My American Idol Theory / Justification
Here’s the deal. I take a lot of crap for liking some of these American Idol pop songs. You know the ones. The Kelly Clarkson hits, the Jordin Sparks songs, all those. The polished pop songs that get stuck in your head and your friends make fun of you for accidentally humming one of them. They are the anthems that get you tapping your feet even though they aren’t “real musicians” singing them. And here it is, I think I’ve figured out why I’m okay with liking them. Or at least I’ve justified it somehow in my mind.
First off let me start by saying I have literally seen maybe three actual episodes of American Idol. I just don’t watch that much TV and when I do, American Idol isn’t even close to my radar of things I want to watch, but, I have seen enough and heard enough to know how it works. America votes, blah blah, brilliant marketing, blah, blah. We all know that even if America decides to try to stick it to American Idol it won’t work because the whole voting thing is easily fixed to have a “winner” planned months ahead of time. So really the show is weeding out all the sub-par talent and going for those folks with crazy good voices right?
So now we’ve got these crazy good, hand selected voices and now we just need to get them something to do with those voices. How about calling in some of the best pop song writers in the world to throw together something that is guaranteed to make millions because (remember the brilliant marketing?) it’s going to sell tons so it’s worth it. Then we can even have songs submitted to a panel and really weed it out to a final polished pop song. You know, the kind that get stuck in your head and have you tapping your foot.
So now, we’ve got the crazy good, hand selected voice, the polished, hand selected pop song that can get anyone humming in front of their friends and the cash to make it work. It’s a perfect combo. It’s no surprise that anyone could randomly be asking the question, ‘Why does love always feel like a battlefield?’. Right?
So there it is. My explanation/justification for accidentally liking some of these American Idol songs. Let’s hear it. Favorite American Idol contestant song?
Ready? Go.
Let’s just say, a “Got Milk?” poster came in the mail to the school this week, and I had to ask who it was that was on it. It’s Jordan Sparks. Yes, I DO live under a rock.
Only ever watched the 5 last episode of the David v. David battle in 2008 or 2007 – whichever. Never know anyone them and don’t care. Don’t listen to anything but Christian radio anymore so unless one of those kids sings something “Christian-ish”, AI isn’t even on my radar.
Ok…I’ll bite. I like most of what Kelly Clarkson did…or does. I don’t own any of her albums, but I like that she took a hard road and tried to do her 2nd album without much support. Besides, the girl has one of the best set of pipes I’ve ever heard.
I also like the Battlefield song. How can you not?!
AI has been a spirngboard for some very talented people who otherwise would never get exposure. Kelly Clarkson is a very good example. But I there’s one person who justifies the entire AI experience: Jennifer Hudson. No way she would have gotten the exposure she got on AI, and I think she’s going to be one of music’s superstars for years to come.
I’ve been watching American Idol semi-religiously since Daughtry was on it. And I was VERY disappointed when he got kicked off. Actually, I didn’t pay much attention the next year or two simply because of Daughtry.
I did, however watch every episode this past season and I even voted a LOT for Kris Allen.
As for albums, I only own the Christian ones, such as Chris Sligh, Jeff Johnson, Brooke Barrettsmith, and Jason Allen Rich… and for all I know, I may have others that I didn’t realize were on AI. Oh, and I do own Daughtry’s.
But I’ll admit, I liked Jordin Spark’s “No Air” and I liked Blake Lewis’s “How Many Words”… nothing wrong with that. I like Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel” and her duet with Randy Travis “I Told You So”… and if I knew what Kelly Clarkson sang, I’d probably be ok with it. And when Kris Allen puts out an album, I’m sure I’ll dig a ton of the songs from it.
I don’t keep up with the contestants after the show’s over. Therefore, I can’t name a favorite.
I’ll admit I watch AI and vote without fail every season since season 2. Don’t miss it. However the only constant, so far, I have spent my money to purchase an album from, is Phil Stacey. Certainly there have been many talented people on the stage, some of whom have already been mentioned. Without the AI platform most of them would not have had the chance to put their voices in the ears of America. I think given the way the music industry is today, AI is a much better way to get your voice out there then some of the alternatives, so if a talented voice can get themselves on that show-they should grab the opportunity and hold on for the ride.
I’ve also realized that resistance is futile. Since that time I have realized that one could call me a Kelly Clarkson fan. I don’t have her newest album but I am liking the current radio single, whatever it is called.
And no I do not watch the show.
You like Kelly clarkson… ha ha ha ha…
(I hear your justification, but I will never stop making fun of you. There are few things that I can point and laugh at you about, you have way too many over me, with my clumsiness, and weird thoughts I say out loud.. etc, so I’m hanging onto this one, and honestly I just feel like Kelly clarkson just yells really well. The Jordan sparks song I do like, but wouldn’t say it’s like the best song in the world, it’s really good at getting stuck in my head though, and maybe love truly is a battlefield, I mean, here we are publicly making fun of each other, and I’m refusing to back down, you better go and get your armour, I’m gonna go think up some good ways to make fun of you, but that is going to involve me listening to some kelly clarkson songs, man you are manipulative.)
I have only missed two seasons of AI (the first one and the one that Underwood won). I really don’t care for hearing all the terrible characters at the beginning; I like it when the competition gets serious. Top 24 or so…
Anyway, I love Kelly Clarkson and her songs. I like Jordin Sparks’ “No Air.” It’s great to hear Mandisa and Sligh on Christian radio. I actually don’t care much for Daughtry.
But if you are talking about the singles that AI generates for the winners to debut with? I think they are usually terrible. And I think the whole idea of having the top two contestants sing this single during the finale usually ends up biasing the competition, since it tends to work better for one than the other.
If I were a contestant, I’d be shooting for runner-up!
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hey man…Since You’ve Been Gone is amazing. it makes me want to lip sync and dance around.
and i’m not that guy either.
i promise…
I can’t stand to watch anything before the top 12. Most of the singers before that cut off are usually like fingernails on a chalkboard to my ears… However this year AI is a no go. I can’t take the new judge…(don’t hate, just saying…) I preferred Paula because every comment was a potential adventure in weirdness that was just so endearing to me.
It also seems that it is infinitely better to come in second or third place. Garner all the exposure, build up a fan base, and then escape without all the chains that the winner gets shackled with.
My favorites have been Melinda Dolittle, Brooke, and Alexis Grace.
Never Again by Kelly Clarkson