Chaska Herald - American Idol: Top 8 Dudes do up the 80s - Comments

Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah"

Mollee Francisco — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:52:08 -0500

Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah" has been the number one download on iTunes since Jason Castro sang it last week. Nice to see so many people getting tuned into this amazing song.

I can just imagine some 15-year-old girl getting all introspective as she listens to it on her iPod over and over again. It's just one of those songs that demands your attention when it's playing.

I'm actually envious of those finding it for the first time because it's such a lovely little present to get and nothing beats hearing it on first play through.

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

Bye bye bye Danny. With all

Ruth Anne Maddox — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:23:25 -0600

Bye bye bye Danny. With all that cuticle picking he was doing before the axe fell, he's definitely going to need a manicure. At least he didn't cry (for himself, anyway).

Luke also deserved to go. Too bad, I thought he was better than that before it actually counted.

Wake up before he go-gos:

Mollee Francisco — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:36:35 -0600

Wake up before he go-gos: Luke Menard is done. As is Danny Noriega.
(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

Paula Abdul's "Straight Up"

Mollee Francisco — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:20:42 -0600

Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" could have been an option for the girls tonight but the rumor mill is saying no one bit on that. Sounds like Pat Benetar and Whitney Houston tunes will rule the night.
My first cassette tape ever was Whitney Houston's "Whitney" and it's full of good songs but WH is dangerous territory to enter into without a fresh spin on the material or a big booming voice.
(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

It's hard to believe, but

Mollee Francisco — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:08:02 -0600

It's hard to believe, but tonight I'm actually looking most forward to what Amanda Overmyer might perform tonight. I think the 80s is a treasure trove of songs that fit her voice and personality. Maybe Pat Benetar's "Love is a Battlefield" or Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes"? What about the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams" or even Twisted Sisters' "We're Not Gonna Take It"?

It could be a good night for Carly Smithson as well. I'd love to hear her sing Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" or Blondie's "Call Me" or maybe the Bangles' "Manic Monday."

Ramiele Malubay could keep her unique vibe going with a host of fun 80s tunes like the Go Gos' "We Got the Beat" or what about Irene Cara's "Fame"? Possibly Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now" or Madonna's "Borderline"?

I'm betting someone is going to trot out Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and that someone could be Kady Malloy. Other options I could see her going with include Debbie Gibson's "Lost in Your Eyes" and Air Supply's "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All."

Kristy Lee Cook has Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" (from Top Gun) written all over her. If not that, maybe a little of Dolly Parton's "Islands in the Stream" or Jennifer Warnes' "Up Where We Belong."

I'm hoping Asia'h Epperson's feeling better this week and I'm also hoping she takes a crack at Tina Turner's "What's Love Got To Do With It" or the Pointer Sisters' "Slow Hand." "All Cried Out" by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam could be a fine choice or maybe a nod to Minnesota musical artist The Jets "Make It Real."

Syesha Mercado is a natural for Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" or maybe Simply Reds' "If You Don't Know Me By Now" or even Diana Ross' "Upside Down."

I'm most puzzled by what Brooke White might choose. I could see her doing well with something like Elton John's "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" or Fleetwood Mac's "Everywhere." If she was feeling bold, I'd suggest belting out Heart's "These Dreams."

Here's hoping the girls put on as good a show as the guys did last night. I'm looking forward to it.

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

Which 80s song would you

Mollee Francisco — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:16:59 -0600

Which 80s song would you have chosen to sing? What should we expect to hear from the ladies tonight? Madonna? Cyndi Lauper? Blondie?
(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

I also LOVE Jeff Buckley's

jennyjean4 — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:55:52 -0600

I also LOVE Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah". Leonard Cohen's songwritting skills paired with one of the best voices ever to grace this planet - how can you go wrong? I do, however, think that Castro was way out of his league picking this song. No one can sing it like Buckley and he didn't even come close. I just hope all the people that liked the song on "Idle" seek out the (far far superior) Jeff Buckley version of "Hallelujah", because it will blow them away.

I honestly haven't been this

Mollee Francisco — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:34:45 -0600

I honestly haven't been this excited about an Idol song choice (Halleluha) since Taylor Hicks sang Ray LaMontagne's "Trouble" two years ago.
I didn't have my MP3 player handy to listen to Jeff Buckley's version of the song this evening so I went onto YouTube to hear it. By the click count and recent comments for any video of the song, it seems as though there may be a few new Jeff Buckley fans out there tonight. Way to go, Jason!

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

American Idol: Top 8 Dudes do up the 80s

Mollee Francisco — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:01:23 -0600

That just happened - 80s night on American Idol.

Did that totally blow your mind?

I was so pleasantly surprised by some of the song choices that I would be happy to see 80s night return again in the future.

Wow. I never thought I'd say that.

What did you think?

Here are my thoughts:

Singer: Luke Menard

Song: Wake Me Up Before You Go Go