Image Credit: Michael Becker/Fox; Francis Specker/LandovWith only four weeks and eight episodes remaining in its not-so-fresh ninth season, American Idol is going to try something a little different next Tuesday: Harry Connick Jr. will be the first guest mentor in the show’s history to arrange the songs and write the orchestrations for the remaining contestants as they tackle the Frank Sinatra songbook. And since the top 5 hopefuls are having control wrested from their hands anyway, I say let’s do the honor of choosing their songs as well. The full list of 50 pre-approved Sinatra tracks is listed after the jump, and below is my dream set-list. (Related: ‘American Idol’ recap: A note to remember!; follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak.)
My Dream Set List for Sinatra Night on Idol
Crystal Bowersox: “You Do Something To Me” (she can go all Sinead/Cueball on it!)
Lee DeWyze: “One For My Baby” (do not do “My Kind of Town,” sir!)
Casey James: “Somethin’ Stupid” (could be Kris Allen/”Falling Slowly”-ish, no?)
Michael Lynche: “That’s Life” (somebody’s gotta go uptempo!)
High School Student Aaron Kelly: “In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning” (no I did not pick this because it contains the words “wee small”…I’m not that beastly!)
Approved Song List for Sinatra Week on Idol (available on iTunes)
All or Nothing At All
All the Way
Anything Goes
As Time Goes By
Blue Moon
Blue Skies
Come Dance with Me
Come Fly With Me
Come Rain or Come Shine
Fly Me to The Moon (In Other Words)
I Get A Kick Out of You
I Love Paris
I Only Have Eyes For You
I’ve Got a Crush On You
I’ve Got the World on a String
I’ve Got You Under My Skin
In The Still of the Night
In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning
It Had to Be You
It Was a Very Good Year
Just One of Those Things
Love and Marriage
Love is Here to Stay
Love Walked In
My Funny Valentine
My Kind of Town
My Way
New York, New York (From “On the Town”)
Night and Day
One For My Baby
Pennies From Heaven
Put Your Dreams Away
Someone to Watch Over Me
Somethin’ Stupid
Strangers in the Night
Street of Dreams
Summer Wind
That’s All
That’s Life
The Best is Yet to Come
The Good Life
The Lady is a Tramp
The Way You Look Tonight
They Can’t Take that Away From Me
What Is This Thing Called Love
Witchcraft
You Do Something To Me
You Make Me Feel So Young
You’re Getting to Be a Habit with Me
Young at Heart
Sheesh… if they’re trying to crown the next POP star, wouldn’t it be a smart move to let them sing something from THEIR generation? No disrespect – Frank Sinatra has an amazing legacy, but come on, now! Wouldn’t it be good to see how these kids can hold up against the Beyonces and Justin Timberlakes on the scene?
No, because that would make too much sense.
Only because they don’t have talented musicians who know how to pick and arrange a song.
They do this every season. It’s called a challenge.
NO. It makes no sense. why do we need more beyonces and jt’s? as far as im concerned, its pop stars like them that are ruining music and stripping it of its cultural social intellectual and artistic value. I think that by challenging the contestants to sing a sinatra song, they must find the soul in that song, which is something singers dont have. only mucisians have soul, and emotion. musicians write their own songs, and arrange their own music. and i think that these contestants (well a few of em, even ones that have been voted off) specifically are TALENTED enough to do just that. except for the theoryofanickelfault guy, they are all unique in style, and personality. i think that this seson has shown many people that you dont have to fit into a cookie cutter image to be good at what you do. thats why i bother to watch this season.
“pop” star is just another label for “america’s sweetheart” -it has nothing to do with talent. most pop stars have singing skill, but almost none of them can write a good song to save their lives. American idol is not about talent. its about skill and image.
@levelheaded I almost agree….but what about Crystal?? No matter what the theme is she always manages to make the songs her style.
lol…
Completely agree, themes like this are irrelevant to contemporary music – blech
Themes all this year are irrelevants
Have you heard of Norah Jones?
Check out the Billboard 200 if you think that the theme is irrelevant to contemporary music–Michael Buble has 3 albums sitting on the chart (and they have been sitting there for a long, long time.)
Contemporary music is irrelevant.
are you daft? really? i mean… really? i guess youre right; most music today has less value than the batman spoof og jingle bells i used to sing on the playground (jingle bells, batman smells, robin laid an egg…). so i guess in that way frank sinatra IS irrelevant. I think there are prolly very few “approved” songs that are “real” music. singing sinatra, while irrelevant to cheesy, worthless, plastic pop music IS VERY relevant to music people listen to after age 22.
Really? Jazz has no relevance????? Do you have ANY idea how many artists are influenced by Sinatra and other jazz greats???? I weep for the future of music.
Sinatra is not Jazz. just because something has horns doesn’t make it Jazz. Sinatra was pop music… Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday… that’s jazz
I just can’t wait for the judges to complain that they did not make the song relevant or they sound too old.
That would be PERFECT!!! What a ‘lame’ thing to say …over & over again!!
I’m praying for big mike to get eliminated and not aaron. I’m so sick of that man. Manhandling Alicia Keys is NOT okay.
Jamie Cullum has covered Sinatra and made it relevant. And Harry does covers and makes them relevant. It’s a challenge. It’s supposed to be a challenge.
I actually think this theme is very relevant. A lot of Sinatra’s influence can be seen in today’s popular music. But, of course, you probably think Lady Gaga cam up with her schtick completely out of the blue (hint, she borrowed from Madonna and others).
they did allow them to sing whatever, during semi finals and it still didnt produce any buzz worthy moments. really folks, its not the genre, its the contestants. look at the First Season w. Clarkson and T. Grey, they owned Big Band night.
Yes, definitely Brittany Spears auto-tune night, K$sha and the dancing TV night and Justin Bieber night would be so much better.
Auto tune night!! They should have done that all season.. that is what these kids need!
These people are much closer in talent level to Ke$ha and Britney than they are to Elvis and Sinatra, so I have no problem with this at all.
Britney has a talent level?
Well technically, burnt toast has a talent level…
well they did alycia keys and miley. they have to have at least one from a long time ago
*alicia
I think that a “classics” night makes sense and works – Big Band night from season one is still one of my favorite episodes. BUT… and this is a big “but,” the judges keep talking about making songs relevant and contemporary and discussing “hearing it on the radio.” That being said, they need to do SOME nights that are less classic and more adventurous. This year, we have had the Beatles, we’ve had Elvis, we’ve got Frank Sinatra… I’m just saying that maybe a more diverse collection of theme nights might be helpful. If they want someone who is “contemporary,” which Simon drones on and on about, then they need to hear something contemporary. I recognize that there ARE contemporary artists who do classics, but they are few and far between. If the producers want someone who really is marketable, then they need to pay attention to what is selling in the first place.
Ah, but this is the Great American Songbook! These songs have real melodies and lyrics! The night Kelly Clarkson revealed herself as a potential star was when she sang “Stuff Like That There” on standards night. It’s powerful stuff.
OR how about a “reality” night, where they play a song that they wrote and arranged, that way we can maybe open our selves up to a “new” way of listening to music? eh?
One of the contestants (I’m forgetting who now) was asked about this by Michael Slezak, and pointed out that it would be great for those idols who do write, but incredibly difficult for those who don’t–even if they were working with a writer and composer.
so do they REALLY deserve to be contestants then? if all youre gonna do is sing a song, dont you think thats kind of lame? but then i remember that american idol is not about music, its about marketing, which is probably where my sacasm came from on the post about the “reality” theme.
Um… You know frank Sinatra didn’t write his music, right? Or – how about Barbara Streisand, Billie holiday, Judy garland, Liza Minnelli, Aretha Franklin, Whitney houston, Ect. Today, Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr., Susan Boyle, Joss stone, Diana krall… They’re all in this respected vocalist tradition, which is still very popular. Boyle’s album was the top seller in the world in 09 and Buble was in the top five.
I’m still pushing for commercial jingle night. I want Crystal to do “You’ll wonder where the yellow went, when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent”
It’s because they have the rights to do these songs. They don’t want to spend more money every year to do new songs. That’s why they’ll be singing Beatles’ songs until 2051.
Everyone who lives will be singing Beatles songs ’til 2051.
Seriously? So no good themes this year at all? Ugh.. I’m definately not watching this weeks episodes. Horrible theme and the five left are mehhh… come on seriously is anyone really gonna buy Boxersox’s CD? Didn’t think so.. I miss Tim. =(
I was in total agreement with you until I saw the word Tim.
I’m gonna seriously buy Bowersox’s CD. I’d preorder now, if I could!
Yes, eagerly awaiting the Bowersox CD and her tour so I can watch her perform. She’s the BEST!
me too. shes awesome. i hope she loses, so that she can put out her own music, instead of being chained to some lame marketing contract. she will get a record deal anyway, the onl thing AI is doin for her is softening the crowd, so they would be open to liking the music of someone non-cookie-cutter. good for her!
Me too. How many people are going to ask this question? It’s been answered. MANY PEOPLE will buy her CDs, ok? Please get over yourself or come up with a new question.
yes, there are a lot of us who have said we will be Crystal’s CD. Just because she’s not your style of singer don’t assume others agree.
that should be “will buy” not “will be”
I’d buy Crystal’s, Lee’s and Siobhan’s for sure and maybe Casey’s. I’d have to be paid – a lot – to listen to Aaron (and I do like country) or Michael’s cd.
I agree. I’d buy Crystal and Lee’s CD. Maybe Siobhan if she curbs the screaming.
you people still buy CDs???
LMAO Nice Zach
I agree I would by Crystal’s music(better Zach?
) I already bought Lee’s so I would buy his stuff after AI
You know I really don’t get why people always jump at country when Aaron’s name in conjunction with country. I listen to a lot of country (along with other genres). I don’t see Aaron having a real career in country for at least another 4-5 years. You don’t see teenage male country stars. The only place you really see teenage boys is in pop or hip hop. About 50% of my cd’s & downloads are country and I can’t at this point even fathom adding HSS Aaron Kelly to that collection. From what I’ve read there is someone in Nashville that is hugely interested in Casey – not Aaron.
Wow, wish there was an edit button. I got interrupted and completely lost my place there. Sorry.
The ffirst sentence should have read; people always jump at country in conjuntion with Aaron’s name.
I’ll buy it. Probably the first Idol album I would buy. I like Kris, but he doesn’t have any tracks on his album that match up to what he did on “She Works Hard…”, “Ain’t No Sunshine”, or “Heartless” and as for Adam Lambert I’ve only been impressed with “Whataya Want From Me” enough to buy any of his tracks. Mamasox blows me away with her authenticity on everything she tackles, so yes she is the first artist in a long time that I would listen to 10 tracks in a row from.
I WILL BUY HER ALBUM.YOUR CRAZY! TIM
I don’t believe all the people saying they’ll buy it actually will. Kris Allen won AI and has barely sold 300,000 copies when WAY more than 300,00 people had to vote in order for him to win. People talk a big game, but when it’s time to actually support the artist once AI is over, it doesn’t always happen.
I’ve downloaded some of Kris’s music from iTunes, and have bought both Allison and Adam’s albums. Kris may not have sold a ton of albums, but his first single went platinum, and Adam’s whataya want from me just did as well. I agree, though, that too many of the voting public only watch the show for its appeal to them as one more “reality” show. It sometimes means that the people who make it the furthest are not the ones who have the most potential to have a viable recording career. In Crystal’s case, I think she has a real shot at success – maybe not mega-stardom, but a career that can support her.
Or, perhaps 300,000 people voted 200 times each… The voting on the show isn’t so much about how many people like you as it is about having persistent, die-hard dialers.
I will be waiting for her CD.. The LADY has style and a range of directions for her music. Totally waiting, Bonnie Ratt, Janis Joplin, John Lennon, great writers and performers. Crystal can be in that group!!!
David Cook’s CD sits in the Jeep for totally great tunes with the top down any time too!!! Crystal’s will be there too!!
Crystal is so fake. Really…she has such a smug look on her face adn then she cries to her lamp post? She needs to go home and brush her teeth and come up with a way to not sound THE EXACT SAME every week.
I’m pretty sure that the ‘smug look’ you speak of is her overwhelming confidence. She is ALWAYS true to herself and doesn’t try to be anyone she’s not.
Sorry but unlike today’s artists like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, JT, Britney, etc. Frank didn’t need a computer to make his voice sound better. I’m excited for Frank Sinatra week. I hope someone tackles “one for my baby”. One of my favorites.
Ummm…. Honestly, Frank could have used a little AutoTune himself. Sorry, but facts are facts. Beyonce has an extremely clear, beautiful voice. I’m not on the B-bandwagon like that, but I recognize good singers when I hear them. I would NEVER list Beyonce and Britney in the same category. That’s just ludicrous.
Are you on drugs? Frank has probably the most distinctive singing voice EVER! He “could sing the phone book” – and WITHOUT AutoTune!
Nope. No drugs whatsoever. And people constantly talk about people being able to sing the phonebook. I sure won’t be the fool sitting around listening to that. Again, opinions are just that: opinions. Mine is that Frank Sinatra was a great singer. Does he have the best voice of all times? Maybe to you. But that question is relative to each individual’s ears. The main part of my argument was to clarify that there are new singers (Beyonce, specifically) who are excellent singers.
Nat King Cole outsang The Chairman on a purely technical level. And I prefer Danny Kaye’s tone to Frankie’s.
By the same token, Nina Simone was sometimes pitchy but even that minor critique makes me feel like a dirty, feckless heathen who bought Paris Hilton’s CD. Given the choice, I’d buy a scratchy Nina Simone LP and listen to it on a malfunctioning old record player before I spent a penny on most of today’s chart-toppers.
its nt abouthaving the most technically-sound voice. that is skill, not talent, dont blur the lines. when it comes to talent, britney and beyonce are in the same category, unless you prefer segregation. they both are amazing performers, knockout dancers, but neither of them are musicians. true, beyonce is more skilled than brittney, but brit’s popularity and fame are a testament to how irrelevant skill is.
Uh, no, Kat. You can give someone a decade’s worth of training but if they ain’t got the pipes then they ain’t got the pipes. Singing is a talent (which can be raw and rough or honed and brilliant). And though I prefer neither of their music, I’d easily give Beyonce far more crooner credit than Britney. Beyonce is a singer-performer. Brit is a performer-singer. It’s a fine distinction, but a distinction nonetheless.
Brits popularity is more due to her antics than her talent – let’s face it, she lip-syncs at her concerts for a reason. Beyonce is an excellent performer, but even she has her bad days. Frank . . . well distinctive voice – yes! Great performer – well more so with the help of 3 other guys, but still a yes! Best singer ever . . . I’m gonna have to go with no. Remember recordings are not a one shot deal – you spend a day in a recording studio on one song for a reason. I’m not a big fan of frank – If listening to think with Connick at the wheels (adore him!) it should be interesting to say the least.
sorry that last sentence got all muddled (damn laptop) it was supposed to say I prefer the Ella Fitzgerald types when diving into my vocal jazz collection. And I think if Connick who I love is controlling the arrangements it should be very interesting!
Totally agree with Liz. Harry has done some amazingly inventive things with old standards. Can’t wait to hear his arrangements.
Finally, someone in the comments who has a clue. I 100% agree with you, Sean.
Maybe Frank didn’t need an autotune, but the Idols all do!
Let’s be honest; Frank Sinatra did NOT have an amazing voice. He was an amazing performer and had great stage presence, but his voice, while distinctive, wasn’t exactly stellar.
Frank Sinatra was one of the two greatest baritones ever recorded [Elvis being the other] Go listen to his recording with Nelson Riddle of Old Man River. And then wipe the egg off of your face.
You can’t be serious – his voice is just gorgeous….and definitely distinctive.
I doubt that Sinatra could have won American Idol. He was great at what he did, but didn’t have the range to get through, say, country week. Hope this isn’t a disaster.
Sinatra was one of the original American Idol and had a great range for the time from Broadway showtunes to pop classics to Brazilian Jazz.
by the way Frank Sinatra got his start on a radio show somewhat like american idol….and i know its old music but it is amazing. I am only 24 and that is my favorite kind of music..so I am so excited! and he has had one of the best voices. They do call him the signature voice for a reason.
Sinatra was way too hip for Idol. Let’s not fool ourselves. I enjoy watching the process as these seasons unfold – but I never kid myself that I am watching a show that is hip. You’re suggesting these contestants have more range than Sinatra? Wow.
Brilliant deduction. Duh. Frank would not have won American Idol. Neither would Michael Jackson [too strange], Elton John [too gimmicky], Elvis [too black influenced], Freddie Mercury [too flamboyant] or Billy Joel [not cute enough]. American music is in a very shallow place and if they could S**t can the whole mess and go back to basics it would benefit us immensely.
I’ve always thought that jazz/standards night is the best night of the season. Last year’s was amazing and it was in Season 5 as well. Standards are standards for a reason – they mold to different styles. They’re good songs. If you can sing, you should be able to sing standards. I think it shows someone’s raw and natural talent they keep hidden behind their show persona. LOVE standard night.
Besides, if Harry Connick Jr. will be responsible for the arrangements, it will probably be cooler than the typical Idol band cheesiness.
Good Point. It should be very interesting at least.
yeah – I agree. I actually perked up at the idea when I read that he’ll do the arranging.
AGREE! This is exactly why I think standards are a good idea every season, and it bothers me when people dismiss Frank Sinatra because they think he’s old-timey, corny, irrelevant, whatever. Are they JOKING?? It’s Frank effing Sinatra – there’s a reason he’s a legend. I, too, think that if you’re a singer, you should be able to do standars, not simply for the historical value but because they DO lend themselves so well to reinterpretation.
I don’t mind the older themes. My theory is that if you can take an older song and still make it enjoyable (like Kelly Clarkson did in Old Band week) then you deserve to be the Idol winner. Randy always likes to throw out that “you can sing the phonebook” line so let’s see someone prove it. Having them sing newer, more current songs is just a crutch for the weaker singers like Aaron and Casey.
I totally agree, let’s just hope these mediocre contestants can pull it off this year!
Aye! There’s the Rub.
Since no one sing someone to watch over me I’m fine!
Agreed! “My Funny Valentine” should also be avoided at all costs, since Melinda Doolittle kind of owned that one on the Idol stage.
Yeah! Melinda rocked that song
Aaron always makes songs that already had their moment on idol, so he’ll might do one of those
Not watching anymore.
ditto
me neither, shari…done with AI, I was only watching Siobhan
siobhan was overrated and certainly not even close to some of the other contestants from season’s past and even this year (Crystal). I was glad to see her gone last week. I seriously could not take the screeching
I hope someone sings a stripped down arrangement of “Fly Me to the Moon.”
I’d pick Lee to do “Fly Me to the Moon.”
I would have like to hear Siobhan sing My funny valentine
Siobhan said she wanted to do My Way.
No one should attempt My Funny Valentine. I’m looking at you, Big Mike.
Great, now you looked at Big Mike and got his attention. Now we have to deal with his antics and ego for another 30 minutes. Do not wake the sleeping giant. Don’t even look at it.
teehee
LOL!
I will be truly shocked if nobody picks ‘The Lady is a Tramp’ or ‘The Way You Look Tonight’. I’m also interested to see what the arrangements sound like. We could be in for some real hot messes if contestants get too enthused about making the songs ‘their own’.
They are not going to be able to do that too much since Harry Conick is doing the arrangements.
I honestly think Tim would have benefited most from this theme. I’m not confident the others will do well, but HCJ should be a fabulous mentor.
I agree! I wasn’t fond of Tim, but I always felt he had a kind of “rat pack” vibe to his voice. Not sure he would be able to infuse the song with any real feeling, but his voice would work well with a Sinatra song. Didn’t he say that was his favorite kind of music?
Tim would have been exquisite on “Fly Me to the Moon”.
So they’re getting the arrangements and orchestrations done for them??? Then if they mess it up it’s Mr. Connick’s fault, I presume.
I’m not sure Crytal will like this at all!!
Sorry, Crystal with an “s”.
I’M WITH YOU.
Please, please, please stop calling Aaron “High School Student.” It’s bordering on bullying at this point. You’re singling out a 17 year old that cries at the drop of a hat. It’s not funny any more. It’s annoying. I like you, but you’re being just plain mean.
I think he’s mocking Seacrest and not Aaron with that “high school student” line. Don’t you want to see Ryan cry?
No. I want to see Ryan sing himself off the Idol stage, never to return.
Pretty sure he’s making fun of Ryan Seacrest, not Aaron Kelly.
When has Aaron cried?
Every time Aaron gets critiqued, he’s fighting back tears. The kid looks ready to slit his wrists as soon as they get to Simon. I’m pretty sure Michael is making fun of Aaron. He gets a dig in at the kid every chance he gets.
In other words, “LEAVE BRITNEY ALOOOOONE!”
Seriously, if the kid can’t take being critiqued harshly, he should go back home and drape himself in bubble wrap. How’s he going to survive in the real music biz, when the people nearest the stage aren’t all bought-and-paid-for-byt-the-producers Swaybot 9000s?