AMERICAN IDOL – THE 10 BEST SINGLES SO FAR…
As I’ve made very clear numerous times this has not been a vintage year for American Idol (see my Fallen Idol piece)
Whereas in years past I was excited for the likes of Kris Allen, David Cook, Brooke White and of course Adam Lambert, the most I can muster this year is a small cheer for Crystal Bowersox – and maybe Lee Dewyze (as for Casey James – well the dude is lucky he even made the Top 12 as far as I’m concerned).
But though this may be Idol’s ‘Season of Suck’ – let’s not forget the many good (and sometimes even great) artists Idol has discovered over the years. Here’s my top 10 countdown of the best singles ever released by American Idol alumni…
10) FANTASIA – EVEN ANGELS
For me Fantasia is probably the biggest Idol ‘disappointment’ to date. On the show itself Fan was stunningly good – I think most people would rank her ‘Summertime’ as probably the show’s greatest performance ever. But while many of us expected Fantasia to be the second coming of Tina Turner she’s not really released a defining or breakout song – yet.
I mean who on earth picked stinkers like ‘Hoodboy’ or Baby Mama’ – tracks that completely alienate the Idol audience and are just nasty, L’il Kim cast offs. Thankfully there are signs Fantasia is trying to turn her track record around – witness ‘Even Angels’, an upcoming cut from Fan’s next album. Finally here’s a glimmer of what could be…
9) CARRIE UNDERWOOD – SO SMALL
This was a tricky call! A big part of me thinks ‘Before He Cheats’ has to make an Idol Top Ten list – but as much as I love the song – it’s just been played so much now that it’s gone into Shania Twain ‘Man I Feel Like A Woman’ karaoke territory. So instead I’m opting for ‘So Small’, a slightly overlooked song with a great message that proves that balladry doesn’t have to equal boring.
8- BLAKE LEWIS – SAD SONG
Poor Blake Lewis. By rights he should be enjoying Adam Lambert style accolades by now, since he was among the first Idols to really mix up and experiment with song arrangements on the show (witness his superb take on ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’). But Blake’s post Idol career has been fairly poor from a sales point of view – which is a real shame as ‘Break Anotha’ was a good first single (despite it’s truly awful student budget video), and ‘Sad Song’, the first track from Lewis’s second album is better than the majority of output from the likes of Daughtry, Ruben and David Cook (sorry guys). Blake sounds so much like Erasure lead singer, Andy Bell, it’s uncanny and I love that he’s pursued his own, unique musical path and sound. By rights this should have been a top 10 song… but don’t count Blake out quite yet…
7) JENNIFER HUDSON – IF THIS ISN’T LOVE
Like Fantasia, J Hud hasn’t quite found her musical path yet – but both ‘If This Isn’t Love’ and ‘Spotlight’ were good singles, and a tantalizing taste of what could follow down the line (remember Kelly Clarkson didn’t really find her form until the second album). This was a mid-size hit, very Toni Braxton like to me, but I wish they’d been more imaginative with the video (a note many Idol alumni should take note off – seriously who’s directing these things and why are they always so bland?)
6) DAVID COOK – PERMANENT
Less of a single, and more a charity release, Permanent is undoubtedly David Cook’s best track to date (though I do quite like ‘Light On’ too). Written about his late brother’s battle with brain cancer the song is minimal, wrenching and plain tragic. Knowing the back-story behind the song just makes the lyrics more heartbreaking.
5) ADAM LAMBERT – WHATAYA WANT FROM ME
Well there had to be one Adam Lambert song in here – and it certainly wasn’t going to be ‘For Your Entertainment’! I’m definitely a Lambert fan, as much for what he represents as the music itself – the music industry in 2010 desperately needs an out and successful mainstream singer.
Adam’s album is a surprisingly consistent affair for a first release and I could have gone with the Justin Hawkins penned ‘Music Again’ or next single ‘If I Had You’ – but for now I’m picking ‘Whataya Want From Me’ – simply because it’s so accessible, so darn catchy and even after months on the charts hasn’t become annoying yet (one of the reasons I left Kris Allen’s ‘Live Like We’re Dying’ off the list!)
4) DAVID ARCHULETA – CRUSH
I’m surprising myself with this one! I had an irrational dislike of David Archuleta in Season 7 (I was thrilled when David Cook triumphed) – and expected him to disappear into post Idol obscurity. But then Archie went ahead and released one of the catchiest Idol tracks ever – a slice of pure pop goodness that deservedly became a chart smash. The video is another generic Idol affair – close ups, pretty people, bland, bland, bland – and the single cover made Archuleta look pained – but who cares! Nothing David’s done since has been in this league – and since he’s now releasing Christmas albums, this may become his one and only hit – but what a song to go out on!
3) KELLY CLARKSON – BREAKAWAY
Of course there had to be a Kelly Clarkson track on this list – but which one to choose? Of all the Idols so far, Kelly has undeniably racked up the strongest track list and is hands down the biggest star (please don’t tell me Carrie is bigger – in America maybe – but she does zero business overseas).
I could have chosen ‘Since U Been Gone’ (but I’ve just heard it too many times now), ‘Because of You’ (love it – but prefer the duet version with Reba McEntire), ‘My Life Would Suck Without You’ (but I think Kelly mangles half the lyrics) and even ‘A Moment Like This’ (an underrated single that’s an easy target for Idol haters). But for personal reasons I’m going with ‘Breakaway’ – the ultimate song for anyone who’s ever dreamed of changing their life and escaping their small town past. It’s Kelly’s story in a nutshell and the perfect encapsulation of the Idol dream. But boy I wish the video wasn’t plugging the Princess Diaries 2 – what a way to kill a great song!
2) KATHERINE MCPHEE – OVER IT
Chances are, Katherine McPhee is likely going to be a bigger and better actress than a pop star. But for one brief moment in 2007 there was potential for Kat to become a real musical force. ‘Over It’ did lukewarm chart business – and Katherine herself bizarrely distanced herself from the song – but for me it’s right up there with the best of the best. That chorus is amazing, and never gets boring and though the video is as typically bland as her Idol cohorts (what is this – a hair care commercial?) this is one little gem worth adding to your Itunes playlist!
1) JORDIN SPARKS – BATTLEFIELD
Let’s be honest Jordin Sparks is not the biggest personality to emerge from the Idol stage. She seems very sweet, but completely pliable as an artist, with little sense of who she is or what her sound should be. But who needs musical maturity to have hits (exhibit A: Britney Spears).
‘Battlefield’ is the perfect example of what happens when you pair a great songwriter (One Republic’s Ryan Tedder) with a big voice. It’s ridiculously over the top, bombastic and over-produced and I love it! How many songs have not just one great hook – but two – witness the trademark chorus that then spins off into the absurd but delightful ‘you better go get your armor!’. There were so many creative possibilities for the music video but once again the record company played it safe and I think shot themselves in the foot. A Lady Gaga like video clip could have made this number one across the world. But at least we’ll always have the song…. I’ve listened to this single over and over and it never gets boring. So for now – ‘Battlefield’ gets my top spot…
Well that’s my countdown of the ten best Idol singles to date. Do you agree? Which do you love – and loathe? Which tracks do you think should go on the list…. Fire away (while I go ‘get my armor!’). Looking forward to reading all your comments and getting the debate started!
Print article | This entry was posted by Richard Drew on May 16, 2010 at 2:41 pm, and is filed under OPINION, REALITY, VIDEOS. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
about 5 months ago
David Cook’s Time of My Life would have been my number 1 on this list. its the best coronation song to date and its wayyy better than ALL of the songs on this list. other than that, Daughtry should be in the list as well.
about 9 months ago
For the people that haven't heard the complete Allison Iraheta CD, take a look (and don't just hear the single "Friday I'll be Over You". It is a very satisfying album!
about 10 months ago
This is the greatest list:
ALL OF KELLY CLARKSON'S SONGS!
Who gives a sh*t about any of those other losers.
about 10 months ago
I respect your opinion and don't see why people need to call you names, though I don't agree necessarily. In my view, I definitely would have selected "No Air" over "Battlefield" for Jordan and she wouldn't be first on the list. I think as far as videos my #1 favorite would have been Adam Lamberts "For Your Entertainment" – that vid is HOT!! I would never have put McPhee on here at all and I liked "Crush" too. I think Adam's "Whataya Want From Me" would have ranked #1 for me of this list, though "Permanet" was really touching. Honestly you really you do need some Daughtry. You could pick any of Daughtry's because they all sound similar, but his first album was good anyway.
about 1 year ago
No Daughtry? Come on.
about 1 year ago
I do like Daughtry – but this is a singles list – and I think Chris (and David Cook also) are better as album artists.
What About Now almost made the list though – would probably have been number 11 or 12 – along with Light On…
about 1 year ago
yeah i gotta agree with the Kris Allen song, I loved it when it first came out…..but then later…
Like the list you got….
about 1 year ago
Adam will be Idol's biggest star. He not only is the best vocalist he is a creative genius. On tour he is displaying breathtaking talent in reinventing a song every time he sings it. He has better songs than WWFM. What about Sleepwalker or Aftermath?
about 1 year ago
OK FIRST, WHY THE HELL WAS DAUGHTRY NOT ON THE LIST!!!!! DAUGHTRYS WAY BETTER THAN FANTASIA AND KATHERINE MCPEE OR WHATEVER. AND SECOND. . .WHY WAS ADAM LAMBERT NOT NUMBER 1????????????????????????????????????????! ADAM LAMBERT BEST CONTESTANT EVER AND FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHATS WRONG WITH YOU?! ADAMS THE BEST, ARE U DEAF?!
about 1 year ago
how can you forget Melinda Doolittle…she's one of my all time fav idol contestants. She should have won that year!
about 1 year ago
Jordin Sparks Battlefield all the way!
about 1 year ago
I like all the songs you listed. Most of them would be in my top 20. If I had to narrow it down to 10, my list would be:
10. La Toya London – Appreciate
9. Allison Iraheta – Friday I'll Be Over U
8. Jon Peter Lewis – Turn to Grey (never expected to like his music but love this song)
7. Adam Lambert – Whataya Want From Me
6. David Cook -Time of My Life (my favorite coronation song and he's not even my favorite winner)
5. Jordin Sparks – Battlefield
4. Fantasia – Free Yourself
3. Daughtry – Life After You
2. Kris Allen – Live Like We're Dying (most played on my ipod and my personal anthem)
1. David Cook – Permanent (for all the same reasons you chose it)
It's tough to narrow it down to 10. I had to leave out songs from Elliott Yamin, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard, Kelly Clarkson, and George Huff
about 1 year ago
I never heard most of these songs. And your choice is what I take it as your taste, which differs from mine. Since I only heard handful of songs(from radio) from these alum, My pick: 5) Kelly Clarkson: Breakaway; 4) Carrie Underwood: I Told You So; 3) Daughtry: Home; 2) Kelly Clarkson: Already Gone; 1) Adam Lambert: Whataya Want From Me.
about 1 year ago
ok I am a Glambert thru & thru and I only read this article to see if our Glamgod was included, but Daughtry is a great talent & I am wondering why he didn't make this list. Funny.
Adam for my taste was by far the most entertaining and creative!
We are his Glamily and love our Adamazing performer who just speaks about love and peace. Keep rocking our world ADAM!!!
about 1 year ago
This is just an opinion. No big deal. It is all a matter of taste.
about 1 year ago
Good list. I like that you didn't always make the most obvious choice.
LOL at the typical Idol video though. Looking forward to the tribal-rave-circus-party-in-the-woods concept upcoming from Lambert to see if he can continue with breaking the Idol video mold he started with FYE's ringmaster-of-light-fetish-and-absinthe and WWFM's I-can-out-angst-anyone-with-my-sad-eyebrows creations. Love that dude.
about 1 year ago
Daughtry is definitely missing. I'd pick a different song from Adam if I could. And I'd put it at #1.
about 1 year ago
You are an idiot for not including "Home". Maybe you don't like Daughtry. We do. Millions of us.
about 10 months ago
not judging by sales of Chris's second album!
about 1 year ago
You're an idiot. This list sucks.
about 1 year ago
CHRIS DAUGHTRY HAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE MY FAV ARTIST ON AMERICAN IDOL.DAUGHTRY-DAUGHTRY-DAUGHTRY!!!
about 1 year ago
Curious as to why you chose the alternate ending on Over It when most people liked the original the best (she gives him the disk and brushes him off).
about 1 year ago
dude, why there was no Daughtry
about 1 year ago
I like most of your list. Not a fan of Lambert at all. But really enjoy the others. My top one would be David Archuleta's Crush. He is just getting ready to release a new album with more songs that he wrote. I can't wait! Could you do me a favor and go to youtube and see a few of his other songs. Here are links to a few of them. I would love to here what you think.
This first one is called Zero Gravity a song he wrote with Mike Krompass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owFZnl2fNPw&fe…
This one is a song he wrote about himself with Daniel Bedingfield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X72x9kiDJFo
ENJOY!!!!