American Idol contestants to begin butchering, err singing Beatles songs

danger boy

American Idol contestants to begin signing Beatles songs :eek: :eek:

It may have been a long and winding road, but the Beatles' famed songbook has finally made its way to American Idol.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which controls the Beatles' John Lennon and Paul McCartney composed hits, has granted Idol permission to let contestants perform tunes from the songbook.

"Incredible news. It's something that we've waited for seven seasons now," executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told host Ryan Seacrest during Wednesday morning's broadcast of his KIIS-FM radio show.

Now that the Idol finally has use of the entire songbook -- which includes 180 tunes -- Lythgoe knows just when to use them.

"When the Top 12 sing for the first time this season, it will be the music of Lennon and McCartney," he told Seacrest. "We've given them a list because it's all of the early songs -- from 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' to 'Got to Get You Into My Life.' These fantastic songs. It's one of the few areas that everybody knows."

Idol's ability to secure the songbook's usage apparently happened fairly quickly. During a December conference call with reporters, Lythgoe said Idol still didn't have the rights to the songbook.

"If that Lennon/McCartney songbook were open to us, I would love that," gushed Lythgoe. "At the same time, I would really like it when we have got our best singers. I would hate to ruin Beatles material. I really would."

During his conversation with Seacrest, Lythgoe allegedly that the talent level of Idol's seventh-season contestants is the reason why Sony/ATV made the songbook available.

"I think it was the talent this year. They see that it's real talent, and hear it," he said. "Everyone's so good this season, that they're saying, 'Yeah, go ahead. Sing the songs.'"

Idol 7's Top 12 finalists will perform tunes from the Beatles' songbook during the Tuesday, March 11 episode broadcast -- but it won't be the first time music from the "Fab Four" has appeared on the show.

While the music of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was used during Idol 6's finale, producers received "special permission to do that" because it was the album's 40th birthday, according to Lythgoe.

BaggedLancer

People still watch that crap show?

m00npie

BaggedLancer wrote: »

People still watch that crap show?

Not many... around 20-30 million

Ricardo

This is one of the very few TV shows I watch.

bobman1235

Here we go with all the Idol bashing.

It's a show about singing, and yet people say they hate it as if it sacrifices first born babies to the lord Satan. It's SINGING. It's like, STAR SEARCH for God's sake, that was around 30 years ago, you didn't see anyone bitching then.

I like Idol, though if I didn't have a DVR I can't say I'd watch it. But with the DVR, I fast-forward through the crappy singers and all the other crap, watch the handful of really good performances and get pretty into it that way.

avelanchefan

bobman1235 wrote: »

Here we go with all the Idol bashing.

It's a show about singing, and yet people say they hate it as if it sacrifices first born babies to the lord Satan. It's SINGING. It's like, STAR SEARCH for God's sake, that was around 30 years ago, you didn't see anyone bitching then.

I like Idol, though if I didn't have a DVR I can't say I'd watch it. But with the DVR, I fast-forward through the crappy singers and all the other crap, watch the handful of really good performances and get pretty into it that way.

There just pissed because they tried out for the show and Simon made them cry!;)

I really enjoy the show....once the top 24 start. Before that I really don't care what happens. It's painful to watch these horrible singer/actors.

jakelm

The only probolem I have with the show. If anyones else agrees, is that they wont sing a new song, or anything current. Why do they insist on singing songs that were sung 30 years ago?

I love classic rock and I love the sounds of the 60's and 70's, but that does not get played on the radio. The current rock selection of the radio, are, Nickelback, Audioslave, etc. The current country songs are, Kenny Chesney , Toby Keith, etc.

These artist are not the greatest in many people's eyes, but they are the current "sound" of the 21st century. So why sing Queen? That sound, while a legend, is not "current".

I dont understand this. Dont they have a choice of what to sing?

bobman1235

Most nights are "themed" - this week was "70's hits", last week was "60's hits". Many weeks during the "finals" are themed around specific performers who come in to coach the finalists, and those performers tend to be older just because they're available to come on Idol.

Plus, while modern songs may appeal to more of the younger audience, older songs appeal to pretty much everyone, and Idol loves to be the "family" show.

jakelm

bobman1235 wrote: »

Most nights are "themed" - this week was "70's hits", last week was "60's hits". Many weeks during the "finals" are themed around specific performers who come in to coach the finalists, and those performers tend to be older just because they're available to come on Idol.

Plus, while modern songs may appeal to more of the younger audience, older songs appeal to pretty much everyone, and Idol loves to be the "family" show.

I completely understand this.

I would just like to see alittle more current peices being sung. Just to hear what the performer would sound like singing something up to date. Instead of the same "bar karaoke", style performances that they are doing.

obieone

NOT Idol bashing, but the difference between Star Search & Idol, is, Star Search prescreened the talent pool! They didn't let monotone schleps like myself on there, just to be laughed at, and ridiculed by Simon sh*thead.
If Idol did the same thing, I would have more respect for the show.

bobman1235

obieone wrote: »

NOT Idol bashing, but the difference between Star Search & Idol, is, Star Search prescreened the talent pool! They didn't let monotone schleps like myself on there, just to be laughed at, and ridiculed by Simon sh*thead.
If Idol did the same thing, I would have more respect for the show.

? In reality they just publicize the prescreening process.

Idol is really two shows; part one the part you're complaining about where they make fun of freak shows, and part two is just "prescreened" contestants singing.

danger boy

personally, i think some of these early reality shows have run their course.. just like Survivor, was really only good the first season.. and I can't believe it still on TV. It's really bad if you tune in now.

There are several more reality shows that have overstayed their welcome. I think American Idol is one such show.

obieone

I will give A.I. their due, in the fact that, they are getting LEGITIMATE talent to the masses. Unlike the rap industry:rolleyes:

jakelm

danger boy wrote: »

personally, i think some of these early reality shows have run their course.. just like Survivor, was really only good the first season.. and I can't believe it still on TV. It's really bad if you tune in now.

There are several more reality shows that have overstayed their welcome. I think American Idol is one such show.

I absolutly agree with you, did you take a look at the new Big Brother?? Absolutly rediculous. But my wife insist on watching it. I just go biuld some cables or something. With tunes on the headphones.


And the funny thing is, that she actually thinks its not scripted...

Demiurge

..that was around 30 years ago, you didn't see anyone bitching then.

Al Gore hadn't invented the internet yet, either.

Eff American Idol.

jgido759

obieone wrote: »

NOT Idol bashing, but the difference between Star Search & Idol, is, Star Search prescreened the talent pool! They didn't let monotone schleps like myself on there, just to be laughed at, and ridiculed by Simon sh*thead.
If Idol did the same thing, I would have more respect for the show.

Plus, Star Search didn't run 3 DAYS each week for 3 months. You found out who was eliminated at the end of the show. It didn't require 4 hours to find out who would be eliminated.