By Brandon Garcia, Idol Chat Editor
THIS WEEK’S THEME: “Life anthems”
This broad theme leaves open the possibility of some cool choices since anything under the sun relating to living life will be up for grabs (that’s at least 60 percent of all pop song topics right there). Then again, American Idol contestants sometimes seem like they have to be dragged kicking and screaming from schmaltz-fest standards like “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Hilarious new term, btw.
GUEST JUDGE: Unknown, possibly none
WHO WILL DO WELL: Those who read my Request Line
WHO WILL BOMB: Those who don’t
BANNED SONGS: “Beautiful” (Christina Aguilera); “We Are The World” (Michael Jackson); the aforementioned “Wings”
“Rehab” Amy Winehouse – A very eyebrow-raising current hit that sounds like a lost Nina Simone number. And an amazing screw-you to the predictable theme. Last week we finally got a break from Goodie-Two-Shoes Melinda … let’s keep her locked up.
“Beautiful Day” (U2) – Perfect rousing showcase for Phil’s ace-in-the-hole glory notes.
“Free Your Mind” (En Vogue) — A dynamite, hard-rock-tinged attack on prejudice sung by soul divas. I would kill to hear this from LaKisha — it’s just the sort of return-with-a-vengeance comeback she needs.
“Heaven Is A Place On Earth” (Belinda Carlisle) *— It’s the musical equivalent of a great doughnut with none of the guilt. It’s ’80s sparkle outshines the teeny-bopper pallor.*This video is quite possibly the greatest ever made. It’s like Nick Jr.’s version of Eyes Wide Shut.
“Crazy” (Seal) — Blake never sounded better than when he pulled this out of his hat back in the audition rounds. A left-field pick that’ll help him keep his “cred.”
“The River” (Garth Brooks) — An earnest if simplistic Garth hit that’ll wash Chris clean from the mess he made last week. I think Chris needs to make good on his disastrous Country Week performance. Phil got to walk away with the “country singer” title when I think Chris actually fits more comfortably into that mold.
