It’s the question that music fans have been asking since May: Will quirky, soulful Taylor Hicks — arguably the hardest-to-categorize American Idol champ in the show’s five-season history — maintain the platinum debut-disc sales streak that’s been upheld by the show’s four previous winners, particularly in today’s loves-to-categorize music scene?
Well, the time for answers draws near. Hicks’ full-length CD is due in stores Dec. 12, and now, the folks at the GrayCharles blog have an almost-completed version of a song called "The Runaround" and a snippet of "Dream Myself Awake" streaming at their site. (The tracks also debuted on Hicks’ MySpace page today.)
Of the two at GrayCharles, I far prefer "The Runaround"; with itspeppy, mid-’80s horns and restless drumbeat, it sounds like thelovechild of "Sussudio" and "Head Over Heels." And while the lyrics –"I’m getting an A in broken hearts/I got my degree in crying" — mightbe a little too cheesy for the hipster crowd, I’m totally ready to singalong after three listens. Perhaps most importantly, though, thisloose, jaunty track doesn’t sound like it was manufactured in the DianeWarren Instamatic Hitmaker 6.0, a problem that’s plagued many an Idolalum (and has inspired this Weird Al parody). Even if you’re one of those folks who’ll cringe imaging Hicks dohis white-boy shuffle performing "Runaround" live, you’ve got to admit,it’s not half-bad.
"Dream Myself Awake," meanwhile, is a lot more contemporary, butdoesn’t do nearly as good a job showcasing Hicks’s personality. I hateto sound like Randy Jackson, but it’s just aiight for me, althoughTaylor definitely did his thing, Dawg, and… yeesh, I just totally gavemyself the creeps.
Anyway, PopWatchers, take a listen to "The Runaround" and "Dream Myself Awake"for yourselves, and tell me: Is Taylor the next Kelly Clarkson orJustin Guarini — commercially speaking, of course? Holla back!
Comments (1-30) of 193 Add your comment
After a listen (I) I can’t really decide what’s worse (don’t), the lyrics (think) or Hicks himself (so).
“I’m getting an A in broken hearts/I got my degree in crying…”
I just puked in my mouth. Just a little, but I swallowed it.
Did any of you see our man Taylor Hicks on last night’s American Music Awards – Very handsome – Very groomed – Very cool – He put some of those so called artists to shame with his presence. I predict he will be the next American Idol Super Star – I knew he was a winner the first time I heard him sing and especially his well-mannered personality.
Looks like Dream Myself Awake is a Rob Thomas song…sounds like it…and that’s not really a compliment in my book.
I really like both songs. I also prefer The Runaround, but Dream Myself Awake isn’t half bad. Go to Gray Charles and listen to another song that was put up today. It’s called The Right Place and is amazing! It is the best of the three songs in my opinion.
Slezak, please review Katharine’s new songs! Thx
even if all the kat pack knows u dont like her very much, but then again u loathed Carrie Underwood.
Don’t know about his new tracks but I absolutely love the Weird Al version. It’s been one of my favorites ever since the album came out (though it can’t beat White and Nerdy).
“Wanna carve your name in my laayyyggg…in my laaaaaayyyyygggg!”
Ouch, that was quite painful!! Thank goodness I haven’t had my turkey yet. Actually, who needs it after that!!!!
Oh, my goodness, I am in LOVE with The Runaround. I haven’t been able to give the other track much attention because I’ve been replaying this one all morning. I love Taylor Hicks but was worried he would get crap material like Clay Aiken’s boring love songs and covers. Not that I wouldn’t DIE to hear Taylor do Ray Charles and Sam Cooke covers, but I also want him to succeed commercially like Kelly and Carrie.
I’ve got my degree in crying!!! hahahahaha! Its worse than I could have imagined.
Go buy the Daughtry cd, it came out today and i have been listening all day.
OMG! That was absolutely horrible! Just give the man some Billy Joel tracks to cover and call it a day. He just needs to go away…..the sooner, the better.
I think he fits in perfectly with all of the other American Idol winners. They all put out albums full of cheesy, sub-par knock-offs of songs that were already made popular by other established artists. The “American Idols” are only partially to blame for this since they don’t write their own music. People who like hearing recycled and re-arranged versions of thier favorite songs will eat this album up.
Sounds great. Maybe its a good thing that someone who can’t be easily categorized won, even though I believe Elliott should’ve taken the title (and might have since he didn’t have to sing a guilty pleasure). He’ll sell and sail like Kelly for baby boomers definitely.
There’s a new one up today that blows these two out of the water called The Right Place. You should mention that one also, Slezak!
It fits his style, which is a little country rock and Barry Manilow. Hard to categorize, but I see Taylor in Branson and Vegas, and that song fits those two places.
The first album will probably sell well like all the winners of idol do. After that he’ll start fading away. He’s just not that good. There were alot better then him that should have one.
Could not listen to either track all the way to the end….his mediocracy just shines through from the get go.
I like Taylor Hicks and I think the songs reflect who he is , I really like them and Can’t wait for the album…music is subjective and if crap like SEXYBACK and MY LOVE can be hits I don’t see why Taylor’s songs can’t either…Go Taylor!!!!!!!!!!
“The Runaround” is awesome. It’s joyous, danceable, with a touch of 80’s thrown in but still soulful. “Dream Myself Awake” is not spectacular, but it’s still good. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the album. If it’s anything like “Runaround” it’ll be huge.
I.. people will shoot me down for this.. stopped watching idol after the first season so i dont really know much about this guy other than he has gray hair, something about a soul patrol, and that he won. I’ve never heard him sing before. Well im amazed, he has his own sound for sure. I mean have you heard something like this lately? I didnt think so. Anyway, i just listened to “The Runaround” and i must say i absolutely love it. I’m 24 years old and it doesnt sound dated to me in the leats bit. It does reminds me tons of “Uptown Girl” though, the energy, the popiness, but thats what i love about it. Sure the lyrics are cheesy but its such a fun song, i cant hate on it. LOVE IT!
Once people can’t see him dancing like a “drunk father at a wedding” to quote the great Simon Cowell they will realize he’s just some lucky guy who turned out to be a mediocre singer.
Wow, “The Runaround” is really good on the first listen, especially compared to Chris Daughtry’s recently released song. If this is the quality of the album, this should be great!
There can be NO comparison between Taylor Hicks and DAUGHTRY……Taylor is bubble-gum and DAUGHTRY is Dom Perignon.
I LOVE THEM BOTH!!!
I love both songs. Also “The Right Place”, as I believe it’s called, is a great song. For those who say that the lyrics are cheesy, check out all the cliche lyrics on Daughtry’s CD. Love Chris, but hmmmm. I hear songs like that every where I go.
Taylor Hick’s 15 minutes is over.
I really liked The Right Place. This is what I expected from Taylor – it’s the kind of music completely missing from the charts. Also liked Runaround. Dream Myself Awake has the overproduced sound of all the Idols singles. I hope Taylor’s album sells well so his sophomore effort can take the Soul vibe as far as he wants to go with it. I always thought he could modernize/revitalize this incredible genre which is why I voted for him.
Hey you guys are so way of. Be jealous, be hatefull it doesn’t matter.
A lot of you that criticise taylor are obviously fans of some of the other idols and still cant get over the fact that he won. Grow up!
He’s the most original, the most honest, the most entertaining person they ever had.
I liked a lot of the other idols to this season but its obvious that he will go much farther then them.
Play the hand you’ve been dealt.
O. K. I saw I heard WOW He just keeps just getting better. Now I am not knocking some of the others have been realy great also. But it all in the Mood I am in what I like to lison to some time I like to rock are some times to just mellow. but I think you have to say he has his own sound and that can’t be said of all the singers out there today.
The runaround has a good beat. It sounds good but makes me sad. I’m starting to forget Elliott.
I think Taylor Hicks is great and though he looked great at the American Music Awards.