What can Lil Rounds sing this week?
Theme: Songs from the Year they are Born (SFTYTAB)
Lil Rounds - November 14, 1984
OK, bias aside, I don't think songs speculations will work for Lil. She always picks the wrong songs and I'm betting she's not going to do well on that this week as well. Or maybe, it's not the song but her voice. Or her style.
I think I know what's going on with her. She heard those "You're so MJB" comments from the judges back in the semi-finals and she does not want to be either a sound-alike to MJB or "just an RnB singer". Although I appreciate her attempts at showing she's versatile, methinks she's just making her life harder. She needs to play with her strengths. If MJB-ish RnB is her niche, then she needs to explore that and look for ways to expand that genre. If she could widen that genre, make it work for her... then that's artistry. Kris Allen was praised for staying where he's good at and mixing it up. In that way, he showing growth. Adam Lambert showed his versatility but still with that distinct Adam-ness that people talk about a lot. That shows experience. Showing your kids on TV with you in tears on stage will not get you enough votes.
Anyway, I don't know much about 1984 apart from "Footloose" and Menudo + Ricky Martin. HAHA. Ohwels.
Since I have mentioned "Footloose", I'll start there. "Let's Hear it For the Boy" is a fun song. Lil can show some of her personality, dance a little on the stage, whatever. The judges seemed to like her "The Way You Make Me Feel" performance more than the subsequent weeks so maybe she can go back to that.
Another song from the soundtrack is "Holding Out for A Hero". Fantasia did this and it was AMAZING. Now, Lil is no Fantasia, no Kim Locke... not even a Syesha but this song is not untouchable. If she wants to redeem herself from her "Heatwave" FAIL then "Dancing in the Streets" might work for her.
The movie "Against All Odds" also came out in 1984. And yes, the title song is that Phil Collins hit. SRSLY, I'm not sensing FAIL for Lil if she tries this song. The power in her voice can carry it. And the song will not rob her of her vibe and intensity. So yeah, this is a go. Another song that I can totally see and hear Lil do, "Time After Time".
Man, Chicago has a LOT of albums, yeah? From their album Chicago 17 is the classic "You're the Inspiration". I've heard a female version of this and it's not half-bad. It's just that... I don't hear "Lil" in the song.
OH FINALLY! Tina Turner's Private Dancer album and song. All is saved, Lil! All you have to do is pull it off! Do a cover of "Let's Stay Together". Leah LaBelle of Season 3 did it, so can you. Another one for Motown, "I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder from The Woman in Red OST.
(special mention) A song post cannot go by without something from my favorite songs list. "The Search is Over" from Survivor. Not for Lil but the song ROCKS!
Probably my favorite Madonna album Like A Virgin was released that year. Now, there is just ONE person in the top 13 this year who can pull off Madonna. And it's not Lil. *wink* "Borderline" was a significant 1984 hit.
The song that made David Cook an early favorite to win season 7, "Hello" by Lionel Richie is also up for grabs. This is a window where Lil can show that she IS versatile and hey, she can attempt to make it her own.
(Ford Music Video suggestion) Pointer Sisters' song "Jump (For My Love)". That way, they all can get a solo partand Adam gets to dance.
Again, if there are any girls left, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" would've been a great group song for them. Ohwels. It's going to be a testosterone-driven tour then. Not that I'm complaining haha.
Contrary to popular belief, "Careless Whisper" came out in 1984... in UK. In the US, 1985 (so Kris, Matt, and Scott can have a go at it). Here is Tamia's version of it. Not Lil's kind of voice but who knows...
Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is" is in my favorites list. Here, Lil can show her range... from the lower register at the beginning to the higher notes in the bridge towards the end. Take Tina Arena's arrangement.
Oh ho-lee! "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen is in the list! I remember an X-Factor winner making this her first single. Maybe Lil can go with this... but will not have the same effect as Jason Castro did.
And how can I forget one of my favorite show tune? "I Know Him So Well"... hmm... could be. But...
I'm really not feeling Lil Rounds and that is making it difficult for me to choose songs for her. After all, she's my bathroom break when watching American Idol
Lil Rounds - November 14, 1984
OK, bias aside, I don't think songs speculations will work for Lil. She always picks the wrong songs and I'm betting she's not going to do well on that this week as well. Or maybe, it's not the song but her voice. Or her style.
I think I know what's going on with her. She heard those "You're so MJB" comments from the judges back in the semi-finals and she does not want to be either a sound-alike to MJB or "just an RnB singer". Although I appreciate her attempts at showing she's versatile, methinks she's just making her life harder. She needs to play with her strengths. If MJB-ish RnB is her niche, then she needs to explore that and look for ways to expand that genre. If she could widen that genre, make it work for her... then that's artistry. Kris Allen was praised for staying where he's good at and mixing it up. In that way, he showing growth. Adam Lambert showed his versatility but still with that distinct Adam-ness that people talk about a lot. That shows experience. Showing your kids on TV with you in tears on stage will not get you enough votes.
Anyway, I don't know much about 1984 apart from "Footloose" and Menudo + Ricky Martin. HAHA. Ohwels.
Since I have mentioned "Footloose", I'll start there. "Let's Hear it For the Boy" is a fun song. Lil can show some of her personality, dance a little on the stage, whatever. The judges seemed to like her "The Way You Make Me Feel" performance more than the subsequent weeks so maybe she can go back to that.
Another song from the soundtrack is "Holding Out for A Hero". Fantasia did this and it was AMAZING. Now, Lil is no Fantasia, no Kim Locke... not even a Syesha but this song is not untouchable. If she wants to redeem herself from her "Heatwave" FAIL then "Dancing in the Streets" might work for her.
The movie "Against All Odds" also came out in 1984. And yes, the title song is that Phil Collins hit. SRSLY, I'm not sensing FAIL for Lil if she tries this song. The power in her voice can carry it. And the song will not rob her of her vibe and intensity. So yeah, this is a go. Another song that I can totally see and hear Lil do, "Time After Time".
Man, Chicago has a LOT of albums, yeah? From their album Chicago 17 is the classic "You're the Inspiration". I've heard a female version of this and it's not half-bad. It's just that... I don't hear "Lil" in the song.
OH FINALLY! Tina Turner's Private Dancer album and song. All is saved, Lil! All you have to do is pull it off! Do a cover of "Let's Stay Together". Leah LaBelle of Season 3 did it, so can you. Another one for Motown, "I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder from The Woman in Red OST.
(special mention) A song post cannot go by without something from my favorite songs list. "The Search is Over" from Survivor. Not for Lil but the song ROCKS!
Probably my favorite Madonna album Like A Virgin was released that year. Now, there is just ONE person in the top 13 this year who can pull off Madonna. And it's not Lil. *wink* "Borderline" was a significant 1984 hit.
The song that made David Cook an early favorite to win season 7, "Hello" by Lionel Richie is also up for grabs. This is a window where Lil can show that she IS versatile and hey, she can attempt to make it her own.
(Ford Music Video suggestion) Pointer Sisters' song "Jump (For My Love)". That way, they all can get a solo partand Adam gets to dance.
Again, if there are any girls left, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" would've been a great group song for them. Ohwels. It's going to be a testosterone-driven tour then. Not that I'm complaining haha.
Contrary to popular belief, "Careless Whisper" came out in 1984... in UK. In the US, 1985 (so Kris, Matt, and Scott can have a go at it). Here is Tamia's version of it. Not Lil's kind of voice but who knows...
Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is" is in my favorites list. Here, Lil can show her range... from the lower register at the beginning to the higher notes in the bridge towards the end. Take Tina Arena's arrangement.
Oh ho-lee! "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen is in the list! I remember an X-Factor winner making this her first single. Maybe Lil can go with this... but will not have the same effect as Jason Castro did.
And how can I forget one of my favorite show tune? "I Know Him So Well"... hmm... could be. But...
I'm really not feeling Lil Rounds and that is making it difficult for me to choose songs for her. After all, she's my bathroom break when watching American Idol