Fans of American Idol season 9 champ Lee DeWyze can now exhale. While lots of critics (me included) were less than enamored of his rendition of “Beautiful Day” on last week’s Idol performance finale, the former paint salesman more than redeemed himself this morning by offering a unique, stripped-down twist on the song as part of Today‘s summer concert series. Playing an acoustic guitar, and accompanied on piano by Idol‘s Michael Orland, Lee made significant changes to the rhythm and melody and turned U2′s soaring anthem into an intimate, placid ditty; honestly, I felt like I was hearing the song’s lyrics again for the very first time. Better still, Lee’s vocal was clean and clear — no getting swallowed up by a V-formation of strings players here! — and allowed him to put his own stamp on a contemporary classic, as opposed to merely getting lost in Bono’s massive shadow. Is it me, or does the arrangement almost sound Bruce Hornsby-esque?
Incidentally, when Lee stopped by the Idolatry studios for a video chat on Tuesday, I asked him why he didn’t go with his acoustic rearrangement on Idol (a previous and similar version of Lee’s had been streaming on YouTube), and his answer was, well, pretty interesting. I’ll say no more for now, except to add that the Idolatry video Q&A will stream here on EW.com later in the week, so do follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak, and I’ll be sure to let you know as soon as it’s posted.
Below, check out Lee’s Today performance (followed by his Idol rendition), plus Crystal Bowersox’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” and the duo’s reprise of “Falling Slowly,” then scroll down to take our “Beautiful Day” poll!
He performed the acoustic version yesterday on Regis and Kelly and, I agree, it was fantastic. Meanwhile, please don’t force us to spend several minutes waiting for a video to load and then watching it when you could just tell us what he said. Then those who wanted to hear more could watch the video. Many thanks.
He should be working the McDonald’s drive-thru in about 2 years.
Pithy Pithy Jealous Jealous Jealous..need I say more?
LOL is a jealous byatch!!!!!!Go Lee. I luv his rendition on the today show as well as Crystal’s.
troll
And take your hard earned job away from you? Never!
He’ll be lucky to be working at MCD’s.
nah i think hes better than that. he’ll probably be serving tables at a TGIF
VASTLY improved version. I can’t wait to find out why he wasn’t allowed to do this version on the show. But, this still doesn’t “erase” the memories of his 2 performances of the song on AI, nor any of his other out of tune performances. At the end of the day, he’s still got to go out and do better, regardless of the arrangement.
Yeah, I agree. It’s better, but I’m still left thinking “THAT is the best undiscovered talent America has to offer?”. He just has ZERO charisma and his voice isn’t anything to make me pause and think WOW! Seeing this performance just makes me more mad that I waisted all of that time watching this season when at the end of the day he is the winner.
Hmm,I don’t recall seeing Dave Mathews or Kings of Leon jumping around the stage (or Simon and Garfunkel if we need to take it back that far) all have been more then a flash in the pants, all have been successful. He is not trying to reinvent the wheel here, he wants to make a record that sounds current, not like from 4 decades ago, like Bowersox. He is getting more comfortable on stage, and I think that we will see some more of that as time goes on. I expect for him to be still charting in a few years time will tell.
I agree with Scott. It all comes down to a question of taste. Who is your idea of an American Idol? Me, I prefer someone like Lee who follows the footsteps of Dave Mattews and Kings of Leon, and not someone who sings perfectly like Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston or Celine Dion who I find all boring anyway.
@darclyte – come on! You know why he wasn’t allowed to do that version on Idol. Because “subtle” is not their forte!
What the heck are you talking about?
I just KOL in concert and have seen DMB> They move all over the stage and interact with the audience. LDewyze is nothing like them.
He is much more in the vain of a Jason Mraz.
Another coffeehouse singer. How many more can the judges at Idol dig up in auditions? I’m not begrudging Lee because singing and being a star is what he and Crystal want to do….I just wonder what type of music they’ll sing and record, because it’s in that genre then they are doomed. And as Simon said, they’re not relevant.
Actually, he stayed on key….shocker…and it was a much better version then idol. Good job. But, he just doesn’t really do it for me in any way shape or form. I’ve heard his voice on the radio before, and I’m kind of over it. If he does well, good for him. He’s just not my thing.
Much, much better. Not really the tune of the actual song, but at least they changed the tune to one he can sing.
Definitely. It isn’t Bono, but neither is Lee.
Yay Michael Orland!
I love this version of his. I can’t compare it to U2′s because I think U2 is on a different level. Lee’s version makes me love the song all over again — let me just say that.
Smart move. Take the song as far away from sounding like Bono as possible and we don’t have to compare him to a legendary singer.
It should really be illegal for him to butcher a song as good as this one. Its a classic and he made it sound like some cross between country music and John Mayer. Ew
Agreed. I’m so sick of these stupid websites thinking that we all want to sit and play their stupid video blogs. just tell us already! half the time the videos only half work due to network issues anyways…
Slezak, thanks for the updated article on Lee. For us Lee fans, we were hoping you would hear his acoustic version of Beautiful Day. It is awesome!
Hey Mr. Slezak, will there be an Idolatry interview with Casey James as well?
I think each season the 3rd place person gets a delayed interview due to the timing of the finale.
Lee…when this singing thing doesn’t work out and all those young girls who voted for you grow up and you get heavy…you will always have the job here at the paint store.
Michael you are a tease! Now I’m dying to know what he said, and of course I’ll be checking constantly. More page views for you – good work!
Loved this rendition of ‘Beautiful Day.’ Lee’s getting a lot of flak that belies his talent IMO.
Yes Lee’s acoustic version sounds like a different song!He was great on Today, but even better on Regis and Kelly yesterday! Go watch that one Slezak. He made me love the song in a totally different way.
The only really good performance here is “Falling Slowly,” and that’s because Crystal, the one who should’ve won, is in it!
Crystal ended the season where she should have. Interesting that Lee is the one who sold the most downloads – must be because he has fans who love him warts and all.
I thought Crystal performed better on the finale. She had a great night and Lee had an off night, but I guess fans voted based on each performer’s overall body of work. Also, I liked Lee’s acoustic “Beautiful Day” better than Crystal’s “Bobby McGee” on the Today show. So I agree with Sturgislady; they finished in the right order. In any event, they are both great on “Falling Slowly”. They should release that as a single together.
CRAP! Another my artist sold more or is better or should have won crap again, just like last year. Who the freak cares. Both got record deals, new cars, fans, etc…..isn’t that the bottom line fools?
Of course he’s the winner, so he sold more. But bottom line is who cares? Just cause he sold more doesn’t make him better. Ke$ha sells alot too and she sucks. Paula Abdul has a horrifying voice but she made money (talk about auto tuned). So, I’m not sure of your point.
Crystal is a hack.
Yes hacks get tons of accolades from well known Chicago musicians and music critics for their work.
Gosh. I didn’t know that hacks manage to find so many admirers.
Stop being an ignorant fool and go back to your hole in the ground.
He first did it on Access Hollywood last Thursday! BEAUTIFUL!!!
I agree. Like the Access Hollywood one the best!
That was amazing! Well done, Lee-style!
Lee also did an acoustic version on Access Hollywood in which his vocals were more powerful and it was great as well.
Seconded. The Access Hollywood version was a superior performance, and nicer sound quality since it was recorded in studio.
The chords he plays at the beginning sound like the same chords for Taylor Swift’s “Today Was a Fairytale”.
I am hoping some interviewer will ask Lee why he seems to be distancing himself from his Slumberland album, which is totally beautiful and has 1 or 2 radio-ready singles, I think.
He’s not allowed to talk about it. I read that when his handlers called to set up the interview they told the interviewer to only ask questions about the furure and his new album.
My best guess is that Lee wants to sell the new record, and he was more then likely told by 19 and RCA, to talk about the future, not past accomplishments. At least..for now. Lets see what happens after the Idol tour is over.
I think lee sounded great. at this time he cant sing anything except songs from American idol. i also love Slumberland
I missed this performance – thanks for highlighting it. It’s like night and day compared to the overblown spectacle from the finale – and it’s what Lee should be doing. This is where he is at his best. I can only hope that the overlords at 19 let him make this type of album. I’m not sure that I’ll be holding my breath, though…
The acoustic version doesn’t seem to have anything in common with the original song except for the lyrics! Musically, it’s completely different. That doesn’t necessarily make it better – I think it’s just a lateral move.
What, no swaybots?
Thank GOD.
Sounds like something you’d fold laundry to.
Yeah Jason M. I am sure buddy that YOU would know about that, right? LOL
Whats that supposed to mean? The guy has to love this version of a song or else he folds laundry for a living (btw whats wrong with that anyways?)–sorry I just don’t get the underlying sacrasm in your remark. Wait…you must be a rocket scientist or something, well…if you say this Lee guy is good, then maybe I should rethink my opinion. This version of the song rocks!!! (insert sound of me running to the bathroom to vomit here)
ohhhh i love that acoustic arrangement!! I also love Crystal and Lee’s version of Falling Slowly! its soo beautiful!
wow you really ought to get out more. if you love no-talent amatuers ruining classic songs then you must also love kid rocks buthering of sweet home alabama and werewolves in london
How about neither? Lee is so mediocre.
America loves medicore music. Wake me when something interesting happens.
How about we wake you when you learn to spell. Get a dictionary..it’s a big thick book with lots of words in it.
@Lyng: and btw what is up with people making these spelling/grammar error critiques. Is it supposed to be intimidating or make you feel special—ooohh, you spellchecked before you made a post on a messageboard, niiiccee.
Interesting opinion, one I don’t share. Idoloonies are the best (not).