First, I am no American Idol expert nor would anyone take musical advice from me. But that isn’t stopping me from giving Adam a bit of advice. Adam, for those of you who don’t know, is the semi-weird-but-charasmatic contestant who appears to be coasting into the finals. He’s no Carrie Underwood, but he is very, very good. Truly.
On the show, each contestant gets to sing and then “America votes!” Thirty-five million people do so each week. Frankly, I would eliminate Ryan Seacrest, the host, but that’s just me. The judges add their critiques, which run from “Dawg, you’re dope,” by Randy Jackson to “Cruise ship-karoke level,” by Simon Cowell. I agree mostly with Simon, but then I understand what he is saying.
It appears to me that song selection is key, the young singers need to pick a song somewhere between “Titanic” and any song by The Fray. “Making it your own,” seems to be the pathway to Idol Heaven. Whatever.
Net, net,….it is all about presentation, song selection and vocal ability. As Susan Boyle just demonstrated, a “surprise,” just like those in every good presentation, works in a gigantic way, even Seth says so. Her surprise was the voice that came out of the stereotypical, English frump. Her presentation was awesome (I’m shocked, said one judge), and the song “I Have a Dream,” fit perfectly because the song matched up her dream with the dream of Britain’s Got Talent; lastly, her vocal ability caused more people to cry in the last two days than who cried at “Sophie’s Choice.”
So, Adam needs a surprise. He should select the best song from Les Miserables’ “Do You Hear the People Sing.” It is a very moving song, seems to fit our own times right now, and NO ONE in the mostly Gen X and Y audience would expect him to sing it, IF they have even heard about it. I can only imagine his take on it, his costume and the outcome. Done right, Susan would become a mere footnote to Adam’s Performance.
Judge for yourself, here’s a random guy singing it in a stage production. Adam, who would be much, much better should go for it.
I hope I get invited to the show.
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[...] News Sources wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptFirst, I am no American Idol expert nor would anyone take musical advice from me. But that isn’t stopping me from giving Adam a bit of advice. Adam, for those of you who don’t know, is the semi-weird-but-charasmatic contestant who appears to be coasting into the finals. He’s no Carrie Underwood, but he is very, very good. Truly. On the show, each contestant gets to sing and then “America votes!” Thirty-five million vote each week. Each week, someone is eliminated. Frankly, I would elimi [...]
I love this blog, but this is a bad idea.I see where it comes from — Adam is a very theatrical performer, so let’s give him a musical theater song. But he has to do theatrical versions of more staid pop songs, or songs by theatrical musicians, or he’ll devolve into self-parody. (Plus, that’s not the best song from Les Mis — “Stars” is the best song from Les Mis. Though Adam couldn’t sing it since it’s a baritone.)
Since I hate it when people criticize but then fail to offer their own opinion (so that no one can point out how stupid their own ideas are), I now have to give my suggestion for Adam. I’m thinking that theatrical rock bands like Queen, ELO, classic Bowie, classic Elton John, even (stay with me here) Alice Cooper would all work well for Adam. But if I had to choose a band for him, I think he’d rip the cover off a Styx song. The ballads would be popular (Babe, Don’t Let It End), but I’d opt for the up-tempo Too Much Time On My Hands. Theatrical performers with a rock edge — that’s Adam.
OK, let me have it.
Troy,
You make some good points. I hope others can weigh in on this discussion and offer better comments. I am WAY out of my element here, and had not even HEARD “Too Much Time..” before you mentioned it.
I do like the idea about a Queen song or even a classic Elton John one. The main point of my post was to pick a song that would surprise the judges and the viewers. Who would think that Adam would be able to a ‘musical theater” song and make it memorable. Not that he has yet, but I would pay money to see him sing that song.
But I fully admit that, like the kicker text says, I am “frequently wrong, never in doubt.” I am more of a Beatles, The Nylons and Trace Adkins fan…so I am NOT the person to be giving musical advice to a future rock star like Adam Lambert.
You might have to be the musical advice voice for me here, if others have even better ideas.
Deal?
And…thanks BTW.
I think Adam Lambert does a surprise performance just about every week, which is why America seems to be fascinated with him. The most surprising was his sensitive acoustic turn with Tracks of My Tears during Motown Week and he actually cleaned up his appearance (totally unexpected). The next show on Tuesday night is Disco Week. Any bets on what Adam will pick? Will he rock-ify a BeeGees song? I can picture Staying Alive slowed down a bit with a thumping bass guitar beat and some electric guitar for good measure. Whatever he picks, it’s sure to have the classic Adam Lambert high-pitched wail.
I agree. So you didn’t like my pick of a Les Miserables song? I am looking for the surprise element to the Nth power, but I do agree that he does surprise each week. Must admit that his Ring of Fire rendition was waaay off the charts, still you have to admire the guy for trying.
Hi GL,
In that next week’s performance is to be a 70s disco selection, and I’m a 70s chick (was in junior high / high school during that time), this REALLY resonates, and I’m pumped to hear the performances. I loved the disco ditties, particularly those by the Bee Gees – Barry Gibb’s voice is transporting.
So, for Adam, I choose: Stayin’ Alive byThe Bee Gees
Now, for the Beatles fan you are, GL, another great 70s song, by the Beatles, would be: Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band.
Wouldn’t it be something to hear Adam reinvent that song?? What are your thoughts?
Jacqui
Thanks Jacqui,
I like the BG’s and Sergeant would be fun to watch.
I will let Troy offer up his pick for best Disco song for Adam.
Troy?
PS – your theatrical choice (song) from Les Miserables for Adam, to me, was inspiring – perhaps for a ‘later’ performance, if it fits the show’s theme? Love how you are embedding videos into your blog now!
Also – I noticed Hayli also suggested Staying Alive
Will be curious Troy’s ideas.
Jacqui
Sorry, guys, lunch meeting. I’m back.
Disco is tricky for Adam. Add an iconically cheesy disco song to Adam’s instinct for melodrama, and the results could just end up being way over the top. The safe move here is to find someone with a real rock edge who put our a “disco-infused” song during the era. I’m thinking of songs like Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” or the Stones’s “Miss You”. Those aren’t disco artists, but are clearly disco songs.
But that’s kind of cheating — no one classifies those guys as disco artists, even though they made few disco records. So I’m going to recommend Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way”. Good melody to play with, dramatic key changes, etc.
Next question: What saccharine disco ballad will Anoop do?
I think Adam is creepy. Something about his face. I’m not being facetious. He is creepy to look at when he sings.
Carrie Underwood? Ugh – I STILL haven’t forgiven her for beating Bo Bice! Up with real musicians – down with pretty pop princesses!
Ok – back to Adam – he has a good voice and I adore his personality – but his stage act is too Broadway for me. That said, most people like Broadway so who knows? Maybe your suggestion is the right one.
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