# AMERICAN IDOL 4/6 - Elton John Night **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 5, 2004, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373 "2004-04-05T15:48:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![annieclaus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5a626/32.png) [@annieclaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annieclaus)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/1 "2004-04-05T15:48:27Z")
Anybody want to make any guesses about which Idol contestant will do which Elton John song Tuesday? I’d guess Penboy will do “Crocodile Rock.” One of the girls, maybe Jasmine, will do “Candle in the Wind.” George should do “Circle of Life.” “Benny & the Jets” anyone??? ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/2 "2004-04-05T16:08:21Z")
John Stevens would do well to choose “Your Song”. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/3 "2004-04-05T16:40:51Z")
I thought it was going to be Big Band night? Did the folks at TWOP get it wrong (I assume that’s where the rumour came from!). Someone had BETTER sing “Circle of Life” just cuz! ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/4 "2004-04-05T16:58:54Z")
LaToya could absolutely tear up the place with _I’m Still Standing_. John Peter could probably do a decent _Pinball Wizard_ (which, I know, is technically not an Elton John song, but he is as much associated with it as _The Who_). Personally I’d like to hear John Stevens tackle _The Bitch is Back_. ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/5 "2004-04-05T17:19:13Z")
> [@annieclaus](#): > > I’d guess Penboy will do “Crocodile Rock.” I’m thinking either that one or Tiny Dancer. I really hope that one of the more talented contestants sings Goodbye Yellow Brick Road or Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, but usually the least talented singers pick the songs that I like and ruin them. If anyone sings Nikita I may have to shoot my television set. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/6 "2004-04-05T17:55:07Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Personally I’d like to hear John Stevens tackle _The Bitch is Back_. That would be a treat! I’d love to see him try to dance to it. But, I think Jennifer Hudson would be more appropriate to sing that song. “My fans”, indeed. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/7 "2004-04-05T18:24:59Z")
JPL won’t be singing **Tiny Dancer** ; he already sang it in one of the wild card shows, so I’d highly doubt it if he sang it again. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/8 "2004-04-05T18:44:47Z")
I thought we were getting Big Band night? Ugh, I’m already all Eltoned out. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/9 "2004-04-05T18:47:18Z")
> [@Nutty Bunny](#): > > But, I think Jennifer Hudson would be more appropriate to sing that song. “My fans”, indeed. :rolleyes: I like Jennifer Hudson okay, but that remark was a little…lofty of her, wasn’t it. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/10 "2004-04-05T18:52:14Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Personally I’d like to hear John Stevens tackle _The Bitch is Back_. They’ll never sing the b-word on _American Idol_… they edited “mattress dancing” to “crazy dancing” when pink-haired girl sang “Sin Wagon.” ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/11 "2004-04-05T19:49:37Z")
As a big-time Elton John and Bernie Taupin fan, here’s what I’d like to see: **Camile** : Someone Saved My Life Tonight **Diana** : Come Down In Time **George** : Empty Garden **Fantasia** : Border Song **Jasmine** : Something About The Way You Look Tonight **Jennifer** : Sacrifice **John** : Blue Eyes **Jon Peter** : Honkey Cat **La Toya** : I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/12 "2004-04-05T20:04:46Z")
By the way, if they line up the weeks in order of difficulty, I’m surprised Elton is coming this soon. His music is quite difficult, especially the melodies. He has more range than most of the idols, and he uses it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/13 "2004-04-05T20:57:52Z")
> [@Libertarian](#): > > By the way, if they line up the weeks in order of difficulty, I’m surprised Elton is coming this soon. His music is quite difficult, especially the melodies. He has more range than most of the idols, and he uses it a lot. Funny you should mention that. When I heard this was Elton John week, I went through as many Elton John songs as I could remember trying to figure out which one I’d do. The first thing I realized was that these songs are a lot harder to sing than you might realize. The easiest? Probably “Crocodile Rock,” which is up tempo, fun, and doesn’t require a lot of range except in the “laaaaaaaa, la la la la laaaa” runs, and you can switch to a full-on falsetto to get through those. I fully expect Penboy or Camille Velsaco to attempt “Crocodile Rock.” I know it’s the only one I could possibly get through. Well, maybe “Nikita,” but I think it’s a violation of the Geneva Conventions to sing “Nikita” in public. But man, some of these other songs - if someone attempts “Bennie and the Jets,” it’s going to be a bloodbath. I think a lot of people are going to really suck bad this week. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/14 "2004-04-05T21:19:59Z")
> [@Libertarian](#): > > By the way, if they line up the weeks in order of difficulty, I’m surprised Elton is coming this soon. His music is quite difficult, especially the melodies. He has more range than most of the idols, and he uses it a lot. I was thinking the same thing about how hard Elton John’s music is to sing. I’m expecting it to be a dreadful night of performances as a result. Hopefully I’ll be surprised. I’d just rather someone _not_ attempt “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me,” since Clay knocked that one out of the ballpark last season, inspiring Sour Simon to say, “Wow. Wow. I was really impressed… that was a fantastic performance – really, really fantastic… It was great – really, really great.” It will certainly be a tough act to follow. And I think I’d rather hear George sing “I’m Still Standing,” than one of the ballads. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/15 "2004-04-05T21:33:32Z")
I agree that that’s a good suggestion for George. I was just hoping to see him do something where a smile would be inappropriate. I want to see if he has the range of emotion to convey grief. For Camile, I went the opposite way. I honestly don’t think she can help but make those faces, and I picked a song where the agony in her face might match the intensity of Bernie’s lyric. For Jon Peter, I picked one of the safe non-falsetto pieces. I think his falsetto would be weak. Anyway, I’m rambling now… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/16 "2004-04-05T23:53:41Z")
I just saw Randy Jackson on Extra or ET (one of those shows) and he confirmed that it is indeed Elton John night. I agree with the comment that no one should try to top Clay’s version of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”. George might do well with “Your Song” or maybe John S. could attempt that. I just hope the show doesn’t suck too much. ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/17 "2004-04-06T00:26:37Z")
> [@yellowval](#): > > JPL won’t be singing Tiny Dancer; he already sang it in one of the wild card shows, so I’d highly doubt it if he sang it again. Yes, but I remember Kimberly Locke singing Band of Gold more than once (she sang it during auditions and also during the competition). Since it seems to be allowed, I wouldn’t be surprised if JPL used this opportunity to sing a song he’s already practiced. Although, it really doesn’t matter what he sings if he’s dancing while he sings it. Please don’t let him dance… ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/18 "2004-04-06T00:47:11Z")
Oh, and didn’t Kimbery Locke also wear out Somewhere Over the Rainbow? I know she sang that one more than once. ---
**Author:** ![annieclaus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5a626/32.png) [@annieclaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annieclaus)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/19 "2004-04-06T02:01:26Z")
> [@Nutty Bunny](#): > > But, I think Jennifer Hudson would be more appropriate to sing that song. “My fans”, indeed. :rolleyes: Yeah. Her fans. . . BOTH of 'em! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2004, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373/20 "2004-04-06T02:26:40Z")
I have noticed several of them saying “my fans” and it bugs me every time. I wonder if Fox encourages it, thinking it will sound good. Also, I hate, hate, hate when Ryan says “your American Idols.” They aren’t mine, damn it. And I am not even going to mention how obnoxious “Seacrest out” is. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-6-elton-john-night/238373.md?page=2)