Taylor Hicks – “What’s Right is Right” – Released to iTunes and Amazon Today

I’m with you MJ – as you said in an earlier post, this is a bit too ‘adult contemporary’ for me (I think that’s the category you put it in). Too mellow and not enough fun. I like Taylor with more funk.

Very nice story line — with an insidious “hook”. I think this was an excellent choice for the first release.

Compared to his previous singles, is this one off to a better start, radio-wise? I saw yesterday that it got some AC adds.

Great way to start my morning! It is so wonderful to hear some new music from Taylor! :clap_tb:

I ordered it from your link. Supporting my fav artist and fav board in one click – cool.

Downloading now. I hope it exceeds Taylor’s expectations. I do like the hook!

It will be snubbed by radio.

But that won’t convince me that this isn’t better music than the crap they do play on the radio.

WRIR was played in Stuart, FL early this morning and went for adds today on the following HAD/AC stations:

KKMY, Beaumont, TX
KUMU, Honolulu
KWAV, Monterey-Salinas, CA
WHLG, Ft. Pierce, FL
WJKK, Jackson, MS
WJXB, Knoxville, TN
WLNP, Wilkes-Barre, PA
WRSA, Huntsville, AL

Taylor is from another era. 70s? I guess it’s more complicated than most 70s songs–Taylor would be a genius if he’d been recording in the 70s.

I find it a little dull but maybe it’ll grow on me. At least it’s more “him” than his release with RCA (is that the Sony BMG arm he was with?).

Actually he may be going back farther than 70′s…check out the pix from the video at his myspace http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=55986260&albumId=2649819

I get a 1940 or 1950′s vibe… :biggrin_wp:

I don’t say this to stir up the fanbase, although it might, but I think it’s time to accept that Taylor is not a commercially viable artist. His style of music is just not current nor appealing to a wide audience. He won American Idol because he was different, and attractive (in a major way) to the women of a certain age who watch the show, but that doesn’t translate into record sales. He doesn’t have the vocal chops to be a classic singer, and he doesn’t have a comtemporary sound. Maybe his fans don’t care whether he is commercially viable or not, but if someone knows a kind of music Taylor could succeed with, please enlighten us. If he could succeed, he would have already. He had an amazing chance. I don’t dislike the guy; in fact, I like him, and he probably can still make a good living, but he is never going to sell records.

Caffiend – way back when he first won, I posted that I didn’t expect that he ever needed to be a superstar along the lines of some, just that he wanted to have a good, solid music career – maybe like Ray LaMontaygne – solid fan base, able to keep touring & putting out new music – make a good living. Of course, I was beat up for saying that, but I still think that is the case. I think he’s looking to expand in other areas of entertaining, but I’m just happy if he can put out good music I like, and I can see him in concert. I’d be really surprised if he has a major radio hit, but you never know. Look at Elliott & his “Wait for Me.” You never know.

Caffiend, I totally disagree with you about vocal chops. Taylor is a damn good singer. Whether I have loved all of his choices lately or not, I don’t think that his lack of commercial success has anything to do with his voice.

I just think that the music that he is best at is just not popular at the moment. I do think that he can have moderate success in his genre if he produces the right song. I don’t know if this is it, even though I do like it, but I don’t think that there is any vocal deficiency at all. But then when did you have to be able to sing to be on the radio?

ETA: I also don’t get the deal with pointing out that his fans are middle aged women. Their money spends just as well as a younger woman, doesn’t it? Furthermore, most idol success stories have older women in their fanbase, I know for sure it hasn’t hurt Cook, Clay, Archie, or DAUGHTRY.

I am very disappointed in this song, to say the least. It’s obvious Taylor has pandered to his middle-age audience, who I’m sure love this song. Or, is he trying again for “pop” success? He will never be a pop star…why bother trying?

Real Soul, Blues, R&B, is about getting down and dirty and SEX – it’s not about, “marching step by step, walking side by side”. Listen to Robin Thicke, Gavin Degraw and Marc Broussard – that’s what “blue-eyed soul” is supposed to sound like.

To answer your question, Caffiend, I did see Taylor at one of his concerts and I enjoyed songs like “Badge” and “Medicated Goo”, but the other (pop) songs he did, I just didn’t get it. Taylor does well with classic rock and southern rock and that’s what he should be doing, imho.

Hi, Abbysee: I have also seen Taylor sing live, at the Viper Room. He has a pleasant voice, and he can carry a tune, but he doesn’t have a “big” voice, like Elliott or Daughtry. As far as middle-aged women buying CDs, my guess is they don’t buy them nearly to the extent that teens and 20somethings do.

All of the people you mentioned had good success from their first albums shortly after their AI spotlight. Daughtry became much bigger because his album is unbelievably radio-friendly. His songs get play on all kinds of stations. Consequently, he sells a lot of albums.

For Archie, Clay and Cook to have success beyond their initial albums, they are going to have to get heavy radio play and transcend Idol, just like Clarkson, Daughtry and Carrie.

As far as middle-aged women buying CDs, my guess is they donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t buy them nearly to the extent that teens and 20somethings do.

Teens and 20 somethings tend to download singles off of iTunes. Middle-aged people are old-fuddy duddys and stick to old-fashioned ways–like buying CDs. LOL.

I guess it’s a matter of taste, but I don’t think Elliott or Chris have “big” voices. Taylor is a good singer, I think. If he could record music along the lines of Ray Montagne, he might get played on the AAA radio stations, and would be considered very current.

But he’s not ever going to be a multi-platinum selling pop star. And, at this point, I don’t think it matters.

If he could record music along the lines of Ray Montagne, he might get played on the AAA radio stations, and would be considered very current.

If Indisciminate Act of Kindness is the one written by Foy Vance, then there is at least one very Ray Lamontagne song on the CD. I have tickets to see Ray in Tampa – yeah me.

Teens and 20 somethings tend to download singles off of iTunes. Middle-aged people are old-fuddy duddys and stick to old-fashioned waysà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’like buying CDs. LOL.

I guess ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a matter of taste, but I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think Elliott or Chris have à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“bigà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  voices. Taylor is a good singer, I think. If he could record music along the lines of Ray Montagne, he might get played on the AAA radio stations, and would be considered very current.

But heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s not ever going to be a multi-platinum selling pop star. And, at this point, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think it matters.

I totally agree with you Mj.

There is no handwringing going on with me about Taylor. All I want for him is to continue to produce music. I listened to all of his cds today. The ones he sold out of his car were superior to anything he’s done since. If he gets back to that he will satisfy his record buying niche. If he ever becomes Montagagnesque I believe he will be a happy man. I never expected him to be HUGE. I just would like for him to put together a body of work that he can be proud of. In the end that is all that matters.

Glamour defining ‘blue eyed soul’ or even pontificating on the numbers or what constitutes R&B or soul is above my paygrade. In your definition you would leave out alot of people who personify those genres but who never got down and dirty or sang of SEX. And if you check the last numbers for the guys you’ve listed, they haven’t exactly burned up the charts with their current cds. Taylor’s numbers aren’t too bad when you think about it. It’s a different time in the music business.

I don’t buy music based on whether anyone else is going to like it, or if it will get played on the radio. I would be musicless, and totally disappointed, because most of what I like I never hear on the radio. Even in the day of the 45 when I was a kid, I always liked the B side better.

All that to say, I am not worried about Taylor, he busted his ass before anyone heard of him for the better part of a decade and he will continue to bust his ass to do what he loves. I am no saying I will buy everything he pushed out the shoot, but I won’t turn up my nose cause radio won’t play him.

*ahem* almost 50 year old who downloads directly to her iphone, thank you very much, MJ. LOL.

I agree that if Taylor can get Ray LaMontagne like material, he will do just fine. He definitely won’t be turning up on my local top 40 station any time soon, and that’s fine with me. The single is ok, for me. I’m anxious to hear the rest of the cd.

Look at Elliott & his à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Wait for Me.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  You never know.

Sorry – the Elliott fan in me had to correct this… Wait for You. :smile1_tb:

Not loving this new song by Taylor. I’m hoping for some more upbeat, grittier ones on his cd which is what I like to hear him sing.

I really think Taylor needs to go straight back to old school blues — in the vein of “Change is Gonna Come”.

This song sounds a little like elevator music.

For Taylor (also for a few season 7 contestants), I think they can have limited mainstream success if they can write or come across the exact correct song. They do, indeed, sing well, but they don’t have vocal prowress. They just aren’t going to get by on their vocal chops. That’s absolutely not a bad thing for me. Taylor Hicks is actually somebody not unlike some of my most beloved musicians except he’s missing the songwriting genius. He probably has a better voice, but I’m not finding myself caring so much because I think his songwriting skills are suspect. I guess to sum it up, a great song, sung by a good/mediocre/even bad voice, is still a great song. A medicore song sung by any voice, for me at least, will always suck.

I love Taylor’s voice (much more than Daughtry or Elliott although I like them too) – don’t like all his song choices – love seeing him live as that is where he shines. I will probably pick and choose which of his singles I download just like I do with other artists. I did buy DCTR as I love all of Cookie’s song choices on it.

I am just happy that Taylor is putting out more music and hopefully will tour again and come to my part of the country. I am not interested in seeing him in Grease at all.

I think what constitutes good vocals varies from person to person. And for me it isn’t only the vocals that sells me on a song or artist.

*ahem* almost 50 year old who downloads directly to her iphone, thank you very much, MJ. LOL.

I think she really meant that they are less likely to steal the music, lol.

As far as middle-aged women buying CDs, my guess is they donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t buy them nearly to the extent that teens and 20somethings do.

LOL Well, my guess is that your guess is, um, wrong! :rolleyes_tb:

What do middle aged women have that teens and 20somethings may not? Oh yeah, that’s right. Disposable income.

As difficult as it is to admit, many MUCH prefer the CD over the downloaded song or two. And, sadly, I fear that this may indeed (as mj points out) have more to do with habit, and less to do (than we care to admit) with the fact that rock albums are supposed to be cohesive units, not a collection of singles or tracks.

But, then again, some of us also have great memories that most of the best songs on albums are never released as singles or played on the radio. In that regard, middle-aged women may just simply be wise from experience. :-)

Good music transcends age and demography. As do sales. IMO….

MJ, please delete this immediately if it causes any pain. I always hesitate to write something that might hurt a fan’s feelings, but I am a fan too and not at all being malicious here; I just have what I think is an interesting new look at this new album.

This whole CD sounds, from this song and from what I can glean from the other titles and other songs (Yes I Can) sounds like a civil rights anthem of sorts. And the song was after all prereleased on Inauguration Day. I took this whole vibe as an homage to what seems like a period near and dear to his heart, the musical period of greats like Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield and the likes. And I thought that was just great. And I still do.

But I’ve since read some suggestions here and there on the net, again, not malicious, that bring in another aspect to this, and to me it’s really interesting. What if Taylor Hicks is trying to make this album his own civil rights anthem for another oppressed group? I don’t even want to mention it because I’m afraid I’ll been taken as a troublemaker. Anyway, let’s say certain rumors are true. Then this would make a great statement and I think would get a lot of positive or at least intrigued press. I hope it’s true, actually, because then that would be very brave of him. That’s of course even if those rumors were true, and I’m not saying they are.

Wow, I’m exhausted! Hope I didn’t hurt anyone and please remove MJ if this is out of line (probably very few keeping up with this thread by now anyway).

I like the song, but, I’m excited to hear his take on Bobby Womack’s “Woman’s Gotta Have It” & Ray Charles’s “Hide Nor Hair”, both of which I hear were killer at his concert in Ohio last Saturday.

Put me in the boat with calimari & abbysee. No, he’ll never be a huge pop star, but, I do think he will record and tour for as long as he continues to love doing it.

I don’t hear WRIR as pop material, and I’d be surprised if it were meant as such. I hear it as more light jazz – and Taylor is a fan of jazz. I think the overall album will have a little something for everyone. Ray Charles and Bobby Womack material, Seven Mile Breakdown, Taylor-authored songs, etc. – I’ll buy the album for the variety. Others are likely to just buy the songs they like.

IMO, Taylor has a big voice, but one that is far bigger live than it sounds on a recording. Every aspect of the man’s art comes across so much better live. I don’t know if he’ll ever quite capture the essence of Taylor Hicks on record – unless, perhaps, on a live recording.

I, too, don’t see him as ever becoming a superstar. I’m not sure how comfortable he would be with that….eh, I’ll never know. I do think, however, that he’ll always be performing somewhere, some way. And I think he’ll make a good living doing so. In the end, we should all be so lucky as to do what we most love to do for a living. Rock on, Taylor.

Love Taylor’s new song and can’t wait until to hear the whole CD. Yes I Can was written many years ago and see no correlation to the current usage of the words. It’s a phrase that’s been around forever.

Taylor is working, I’m getting to see him, another new CD. This man knows how to keep himself before the public as much as possible. He’s an entrepenuer with his own label and creating his own destiny. Maybe on a different course than some of the other artists, but he’s not going away any time soon.

I’m just a fan and enjoy his music!

heh, yummystars, my feelings might be hurt if I had the least inkling of which you speak.
I like the music I’ve heard so far; I love Taylor’s voice and his eclectic taste in music. Can’t wait to hear the whole thing.
Pretty sure I won’t be napping through this cd.

I’m sorry, Crazymomelon! lol Okay, the thing is, I have only come lately to the idea that maybe some people were right to suggest that Taylor Hicks has some gender issues that he’d like kept hidden. He’s always deflecting comments about having no girlfriends and he always has this guy Bill with him. And an ex-girlfriend said he had issues from way back. There are comments that a set of lyrics like, “What’s wrong with you is wrong with me, What’s right is right,” could be read as a kind of paeon to gay rights or something. I even read somewhere that the line, Reach for the sky, could be heard, Reach for this guy. lol Okay, that does sound a little ridiculous, and honestly, it’s nobody’s business what he does. But since he’s a public figure, it’s gonna come up. And if it’s all true, I think it would be such a brave thing to do.

But in the short amount of time since I first posted my comment above, I watched a video clip of a radio interview he did today (with Bill in tow) and again he was deflecting comments about a girlfriend and if he is in a closet, he’s at least as much or more in it than ever, so that whole theory about this being a brave anthem to oppressed gay people is out the window for me anyway, at least for now.

I’m even nervous to just bring it up in half-jest after reading some of the hurt and inflammatory comments from ex-fans on the latest Clay-referencing post (the one with the jokey pic). My thoughts are, If you are a fan, if you really like somebody’s voice and think they seem like a nice person, you shouldn’t care what gender they are into unless you are a teenybopper who has fantasies of really being with that person.

The new album sounds like an eclectic mix of sounds and styles. Taylor found some good writers and excellent musicians for the new record and seems like excellent reviews from the people that count in the record industry. IMO there will always be critics or divergent views of any record — you can’t anticipate what people want or include all views or likes on a record. There is a point where the artist has to do his own thing, attain his goals and work to his business plan. Then most of all ignore rumors and zany comments.

I like the song and am looking forward to the rest of the album.

And if you check the last numbers for the guys youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve listed, they havenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t exactly burned up the charts with their current cds.

What are you talking about? Robin Thicke and Gavin Degraw have had a lot of commercial success and Taylor Hicks has not. As a matter of fact, Taylor has yet to accomplish anything in music.

Wasn’t there photos of Taylor with a beautiful blonde, with a killer body, on the beach fooling around – that’s not a sign of a gay man!! Give me a break!!

But in the short amount of time since I first posted my comment above, I watched a video clip of a radio interview he did today (with Bill in tow)

I was reading another blog about Taylor’s release and they kept talking about Bill. Who in the heck is Bill??????????

WRIR download on Amazon is .89 and on ITunes is .99. Good prices and availability. The single also went for adds on a number of radio stations this morning.

Good strategy and placement by Taylor’s team.

I was reading another blog about Taylorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s release and they kept talking about Bill. Who in the heck is Bill??????????

Bill Williams is a friend of Taylor’s and also his tour manager.

yummystars – To end the gay comments that you undoubtedly have read from other blogs that are not fans of Taylor, Taylor has had a number of girlfriends and long-term relationships.

What are you talking about? Robin Thicke and Gavin Degraw have had a lot of commercial success and Taylor Hicks has not. As a matter of fact, Taylor has yet to accomplish anything in music.

Read my statement c a r e f u l l y, I ssid….

last numbers for the guys youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve listed, they havenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t exactly burned up the charts with their current cds.

Check for yourself. Robin and Gavin’s last cds are struggling to reach platinum status, just as Taylor’s last mainstream cd. Interpret it whatever way you want, but if you are speaking strickly on numbers, they speak for themselves. Radio is certainly a different animal indeed. Sales are sales.

As for Taylor being gay, what the hell does that have to do with him releasing a song on Amazon and itunes today? I guess all male idol contestants are gay as I have heard this about every one of them, well except Elliott, and Bucky, lol.

There’s a “Taylor’s gay” rumor? wow–he is so not gay. That’s funny.

edit: you need to read my guidelines. no fingerwagging or lecturing fellow posters

As for Taylor being gay, what the hell does that have to do with him releasing a song on Amazon and itunes today?

Because the OP thought the lyrics to Taylor’s song could serve as a gay anthem. It wasn’t off-topic.

And I feel this thread getting a bit testy. Let’s dial it back a bit, please.

Taylorà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s song could serve as a gay anthem.

You know I adore you MJ, but seriously? Imagine what The Runaround or Dream Myself awake meant, and I missed it! Oh the extrapolation, rofl.

You know I adore you MJ, but seriously? Imagine what The Runaround or Dream Myself awake meant, and I missed it! Oh the extrapolation, rofl.

Abby, I think you might be missing my point. :).

Let the OP have her say. YMMV. Disagree politely. That is all.

MJ, signed on yesterday. Was interested in the header “What’s Right Is Right” being released to Itunes. Guess I was a little surprised to find commentary on rumors about Taylor being gay instead of discussing his music.

Didn’t think I was lecturing, just stating my opinion. I’m more of a factual person not a speculator. However, this is your blog and will respect your wishes :)

I think everything Chris Sligh records is a gay anthem.

Downloaded the song, love it.

I do not think Taylor is gay. Would not care if he was, but he’s had lots of girlfriends. I don’t know why this gay rumor starts for half the singers now. Strange.

Disagree politely. That is all.

Okay, Duly noted.

I have a question- does YMMV mean you make me vomit?

YMMV

Your mileage may vary. Even though in context the other could work too, :)

Okay, enough of that! I like the idea of a theme album, whatever the case. If it’s harkening back to old civil rights-type soul albums, that’s great. I like the idea of a theme album, that’s all. I know we’re all downloading singles but it’s something nice to have an album with a theme to it. India.Arie does that and I love her work.

The whole gay thing is something that didn’t occur to me on my own, I read it elsewhere and thought, wow, if that is where he’s going with this, that will generate some publicity and maybe be a really cool thing. But it doesn’t look like it’s going that way anyway.

Whatever the case, I like the single, I downloaded it from Amazon, and I will buy the album in March. I really am looking forward to the video. I am glad he is finally making a professional video and from what I’ve read, it sounds all smoky and atmospheric, so that bodes well. And the director has a good track record.

I don’t mind that it sounds very very old school. I think that is where his heart is and his voice sounds natural here. The only thing I can say is, I hope that some of the tracks are more personal. I don’t mind that the lyrics of this single are a bit trite. That’s the kind of song it is. It’s more atmosphere than making a statement. But the really great songs are written from a very deep place in the heart. If he gets there, either in this album or down the line, that’ll be a beautiful thing.

I don’t in any way think Taylor is gay. If he is so what? I like the music and if he delivers what he does in his own time is fine with me But I just can’t imagine him coming up with an album with a gay theme. Absolutely crazy to me.

I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t mind that it sounds very very old school. I think that is where his heart is and his voice sounds natural here. The only thing I can say is, I hope that some of the tracks are more personal. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t mind that the lyrics of this single are a bit trite. Thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the kind of song it is. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s more atmosphere than making a statement. But the really great songs are written from a very deep place in the heart. If he gets there, either in this album or down the line, thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll be a beautiful thing.

Well said. I happen to like old school and don’t really care what gets played on Top 40 radio. Most of the (Sirius Radio) stations I listen to probably count as “adult contemporary” or AAA so I don’t have a problem with that lable.

I like WRIR, which has a vaguely Sam Cooke-esque vibe and there’s a a little of something that reminds me of a couple of Keb’ Mo’s more “commercial” songs. That said, I will always prefer Taylor’s more organic EW stuff to the protooled stuff on TH. If Taylor’s other works on the Distance are more accoustic, that would make me happy.

I did hear a clip of “Nineteen” from the new album when it was posted on the Rocket Science site – before they took it down. It was a totally different flavor form one is. I personally think both songs are better than most of what was on Taylor’s same-named release.

MaryS
I agree with you about WRIR and 19 being so different. I wondered if Taylor may be trying different genres to see which one he may fit into commercially the best. 19 definitely had a country flavor to it and WRIR reminds me more of pop soul if there is such a category.

Hmmm, well I’m in my 50s and I buy all my music on itunes. I have several kinds of ipods and I got rid of my stereos and cds a long time ago. God I hate stereotypes. I also buy a hell of a lot of music and always have.

If Taylor appeals to middle aged, nothing wrong with that. It’s a big enough demographic. I think today’s music listeners have been conditioned to think that everything has to be top 40, or fit into a neat genre, or be adored by teenagers in order to be relevant. I’m sorry but I think we’re all relevant, and will be until the day we die. :)

Yeah I would like him to sing Ray L. stuff. We haven’t heard the whole cd though. The first single isn’t earth-shattering but it’s pleasant to listen to. Doesn’t sound like he’s going for teenagers. Didn’t he say he’s aiming at AC? Sounds like he’s doing what he said he’d do.

The song reminds me of Neal Diamond’s “Pretty Amazing Grace.” Similar vibe, similar in that it’s a love song about a satisfying relationship, similar in being kind of witty play on words. I’m more into Neil Young than Neal Diamond, but I like that song. At this point in my life I like a love song now and then. I have a mellow relationship and like songs that reflect that.