Let's all get up and dance to a song that was a hit before your mother was born

[vovat]

I haven't been saying much about American Idol this season, and it'll probably stay that way, since I know not too many of you are interested. I did want to make a few comments, though. This week was Beatles Week. Oh, sorry, I mean Lennon/McCartney Week. (Anyone trying to sing "Here Comes The Sun" or "Savoy Truffle" was to be shot on sight.) I consider myself pretty familiar with the Beatles' catalog, yet a few of the contestants sang songs I can't recall having heard. And on the other hand, some of them were also taking about how they hadn't heard the songs they were singing until really recently. It reminds me of how, when they did British Invasion Week last year, Ryan Seacrest made a big deal out of how the songs were from before the contestants were even born. And here I forgot that there was no way to hear music from that long ago! :P But anyway, I think a large part of the British Invasion sound was simple melodies, which means they aren't really good for showing off a person's range. Oh, well. The judges only seem to want the contestants to do that about half the time, anyway. Other important things I learned from the judges about how to succeed on the show include:

• You have to show you're a versatile singer who can handle a variety of stuff. If you're primarily a country singer, though, you should only sing country.
  
• Being old-timey is good, but being old-fashioned is bad.
  
• It's a singing competition, not a popularity contest, yet the results are based on a popular vote.
  

To me, though, the most interesting thing is that, until last week, the show had contestants named both Castro and Noriega. Was there also a Pinochet who got voted off when I wasn't paying attention?

Comments

[colbyucb.livejournal.com]

Beatles Week on Idol? Ye Gods. I need to look that up on the internet, and much cringing will ensue I'm sure.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

But probably not as much as if you'd actually watched it. {g}

[colbyucb.livejournal.com]

Well... I will find it through the magic of the internet I'm sure.

[bethje.livejournal.com]

if you really want to cringe, then you should watch the group medley on the Wednesday night results show. All group medleys are really cringeworthy anyway, but I never get used to cringing.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

I'm not totally sure why they have those group performances. You'd think the Ford commercials would be enough indignity for the contestants.

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

Ooo, what were the ones you didn't know???? I mean, YOU know "It's All Too Much" (sorry, that one would get you shot on sight, wouldn't it), which is awesome of you, so it's amazing they found some unfamiliar to you even.

[revme.livejournal.com]

"it's All Too Much" is one of my all-time favorite Beatles songs. But I always have been a George fan anyway. Still, though. But I too am curious as to the lacunas in Nathan's Beaticular knowledge.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

I can't recall having heard "She's A Woman" or "You Can't Do That," both of which were performed on the show. Maybe I have and just don't remember, though. On the other hand, they didn't do any songs from Magical Mystery Tour, the white album, Rubber Soul, or Sgt. Pepper, all of which I do know. Not exactly a good overall of the Beatles' catalog, really. But none of the themed nights ever are, really.

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

That sounds like an excuse for you to watch "Help!" I think! (though that's just for "She's a Woman." "You Can't Do That" is on "A Hard Day's Night" the album, but I'm not even sure it's in the movie at all).

[vovat.livejournal.com]

I've seen A Hard Day's Night (I think it might have been with you, for that matter), but not Help!

[rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com]

I love it because it's one of the few songs in the world that is both totally psychedelic AND REALLY HAPPY at the SAME TIME!