I need a good upbeat male vocal song to sing for my audition for, yes… American Idol. Something reserved and not too “out there” or high pitched. Any suggestions?
I’m sorry, I can’t in good conscience assist anyone in continuing the abomination that is American Idol. I realize my refusal to offer suggestions for audition songs is hardly going to bring Ryan Seacrest to his knees (not like Ryan needs much encouragement to go to his knees) but I do what little I can.
This might not meet your requirements, but if you can pull it off I’ve always thought Crazy Love as done by Aaron Neville (originally Van Morrison) would make a great audition song if you can nail it.
How about the Nine Men song from Heap of Trouble? http://zed.cbc.ca/go?POS=2&CONTENT_ID=2365&c=contentPage Or is that too inclusionary?
You could always try Stuck in the Middle by Gerry Rafferty.
or Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel
or do what one of the contestents did on the British version
Oops, I did it Again
I Wear My Heart on My Sleeve by Bryan Ferry
Short Skirt & a Long Jacket, by Cake.
Slam dunk. Remember me when you’re famous.
My Heart is Inditing by GF Handel.
by “Male Song” I thought you meant a cock-rock anthem, which would be interesting to put into AI for a change. The most upbeat, non misogynistic Male Song I know would have to be Red Barchetta by Rush, although it just may be too high pitched for you 
Rio by Duran Duran
Sonnet by The Verve.
What’s your vocal range: tenor, baritone?
Van Morrison, Moondance
The Beatles, Mother Nature’s Son
Keith Carradine, I’m Easy
Nat ‘King’ Cole, L-O-V-E
Queen, Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Robert Palmer, Every Kinda People*
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas* (surprise them!)
Frank Sinatra, The More I See You
Peter Frampton, Show Me the Way
- The ones I would do.
P.S. Don’t forget to write back and tell us what you sang for your audition.
Knock 'em dead with the best-ever rendition of “99 Bottles of Beer On the Wall.”
I’ve had good audition experiences with Hook by Blues Traveler.
I was going to recommend “Avalon” from the Roxy Music album Avalon.
I have pretty good range, the only issue is the type of music I’m most comfortable with singing are older styles LIKE van morrison (good selection, moondance is.) The only problem with that is they’ll say my style is too old fashioned. Keep in mind I’ll be dressed up in full gothic regalia since I’m an industrial rocker type. I’ll definitely tell you how the audition goes and what song I end up singing (I’ll need to have two songs as alternates as well, I’ve been told.) If anything it’ll be an… experience. To say the least.
Keep the suggestions coming.
Rio by Duran Duran.
Major Tom (Coming Home) by Peter Schilling
Lawyers, Guns and Money by Warren Zevon
The Devil in Me by John Wesley Harding
Ana Ng by They Might Be Giants
A second vote for that song? guess I’ll have to actually listen to the song now.