American Idol Categories: Some Suggestions for Songs that Don't Suck

I was reading someone else's blog, where they were talking about the "dreck" that emerged from "American Idol's" theme of April 14^th: Music from the Movies. The person writing used terms like "dreck" and "bilge" and really rained on Bryan Adams' parade, saying, "Does anyone really like this song?" (Matt's choice of "If You've Ever Loved A Woman," I believe....and some did.) There seemed to be a distinct prejudice against power ballads expressed by the anonymous blogger, whose name I have now forgotten.

I do remember saying, at one point, that they might as well have invited Bryan Adams, a real singer, to "mentor" the singers on Tuesday night and let Quentin Tarantino stay home playing with his John Travolta lunch pail. Who, in their right mind, equates Quentin Tarantino with singing expertise? [Not I, said the Little Red Hen (and, no, I don't mean Allison Irahita).]

However, given the "themes" they've come up with this year on "American Idol", I contacted the daughter, a Music Business major at Belmont in Nashville, Tennessee (Melinda Dolittle's old school) and asked her for some good ideas for themes that the show might substitute for horrible ideas like making everyone sing Country & Western and/or Disco tunes. I mean, what horrible twist of fate caused someone to think THIS was a "good" idea? Adam Lambert does not "do" C&W. He did light a real fire under "Ring of Fire," while wearing black nail polish and eyeliner, but let's just say it got a mixed reaction. [I thought Randy Travis, seated in the audience, was going to stroke out! Loved his comment, "I don't meet many guys wearing nail polish." No kidding?]

I think that selecting one particular artist or group, such as the Beatles or MichaelJackson is a good idea, and, in that same vein, I would suggest that some thought be given to letting contestants go with Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, or any of a number of other established artists whose work has reached iconic status. But please, please, please, don't make Broadway boy writhe through a rendition of Johnny Cash! (And I absolutely love Adam Lambert, but this did both him and the song a disservice.)

What are some other good ideas?

• The daughter and I liked the Motown theme recently undertaken with Smokey Robinson on board (*Note: a singer, not a film director). Keep that one. Rhythm and blues is always good. Hard-driving rock-and-roll: Just as good.

• The idea of having the contestants sing a song from the year of their birth: also not bad.

• In other competitions, the judges have selected a song for the contestants to sing, and that finds favor with us, as does the idea of letting the contestants, themselves, select a song, for once.

• How about a "Your favorite song" or "Your favorite artist" night? Could be interesting. Let the kids have their head and do their thing.

• Another thought: have audience members e-mail or text in the name of the song they'd most like to see a particular contestant sing. This way, the audience gets to feel more involved and we might avoid Disco night and/or Country & Western night altogether. (Hip! Hip! Hooray!) Whichever song was suggested most frequently for Adam or Danny (or whomever) gets the nod.

• What about letting the contestants pick a song from a city? Example: Chicago. The song doesn't have to be about Chicago, just one from a Chicago songwriter. Or Los Angeles. Or Seattle. Or New Orleans. Or New York City. Or Memphis. Or Nashville. Or Detroit. It could even be an artist associated with that city, like the Beatles and Liverpool (England). Therefore, if Motown night was over, but Lil Rounds wanted another shot at what she should arguably be able to sing best, she could pick Detroit and give it another go. [Not sure that Danny Gokey would select Milwaukee, but you never know.]

• Or, once again in the spirit of letting the contestants have more say in what they sing, let their parents pick a song for them to sing. Or, as an alternative, let their former music teachers, who are probably responsible for nurturing their budding "American Idol" talent in the first place. This way, teachers get a nod of "thanks" (which seldom happens...trust me on that!) and they get to pick something for a talent they know and love and are trying to encourage.

These are all just off the top of our collective heads. We'd love to hear your suggestions.

Anything to delay (or stop) disco night and C&W night!