on iTunes.

    Check out some songs currently charting on iTunes:
    - Thriller, Michael Jackson (pop)
    - Fast Car, Tracy Chapman (singer/songwriter)
    - Rocky Mountain High, John Denver (singer/songwriter)
    - Puff, The Magic Dragon, Peter, Paul and Mary (singer/songwriter)
    - Gonna Make You Sweat, C C Music Factory (R&B/Soul)
    - Baby I Need Your Loving, Four Tops (R&B/Soul)

    and on and on… if they open it up wide enough there’s plenty of potential for the contestants to sing old songs.

  • Qcloud9

    LOL, who should sing “Puff, The Magic Dragon”?

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    LOL, who should sing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Puff, The Magic Dragonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ?

    Megan

  • lizland

    I am a serious writer and Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve written over 890 songs since the age of 14.

    I would have stopped counting after number 472nd unpublished song, myself.

  • Kirsten

    Yeah, season 5 I guess they did iTunes (I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t actually remember lol, somebody reminded me), and it was from any genre.

    Not Season 5. The themes that year were Stevie Wonder (“Yo. I don’t know dude. Peope should never try to sing Stevie”), 1950s, 2000s, Country, Queen (“Yo. I don’t know dude. That’s a band song”), Great American Songbook, Love Songs, Songs from Your Birth Year/BB Top 10, Elvis Presley, Clive/Judges/Your Pick and Final 2. I guess songs from the 2000s and BB Top 10 came closest to the iTunes theme.

    iTunes will probably be one of those minefield themes. The problem is that you want to sound current so the temptation is to sing a song from somebody in the genre you think you will fill. But, that doesn’t give you a lot of room to re-arrange things (the song is already in the genre) so you come off as karaoke. Some of the best moments on AI come when somebody re-invents a song completely outside of their genre. Ju’not showed that it can be done with modern songs (I loved his Hollywood version of “Hey, There Delilah”). It’s that kind of thinking outside the box which is necessary.

    So, for instance, I don’t think Adam should try to sing Lady Gaga. What will get him a moment is to grab a Taylor Swift song and morph it into a Lady Gaga song (or something like that).

  • holeighannie

    Ahh, Billboard Top 10, that’s what I was thinking of from Season 5. Because Taylor sang “Something” and Simon thought it was a very clever move, haha. Which, really, does relate to this theme, as people were saying with Journey…there are plenty of old songs kicking around on today’s charts in some incarnation or another.

  • sr4mjc

    Maybe he should leave the country music songs alone, given the outrage from Ring of Fire. Not that Swift is anything like Johnny cash.

    Whatever he does, it’ll be unexpected :)

  • Kirsten

    Maybe he should leave the country music songs alone, given the outrage from Ring of Fire.

    That caused outrage? Seriously? Wow. (I missed all that). Well, then he can sing “Careless Whisper” a la Seether with a sitar arrangement. AI’s already cleared the song and he has just has to avoid pointing to his feet. Especially bare feet.

    Not that Swift is anything like Johnny cash.

    You can say that. Plus, she’s a pretty poppy country star (kind of like Shania was).

  • SpenserJ

    LOL, who should sing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Puff, The Magic Dragonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ?

    Megan

    Damnit Gwendolyn, you beat me to it :) (I do like Megan, but either she’s a toker or she’s on Paula’s pain meds).

    I would have stopped counting after number 472nd unpublished song, myself.

    Perhaps he keeps their titles catalogued in an Excel spreadsheet that added the number up for him :biggrin_wp:

    I am impressed with him as a human being.

    He does seem like a good guy, doesn’t he. Also, the way people keep referring to him as the “Oil Rigger” and big, burly whatnot – I wasn’t really expecting those well thought out, intelligent responses. Another reason to like Michael? His speech isn’t peppered with “um” “like” “ya know” when he’s being interviewed. He’s a quick thinker with a decent sized vocabularly. That is not always so plentiful on reality tv.

  • Heart

    I really want Adam to sing something Pop with a catchy dance beat to get people up out of their seats like his “Kiss and Tell”. That’s what is “Current!Young!HOTT!”tm Randy.

    I think he wants to be more pop than rock at this point. Years ago, he had his rock band, but right before Idol, it seems like his songs were more Dance Pop. I think that his “Pop Goes the Camera” and “Kiss and Tell” are radio ready now.

    Besides, he’s already done rock on the show. He’s got to show America that he is current and this is the only week to do that. That’s why I don’t want him to do Journey right now. We have 7 more weeks that he can fit that in.

    I love the violin/synthesizer beginning of the Veronicas song “Untouched” and he would kill on the chorus. It would sound great on the big stage. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTftKunAipk&feature=related

    Too bad Lady Gaga is already doing Poker Face.

    I also love to hear him do that John Legend/Andre “Green Light” song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZnSzgNM_Y0
    Although I could also see Matt doing that one too.

    In other Adam news, Adam was seen at a Fashion Show party (last Sat.?) with a drink in one hand and talking with a Lisa from Top Model (from a few seasons ago). The photographer/website called them a new couple, but I guess they’ve been friends for a while. He’s wearing his blue Diesel jacket and she looks like she was flirting with him, IMO! It’s not going to be the first or last time a pretty girl flirts with him! (pics at the IDF Adam Picture thread – don’t go to the original the Hollywood website unless you want to see some porn) There are also some pretty backstage pics from last night at IDF…

  • Kirsten

    Somebody over at Pulse is reporting that Paula clarified during a radio interview that the theme is actually #1 downloaded songs. If true, that means the theme covers more years. I think that Megan should sing Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” complete with her toddler-style dance movements.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    LOL, who should sing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Puff, The Magic Dragonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ?

    Megan

    Damnit Gwendolyn, you beat me to it :) (I do like Megan, but either sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a toker or sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s on Paulaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s pain meds).

    I’m sure they were pain meds from her courageous battle with the very rare Influenza B virus. Seriously though, she was stumbling around like Amy Winehouse last week. Hey…can she sing “Rehab” next week? Does it qualify? To see Paula dancing to that one would be too much for words.

  • joyceanna

    I think Adam should see Katy Perry “I KISSED A GIRL” really campy…I would be laughing. Would love to see SImon’s face

  • snuffles

    In other Adam news, Adam was seen at a Fashion Show party (last Sat.?) with a drink in one hand and talking with a Lisa from Top Model (from a few seasons ago). The photographer/website called them a new couple, but I guess theyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve been friends for a while. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wearing his blue Diesel jacket and she looks like she was flirting with him, IMO! Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not going to be the first or last time a pretty girl flirts with him! (pics at the IDF Adam Picture thread – donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t go to the original the Hollywood website unless you want to see some porn) There are also some pretty backstage pics from last night at IDFà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

    The pics are at the bottom of this page:

    http://idolforums.com/index.php?showtopic=594571&st=2340

  • AnoopFan

    He and Danny and Anoop played basketball the other night. What kind of player is Anoop? à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Anoop can play some ball, but Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll tell you heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a very intense basketball playerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦and when Anoop missed he did not like it. He would beat himself up until he got it. Very intense, very passionate about a sport that he loves very much.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    WTF, that’s really depressing

  • AnoopFan

    Can someone tell me what “top downloads” means? Is that a special word for “top 100″ ??

  • holeighannie

    The pics are at the bottom of this page:

    http://idolforums.com/index.php?showtopic=594571&st=2340

    That tattoo on his wrist is fabulous, haha.

  • Kirsten

    I found this interesting article from 2003 about the first BB Download Chart and iTunes:

    Maybe the most striking point is just how small the numbers are. The No. 1 track ["Crazy in Love," by Beyoncà © with Jay-Z] reached its perch on the strength of a mere 1,500 or so paid downloads. (Meanwhile, Beyoncà ©’s new album sold 317,000 copies the same week.) The No. 10 song notched only about 500. Since these songs are selling for about a dollar apiece, you can look at these numbers and argue that all the trouble and effort of making the songs available hardly seems worth it if the top seller is only going to gross $1,500 a weekà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ barely enough to buy Jay-Z a bottle of Remy Martin Louis XIII. But of course the various parties involved in the download-for-pay game are positioning themselves for the long run; the point is just to (finally) get something viable out there.

    Slate

    Wow. Things have changed. Anyway, July 19, 2003 is when the #1 Download era began so that gives us a time range.

  • tinawina

    Somebody over at Pulse is reporting that Paula clarified during a radio interview that the theme is actually #1 downloaded songs. If true, that means the theme covers more years. I think that Megan should sing Shakiraà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Hips Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Lieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  complete with her toddler-style dance movements.

    Where is the total list of those? That would be interesting to see.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    He and Danny and Anoop played basketball the other night. What kind of player is Anoop? à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Anoop can play some ball, but Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll tell you heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a very intense basketball playerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦and when Anoop missed he did not like it. He would beat himself up until he got it. Very intense, very passionate about a sport that he loves very much.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    WTF, thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s really depressing

    Actually it just looks like Anoop is pretty competitive. Nothing depressing about that.

  • SpenserJ

    To see Paula dancing to that one would be too much for words.

    Classic tv moment right there!

    Actually it just looks like Anoop is pretty competitive. Nothing depressing about that.

    Yeah, some people are just hyper competitive. I imagine watching Anoop play basketball is similar to watching my husband play golf or my son play baseball.

    Feeling an intrinsic need to be good at something and continuing to practice to get better are actually pretty good personality traits. I do not find that depressing at all (unless for some reason you really hate basketball).

  • flyaway

    Yep, being competitive is a good thing, especially on American Idol. Loved Anoop’s answer to “do you think you can win” — “of course!”

    I’m really torn on song choice for him next week. He lists his favorite artist as Ne-Yo and think he could do great with something from him but not sure the majority of the voters are up on the newer stuff. Anyone know if Boyz 2 Men, New Kids on the Block or Ne-Yo have covers of classics that have made it to itunes top 100?

  • Kirsten

    Where is the total list of those? That would be interesting to see.

    Here is a partial list (from 2005 through end of 2008)
    Candy Shop, 50 Cent Feat. Olivia
    Switch, Will Smith
    Beverly Hills, Weezer
    Hollaback Girl, Gwen Stefani
    Don’t Phunk With My Heart, Black Eyed Peas \These Boots Are Made For Walkin’, Jessica Simpson
    Pon De Replay, Rihanna
    Just The Girl, The Click Five
    Gold Digger, Kanye West Feat. Jamie Foxx
    Photograph, Nickelback
    My Humps, Black Eyed Peas
    Hung Up, Madonna
    When I’m Gone, Eminem
    All I Want For Christmas Is You, Mariah Carey
    Don’t Forget About Us, Mariah Carey
    Laffy Taffy, D4L
    Dirty Little Secret, The All-American Rejects
    Check On It, Beyoncà © Feat. Slim Thug
    Breaking Free, Zac Efron & Vanessa Anne Hudgens
    You’re Beautiful, James Blunt *First to break 100K sales in a week*
    So Sick, Ne-Yo
    Bad Day, Daniel Powter
    SOS, Rihanna
    Promiscuous, Nelly Furtado Feat. Timbaland
    Hips Don’t Lie, Shakira Feat. Wyclef Jean *First to break 200K sales in a week*
    Promiscuous, Nelly Furtado Feat. Timbaland
    Crazy, Gnarls Barkley
    London Bridge, Fergie
    SexyBack, Justin Timberlake
    How To Save A Life, The Fray
    Lips Of An Angel, Hinder
    Smack That, Akon Feat. Eminem
    My Love, Justin Timberlake Feat. T.I.
    Fergalicious, Fergie
    I Wanna Love You, Akon Feat. Snoop Dogg
    Irreplaceable, Beyoncà ©
    This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race, Fall Out Boy
    What Goes Around… Comes Around, Justin Timberlake
    This Is Why I’m Hot, MIMS
    Glamorous, Fergie feat. Ludacris
    Beautiful Liar, Beyoncà © & Shakira
    The Sweet Escape, Gwen Stefani Feat. Akon
    Give It To Me, Timbaland Feat. Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake
    Girlfriend, Avril Lavigne
    Makes Me Wonder, Maroon 5
    Umbrella, Rihanna Feat. Jay-Z
    Hey There Delilah, Plain White T’s
    Beautiful Girls, Sean Kingston
    Stronger, Kanye West
    Crank That (Soulja Boy), Soulja Boy Tell’em
    Gimme More, Britney Spears
    Kiss Kiss, Chris Brown Feat. T-Pain
    Apologize, Timbaland Feat. OneRepublic
    No One, Alicia Keys
    Low, Flo Rida Feat. T-Pain **First song to sell over 400K in one week (bypassing being the first to sell 300K as well**
    Love In This Club, Usher Feat. Young Jeezy
    Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley **Week that Jason sang it**
    Bleeding Love, Leona Lewis
    Touch My Body, Mariah Carey
    4 Minutes, Madonna Feat. Justin Timberlake
    Take A Bow, Rihanna
    Time Of My Life, David Cook
    Viva La Vida, Coldplay
    I Kissed A Girl, Katy Perry
    Disturbia, Rihanna
    Crush, David Archuleta
    Whatever You Like, T.I.
    So What, Pink
    Live Your Life, T.I. feat. Rhianna
    Womanizer, Britney Spears
    If I Were A Boy, Beyoncà ©
    Heartless, Kanye West
    Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), Beyoncà ©
    Circus, Britney Spears

    Songs with most weeks at No. 1
    1. Low, Flo Rida Feat. T-Pain (13)
    2. Hollaback Girl, Gwen Stefani (9)
    3. Gold Digger, Kanye West Feat. Jamie Foxx (9)

    Thanks to bauhaus over on Pulse (I just trimmed out the numbers and the multiple entries)

  • snuffles

    Crazy, Gnarls Barkley

    If they ever approve that song, ADAM would be ALL OVER THAT. I still think he should do a rocked out version of Britney Spears “Circus” or maybe Madonna and Justin’s “4 Minutes”.

  • soundscene

    ^^ It would make me kind of sick if they approved “Crazy” for this year. If it’s #1s, then that still covers quite a few songs. But I guess that will quickly get cut down by producers to a “manageable” list that excludes all songs that can’t be cleared and all songs that they just don’t want contestants to perform.

  • annoula

    “Kiss Kiss” is on the list…have you guys seen Anoop’s version? It’s pretty awesome.

    The problem might be that he’s not making it original. Also, there’s a different impact when Anoop’s singing with a group than when he’s singing solo. So I don’t know if this would be a safe choice.

    Anyway, even though we think there’s a broad list, who knows which songs can be cleared, or more importantly, which songs the producers will essentially “pick” for the contestants? :(

    This theme is going to be tough for everyone, because how do you make a modern song more modern?

  • Kirsten

    And to add to the list, number #1 digital downloads in 2009:

    Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), Beyoncà ©
    Just Dance, Lady Gaga Feat. Colby O’Donis
    My Life Would Suck Without You, Kelly Clarkson
    Crack a Bottle, Eminem & Dr. Dre & 50 Cent
    Right Round, Flo Rida ** First song to sell more than 600K downloads in a single week bypassing 500K**

  • CookifiedTexan

    I swear to God, if anyone does Jessica Simpson’s version of “These Boots Were Made for Walkin’”, I’ll vomit and throw my tv through the window. Megan, I’m looking at you.

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    I don’t think “Crazy” will ever be approved. I don’t think it was that TPTB didn’t want to show it, it’s just that Danger Mouse totally wouldn’t let it go, no matter what. So unless Danger Mouse happens to magically change his mind, I don’t think we’ll be seeing “Crazy.”

    Someone could do a stripped down version of songs like “Umbrella” or “Bleeding Love” and maybe really kill with it. Awww this makes me think of Nate and “Disturbia” in Hollywood and “Bleeding Love” in that airport. Sniff.

    I’ll bet my hat someone will sing “How to Save a Life” and “Hey There Delilah.”

    I will TOTALLY lmao if someone sings “Bad Day.” They have to know that would be suicide. But how hilarious would it be for them to have to sing it again while begging for their lives in front of the judges?

    So, on second thought… Danny? I have the perfect song for you…

  • SpenserJ

    It would make me kind of sick if they approved à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Crazyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  for this year.

    Someone sang this in a never-aired audition right? I don’t remember who though LOL.

    I know we tend to poke fun at the limited song list that the contestants are offered (especially the fact that the fodder always draw the short stick!). But, in some cases a song like this might be easier (i.e. cheaper) to clear a year later. When artists are riding high, they put a high price on clearing their songs. When they’re between albums or their most recent album isn’t selling the way they’d hoped, they might be a little more inclined to reduce the price.

    Some artists won’t release their songs to the idol contestants regardless of the price. Some artists take years of convincing. I too find it fun to blame the TPTB, but regardless of being the biggest tv show in the land, they simply cannot force an artist to give up a song they don’t want sung on the show.

  • snuffles

    Someone could do a stripped down version of songs like à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Umbrellaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    I could see Adam doing this version:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNbGvwODrLs

  • CookifiedTexan

    Spenser, it was Jason Castro. He sang “Crazy” for every audition until the Top 24 episode (or so he claimed in some interview somewhere). Hence the reason Jason had zilch screen-time going into the semi-finals.

  • soundscene

    Someone sang this in a never-aired audition right? I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t remember who though LOL.

    Jason sang it during his audition, Archie sang it in Hollywood. Both got RAVE reviews from the judges. Both never aired (well, you see Archie sitting at the piano at the end of it, but you never hear it). Jason wound up singing it on tour. Archie later sang it on a local Utah TV show during tour.

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    Spense – David Archuleta and Asia’h Epperson also sang “Crazy” in Hollywood. It was apparently on an approved list, but Danger Mouse went back on his clearance of it. So those performances were never aired.

    Jason did the Ray LaMontagne version of it, which is what he did on the tour. I forgot you didn’t get to see it. :(

  • frogcooke

    ^^ right annoula… and lisa

    theres a list of songs and then theres the list given to them thats cut down…

  • Kirsten

    It was apparently on an approved list, but Danger Mouse went back on his clearance of it.

    That’s not what I heard. Cree-Lo gave his approval and the producers put it on the approved list. Danger Mouse, the other writer, then said he didn’t want the song used. So, IMO, the producers are the ones that messed up by not ensuring that they had approval from all the copyright holders before putting it on the approved list. Danger Mouse did not go back on his word.

    Here is an article that quotes Nigel saying what I recall.

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    Here is an article that quotes Nigel saying what I recall.

    Whoops. I misremembered the article. Thanks.

  • hypertwink

    #1 Downloads? Nuts, I wanted someone to do Use Somebody by Kings of Leon. Or maybe, they can do acoustic Gimme More :thumbup_tb:

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    My Humps, Black Eyed Peas

    Lil :laugh_tb:

    Disturbia, Rihanna

    Awwww….Nate!

    So What, Pink

    Allison could pull it off. I still think she’d get a “copycat” critique.

  • thedingoateyobaby

    I want him to sing i kissed a girl and I liked it. Come on, that would be effing hillarious.

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    #1 Downloads? Nuts, I wanted someone to do Use Somebody by Kings of Leon.

    Me too. I love Kings of Leon. And “Come On Get Higher” by Matt Nathanson is a great song too that I was hoping someone might sing. Damn.

    All of the songs I’ve thought that Allison could sing, after thinking about it, I think they have lyrics that aren’t really age appropriate for her. I think it might be a tougher week for her than it seems at first glance.

    Actually, I think it’s gonna be a tougher week for everyone than it seems at first glance. Especially with the “top downloaded” songs, because these are so familiar. It will have to be a rearrangement or something at least somewhat different from the original to avoid getting the “copycat” or “not as good as the original” critique.

    And when you take the rap and hip hop songs out (which I don’t think anyone will do), it condenses the list even more. So if it’s really the top downloaded songs from each week since the downloading era began, it’s a pretty limited list to begin with.

    God, I hope no one else attempts “Viva La Vida.” I also hope Lil doesn’t sing “No One.” Because I actually LIKE Lil and I want her to go farther, but that would be the most predictable song choice ever.

  • Qcloud9

    He lists his favorite artist as Ne-Yo and think he could do great with something from him but not sure the majority of the voters are up on the newer stuff

    ———————————————————-
    I had never heard Ne-Yo’s “Sexy Love” & “Because of You” before I heard Anoop sing it, but I knew right away I loved it when Anoop sang it! I love it so much I listen to it multiple times every day!!! I’m addicted to Anoop!!! :drunk_tb:

  • Victoria

    And à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Come On Get Higherà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  by Matt Nathanson is a great song too that I was hoping someone might sing.

    I am currently obsessed with that song.

    Someone should do GaGa… Just Dance made it to #1, and Pokerface is right now. That would be epic, lol. I love her. I’m guessing Simon probably doesn’t. He would die. However, there is a stripped-down piano version of Poker Face… Hmmm…

  • Qcloud9

    annoula
    Mar 27th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
    à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Kiss Kissà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  is on the listà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦have you guys seen Anoopà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s version? Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s pretty awesome.

    Yes, Anoop is awesome!!! He made me like this, his voice & delivery are so good!!!

  • Qcloud9

    Anoop has done a lot of songs on that list that would really surprise a lot of people, because he does it all so well, whether you have heard the song before or not!

  • Lu

    Maybe he should leave the country music songs alone, given the outrage from Ring of Fire.

    That caused outrage? Seriously? Wow. (I missed all that).

    Not outrage… just a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach – lol. And around these parts, the radio djs played it the next day and were all talking about how horrible it was…

  • hypertwink

    Hereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s his interview with FOX NY. I JUST ADDED GOOD DAY LA!Michael seems like an all-round good guy:

    I just read the above as: I just had a good lay. I need sleep. Or a good…LOL

  • baxter

    If ANYONE does the Alanis version of My Humps I promise to power vote the entire night for that person….LOL.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W91sqAs-_-g

  • AnoopFan

    So, I saw the top downloads list. Anoop is going to K-I-L-L it next week!!!

  • AnoopFan

    Someone could do a stripped down version of songs like à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Umbrellaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  or à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Bleeding Loveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  and maybe really kill with it. Awww this makes me think of Nate and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Disturbiaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  in Hollywood and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Bleeding Loveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  in that airport. Sniff.

    Aww, I miss him

  • lifeisfun

    if it was top 100 next week would be sooooo good!

    Allison- Sober (P!nk)
    Matt- You found me (the fray)
    Kris- Sweet Thing (keith Urban)
    Lil- Halo (Beyonce) the judges will criticize her if she doesn’t sing anything thats not in her “genre’
    Adam- Use somebody (kings of leon) or Decode (paramore) he said he liked twilight
    Anoop- Mad (Ne-Yo)
    Megan- Knocks You Down (Keri Hilson) *just so megan could say “down” plus they both have kinda similar voices actually. Plus she could make it her own!!!!!!!
    Scott- the Climb (Miley Cyrus)
    Danny- 3 choices: Here comes goodbye (rascal flatts) then idol could pimp that chris sligh wrote it
    Don’t stop believing (Journey)
    Thinking of You (katy perry) I actually think that Danny could make a very original version of this song.
    I’m on a Boat (the Lonely Island)ha ha

    I think this would make an awesome show!!!!!!!

  • lifeisfun

    Adam would do an amazing version of Circus by Britney Spears too!!!!!!!!!

  • AnoopFan

    I really want Anoop to sing JAI HO! He could have a “moment”

  • primeminister

    If Matt picks a Timberlake song, he’s done. Let’s see if he’s stupid enough!

  • AnoopFan

    If Matt picks a Timberlake song, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s done.

    I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed!

  • annoula

    I think Anoop’s best bet is to choose a non-R&B song, or a song sung by a femaie. That way, he won’t be compared to the originals. Don’t get me wrong, he has the voice to pull off Ne-Yo and whatever, but it won’t stand out.

  • AnoopFan

    I think Anoopà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s best bet is to choose a non-R&B song, or a song sung by a femaie. That way, he wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t be compared to the originals. Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t get me wrong, he has the voice to pull off Ne-Yo and whatever, but it wonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t stand out.

    What female songs would you suggest?

  • annoula

    What female songs would you suggest?

    I have no idea. I’m just spitting out ideas.

    As for Matt, if he’s smart, he won’t do JT, but I could see him do Maroon 5 for some reason. It would be cool if he could pull off “Makes Me Wonder,” but it would be even cooler if he could use the f-word on American Idol.

  • http://www.myspace.com/rjveritas MrRJ

    Finally a songs from this century. Hi Bax!!!

  • JudyOhio

    I looked at the IDF pictures of Adam. He has an eye tatoo on his wrist. Cook has an eye tatoo on his wrist. Different style of eye, but an eye nonetheless. Any significance to an eye tatoo on a wrist in particular? Just wondering…

  • adamandeva

    Adam has said he really wants to do à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Stop Believingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  in previous interviews. And he even said that when he sings it that it doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t sound karaoke at all. I really really want to see that!

    Adam would do great on “Don’t Stop Believing” and its in the Itunes Top 100 right now. I just donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think this week is the right week yet to do DSB. He still has 8 more weeks (hopefully, fingers crossed). He should save that for Rock Week or for Top 3 Contestant Choice. I think he should really prove this week that he can be current as a lot of people still are wondering what kind of album can Adam Lambert make. Adam has said that he wants to make an album with electronica, rock, pop, and funk. So I think it would be awesome if he did Lady Gagaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Just Dance. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the style of music that he wants to make and he can do some crazy vocals with it. Plus ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s one of the biggest songs of the past year. I think he can make it fun, entertaining, and still make it his own. Since we like to see different sides of Adam, I think this is the perfect week for fun Dancey Pop Adam.

    ETA: JudyOhio, the eye on Adam’s wrist is an egyptian hieroglyphic eye or something like that. Adam has a deep fascination with Egyptian culture. You can see it in some of the jewelry he wears as well.

  • hypertwink

    I like Anoop but I want to like him more. Although he’s done well (Always on My Mind was wonderful), I expect something more from him. I don’t know what but maybe, a hint of creativity or a spark of something more that would convince me that he’s more than just a soloist from Clef Hangers.

  • baxter

    What up MrRJ!! Yes songs from this century….WOW…what a concept!!!

  • background_noise

    I think he should really prove this week that he can be current as a lot of people still are wondering what kind of album can Adam Lambert make. Adam has said that he wants to make an album with electronica, rock, pop, and funk. So I think it would be awesome if he did Lady Gagaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Just Dance. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the style of music that he wants to make and he can do some crazy vocals with it. ….. I think this is the perfect week for fun Dancey Pop Adam.

    adamandeva – I totally agree with your post! Dancey Pop Adam would be perfect after serious, soul-searching Adam. I’m one of those who really wants to know what kind of album Adam plans to record. All four of his performances have been so different, and as much as I’ve loved them all, I’m left wondering which, if any, really represent him as an artist.

  • Qcloud9

    Which week do we start getting 2 performances from each remaining contestant?

  • primeminister

    Which week do we start getting 2 performances from each remaining contestant?

    Top 5.

  • Lys

    Edit: Never mind, prime beat me to it. :)

  • adamandeva

    Edit, nevermind.

  • cheese

    I expect something more from him. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know what but maybe, a hint of creativity or a spark of something more that would convince me that heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s more than just a soloist from Clef Hangers.

    Well, the judges pretty much challenged Anoop to do just that for this week, so we’ll see. As a guy who seems to be “just” a singer, it might be beyond him to do major rearrangements to his songs in few days (I haven’t seen too many r&b covers of other genres in general, either on the show or out in the real world. It seems easier to take an r&b/pop song, strum an acoustic guitar and turn it into semi-soulful folk, like hundreds of random people do on YouTube)

    I think he can do way more with his voice than some of the other guys (excluding Adam of course), but if he’s going to stand out based on his voice alone, he needs to pick the right songs, really commit and lay it all out there. I think Beat It and the reaction to Beat It spooked him, and he’ll probably be out at 7 unless he really gets his confidence back. He should be safe next week as long as he doesn’t sing Viva la Vida like a goat, frantically run around saying “Beat It” or sing another slow, slow ballad (or sing Alanis’ cover of My Humps, ha.)

    Why am I writing essays about Anoop? lol – sorry

  • Hazehel

    I looked at the IDF pictures of Adam. He has an eye tatoo on his wrist. Cook has an eye tatoo on his wrist. Different style of eye, but an eye nonetheless. Any significance to an eye tatoo on a wrist in particular? Just wonderingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

    It’s the Eye of Horus, an Egyptian symbol that’s supposed to protect and ward off evil -

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_of_Horus

    Unless it is done deliberately for some reason, it looks to be drawn slightly wrong – the curly bit under the eye should be placed on the other side of the eye going in the opposite direction.

    You can have it tattooed anywhere, no specific I know of for it being on the wrist except that it is eye-catching.

  • http://www.myspace.com/rjveritas MrRJ

    I used to be uptight
    I was ready to fight
    And then I found sweet Bax
    So now I can relax

  • http://www.myspace.com/rjveritas MrRJ

    You all know what Anoop rhymes with don’t you?

  • cookcricket

    and I believe that I established that Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m the type of artist that will not only work my tail off to do what I do, but that I never give less than 110 percent when Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m performing, and I believe I showed that.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    Good for you Michael because that’s what it takes!!!!! I’ve seen a friend do this, she works her tail off and gives 110 percent and doors are opening for her, albeit on a local level. But you’ve had some national exposure, don’t give up your dream!!!

  • Grammie Kari

    Anoop has done a lot of songs on that list that would really surprise a lot of people, because he does it all so well, whether you have heard the song before or not!

    Qcloud9, are any of those songs upbeat? I am not that familiar with many of these songs, and I can’t get to iTunes. Anoop needs to stay away from ballads.

    (Just as some of you were unfamiliar with the Motown songs, I knew every one from the TOP 50 list that appeared here. But I am always open to hearing good music!)

    I really want Anoop to sing JAI HO! He could have a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“momentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ 

    AmoopFan, now that song I know and love. Is it on the list? Yes, it would be a “moment”! He would pull in a lot of new voters if it is done well.

    I know so many men (and a few women) who are very competitive. It is a good personality trait of someone who doesn’t give up and wants to get better.

  • AnoopFan

    now that song I know and love. Is it on the list? Yes, it would be a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“momentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ! He would pull in a lot of new voters if it is done well.

    Unfortunally it isnt

  • AnoopFan

    As a guy who seems to be à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“justà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  a singer, it might be beyond him to do major rearrangements to his songs in few days

    He was the musical director his senior year in college.

  • AnoopFan

    I like Anoop but I want to like him more. Although heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s done well (Always on My Mind was wonderful), I expect something more from him. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t know what but maybe, a hint of creativity or a spark of something more that would convince me that heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s more than just a soloist from Clef Hangers.

    Or a new style? COME ON, STYLISTS!

  • hardkandy

    #1 Downloads? Nuts, I wanted someone to do Use Somebody by Kings of Leon.

    If someone can pull that off I will love them forever. Unless it’s Danny, heh.

  • Grammie Kari

    I do believe we will be seeing a make-over in Anoop’s style. They did wonders for Clay Aiken, and Anthony just kept getting cuter with each show. What I would like to see is Anoop wearing some of the clothing styling of David Cook!

    Oh, I wonder what happened to the grey vest?

  • Qcloud9

    Grammie Kari
    Mar 28th, 2009 at 1:34 am
    Anoop has done a lot of songs on that list that would really surprise a lot of people, because he does it all so well, whether you have heard the song before or not!

    Qcloud9, are any of those songs upbeat?

    Upbeat, yes! I’ll try to list them later, I’m too tired to do it now.

  • sunchick

    I would love Adam even more if he pulled off I Kissed A Girl. Hee, awesome.

    Any significance to an eye tatoo on a wrist in particular?

    Eye tats are supposed to be protective, ward off bad shit, like it’s watching out for you, stuff like that. I think Adam’s is specifically the Eye of Horace (or Ra) which is protective and also a symbol of rebirth, regeneration because the Egyptian god Horace lost his left eye in battle with Seth for dominance over Egypt and later it was miraculously restored.

    Scott- the Climb (Miley Cyrus)

    Oh em gee, I hate that song with the heat of a thousand Disney fireworks shows gone wrong. Seriously, the first time I heard it on the radio, I thought it was a joke song, like a parody of a ballad. And the singing, owww, even with autotune. Should be perfect for Scotty Hardcore. *runs away before he can thunk me on the head*

  • bean99

    I know what Michael wants to do but think he has a greater chance of success with country music. I wish him well but won’t be buying his music either way.

    I wonder how many songs they’ll actually have to choose from? I think a lot of people would be surprised at how limited they are with every theme given that the judges are always harping on their song choice.

    I guess since they have current songs as options it’s even more important that they choose songs that fit the artist they want to be after the show.

  • ceegin

    next week should go down like this

    megan- chasing pavements
    anoop- mad
    matt g.- you found me
    alison- so what
    kris- im yours or lucky
    adam- kings of leon

  • Qcloud9

    Anoop made me like this:
    Kiss Kiss (Chris Brown Feat. T-Pain)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5O1O06m14s

    I like Anoop’s version better than Chris B. I noticed Kiss Kiss video by Chris Brown has already had almost 14 million views, so maybe American Idol would like to start including some of this type of music! No contestant has performed it yet, but they did recently have Kayne West perform, so they must believe the audience wants to see it.

  • Qcloud9

    Wow, I just noticed there is another video of Kiss Kiss (Chris Brown) that already has 66 million views! Pretty popular I guess!

  • AnoopFan

    Qcloud9 – I would love for him to perform that, but Chris B is pretty hated by the public right now. I dont know if Anoop singing it would go over very well.

  • Qcloud9

    AnoopFan
    Mar 28th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
    Qcloud9 – I would love for him to perform that, but Chris B is pretty hated by the public right now. I dont know if Anoop singing it would go over very well.

    AnoopFan – You may be right, I don’t know how most people think about that. To me it isn’t a problem, since I can distinguish between the song and the song writer. So to me it would be fine for Anoop to sing the song, since singing the song doesn’t mean he condones Chris Brown’s behavior.

  • Qcloud9

    Song choice is HARD, I’m glad I’m not responsible for it!

  • CathyMK

    Ooops, wrong page!

  • weese

    Kris please do not sing James Blunt, Maroon 5 or One Republic. Can’t find anything I want him to sing from Kirsten’s list. Hope they include number one downloads from various charts—I think season 5 they were able to.

  • Flea

    I’m not sure how song clearances work. Sarah Mather has a cover of Crazy on iTunes.

  • lifeisfun

    Adam would kill crazy (in a good way) here’s the link of him singing and dancing to it!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBlmcak7cuA
    listen to the note at 2:45IT DEFINES CRAZY!!!!!!!!!

    But i think if it doesnt get cleared Adam would rock a cover of bleeding love, or circus! I vote for circus!!! and make it his own!!!!!