Fingers crossed that American Idol‘s decision to go back — way back — in musical time for an evening of songs popularized by the Rat Pack will pay dividends. The show has history on its side: Big Band Night was one of the undeniable highlights of Season 1 — remember Kelly’s "Stuff Like That There" and Tamyra’s "Minnie the Moocher"? — and both 1950s Night and Great American Songbook Night in Season 5 were pretty killer, too. Check out my request list for the season 8 top 5 below, then post your own picks in the comments section below!
Adam Lambert: We all know Adam can take an obscure song arrangement and sell it like it’s cold, bottled water in the desert. And we all know he’s got a knack for infusing a lyric with added subtext and meaning. (See: "Mad World," "Black or White.") On that note, I’d love to see him put a beat-heavy twist on "I’ve Got You Under My Skin" the way Neneh Cherry did for 1990′s Red Hot + Blue benefit album (sans Neneh’s added lyrics, of course).
Danny Gokey: Needs a "moment" worse than Octomom needs a Diaper Genie, and for that to happen, he needs to break the karaoke shackles. Best way to do that is to avoid a song that everyone knows, and instead aim for a gorgeous, intimate melody, maybe accompanied only by piano. I’d suggest Dean Martin’s "Under the Bridges of Paris" or Sammy Davis, Jr.’s "What Kind of Fool Am I?"
Allison Iraheta: Here’s a contestant who deserves to/needs to have a little fun up on the Idol stage, and what better way than covering Frank Sinatra’s "That’s Life" (preferably in a chic gown that’s not red and black). And for a contestant who’s becoming a permanent bottom-three fixture, what better lyric than "Each time I find myself laying flat on my face/I just pick myself up and get back in the race"? (Also apropos if — GAH! — she has to give an encore performance on Wednesday.)
Kris Allen: He can do romantic — "Falling Slowly," "How Sweet It Is to Be Loved By You," "To Make You Feel My Love" — but surely the man has felt the blues, no? Frank Sinatra’s "Drinking Again" might provide the perfect opportunity to use his puppy-dog eyes and hangdog voice to extol the glory of a broken heart.
Matt Giraud: Dude needs to take his place at the piano and avoid OD-ing on falsetto and vocal acrobatics — preferably on something jazzy, crowd-pleasing, and with an undeniable melody. I’m requesting "Luck Be a Lady" or "Autumn in New York."
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I’m thinking this is going to be one of the more interesting challenges to come to the show in quite some time. Since all the remaining can sing well it will simply come down to who can take songs from that eclectic 50s era and electrify an audience that probably has never heard that particular tune in their lifetime. Sink or swim time, kiddos!
I like the song choices, although I like Adam singing That’s Life or I gotta be me.
Um…I’m patiently waiting for Anoop’s Idolatry debut.
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Make it happen, Mr. Slezak.
I wanna hear Adam sing “Come fly With me”. I really think he could do something amazing with it.
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/04/28/ratings-report-heroes-and-chuck-finales-fail-to-impress/
Aren’t we two songs this week?
I’d like to hear Kris sing “Someone to Watch Over Me”.
It doesn’t matter what Adam sings, Slezak. You won’t like it and tomorrow we get to hear you poke at it or just ignore it.
yes, I agree about the challenge this week.My husband said ‘Oh good week for Adam than huh. Shows how much he knows. That era rat pack it seems was all happy ,happy songs. Can’t see Adam in that light .He either sings heart renching slow songs or sexy hard rock. I’m thinking he’s gonna totally switch it like he did Ring of Fire. Anyway he wore his georgous suit last week ,he can’t out do that..
I’m hoping someone does “Begin the Beguine” ala Sammy Davis Jr. on The Wham of Sam album.
It’s going to be a great show. Can hardly wait. Like the choices, but What Kind of Fool am I is a HUGE song–HUGE. If it’s sung tonight, that person should have an enormous range to really sell it.
I’d so much rather hear 10 of these songs than 5 of these songs plus Jamie Foxx goofing off.
Michael,
your idol assessments are impeccable and very clever and the “save the rocker” wonderwoman bits are absolutely endearing! I am psyched about tonight, I think tonight more than any other will shift the tides and allow us the first glimpse into the top3 (or even 2).
I am with you, I hope with all of my aching heart Allison will stick around, I just cannot imagine an estrogen-less idol for 4 weeks more! And by estrogen I mean the actual hormone produced in the ovaries, not the pseudo-hormone-like-substance that allows Adam to scream like a girl at the top of his lungs and get praised for brilliance!!!
SAVE THE ROCKER!!!! Go Alli!
I like all of Michael’s suggestions. How about One More for my baby for Matt? I see Luck Be A Lady more of an Adam pick, although I Got You Under my Skin is my favorite Sinatra song. I just hope no one sings “That’s Amore”… that’s so cheesy.
I’m actually hoping Adam will sing “Mack the Knife.” I know someone (maybe Blake Lewis?) sang it a couple seasons ago, but I’d love to see someone do it in a way that actually reflects how dark the lyrics are. Never made sense to me that that song was an uptempo favorite.
Danny should sing My Way, but just the first two lines, and then leave. “And now, the end is near, and so I face the final curtain”!
Adam needs to do Sammy Davis Jr.’s Bongo only arrangement of Begin the Beguine. Check out the Wham of Sam to hear it. Amokin. Sammy does not get enough credit for his jazz chops, if you ask me.