It took seven seasons, but contestants on American Idol are finally being allowed to tackle the Lennon-McCartney catalog. Let’s give a hand to the shadowy, Michael-Jackson-affiliated legal entity that currently owns those publishing rights. And let’s, er, look forward to all the caterwauled Beatles covers this season (?) I dunno — I enjoy Idol plenty, and I’m all for artists putting their own spins on the Fab Four’s music, but somehow I just can’t get too excited about this. Much as I’d like to believe otherwise, there’s just no way this will lead to anything but painfully slick garbage assaulting my ears. Or is there?
Feb 29
2008
11:00 AM ET
To Care or Not to Care: The Beatles on 'Idol'
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I’m not a Beatles fan (I know, I know – the horror!), but it just screams of being a bad idea. The Beatles have some simpler melodies that might be within the contestants’ ranges, but really, other than David Archuleta, do we really want to hear all these kids butcher music that a lot of people hold dear?
Hey, we’ve had three movies in the past 30 years that have entirely covered Beatles songs. If we could survive them, why wouldn’t we make it through the “Idol” version, too?
Two seasons ago, I picked Elliott. He came in third. Last year, I picked Melinda, she came in third. This year I’m not watching. Every week I read about who butchered what, and I’m so glad to be free.
I was not happy to hear about this at all. I might have to skip that episode, I can’t take people butchering The Beatles library.
I think the picture you chose says it all. I think Jason Castro could do WONDERS with some of the Beatles songs. I’m putting in my requests now for his low-key, yet striking renditions of: Girl, In My Life, Norwegian Wood, Here Comes the Sun, Revolution 1 and Blackbird.
The Beatles are ridiculously outdated and in my opinion, overrated as well. I really think we could find a better way to challenge the contestents, especially after the schlock we have had to listen to these past two weeks. The 60′s and 70′s were a disaster, and this will be too.
Who’s best to tackle “Revolution No. 9/”???
The worst song in the Beatles’ catalogue beats the crap out of inane, banal tunes like “Hopelessly Devoted” and “Me and Mrs. Jones” every day of the week so I, for one, will savor every note from Lennon/McCartney, thank you very much!!!
I agree with Heather and Erika– let’s just let the Beatles songs lie, and tiptoe slowly past them. There is so much other available music to tackle that isn’t extreeeeemely overplayed. Moving on!!
I couldn’t be happier. Who can dispute the familiarity of the Beatles music, OR it’s melodic structure. And how can one possibly confine the genre? There is everything from the hardest edge to the softest ballads.
Jim
OK, I’ll admit, I grew up in the era, and I am older than the target audience. But….. I have had to slog through a night of Bon Jovi–and still enjoyed every song.
Feel free to disagree, but it will be VERY revealing, indeed.
Heather, I’m with you. I’m not a Beatles fan either. I’m 58 years old, and I do believe this will make the show dull and boring. Ok, everyone may have a Beatle song that they have memories to, but all in all they were not all that good. I believe that will be one show that I’ll skip also.
I dunno, I think I’m a little excited about this frankly because as much as I love The Beatles I think I love Beatles covers even more! (Am I in the minority here??)
Taylor Hicks sang “Something” 2 years ago—I guess George’s people okayed that one.
Since “Idol” (and karaoke night) singers generally get a better response when they perform a familiar song, certain songs are done to death. And there is a finite number of familiar songs. So it only makes sense to add these songs to the mix.
And if the producers could use this to get Paul (or even Ringo) to be part of the show this season, that would be HUGE!
This is disgusting. Why do shows like American Idol even exist?
If the guys sing Beatles songs, they run a huge risk. Only the girls should dare try it.