l love The Beatles and love makes the world go round. Yes, The Beatles carry a lot of influence. Not just because I love them, but because their music is incontestably the best music that ever has or will be written after the classics.
American Idol was finally allowed to bring The Beatles on board and it was worth the wait (and intense legal battles, I’m sure). This horribly over done show attracted my attention for it’s full time slot tonight. Mostly, I couldn’t wait to see what songs were chosen. Scared that the contestants would take too much license, I dreaded hearing some of my favorites. I’m happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. This normally bland show was the most fun hour of reality television I’ve watched since. . . well, ever.
My favorite act of the night was a little rock rendition of Eleanor Rigby. Brilliant. Genius.
Adding to how much I loved this song, his attitude was perfect. ‘You really have to be on your game because everyone knows these songs.’ He understands the privilege of singing these songs and singing it perfectly or not at all.
The not-so-native San Diegan also put out a truly great rendition of Come Together. She made us fellow San Diegans proud. After these two performances tonight, I might possibly bring myself to tune in tomorrow.
The most depressing act of the night came from a sixteen year old who hadn’t heard a single Beatles song on the list. (Go ahead and pick you jaw up off the floor, recover from your heart attack, etc. . . the blog will still be here after you’ve had a chance to drive to Hollywood and smack the kid.)
Anyway, the ignorant little boy chose the one song that Stevie Wonder had covered and tried to sing it in that style. Not only was it a complete nightmare (the kid deserved nothing better), but it was a complete insult to the Lennon/McCartney songbook.
Then I went back and watched Eleanor Rigby again. I am happy.
