May 6th, 2008
Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare
With access to songs from the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductees, there was plenty to choose from, but the Top 4's ranged from the predictable to downright catastrophic. The opening montage about the Hall of Fame and the suggestion that one of the Top 4 might wind up there one day was pushing it jusssst a little bit. On with the show…
David Cook: Out of all the songs, he picks Duran Duran's Hungry Like the Wolf ? Say which? Don't get me wrong, I love the song, but this was one of the most bizarre choices ever. And, sorry all you Cookloonies, it was just okay. The thing that makes Hungry Like the Wolf one of the best 80s songs is that driving synth line, which David substituted for bombastic rock. The vocal was growly and one note. Luckily, his cover of The Who's Baba O'Riley was a good recovery. He's sailing to the Top 2 with Tickle Me Archuleta.
Syesha Mercado: Proud Mary ? Really? I've seen drag queens do better performances. Creedence Clearwater Revival might have written it, but Tina Turner owns the song, and Syesha's copycat version — right down to the choreography — was pathetic. Randy said she was "in the zone," but he's totally out to lunch. Only TT should be allowed to do this song…EVER. Her second song, Sam Cook's classic A Change Is Gonna Come , was turned into a big, belty Whitney-esque number. Randy didn't like it, but Paula was crying and Simon thought it was great. Syesha comparing the Civil Rights-era touchstone to her journey on American Idol and then sobbing uncontrollably about it made me vomit in my mouth a little. Luckily, Jason Castro was so bad, she should be safe another week.
Tags: lyrics, man, mr., tambourine