Website discovers the ultimate Idol song choices
We in the Idol-research field have long sought ways to scientifically crack the code of America's leading TV show - to mathematically determine who will win and who will be wrapped in Angel of Death Seacrest's icy embrace. But a new technology has put science in the hands of contestants, letting them take the guess work out of those troublesome song choices.
According to a newss release put out by TheFilter.com a music-recommendation engine backed by Peter Gabriel, the site -- which takes reader preferences and uses them to predict what similar music they might enjoy -- has analyzed, combined, tabulated and determined the perfect list to win over the hearts of the four judges. As explained in the release:
"We developed this tool whereby Filter users can enhance their discovery process by mixing their own musical tastes with their friends’ and other taste makers, like brands and celebrities,” said Andy Semple, chief marketing officer of TheFilter.com. “We thought it would be a bit of fun to work out the perfect American Idol playlist by mashing up the judges’ tastes. While choosing one of the songs on the list will undoubtedly improve a contestant’s chances of getting through, the Taste Mixer unfortunately won’t make a terrible singer sound good -– maybe we’ll work on that next…”
The judges apparently previously published their favorites lists in the All Music Guide, except Simon, whose tastes The Filter found in an appearance on the BBC. Their original lists, and the master scientific meta-list guide to Idol glory, after the jump.
Here are the judges original favorites lists - some of which have me scratching my head already:
Paula Abdul: Madonna, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan and Daryl Simmons
Randy Jackson: Jean-Luc Ponty, Billy Cobham, Whitney Houston, Michael Bolton, Journey and Van Hunt
Kara DioGuardi: Chico Bennett, John Shanks, Max Martin, Kylie Minogue and Fleetwood Mac
Simon Cowell: Bobby Darin, Herb Alpert, Charles Aznavour, The Righteous Brothers and Wayne Newton
Jean-Luc Ponty? Herb Alpert? Kylie?...OK, moving on...
Here then is the master list as determined by The Filter, the songs most likely to win the judges' collective heart.
Whitney Houston – “Greatest Love of All”
George Michael – “Faith”
Cher – “All or Nothing”
Rihanna – “Pon de Replay”
Natasha Bedingfield – “These Words”
Barbra Streisand – “No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)”
Tony Bennett – “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”
Michael Jackson – “Smooth Criminal”
Lionel Richie – “All Night Long (All Night)”
Air Supply – “Just As I Am”
Mary J. Blige – “You Bring Me Joy”
Alicia Keys – “Samsonite Man”
Clay Aiken – “Invisible”
Destiny’s Child – “Soldier”
Ricky Martin – “Livin La Vida Loca”
Frank Sinatra – “I Get a Kick Out Of You”
Michael Buble – “I Got You Under My Skin”
A shame, unfortunately, that each week the Idols must choose songs from a limited preselected list. And the computer apparently didn't calculate in the wrath of God that will be upon any contestant who dares cover Whitney Houston, let alone "Greatest Love," but other than that, I think every Idol would do well to travel with this in their back pocket. They have all done far worse...
- Richard Rushfield
Photo: Fox
