just an old-fashioned love song...
It's going to be a lot more difficult to narrow down next week's theme than it was this week's. After all, a theme as broad as "Classic Love Songs," while terrific for the kids, encompasses every decade, every genre, every artist imaginable.
So where even to start?
I'll start with what I don't want to hear.
1. I do not, under any circumstances and regardless of whether your name is Katharine, want to hear any songs previously recorded by anyone named Mariah, Whitney, Celine or Streisand. And add Josh Groban. Just cause.
2. I do not want to hear anyone sing [again] Unchained Melody. I don't care if it's Simon's favorite song. I'm sure that after so many desecrations of that song, he doesn't like it anymore anyway.
3. I do not want to hear anything by Stevie Wonder. He had his week. Let the man recover in peace.
4. And leave Elton John alone too. Unless your name is Taylor.
Okay, so it's a short list, but it's sincere.
Here's a list to get us started. And here's another. I've got some thinking to do. As soon as I get Tuesday's songs out of my head.
So where even to start?
I'll start with what I don't want to hear.
1. I do not, under any circumstances and regardless of whether your name is Katharine, want to hear any songs previously recorded by anyone named Mariah, Whitney, Celine or Streisand. And add Josh Groban. Just cause.
2. I do not want to hear anyone sing [again] Unchained Melody. I don't care if it's Simon's favorite song. I'm sure that after so many desecrations of that song, he doesn't like it anymore anyway.
3. I do not want to hear anything by Stevie Wonder. He had his week. Let the man recover in peace.
4. And leave Elton John alone too. Unless your name is Taylor.
Okay, so it's a short list, but it's sincere.
Here's a list to get us started. And here's another. I've got some thinking to do. As soon as I get Tuesday's songs out of my head.
posted by jennifer at 7:39:00 AM
21 Comments:
For me, the question is this:
What qualifies as a "love song"?
If you look at the lists you link to, you see songs like, "Sweet Child O' Mine" (Guns N' Roses) and "You're The One That I Want" (Grease) which aren't classic love songs.
Are we talking about a whole week of the Anthony Fedorov Effect? Lord, I hope not. However, with Andrea Bocelli as the featured guest, I don't see anyone going out on a limb.
I can see Paris or Katharine pulling off "Faithfully" (remember, "Open Arms" was done by Clay in season 2) or any other big 80s powerballad because they've both got the pipes for it.
It would be really cool to see Chris whip out "Just Like Heaven" (The Cure) or "You Are the Everything" (R.E.M.). Or how about Elliott bringing it with "Maria" (West Side Story; yes, I know it's a showtune, but Elliot would hit that one out of the park)? That might just be wishful thinking, though.
I wouldn't worry about Kellie because she can dig deep into the country music catalog with something like "When You Say Nothing At All" (Keith Whitley) which isn't too big and doesn't require that much range.
Taylor might have the best week because he can go deep into the Ray Charles or Joe Cocker songbooks and come away with winners.
Like you, I'll settle for a night that excludes Whitney, Celine and Mariah.
Yeah, Dave, that's the problem here. (Or the benefit, I suppose, depending on your perspective.) The theme is SO broad that pretty much anything can be considered a love song, so I don't know how they're gonna define "classic" unless they just aren't gonna define it, just use the word as a fancy way of saying "pretty much anything you want."
That list is kind of warped, IMO. I mean really, some of those songs are mind-boggling, line "Think of Laura?" WTF?? Okay, nice song and all, but one of the top 100 love songs of all time? Yeah, right.
I think Chris can pull out Bon Jovi, Poison or (I hope) Meatloaf!
I have my wish list for Taylor - Your Song Elton
Wonderful Tonight - Clapton
She's Got a Way - Billy Joel
Open Arms - Journey
Maybe I'm Amazed - Paul McCartney
Let's Stay Together -
That's not even tapping into Ray & Cocker.
Chris = Love Hurts, Nazareth??? Ok, maybe not. But that is one love song long remembered for slow dances, eons ago.
P.S - what about Taylor and a Bob Seger - We've got tonight???
I could hear Chris doing Edwin McCain's "I'll Be" although I'm not sure I'd call it a Classic Love Song. -Jenna
Here are some ideas:
Taylor: Your Song,
Wonderful Tonight (chose before I saw another comment with the same choices!)
Elliot- If you Leave Me Now
Katherine- Unbreak My Heart
(not sure...I'm sure there is something better for her)
Kelly- You're still the One
Chris- Don't want to Miss a Thing,
I Want You to Want Me
Paris-How Deep is Your Love,
I'll Be There
Not sure on some of these...just first ideas from looking through one of the lists.
Taylor = We've Got Tonight Bob Seger
Yes! Yes! Yes! That is a wonderful idea!!! I would also love to hear Meatloaf out of Chris. I don't want Katharine to do anything too contemporary. Same w/ Paris. I like them doing more classic songs. Don't care a lick about Kellie and hope she chooses unwisely, as I want her to GO! And Elliott - love him, but don't know.
-Cathy
Oh good. Another vote for Meatloaf. I simply ADORE his songs. And I think for Elliott I want something truly classic -- like Perry Como or Tony Bennett. But I'm afraid that people might criticize since we've had 50s night and standards night already.
Again, Katharine and Paris can do just about anything and be fine, but I fear for Paris this go-round.
You are right, they have so many songs to choose from!!! They had better do well with all their choices! I don't care if I ever hear an AI contestant take on a Whitney, Mariah, Barbra, Barry, Elton, etc. song again. But, I fear that at least one of them will. Gee, do you think Kellie will sing a country love song? LOL! I cannot WAIT to see which song Chris picks though. There are so many great rock love songs out there!
Hugs,
Lisa
P.S.: Why don't they ever have an 80's metal night? Huh? Huh? Huh? Hee-hee-hee.
How about Paris doing Unbreak my heart , or Etta James -AT last. Pickler can do Hopelessly devoted to you or Anne Murray can I have this dance. Katherine can do - I can't make you love me. Elliot - Can't help falling in love or Let's Stay together.
How about Taylor singing Cocker's "You are so beautiful". He would kick butt with that one. Oh, and it would be great if they didn't sing one of the many many songs already done on previous seasons of Idol. It's not like there isn't enough music out there!
I would like to see Taylor drag out the Righteous Brothers songbook and do "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling". Just a thought. But I would definitely settle for Bob Seger, Joe Cocker, Ray Charles or even something from Bruce Springstein (?), which might also suit Chris.
Someone mentioned Maybe I'm Amazed (paul mcCartney)
I'm doubting that they could get the rights to the McCartney Lennon songs...but maybe I'm wrong...(but I'd be amazed!)
I wonder if we'll see a subtle side to Chris again this week and what his song choice will be
We saw the subtle side of Chris for two weeks now...I think he'll rock the house this week.
I don't think they have clearance for McCartney. They do for Lennon, but I think Wings songs are out, unless he's changed his mind. Beatles songs are not allowed.
First thing that came to mind, was "Everything I do (I do it for you) by Bryan Adams....I once asked my old man if he could sing any song in the world to me to express the way he feels about me, that's the song he picked...how stinkin' sweet is that?
Maybe Chris can sing it???
~V~
I'd love Taylor to sing "Try a little Tenderness" by Otis Redding. He could also do any Michael McDonald Song or Marvin Gaye's "Let's get it on", but I'd love to see the first song.
I really don't want to hear anymore slow songs though. They are way too dull. I want to see them perform, show what they've got. Kick it up a bit.
I'd like to see someone sing "Evergreen" by Streisand but who?
Before I read anyone else's picks for this week, I'm putting up my list! I would love to hear the contestants sing the following:
Paris - "At Last" by Etta James. I know we've done that genre already but holy cow! She'd knock that one out of the ballpark!
Katherine - "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack. It's a lovely, slow, rich ballad that would allow her to do vocal gymnastics all around it.
Elliot - "Let's Get it On" by Marvin Gaye (though I don't think even Elliot can do it as well as Nikko Smith did it last season). Another choice would be "When I Fall in Love" a la Nat King Cole. Oh my! He'd sound fantastic on that song!
Chris - So much to choose from!!! "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner. "Faithfully" by Journey. *sigh* "Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith. I want my rocker back!
Kellie - I don't really care what she does, but she definitely needs to stay in the country arena. Maybe "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt, or "Break It to Me Gently"? Did Juice Newton do that one? I'm hearing the voice and the song in my head but not sure who it is.
Taylor - There is only one song I want to hear him sing: "You Are So Beautiful" a la Joe Cocker. Getting shivers just thinking about the possibilities!! Please, please, PLEASE do that song!!!!
Someone suggested Unbreak My Heart for Paris. Too low for her. Too low for any of the girls this year. Toni Braxton is practically a baritone. It's hard to match that.
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