IDOL LIVE has shied away from suggesting songs for this season's finalists up until this point, but now that it's down to the wire, I feel it is the perfect time to throw a few suggestions their way.
As previously announced, Tuesday night will mark the Top 4 finalists' journey into the territory of rock 'n roll songs, which is a very general genre that is an umbrella to all sorts of possibilities for songs from many sub-genres, which means each contestant should be able to take advantage of the theme and pick something that fits their musical identity perfectly. That said, here are the songs I think would work well for each remaining finalist:
Adam Lambert: "Somebody Told Me" (The Killers), "Bohemian Rhapsody" (Queen)
So it goes without saying that Adam will excel with this theme. Basically all he has to do is sing any rock song, or any non-rock song in a rocked-out arrangement, and he'll be fine. Therefore, my song suggestions have more to do with what I think would fit his vocal style best than what he needs to sing to advance to the next round.
To kick things off, Adam would do wonders with The Killers' biggest hit to date, "Somebody Told Me," because he would be able to run around the stage and play his theatrical card, which would add to the spectacle and be swimming in excitement. In fact, this performance could potentially be the most entertaining showcase this season if he does everything right.
His second song choice of "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen would not be new to the Idol stage, but it is suited almost too well for him. His vocals could add even more character (if possible) to the classic, and it would be the perfect test to see if Adam really does measure up to Freddie Mercury, whom he seems to be compared to all the time. It would work better if he did not mess with the arrangement, but I could see him switching up a few things to make sure he is not pegged as a Freddie M. impersonator at a cheap karaoke bar.
If Adam takes on the above songs, it would further strengthen the musical direction he would like to pursue in peoples' minds,setting the stage for him to emerge onto the scene post-Idol.
Allison Iraheta: "That's What You Get" (Paramore), "You Learn" (Alanis Morissette)
Alright, alright, I know what you're thinking: why should Allison sing something by a band whose lead singer reminds many of Allison? Well, it's because Allison's performing skills would really radiate on "That's What You Get." Hayley Williams of Paramore really knows how to tear up the stage, and this song is the perfect fit for Allison and her personality. Sure, it would not be solely about the vocals, but her racing around the stage would more than make up for it. Plus, it's current, and since Allison is only 16 years-old, it would fit her perfectly.
In order to cull any "copycat" allegations leveled against her by the judges, Allison would be best served by coming out on stage for her second go round with the rock genre singing something with heart, soul, and less rock than roll. Therefore, an Alanis Morissette song would be the absolute right direction for her to pursure, and there is not a better choice than "You Learn" for Allison to accomplish this goal with. Just her at the micstand, using her extremely powerful lungs to belt out an staple female rock anthem that is full of emotion. To make things even more meaningful, it would be insane if she did an acoustic ore even an unplugged version of the song to potentially create a "moment" for her.
If Allison follows through on the above song choices, it would be hard to deny her a spot in the Top 3.
Danny Gokey: "Somewhere Only We Know" (Keane), "Everything" (Lifehouse)
Everyone and their mother is pegging Danny to fall flat on his face come Tuesday. Well, maybe that's a bit strong, but they definitely are not expecting an A+, out-of-the-park performance from him they way they are from Adam. This opens the door for Danny to really surprise the audience by delivering an unexpected one-two punch that will still allow him to remain in his comfort zone.
Therefore, I believe Danny would best be served by tackling Keane's "Somewhere Only We Know" for his first performance and finish off the night with an emotional rendition of Lifehouse's "Everything." By doing "Somewhere," he will effectively surprise most by performing a well known British rock song that may seem mellow on the surface but really carries a deeper meaning. Plus, it can't hurt when it comes time for Simon to give his two cents.
On "Everything," Danny would start off a bit slow in an effort to lull the audience into a dreamlike state and then come out of nowhere and follow through on the "rock" portion of the song. The song's lyrics could also carry a personal message for Danny, which might result in an even stronger result, and would definitely be a way for him to connect with the audience. In other words, this could finally be his "moment."
Kris Allen: "Back 2 Good" (Matchbox Twenty), "Round Here" (Counting Crows)
Kris has "'90s rock" written all over his face, and this week should be used to show how radio-friendly his vocals really are. By selecting "Back 2 Good" by Matchbox Twenty and "Round Here" by Counting Crows, he will be able to maintain his "good guy" image while at the same time taking a few risks with his vocals. The arrangements really do not need much switching up, and Kris' voice is leagues different than Adam Duritz's and Rob Thomas', so he could not be accused of being "copycat."
Kris could also really go out on a limb on "Back," especially on the final chorus where he really lets loose and ratchets up the intensity factor before returning to a soft, smooth finale on the song. It would help if he did not play the guitar, but it would be a little difficult to imagine him wanting to leave it off the stage here. "Round Here" is a different story, though, as he would most likely have to use his guitar to add another element to his overall performance. That's not to say his vocals could not do the job on their own, but it would feel more complete if he did play it. This performance would come across as genuine Kris and at the same time would really help build his "street cred."
Again, these song suggestions are purely my own personal opinion of what would be best suited for the remaining four contestants, and it is probable that none of them will even be performed come Tuesday night. It would be pretty cool, though, if at least one choice were correct.
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