American Idol: Lil Rounds "Relevant," Keeping Focus on Chris Brown and Rihanna

Lil Rounds is and has been a front runner among the finalists on American Idol Season 8 since the first time she set foot on the audition stage in Kansas City, Missouri. Some think she could win it all. If so, she will have to do a little better than she did during Country Week (Grand Ole Opry Week). Not that she did poorly with her rendition of Martina McBride's hit "Independence Day." She did not; she just didn't do overly well.

But Lil Rounds did not have be perfect. She just had to do passably well. And she did.

Still, what is more important about Lil Rounds' song choice for American Idol Country Week was that it was "relevant." When she received a little criticism for her song choice, she said that she had chosen the song for its relevance.

What was she talking about? What makes "Independence Day" relevant? Sure, it is a great song -- some would even call it classic -- but it came out in 1994. What makes it relevant?

The answer is rather simple, really. "Independence Day" is a song about domestic violence. The lyrics tell the story of a little girl (the narrator being Martina McBride, or, in the case of Tuesday night's performance, Lil Rounds) who was part of and a witness to domestic violence in her home. The song and the video were controversial when the song was released, with the video garnering considerable criticism for its graphic violence, especially the scene where the little girl's home burns to the ground, presumably with her mother and abusive father still in it. The title, "Independence Day," is a double entendre. The events that set the little girl free from the abusive life with her parents happened on July 4, which is America's Independence Day. Lil Rounds was directly implying that her song choice was relevant to the ongoing scandal that was and is the relationship between R&B singers Chris Brown and Rihanna.

American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi said that the song did not allow the full force of Lil Rounds voice to show through, but acknowledged that choosing songs that were timely was something she would have to do in the business. Randy Jackson said that the performance was "alright," that the song was just not "comfortable" on her. Paula Abdul disagreed and said that everything worked: song, singing, dress, hair, everything. She said she would have only sang one verse of the song, though, and repeated the chorus to show the power of Lil Rounds voice. Simon Cowell then disagreed with Paula, stating that the song seemed "uncomfortable" for her, like she'd been asked to sing a song at a party or function and really didn't want to. He said it just wasn't her.

Regardless, it was relevant. And it was performed well enough that she will be one of the Top 10 finalists.

But bringing the focus back on domestic violence was a good thing. Many may not have understood the reference, but many country fans would get it. And others surfing the internet for the lyrics to "Independence Day" will get it. Those that look up the video for "Independence Day" will get it. And those who read this article will get it.

Because outrage against the alleged domestic violence in the relationship between Chris Brown and Rihanna will recede. People will forget. Many will deny that Chris Brown ever did anything, while others will place the blame for the assault and the abuse solely on Rihanna.

But something as public as this case should not be allowed to grow dim and recede from the public conscience. It must remain in public view. It must be openly discussed. And those who engage in domestic abuse need to be confronted and helped with their problem(s). Denying the existence of domestic violence and/or allowing it to continue (such as would seem to be the case with Chris Brown and Rihanna), whether on a personal level or a social level, conveys culpability by all concerned.

Indifference and lip service are not the solution. Illumination and education are.

Domestic violence is a scourge. It must be dealt with. Dealing with it involves education. Education involves information. The more one knows about domestic violence, the more one can do to prevent it -- in one's own life as well as being aware of the warning signs of abuse in others' lives. Education and keeping the focus on the problem can act as both cautionary tale and preventive. It can alter, even save, lives and break the nightmare cycle of the emotional and psychological co-dependent.

Lil Rounds may not have had the best performance of the night on American Idol, but she certainly was relevant. That is far more important.

******

The lyrics to "Independence Day," written by Gretchen Peters, as sung by Martina McBride.

The video to "Independence Day" by Martina McBride.

******

"American Idol," Fox Television

YouTube.com

CMT.com