'American Idol' Banter: Failing rock and roll

The insularity of the world of "American Idol" would be fascinating, if it weren't so bleakly disheartening.

Tonight's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame edition let the remaining contestants cherry-pick through half a century of pop music history, and what did we get?                            

Rocker David Cook opens the show with "Hungry Like the Wolf." How many hundred songs from the greatest artists in pop history would you have to fast forward through before you got to this vacuous Duran Duran hit?

Jason Castro may have bombed with his hapless performances, but at least he picked two songs worth singing -- Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" and Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man."

David Archuleta reveled in his own private Utah teenage in discussing why he picked "Love Me Tender," sharing with his adoring audience that "I wasn't that familiar with the song," so he surfed the websites to audition different versions before settling on an arrangement that conjured up not the King of Rock 'n' Roll, but the Empress of over-baked '80s R&B and pop, Whitney Houston.                  

Still, none of them came remotely close to Syesha Mercado's blazing egocentrism in explaining her motivation for singing Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come."

She proudly described the research she'd done, which revealed to her the song's connection to the Civil Rights movement of the '60s

The song came out during "a pivotal time" in 1965, and Cooke's song was a fitting choice because this is a pivotal moment too -- in Mercado's life now that she made "Idol's" Final 4.

Might she have even broadly hinted to some awareness of the historic point in American political history?  Even without taking sides, she could have noted that the forthcoming presidential election will, for the first time, give voters the opportunity to elect an African American (like her) or a woman (like her)?

Of course not. That would imply the existence of matters other than who's "pitchy" or "utterly atrocious."

Is it too much to ask that an "American Idol" have the remotest interest in what it means to be an American circa May 2008?

Hey Simon, how about a new pejorative? "Stunningly clueless."                              

--Randy Lewis

Comments

[ExSinger]

Randy -- these contestants are CHILDREN! Despite David Cook's being 25, he and the others possess no insight into our culture, or even into musical culture. They are kids raised on MTV. David A's choice of the Whitney Houston version of the Elvis tune proves that. He wasn't even born in the 1980s, for heaven's sake. Jason Castro said last week that he was ready to go home, and I believe he deliberately trashed his last four performances so that he'd be voted off. This week was the first I didn't vote for him. If he's done, then let him go. As for Syesha, I have three words: Va. Va. Voom. She looked amazing in those two dresses! Her performances were typical of her, a little oversung, but not obnoxiously so. Still, she really thinks she's up to tackling iconic figures like Whitney, Mariah, and Tina, so she's got the self-confidence necessary to be a star.

[Michael]

Randy, I think most Americans are already aware that a black man is running for president without being advised of that fact by American Idol contestants.

[Kim]

My understanding is that they chose from the list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, which is available on the web. So the answer to the question "How many hundred songs from the greatest artists in pop history would you have to fast forward through before you got to this vacuous Duran Duran hit?" is 500. Of these, probably more than half are older songs from the 50's through 70's. I think the problem with using this list is that many of these songs are too rooted in a certain time period, too iconic, or wouldn't allow for a strong enough vocal performance for the competition.

[CornerJ]

Actually, American Idol has dropped the ball this year in selecting the themes for many of its recent shows. I mean come ON...Neal Diamond???...Andrew Lloyd Weber???...Oldies but moldies??? These are not exactly rich territories for young pop/rock singers in 2008, for Pete's sake.

They are getting lazy, and the result is that they are not properly showcasing the best crop of young talent they've ever had.

[Winterview]

500 songs to choose from? I think not. Many artists won't release the rights to their songs. Then, the AI producers have the final approval on contestants' song choices. What we saw last night was a "show" carefully orchestrated to not let the Rocker shine on "Rock n' Roll" night, nor recognize Syesha for her improving performances. Why? Because the producers want to maintain the charade of a closely-contested David vs. David finale. The judges' pimping last night was so blatant it made me sick.

[Leila]

Randy, AMEN! This was the best blog about last night's Idol by far. I think David Cook further disappointed when he murdered Baba O'Riley. Archie cheesified his songs as usual. Syesha was totally egocentric. If she was minimally smart and worried about Civil Rights history, she could have used her acting skills to bring down the house with that emotional song, but instead she just went with the pretty lady dress and tried to be a wannabe diva "living her dream" like Pauler said. Jason picked classic songs but he should have chosen different numbers where he could portray his voice and swoonalicious style better. He should have done "American Girl" and "No Woman, No Cry".

[ann]

Duran Duran is "vacuous" but Mr. Tambourine Man is "worth singing". Yeah, if you're William Shatner. Please.

[Sean]

Lame comments by people that have no idea nor appreciation of real music. If the rocker couldn't shine on a night designed for him ( and please spare me how the producers rigged everything to make Cook not shine ...... No they got it right last night Syesha's high school review rendition of Tina Turner and everything that Jason did WAS horrendous. D Cook gets a barely passible grade. Although only 17,Archuletta is the real SINGER in the group. AND as Randy Jackson reminds us this is a singing competition and is about vocals not Entertainment.

[maria]

i love american idol

[Accidental Tourist]

Syesha's crocodile tears don't fool me! It's all to get to the next round, her allusions civil rights is delusional and laughable. I think most people see through Mercado's phoney/broadway act! I hope so! We'll see...

[Kim]

Yah, Winterview. For example there are 3 U2 songs on the list, but I have heard that U2 hasn't released their songs to be used on AI. So even if you do start with 500 songs, that number starts to shrink really fast. I definitely wouldn't call what they had to do "cherrypick(ing) through a half century of pop music history." And AI never really acknowledges this, so they make it seem like the contestants have unlimited choice.

[Darren Harker]

Thank you Randy Lewis. Trying to sit through an American Idol episode for me is like trying to brush my teeth with a wire brush (you know, like the ones used to scrape paint off fences!). Some of the previous comments about the Idol contestants being "children" is absolutely correct and they show it every week. I sit with my girlfriend (the reason I watch) and watch as these 'children' butcher classic American culture week after week. In case some of your readers haven't figured it out; rock stars can not only sing, but they have gallons of charisma. Other than David Cook, I haven't seen (or felt) one ounce of charisma coming from the Idol stage. Sure, some of them can sing. But as we ALL witnessed during Beatles week, hacking a song to pieces while acting like an oak tree on a calm day is more the norm. A Day In The Life used to be one of my favourite songs until the kid from Down Under squechled it out. Last night, the Castro kid looked out of time, out of place, and certainly out of luck (sorry Paula, not even your feel good comments that have nothing to do with the song can save him now). Hey Ann (from previous comment), try singing ANY Dylan song. Here's my advice: Rock Stars rock, you and me don't.

[Henry Esposito]

I have not watched this show in the past four or five (six?) years its been produced, but I know now why it appeals to many people. It is entertaining. And like everyone else, I have an opinion. We got it right this week. Jason could not compete with the other top three. Syesha has talent and is carismatic and quite easy to look at. She had a powerful and pleasant voice. But I think she is too theatrical. David Cook is a good looking and talented young man. But his voice, although pleasant is not remarkable. When I listen to his songs, I mostly hear the backup band. I would not consider buying a recording of anything Syesha or David C made. David A, is another story. Although young, he is a star. None of the other singers have the tone and vocal touch to convey just what the song needs. Like Josh Groban, he just has a wonderful voice. You just luxuriate in the vocal tone and emotion.

[Green Drake]

Who the heck voted Duran Duran into the Hall of Fame. Are they really in the Hall?

[babs]

At least David Cook's 'Hungry Like the Wolf' was better than the Courtney Love version. I didn't think it was all that horrible.

[Amanda]

Ok folks when a rocker gets less votes on Rock and roll night than Archuleta it only proves ONE THING Archuleta is the REAL TALENT. I don't call it real talent when a dude who has not yet succeeded in the rock business CD's were not selling obvioulsy, rock bands he has been part of for many years, (unknown) we have to endure his unshaved face, bad hair dos and SHOUTING, singing with his eyes closed and wearing a WHITE COAT once in a while (was that the Doctor's coat while he has in the hospital and tried to get more sympathy votes? Please already, David Cook is so full of himself already and has not wON ANYTHING yet. And now his town is having a parade for him (must be very boring town, if Cook is the only entertainment they ever had). VOTE FOR DAVID ARCHULETA. HE is the VOICE to beat and only 17. Go DAvid A. David C go back home already, we have enough rocker FREAKS already we don't want more of your kind. BYE CLICK DELETE...:)

[Sandra]

I just love these comments from people who are clueless about music who say they hate American Idol and only watch because of David Cook OMG What a bunch of LOSERS! Get a LIFE people. If you like him so much GO BUY his CDs already. The guy is a rocker wannabe with a lifetime membership for Hair Club for Men. Now did you lose your remote. I believe when you don't want to watch your TV, there is an OFF button you can press. Or are you so stupid you don't even know that much? Please do not go out and vote for a President please. Scary people need to stay indoors and watch the wannabe loud shouter rocker wannabe. Stay indoors People we BEG YOU!

[Maggie]

My husband and I will not be voting or watching anymore. There are others like us that feel the votes don't count. Also, we were aghast over the judges throwing Jason under the bus. They have never been like that with any contestant, it was quite obvious they
had to get him out. It's hard to open yourself up and sing. We could hardly look at them sitting there I can't imagine how Jason must have felt! We're sad we no longer can stand to watch the show.

[Christine]

I think the band is 50% to blame for their disasters. Those guys couldn't swing a Louisvilel Slugger, let alone support a bunch of suburban folk with good intentions!

If the girl wants to imitate Tina Turner, can't Simon and his guys at least pull in Sharon Jones' Dap Kings horn section for the event when were down to the Final "Fab" Four? Nothing about their playing made my legs twitch, so I can see why Syesha's didn't.

Is it so hard to put a John Taylor and Roger Taylor frenetic edge into the groove?

As for country music, this band has done more to tarnish great country tunes than any karaoke singer ever could!

[Sofia]

I watched the show in the UK, broadcast a few days later than in the US. In the UK screening, Syesha did make comments regarding an incredible year in which there was a possibility of the first female or black president in US History, and that this was the basis for her choice of song.

[Randy Lewis]

Green Drake--rest assured, Duran Duran is NOT in the Rock Hall of Fame (yet, anyway). The songs used on this installment of "American Idol" were from a list of "500 Songs That Shaped Rock And Roll" as determined by the Rock Hall's curatorial staff along with input from some critics and historians. "Hungry Like the Wolf" is on that list.

And to Sofia, I'm not sure how the show may be edited for the U.K., but I wrote my piece after the first night when Syesha performed "A Change Is Gonna Come," and on that night she made no reference to any contemporary relevance of the song. The following night, when they recapped each contestant's choice the previous night--and after this blog item went online--she made her comment about the current presidential campaign.