Queen Week

[IdolMe]

Something tells me this will be a hard week for most of them.

Any thoughts???

[IdolMe]

And who wants to see Taylor sing Bohemian Rhapsody???

[laraine]

For sure its gonna be a tough week. We had an Abba week in the first season of our own Pop Idol here in the UK, easy peasy you might think, but oh boy it was a train wreck. Nobody but nobody could pull it off. Similar thing with Queen, they are so iconic and to expect solo artists to sing songs by a group I think a tad unfair. However, for Taylor, I think probably Somebody to Love or We Will Rock You, I think he could work the crowd well with the latter song with all the simultaneous 'boomp boomp' clapping.. Chris I think may be ok, and even maybe Bucky, but for Elliott and the girls I think its gonna be difficult. Elliott will probably be best doing a ballad like 'who wants to live forever' or 'these are the days of our lives'

RIP Freddie

[X1TX]

I posted on another thread, but here's some ideas:

Elliott should do "You're My Best Friend".

Chris would do "Sheer Heart Attack" as it's a high energy song. Maybe "Fight From the Inside"?

Katharine needs to sing "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"

A big risk for Bucky would be "Under Pressure" Maybe Ace could do that? Bucky might go for "Fat Bottom Girls" since rednecks don't mind fat chicks (especially at closing time :D ).

"Bicycle Races" might be one for Ace. But Ace should have a lot of choices as Freddie Mercury used a lot of falsetto and high pitches in his vocals. Maybe even "Killer Queen".

Paris could do "Another One Bites the Dust" as there are some vocal rifs in there that could show some of her talent.

Taylor could do "We Will Rock You" and use his dance steps to get the crowd involved. But that song is more about Brian May doing a guitar lick than the vocals.

No idea about Kellie.

[Idoleyes]

If I could just talk to the contestants and tell them what they should sing…

1. Kellie – ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ – Yokem did it - so it’s certified country…no big scary words... except for maybe ‘jellyfish’…but just so you don’t embarrass your Albemarle neighbours…’Jellyfish are marine invertebrates…’…well…jellyfish do not biologically qualify as fish…so they’re not like 'Sallmon' …and they don’t have a brain…oh never mind…I like you anyway…push some more air through those pipes…

2. Katharine – ‘Killer Queen’ - you’ve got it all…show us more…give up a little of the demure composure and have some fun… (I’m available!)…put on some jeans and vamp it up with ‘Killer Queen’…or do an outlandish version of ‘I Want to Break Free’...loosen up…I like you too…but don’t tell Kellie…

3. Chris – ‘I Want It All’…’Luke…I am your father Luke…come back to the Dark Side…’ this song will complete you, Mini Me…great talent…you don’t have to win in order to front a good band or get your recording contract…smile more.

4. Taylor – ‘The Show Must Go On’ - 1. Slap whoever convinced you that you should do ‘Take Me Home Country Road’ 2. Forget about your hair, makeup, and how you move 3. Remind us how soulful you are …just sing in your unaffected, reckless way…hold your harmonica, even if you don’t play it…I picked you to win…you’re making me look bad…

5. Bucky – ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’ …Bucky Bashers beware…he may survive another week…you’re a good ol’ boy Buck…keep having fun…everyone says you don’t belong…do the AI tour…enjoy…you’ve got class.

6. Elliot – ‘It’s A Kind Of Magic’ – you’re a conundrum for me…a real talent…technically the best singer…nice unassuming demeanor…but you haven’t made a connection with me yet with your performances…you’ve got to do something more animated that really stands out…your time may be running out…although you should survive longer than Paris, Bucky and Ace…

7. Ace – ‘Under Pressure’ - Zoolander with a ‘false-etto’…you’re a nice guy…probably do better in Soap Operas…you sing better than I do…

8. Paris - 'Somebody To Love' …good on ‘ya…you found your ‘big people’ voice last week…and I respect your talent…but I don’t like you…(that’s why Kellie and Katharine are laughing…)

I personally hope the contestants avoid Queen hits like BoRap, Champions, etc I’d like to see some more unusual stuff…but I’m sure someone will pick those songs…

Final word – how about a round of applause for the ‘house band’ at AI…they do a great job…they’ll have fun with Queen…I hope the backup singers can deliver some of that signature Queen harmony.

[McFeverish.....]

Hehe...good song choice.

Though the only one who'll have my eye is Katherine...like...duh!^_^

[cloie4me]

I've had high hopes for the past 2 weeks and was let down. I think this week could be a great week but I'm scared to say it. At the risk of sounding like the judges...song selection will be the very issue that determines the outcome. I think there are 2 reasons why last week was a flop...
1. Song selection
2. contestants holding back and playing it safe
It is the "playing it safe" that makes them not safe. We are down to the final 8, we expect to see quality work and even though they are all very talented, we aren't seeing it.
About this week, I hope they will look at ALL their choices, pick the best song and "rock it out." Some contestants will be limited because of their range, but I think most have the ability to do a great job.

Queen is the bomb.........lets do them justice

[X1TX]

When they first mentioned Queen as the 'feature artist' for this week I thought "Why Queen?" :confused: But looking at their song choices and listening once again to some of their music it makes sense now. Most of the AI's left probably aren't too 'comfortable' with their songs, and Freddie Mercury had increadible vocal range. He could sing higher than Ace and lower than Elliott. So there isn't anyone left that has that vocal range to 'replicate' most of his vocals. Few songs they could 'karaoke'.

But if anyone does "We Are the Champions" I think I'll hurl. Not that it's a bad song, it's just played at the end of EVERY championship game in the last 20 years or so.......

[Idoleyes]

When they first mentioned Queen as the 'feature artist' for this week I thought "Why Queen?" :confused: But looking at their song choices and listening once again to some of their music it makes sense now. Most of the AI's left probably aren't too 'comfortable' with their songs, and Freddie Mercury had increadible vocal range. He could sing higher than Ace and lower than Elliott. So there isn't anyone left that has that vocal range to 'replicate' most of his vocals. Few songs they could 'karaoke'.

But if anyone does "We Are the Champions" I think I'll hurl. Not that it's a bad song, it's just played at the end of EVERY championship game in the last 20 years or so.......


I agree Queen is a difficult choice...and Freddie's range is tough to match and, without solid backup harmony, some of the contestants may really be left hanging.

Get out the wet-vac, someone will do Champions...

[Magicmarkerman]

I agree Queen is a difficult choice...and Freddie's range is tough to match and, without solid backup harmony, some of the contestants may really be left hanging.

Get out the wet-vac, someone will do Champions...

hahaha,...The wet vac??!!! Too funny...

Song selection is crucial, i agree! Look at what even just the thought of a certain song does to people's expectations and reactions (We are the champions) ...Whats worse is that even if someone were to pick a song that is a HUGE crowd pleaser, and doesnt even do a very good job with it, the reaction could still be great because people like the song...So, i suppose it could go both ways with their selections...

I think it might turn into another night like the Stevie week, where everyone will be comparing the contestants to Queen and Mercury when there isnt a comparison.... It makes it very tough, so it'll certainly be interesting.

[camilushka]

Here is a list of the best songs each one of the contestants could sing in my opinion:

1. Paris: I think the best for her would be something like "Don't Stop Me Now"
2. Kellie: '39, absolutely the best Queen song for her
3. Katherine: Maybe "Save Me" or "It's a hard life"
4. Elliot: He could sing "A kind of magic" or " "You're my best friend"
5. Ace:"Killer Queen" or "Play the game"
6. Chris:"Hammer to fall" or "We will rock you"
7. Taylor: "Tenement Funster" not a very famous song but I think it would be good for him. ( third song from Sheer Heart Attack) BTW.
8. Bucky: Like everybody said, I can't think of something better than "Fat Bottomed Girls".

Actually I think no one should do Bohemian Rhapsody or We are the champions 'cause those are tough songs and no one will do it as well as Freddie.

[ms_suzyq_2u]

All I know is Taylor and Chris better rock the house this week! We need something to make us believe you guys are the best again!

You guys remember the young girl from last year who was from New York and she was full of so much energy and fun at the beginning? She got more adult-like and more boring with every show until she was voted off. I pray Taylor doesn't do that. Taylor's voice is way better than hers but so is Chris's and Katherine's. Competition's getting too tight to be messing around with below-average performances!

[jacobrules]

Queen week will be a disaster for Katharine, Kellie and Paris!
Paris will do the best of the 3.

[allisgood]

Chris had better stand way out this week. This is his thing and I think if he doesn't it's not gonna be good! It could really hurt him.

[McFeverish.....]

UGGhhh..

I'm about scream my head off with anxiousness.

I'm hoping that tomorrow will be a fantastic night..but while listening to a few Queen songs, I thought to myself.

"How are these guys gonna pull it off?"

Queen is such a complicated singer, with so many pitch turnarounds, and fragile lilts...that I doubt that most of the contestants will be able to pull it off.

I hope they'll be able to do Mercury proud.

[buddyrj]

I would love to hear Chris singing "Save Me", Paris performing "Somebody to Love" in a Motown style, Taylor making a blues version of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", Elliot transforming "Another one bites the dust" in a contemporary R&B song, and Katharine singing just with a piano a delicated version of "Love of my Life".

[chrisforprez]

Actually this is what the idols are singing tonight.

Kellie - Bohemian Rhapsody
Ace - We are the Champions
Elliot - Somebody to Love
Chris - Innuendo
Taylor - Crazy little thing called love

What do you all think?

[laraine]

I would say, Thank you and goodbye Miss Pickler, no way can she pull that off.
What about Bucky and Paris, you didn't mention them?

[tinsong]

And who wants to see Taylor sing Bohemian Rhapsody???
It reallydoesn't matter WHICH one of Queen's songs he will sing. He'll do GREAT!

[laraine]

All I know is Taylor and Chris better rock the house this week! We need something to make us believe you guys are the best again!

You guys remember the young girl from last year who was from New York and she was full of so much energy and fun at the beginning? She got more adult-like and more boring with every show until she was voted off. I pray Taylor doesn't do that. Taylor's voice is way better than hers but so is Chris's and Katherine's. Competition's getting too tight to be messing around with below-average performances!


you mean Michaela Gordon? the Barbara Streisand type?

[chrisforprez]

•Ace Young, We Will Rock You: "I urbanized the verses a little, just by riding on (the notes). I put a little R&B soul on it. When we were done, they said, 'That sounds like a record.' "

•Bucky Covington, Fat Bottomed Girls: "Yes, we all love the fat-bottomed girls."

•Chris Daughtry, Innuendo: "It's a relatively unknown song. It just had a mixture of a dark feel and a positive message. And I just found out they've never performed this live."

•Elliott Yamin, Somebody to Love: "I was drawn to the passionate emotion of the song. I heard a lot of soul in it."

•Katharine McPhee, Who Wants to Live Forever: "How could (this) not be fun? We're working with so many different legends."

•Kellie Pickler, Bohemian Rhapsody: "We only have 1 minute and 30 seconds, and the song is really long. Having to cut so many pieces is really hard to memorize, because I'm not singing the song as it's originally played."

•Paris Bennett, The Show Must Go On: "Being with the band was a big experience to me, never being with a rock band before. I was able to pick a song that fits me, that's still rocky."

•Taylor Hicks, Crazy Little Thing Called Love: "You listen to a Queen song, it's really melodic and very powerful, and the dynamics (are) really cool."


This is per USA today

[tinsong]

•Ace Young, We Will Rock You: "I urbanized the verses a little, just by riding on (the notes). I put a little R&B soul on it. When we were done, they said, 'That sounds like a record.' "

•Bucky Covington, Fat Bottomed Girls: "Yes, we all love the fat-bottomed girls."

•Chris Daughtry, Innuendo: "It's a relatively unknown song. It just had a mixture of a dark feel and a positive message. And I just found out they've never performed this live."

•Elliott Yamin, Somebody to Love: "I was drawn to the passionate emotion of the song. I heard a lot of soul in it."

•Katharine McPhee, Who Wants to Live Forever: "How could (this) not be fun? We're working with so many different legends."

•Kellie Pickler, Bohemian Rhapsody: "We only have 1 minute and 30 seconds, and the song is really long. Having to cut so many pieces is really hard to memorize, because I'm not singing the song as it's originally played."

•Paris Bennett, The Show Must Go On: "Being with the band was a big experience to me, never being with a rock band before. I was able to pick a song that fits me, that's still rocky."

•Taylor Hicks, Crazy Little Thing Called Love: "You listen to a Queen song, it's really melodic and very powerful, and the dynamics (are) really cool."


This is per USA today
So what do you mean? USA Today revealed what they are singing? Or this is someone's prediction?

[allisgood]

Type in USA Today, its online too. I just went and read it after Chris put that up. Its true!

[ms_suzyq_2u]

you mean Michaela Gordon? the Barbara Streisand type?

Yes! That's the one!

[allisgood]

I think it is a mistake for Taylor to sing Crazy Little Thing!
He might do OK but I dont think so!
Didnt Simon bash someone early on for their rendition of that song?

[Idoleyes]

•Ace Young, We Will Rock You: "I urbanized the verses a little, just by riding on (the notes). I put a little R&B soul on it. When we were done, they said, 'That sounds like a record.' "

•Bucky Covington, Fat Bottomed Girls: "Yes, we all love the fat-bottomed girls."

•Chris Daughtry, Innuendo: "It's a relatively unknown song. It just had a mixture of a dark feel and a positive message. And I just found out they've never performed this live."

•Elliott Yamin, Somebody to Love: "I was drawn to the passionate emotion of the song. I heard a lot of soul in it."

•Katharine McPhee, Who Wants to Live Forever: "How could (this) not be fun? We're working with so many different legends."

•Kellie Pickler, Bohemian Rhapsody: "We only have 1 minute and 30 seconds, and the song is really long. Having to cut so many pieces is really hard to memorize, because I'm not singing the song as it's originally played."

•Paris Bennett, The Show Must Go On: "Being with the band was a big experience to me, never being with a rock band before. I was able to pick a song that fits me, that's still rocky."

•Taylor Hicks, Crazy Little Thing Called Love: "You listen to a Queen song, it's really melodic and very powerful, and the dynamics (are) really cool."


This is per USA today

If those are the choices, I think it's a good fit for Chris, Bucky, and Ace.

I'm actually glad Elliott chose 'Somebody To Love' - hopefully he really comes out of his shell and powers his way to an animated and memorable performance.

I get a feeling that the ambitious song choice by Paris will be a defining moment in the contest for her...she'll either distinguish herself as a serious contender, or confirm that she is just a young kid with a good voice who's not ready for the bigger stage yet...she better take in extra oxygen....she'll need it. I wish her luck.

Taylor could have chosen something much more powerful and dynamic (despite what he was apparently quoted as saying)...I fear he will just 'float on top of the song..' (please not another 'Take Me Home Country Roads") but he might be able to salvage it if he really gets into it and moves around the stage and gets the crowd into it too - bring back the spaz dancing! I don't like the choice for him. If he blows it this week, he could end up in the bottom 3.

Katharine chose a somber song - but it has the potential to be impressive especially if she hits the upper range parts well.

I don't know what Kellie was thinking...I wish her well...but BoRhap just doesn't seem like something she is equipped to sing well.

We'll see tonight.

[FalseIdol]

Here is the link to the actual story.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-04-10-idol-queen-songs_x.htm

[tinsong]

I think it is a mistake for Taylor to sing Crazy Little Thing!
He might do OK but I dont think so!
Didnt Simon bash someone early on for their rendition of that song?
I sure hope Taylor DOES NOT sing 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'!!! Yes, Simon did - David Radford (Peter Brady look-a-like) sang it early on.

[tinsong]

I sure hope Taylor DOES NOT sing 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'!!! Yes, Simon did - David Radford (Peter Brady look-a-like) sang it early on.
OH MY GOODNESS, He is........Okay, I have faith in him - he'll do okay. Now, I reallycan't wait now....................... (sigh)

[MusicLover]

Bohemian Rhapsody | Kellie Pickler
Fat Bottom Girls | Bucky Covington
We Will Rock You | Ace Young
We Are The Champions | Taylor Hicks
The Show Must Go On | Paris Bennett
Don't Stop Me Now | Katharine McPhee
Innuendo | Chris Daughtry
Somebody To Love | Elliot Yamin


This is per Queen's official website. Read my thread for my thoughts on these songs.

[MusicLover]

I got it from Queen's official website, and it was endorsed by American Idol.

www.hollywoodrecords.go.com/Queen/americanidol/


The biggest hit show on television, American Idol, and Rock n Roll Hall of Fame legends Queen came together for a 2 night unprecedented event!

You saw your favorite Idols perform these classic Queen hits:
Bohemian Rhapsody | Kellie Pickler
Fat Bottom Girls | Bucky Covington
We Will Rock You | Ace Young
We Are The Champions | Taylor Hicks
The Show Must Go On | Paris Bennett
Don't Stop Me Now | Katharine McPhee
Innuendo | Chris Daughtry
Somebody To Love | Elliot Yamin

[cloie4me]

I think tonight will give new meaning to.......the good, the bad, and the ugly.
looking forward to see how it plays out.

[RushDog]

I never thought Kellie would be the one to sing Bohemian Rhapsody.

[buddyrj]

Ok... So we have at least two "official" song lists. Interesting.
Actually both have a lot of similar song choices, an only few differences...
There are only controversy about Taylor and Kat choices, and also Ace (as someone said here that he will sing "We are the Champions").

I really believe that Chris will shine with "Innuendo". He has the voice to do it, and it is not the kind of rock he usually sings, so it will be great to hear a different side of his talent. It is not a very popular song, but it is fantastic.

I have a lot of expectations about how Elliot and Paris will deliver their songs. Both have great voices, but "Somebody to Love" not only requires a good vocal range but also a strong stage performance (and it is not the strongest point for Elliot)... and "The Show Must Go On" should be a shift challenge for Paris: or she will be able to broad their style or it can sound very cabaret...

Ok, Bucky will do what everybody expect: sing "Fat Bottomed Girls", and he probably will do it well, but this music do not allow a great performance.

I simply cannot believe that Kellie has maturity and voice to make a good version of "BohRap"... Maybe she is buying her ticket to home.

About Ace, I really believe that "We will rock you" is a better choice for him than "We are the Champions" (it should be a disaster if decide to sing this song).

I cannot understand Kat possible choices, both are not good for her voice, in my opinion.

And I am quite sure that Taylor will do a great job no matter the song, but I really prefer to hear him singing "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", in a blues style and with his harmonica..

Let´s see what will happen

[MusicLover]

I am really anticipating tonight. These are some tough (and in some cases, weird) song choices for most of the contestants. I'll be the first to admit I am a big Chris fan, but have any of you actually heard "Innuendo"? When Queen sings this song, it's confusing babble. And, God, can you imagine Kellie singing "Bohemian Rhapsody"? I think tonight will be a tough night for all. UNLESS, they change the songs and make them their own renditions. (Somehow, I can't see some of them putting in that much effort...) All I can say is May God Be With Them All Tonight.