The country’s biggest singing competition is back, and the judges of “American Idol” are putting potential contestants through the ringer. A traditional part of the audition segment of the popular show is to display the good, the bad and the bizarre as they sing their hearts out in the hopes of snagging a golden ticket to Hollywood. While I enjoy watching the auditions, hearing the same songs being performed over and over again is utterly mind numbing and irritating. Here is a look at five songs that should never be performed on “American Idol” again, no matter how good the performer is.
“Midnight Train to Georgia”
It seems like every season on “American Idol,” there are a slew of contestants that are on the “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Please, for the love of God, get on the train and stop singing about it! The original was a classic as sung by Gladys Knight and The Pips, however, after being sung by dozens of contestants on “American Idol,” I think its time to retire this ’70s hit.
“Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”
“Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” was a Motown hit from the ’60s by The Temptations that continues to capture the hearts of music fans. This does not mean that the song was meant to be sung a thousand times over on television by gaggles of amateur singers. “American Idol” hopefuls, please do us all a favor: Find another Motown song to sing.
“Hero”
Chances are that if you have the vocal range of Mariah Carey, someone would have discovered you by now. The song “Hero” should be reserved for the truly talented. The range that the song requires is broad, and can be mastered by very few. In the hopes that “American Idol” will spare our ear drums, please retire this song or at least ban it until you have announced the top 10.
“Come Together”
A serious pet peeve of mine is when “American Idol” allows amateur and usually talent-devoid singers to destroy 20th century classics. A commonly sung tune on the talent show is “Come Together” by the Beatles. While some singers aim to pay tribute to the fab four, others have completely destroyed the song. Stop the insanity, and have the contestants destroy a song nobody will care about.
“I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing”
Another song that needs a cease and desist order on “American Idol” is “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” by Idol’s own Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. It has to be weird for the rock legend to sit there and listen to the masses destroy his song, and then deliver his opinion to them afterward. Stop trying to kiss up to Steven Tyler by demolishing his songs! It doesn’t work.
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Fan Perspective: Three Ways ‘American Idol’ Could Expand Their Talent Pool
Five Beatles Songs That Should Never Be Covered Again
Classical Music for Valentine’s Day: Five Instrumental Songs that Express What the Human Tongue Cannot