# American Idol Song wish list. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 23, 2007, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408 "2007-02-23T17:45:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/21 "2007-03-01T01:44:55Z")
[QUOTE=rockle] I have dreamed many a night \* of a “North of the Border Night” on American Idol, where all the songs were written or most-famously-performed by Canadian artists. It’s hard to say who would sing what without knowing who the Top 12 are, but the artists in the “playlist” are: [/SIZE]\* [/QUOTE] What, no BNL. No Moxie Furvus? I’d pay money to see Chris S do King of Spain. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/22 "2007-03-01T02:18:15Z")
Blake Lewis did a great job with a Keane song. They do have more songs, of course, and there’s no reason why someone couldn’t take one on. I wouldn’t mind hearing someone do a Damien Rice song. What the hell, one of U2’s power ballads as well. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/23 "2007-03-01T02:22:13Z")
[QUOTE=Biggirl] What, no BNL. No Moxie Furvus? I’d pay money to see Chris S do King of Spain. [/QUOTE] \*\* double-checking \*\* Yeah, Barenaked Ladies are there. They’re first on my list. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/24 "2007-03-01T02:23:40Z")
[QUOTE=rockle] \*\* double-checking \*\* Yeah, Barenaked Ladies are there. They’re first on my list. [/QUOTE] I keep telling you how old I am. My eyesight. . . not what it used to be. ---
**Author:** ![xnylder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbce88/32.png) [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/25 "2007-03-01T02:38:47Z")
[QUOTE=Biggirl] What, no BNL. No Moxie Furvus? I’d pay money to see Chris S do King of Spain. [/QUOTE] Thanks, “and now I vacuum the turf at SkyDome” is stuck in my head… As for another Canadian number: I know few (ok, maybe none) of the Idols rap, but I’d love to hear Blake let loose on Maestro Fresh Wes’ “Let Your Backbone Slide”. ---
**Author:** ![xnylder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbce88/32.png) [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/26 "2007-03-01T02:44:57Z")
Inspired by the Canadian idea…Would it be ratings poison to have a non-English song night? I mean, I’ve always been annoyed that Spanish-speaking idols can’t perform in Spanish, and even Canadian Idol singers aren’t allowed to sing in French. What about having an American Idol night where everyone has to perform in a second language? How do you think contestants would do if they had to sing in Spanish, French, or any other non-English language of their choice? Many pop singers attempt to gain popularity in other countries and markets by doing this, so I think it would be a valid challenge. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/27 "2007-03-01T02:48:37Z")
[QUOTE=rockle] **Barenaked Ladies**. Their three most likely candidates are “What A Good Boy,” “Brian Wilson,” or (squee!) “The Old Apartment” – but these songs are not for the meek. It will take a special kind of guy – or girl – to do these songs justice.[/SIZE]\* [/QUOTE] Seconded. “Sound of Your Voice”, off the newer album, would be a good one to hear, too. If we’re going with a Canada Night, why not some **Great Big Sea**? “The Night Pat Murphy Died” might not be typical Idol material, but I guarantee it’ll get the audience into it. Ooooh, how bout an “Irish Drinking Song” night? I’d like to see those gospel-y singers try and tackle that! ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/28 "2007-03-01T02:54:00Z")
[QUOTE=xnylder] Inspired by the Canadian idea…Would it be ratings poison to have a non-English song night? I mean, I’ve always been annoyed that Spanish-speaking idols can’t perform in Spanish, and even Canadian Idol singers aren’t allowed to sing in French. What about having an American Idol night where everyone has to perform in a second language? How do you think contestants would do if they had to sing in Spanish, French, or any other non-English language of their choice? Many pop singers attempt to gain popularity in other countries and markets by doing this, so I think it would be a valid challenge. [/QUOTE] Despite my best efforts to avoid doing so, I am now picturing Sanjaya singing Jordy’s early 90’s novelty song “Dur dur d’être bébé.” Because, “It’s so tough to be a baby!” ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/29 "2007-03-01T02:56:42Z")
[QUOTE=rockle] Despite my best efforts to avoid doing so, I am now picturing Sanjaya singing Jordy’s early 90’s novelty song “Dur dur d’être bébé.” Because, “It’s so tough to be a baby!” [/QUOTE] Oh, great, now that’s all I’ll _ever_ hear coming out of his mouth! It’s ok, though. I don’t like him anyway. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/30 "2007-03-01T03:45:56Z")
I have always, always wished someone would/could sing [Napoleon by Ani DiFranco](http://www.danah.org/Ani/Dilate/Napoleon.html)… ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/31 "2007-03-01T08:28:25Z")
Anything by Romeo Void, The Flying Lizards, Telex, or Lou Reed. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/32 "2007-03-01T12:37:13Z")
[QUOTE=xnylder] I’d like to see them do another musicals night, but this time without last year’s lame caveat that they had to be “classic”. I want to see the contestants attempt numbers by Sondheim and Webber … [/QUOTE] While I was driving into work this morning, my iPod played three show tunes in a row, and I had mental images of them being performed on “Idol” thusly: Jordin Sparks singing “On My Own” from _Les Miz_, then Brandon Rogers singing “Not While I’m Around” from _Sweeney Todd_, then Gina Glocksen singing “Not A Day Goes By” from _Merrily We Roll Along_. (That last one is a song I most commonly associate with Bernadette Peters, and Gina is _not exactly_ Bernadette Peters, but there is an edge to her a voice, a kind of lived-in _earthiness_, that could be very interesting to hear. Or else, it could be an aural train wreck. In my imagination, it sounded good.) \* Anyway … yeah, you’re not the only Broadway fangirl, I don’t think. I _loooove_ Sondheim. He’s one of my favorite songwriters of any kind. - I will give _quadruple extra **rockle** bonus points_ to whoever even attempts “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway” from _Spamalot_. ---
**Author:** ![xnylder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbce88/32.png) [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/33 "2007-03-01T13:21:52Z")
[QUOTE=rockle] Despite my best efforts to avoid doing so, I am now picturing Sanjaya singing Jordy’s early 90’s novelty song “Dur dur d’être bébé.” Because, “It’s so tough to be a baby!” [/QUOTE] That is sooo evil, because it’s perfect… And **Rockle** , I like your Broadway style! Speaking of Sondheim, wouldn’t Leslie look cute as a button doing Little Red Riding Hood’s “I Know Things Now” from Into the Woods? And if only we could get Chris Sligh and Blake to do a funky version of “Agony” parts one and/or two… ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/34 "2007-03-01T13:40:06Z")
I guess these songs are for male singes, with no particular specifics as to who should sing them: **XTC** Mayor of Simpleton, Ten Feet Tall **Pearl Jam** Footsteps, I Got Id, Betterman **Chili Peppers** Under the Bridge **The Smiths** There is a Light, This Charming Man **Live** Iris **Barry Manilow** Could it be Magic **Midnight Oil** Forgotten Years ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/35 "2007-03-01T13:48:17Z")
[QUOTE=xnylder] And if only we could get Chris Sligh and Blake to do a funky version of “Agony” parts one and/or two… [/QUOTE] Heh. That _would_ be funny. > [@phungi](#): > > I guess these songs are for male singes, with no particular specifics as to who should sing them … **Pearl Jam** … Betterman I actually think “Betterman” could be done well by a woman, too. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/36 "2007-03-01T19:13:53Z")
[QUOTE=Antigen] \Ooooh, how bout an “Irish Drinking Song” night? I’d like to see those gospel-y singers try and tackle that! [/QUOTE] Then they could bring down the house with “Drunk for a Week” by Spirit of the West. I don’t know if Americans know this song, or if they dance to it like we do, but that would be a hoot. I would like to see a guy with a sweet, well-controlled voice do “Sara Smile.” “I Want to Spend My Lifetime Loving You” would be a good choice for a guy, too, with a proper arrangement that brings in the small, pretty parts and the blow your hair back parts. A girl with a small, pretty voice would do herself a favour if she sang something by the Cowboy Junkies or Alison Krauss (“Misguided Angel” or “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You”). Amanda Marshall and Jann Arden would be good additions to the Canadian night, for the girls who want to sing power ballads but not Whitney or Celine (“Beautiful Goodbye” and “I Would Die For You” would probably be the best choices). I don’t know if this is overdone or not (I don’t recall hearing it much), but a good classic that seems to be getting overlooked is “Tell It Like It Is.” The danger there is that it’s been covered by Aaron Neville AND Linda Ronstadt - you’re got some serious comparisons to live up to there. ---
**Author:** ![sciguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@sciguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciguy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/37 "2007-03-01T19:19:51Z")
With his hair and glasses, I keep hoping Chris Sligh will do a Weird Al Yankovic song. Put a Hawaiian shirt on him and different frames, and he could pass as an “early years” Al with some extra pounds. ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/38 "2007-03-01T19:51:00Z")
It would be cool to hear the Shuggie Otis song “Strawberry Letter 23” done well on that show. Maybe Procul Harem’s “Whiter Shade of Pale”. It should be closer to the Box Tops version though. REM’s “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” would be interesting. It would be cool if done well, and a wonderful trainwreck if done badly. I bet Blake could do something cool with it. I’d also like to hear Blake do “There She Goes” by The La’s. His charisma would work well with it and he seemed to do okay with high notes a couple of weeks ago. Chris Sligh singing David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” A singer with a deeper voice doing The Church’s “Under the Milky Way” It might be cool to hear Sundance singing “Keep On The Sunny Side” if he could manage to add some soul to it while keeping the bouncy melody. The ultimate awesomeness would be someone singing a Smith’s song without diverging too much from Morissey’s singing style. I don’t know if it would earn them many votes but it would be hilarious. It would be total suckage if they sang a watered down version. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2007, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/39 "2007-03-01T20:14:44Z")
[QUOTE=Talon Karrde] I\The ultimate awesomeness would be someone singing a Smith’s song without diverging too much from Morissey’s singing style. I don’t know if it would earn them many votes but it would be hilarious. It would be total suckage if they sang a watered down version. [/QUOTE] You don’t really want them to go there, do you? “And now - BIG FINISH!” ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2007, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408/40 "2007-03-02T00:45:24Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] You don’t really want them to go there, do you? “And now - BIG FINISH!” [/QUOTE] Ew. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-song-wish-list/393408.md?page=3)