Adam Lambert's current hit "What d'ya want from me" should become the anthem for American Idol! And this year's group of contestants must be asking themselves over and over "what do you want from me?"
One week they're told they need to choose a better song; next week they choose a better song but "I just know dawg..." is what they hear. Or "You did that well but you really aren't old enough to understand the emotion behind that song". Or "You're only in your teens. You need to sing something more suited to your age".
Then of course, with just a few exceptions, they're told they need to find out who they are. Well how many of those who try out for American Idol have been singing since they could walk or have been performing for years? It takes years and lots of trial and error to find out what your real voice is, where you're most comfortable, what you deliver best etc etc. Some gifted singers are so gifted they can sing many different genres equally well. They can deliver a mesmerizing Ella Fitzgerald jazz classic, belt out Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" or make you weep with Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams" equally well. So which one are they? Which do they want to be? What will a record label want them to be? What do you want from me?
Quite frankly, after Adam Lambert, I don't think it'll be easy to satisfy anyone, be they judges or the TV audience or the voters. Adam Lambert sung everything well. Week after week he surprised and delighted us. He wasn't afraid to take chances because he knew how good he was. Very few of the 2010 crop know how good they are, and sadly, most just pale in comparison to Lambert. There's one standout in the men: Michael Lynche. He knows who he is, knows how to perform, and has a great voice, just like Adam. Is he as exciting and different as Adam was and is? Hmmmm... Superstars bring something unique; that's what makes them superstars.
Amongst the girls, Crystal Bowersox brings something different to the usual female contenders. No Carrie Underwood, but why would we want another one anyway? Crystal too seems to know who she is, can rivet with her performance, and has great pipes. But is she superstar material? Are ANY of the females superstar material. I fear not. I had hopes for Lilly Scott too. She's unique, right from her look to her sound. But quite frankly, her rendition of Patsy Cline's classic on Tuesday was horrible! I really liked Lilly's jazzy touches until she did that song. It's not even the fact that she took a legend's song and changed it up. Adam did that too with "Ring of Fire". But his voice and delivery left one speechless and in awe. What Lilly did to Cline's song made me want to turn off the speakers. The judges praised her but I think only because they know she has more to offer and don't want to send her home yet.
But hey, what do I know about great singing and top performers? Well a lot if I wanted to go into detail but I don't. Suffice to say that this year's crop of finalists has me asking "What do I want from the next American Idol"? Another Adam Lambert or Adama Lamberto? Yes, but he or she isn't in the 2010 bunch of contenders. Good luck to them all. I don't really think it matters who makes the top 12 this year. We won't remember them next year.