Competition Close as Final 2 Sing for Idol Title

Ok, I just watched this on DVR. Kris sounded off on that awful song Kara and crew penned. Several bad notes. The key was all wrong for his voice. That said, Adam wasn't fab either. So, I agree with chelli - they were both "off". But the song... Hurricanes and mountains, really?

Toss the last song out and this thing could go either way. Keep it in and this thing could still go either way. I'm ok with that.

Yeah, ditto. The finale song wasn't great, but I disagree in that Kris sang it better. He was straining too much for notes he didn't seem to reach. But like you said, it's all personal preference by now, and that one performance isn't going to change anybody who's got their mind set already.

I had to laugh when the judges kept saying the song was too HIGH for Kris. It was too high and too low, apparently, b/c he screwed up and went off pitch on low notes AND high notes. His first song was good, but overall, Adam did better.

I thought the finale song was OK. All season long the singers have been able to perform songs that have been done before. More than likely, they knew songs they were picking from the themes. This finale song was brand new and never done before. In previous seasons, people were knocked for forgetting lyrics. For the finale song, I saw the teleprompter running for the first time when they shot Kris from the back. Because Adam sang the song first, I heard that song as a possible glam rock Aerosmith/Journey/Poison.

Loved Carrie Underwood! Do you think the theatrical comedy/drama symbols on her shirt were an endorsement for Adam?

For me, it was more the song than the singer. I just didn't like the song and wouldn't no matter who sang it.

I don't know if this is any indication, but right after the show, I was able to get through on Kris's line... pretty easily compared to other years.

Yeah, I have to agree. The final song didn't really sound great from either one. It was too high for Kris, but it was more of something I could see him singing while Adam hit the higher notes, but I was just kinda left me staring blankly at the tv not knowing what to think.

I think the final 2 should be able to write their own songs to sing as the coronation song, or at least have songs more tailored to each contestant. I don't think I'd buy that single from either one of them because the song didn't fit either one of them.

A lot of the Idols are not songwriters. Some are, many aren't, and it's not a songwriting competition. But I do think that they should find something better for the last song than some trite, overly sentimental ditty. I still want to bang my head against a wall when I hear that David Cook song - and I really like David Cook. It's just not really who he is as an artist. If they have to do that sort of song, I wish they would throw it in the middle to minimize the effects.

DragonWoman: I don't know if that is an indication; some of my family members were voting for Kris and weren't able to get through for over an hour and even then, it was only a couple of times. My sister & I were voting for Adam and she was able to get through 5 times and I wasn't able to get through at all. We all live fairly close - within 5-10 minutes of each other. In my sister's case, she only lives a street away from me.

I know they're not all song writers, but they have people to help them rearrange their weekly song choices, so they could enlist help with the song writing too.

NY2LV, Carrie was wearing a Motley Crue t-shirt. :) "Home Sweet Home" is an old Motley Crue song. I'm not a huge country fan, but I have to say, Carrie Underwood is FABULOUS.

I've enjoyed Kara as a judge but that song was just awful. The worst part is that the song can't simply die a quiet death. No, we'll be subjected to hearing it over and over this summer, so instead of celebrating an Adam or Kris win, I'll be dreading the radio play. DJs, give us anything else the winner produced for download this season, but BURY "No Boundaries."

Kara's song was obviously written for an individual with a strong voice. I really think it was written with the thought that the two finalist would be Danny and Adam. That song was definitely not a song you would ever hear Kris pick nor would he want to. I think it's obvious who the judges want to win and I feel that has clouded their judgement when it came to critqueing Adam. I like Adam's voice for the most part; I could do without the screaming. I also like Kris's voice; the quality is melodic and can capture you but, he is not a powerhouse singer. It's going to come down to what you like because, although Adam and Kris both are good singers in their own right, they are very different types of singers.

Greg: So Kara should write her song, which is for the winner of a SINGING competition, for someone who has a weak voice?

That was an awful last song by any standards. So sad for both performers to end the show that way. As for who should win, this is a singing competition and Adam has a better voice. No more thoughts than that.

I agree that Kris should be the winner but whether America thinks that??? well I guess we will know in a few hours but that predicting website gives the win to Kris

I could definitely see it going either way. I'm definitely a Kris fan, but I thought Adam did well last night. The producer's choice was kind of strange. When I think of Adam, Sam Cooke does not immediately come to mind. I agree with everyone who said the coronation song was horrid.

I heard Kris singing to win, whereas Adam sounded like he was straining to scream his notes.

I saw Kris having fun and enjoying himself, while Adam seemed to be just going thru the motions.

The thing is, Adam really does have a dynamic voice, but leave the falsettos to Tiny Tim and Freddie Mercury. Quit trying to become the next Mariah Carey and just sing!

The Kara tune was just a lousy song. Adam did ok with it but his intonation got away from him in spots, and his leading tone to the final note was "off the scale" sharp. Randy knew it and said so, and that's why Simon said he wouldn't "rate the performance" because he knew it too! Kris wasn't much better. It would have been nice for them to be able change the key of the song to suit both singers ranges but that sure didn't happen.

Congrats to both Kris and Adam. They have great musical careers waiting for them.

Adam Hobson, I think this is the first time I've ever agreed with you. These guys are great, but this show was pretty crappy. I had such high hopes for this finale. Each of them had one in the plus column, so I guess that's something.

Adam Hobson: So true. I'd been thinking this was going to be an absolutely AWESOME finale. Wrong. I've always liked Adam and still do. But none of the songs - except Mad World - did much for his voice. Same for Kris. His first song was good, and it went downhill from there.

Yes, each of them did have one in the plus column. But I think if you take the season overall, Adam SHOULD win. But this is a very fickle audience; and many of them are voting on (or against) something totally unrelated to singing ability. Which is sad.

I'm glad the judges (most of them, anyway) opted not to critique the final performance. It was just plain awful. Only the writer seemed to like it. Duh.

I have been trying to vote for Adam since the lines were open on the West Coast. No luck so far.

At any rate, I'll be disappointed if Adam doesn't win, but will be happy for Kris. Both will have successful careers. Different genres maybe, but successful nonetheless.

Thanks for a wonderful season, Adam!

Oh...Uh Uh... a Creed song????

No way... not from their 1st couple albums. Their music is lyricly awsome. The one last night was just dull.

I do think it was very generous of Adam to say that the final song had beautiful lyrics. I disagree, but it was nice of him. Very consistent with him always crediting people and thanking them.

I loved how Kris remarked that he & Adam before the show began agreed it wasn't a contest; there were just there to give a good performance. And I think that's exactly what happened. They weren't really competing with each other because the song choices (except for the first one) really didn't give them the option to do that. But it's great to see how well they get along.

Adam has always been gracious. So has Kris, from what I can tell. One thing I have liked about this season is that they seem to have spent more time on the contestants' interaction with each other, from playing around in the mansion in their off hours and things like that. I don't mind that sort of filler because I think it gives you more of a feel for who they are off the stage.

I thought the second song by Kris was better than Simon gave credit. His phrasing was cool.His voice needs a break.

Kris's voice needs a break? I don't even know what that means. I mean, it's the finale of a singing competition, you have to sing 3 songs...if his voice can't handle that, he surely won't be able to handle a whole concert.

I agree...it's not his voice that needed a break, but he certainly deserved to get a break from the judges criticism.

It's about more than one night. They have been singing consistantly for weeks now.

Okay. In that case, if we are talking about how much singing they have done over the past several weeks, Adam's voice should have needed just as much of a break as Kris's did...

Why would they pick a song that favored one contestant over the other? It makes it seem fixed. Also, why are guest singers allowed to advertise for a contestant, i.e, that Katey chick who had a cape with Adam Lambert on the back of it. What's up with that?

Agreed. Ain't No Sunshine is the only Kris song I've downloaded, and it was after the strength of last night's performance, to be honest.

Kara is an established songwriter though. Not saying I liked the song either, but it wasn't a farfetched idea for her to pen it, imo.

Kara is an established songwriter though.

Maybe so, but considering the crap that has constituted popular music the past decade or so, I'm not sure that's really a good thing. What exactly has she ever really written that was actually good?

Hell, just look at her career work. She basically writes for former American Idol contestants, most of whom aren't exactly lighting the world on fire, and many of her other clients are singers who are more famous for just being famous than for singing like Ashlee and Jessica Simpson, Hillary Duff, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton. That's not the greatest of resumes. She's kinda the Michael Bay of songwriting.

I know Kara is an established song writer and she even has a great voice, I heard her singing in an interview last week. But still think it is a bit self-indulgent and a bit too much for producers to push her on the show and to write the finale song.

The song was horrible, and am I the only one who thinks that not every idol finale song has to be backed up by a huge choir? Seems like every finale there is this gospal choir backing of the the finale song. I don't know... I just didn't like the song one bit. The show ended with a total dud song.

I don't know of anyone who will buy that song without some serious rearranging. I feel sorry for the winner who has to record that lame song. Imagine having to start your recording career with a song like that! Can the winning Idol say that don't want to record that song?

I know, I was just saying it wasn't an idea that was super surprising. You know they'd try and take advantage of it, lol. And I agree about the choir thing - whyyyyyy? :( It's probably the only Adam song I'm not buying out of pure dislike of the song itself.

@ Adam Some of her songs are okay. Her thing is catchy, bouncy pop and is a complete pop songwriter, so I definitely wouldn't look to her for serious music, hehe.

Her thing is catchy, bouncy pop and is a complete pop songwriter, so I definitely wouldn't look to her for serious music, hehe.

But the thing is pop, short for popular, music doesn't have to be bad. It can be catchy, it can be bouncy, it can be popular AND it can be good. Hell, just look at the Beatles, even their earlier simpler music was good. And yeah, not every band can be the Beatles, and not every songwriter can write "Let it Be", but they can still be good. Most current pop music is crap, but even now, there are some gems. Lily Allen can both sing and write a catchy tune. The Shins may not change your life like Natalie Portman in the movie Garden State claims, but their pretty damn good as well. Popular music doesn't have to be tripe, but I gotta say, Kara DioGuardi hasn't received that message yet.

I looked at the link with the list of Kara's songs. I'm not familiar with 95% of it. Not many of the songs seem to have been popular, but then again, pop music isn't my thing.

I should have been more specific - it's mostly bubblegum-ish powerpop stuff. I agree that it's a wide genre and that all of it's bad, but I mostly meant the popular contemporary stuff (Lady Gaga, Britney) that rules the charts right now. Although I have to say, most of the songs she wrote weren't very widespread. :/

PS: Lilly Allen is great! Her lyrics are some of the best on the charts, for what it's worth. =)

I don't mind choosing songs but I think maybe there should be maximum one judge/producer/contest song and the rest...let them do what they want. I like having them do performances they did before - the smart contestants will keep mostly true to what they did before but maybe change it up just a little bit somehow.

I actually like having 4 judges. They wouldn't run out of time if Paula could form a coherent thought. Seriously, last night at one point there was close to a 15-second pause in her comment to Adam (I think it was Adam)...I thought she was done but then she started talking again. I don't mind her in general, but that drives me nuts...spit it out already!

That's funny! You're absolutely right - a choir of heavenly angels could not save that song! What were the producers thinking???

A whole choir of heavenly angels couldn't save it? NBTS, you make me laugh!!

Well, then, what song would we most like to hear a choir of heavenly angels sing?

I suppose "Stairway to Heaven" would be a too much of a cliche, so we can't use that song.

I'll start:

I would like to hear a choir of heavenly angels sing "U Can't Touch This."

So, is it Hammer time in heaven, Greg? You guys are so funny today!

I'd like to hear a choir of heavenly angels sing Handel's Messiah, but even they might say I'm being cliche. :-)

Yes she was weird.  Gotta wonder what's in those Coca-Cola cups.  She was on QVC later hawking her jewelry with that same dress.  Weird!

Paula looked like she just woke up from a nap, didn't she?

yeah, a nap in the tanning bed

Ditto! I like them both and will be happy for either one of them.

I agree except I want Adam to win. Of course he may be better off if he doesn't...no AI/E19 contract to deal with. As far as Kara's song, I wonder if it would have sounded better if it had been sung as a ballad, i.e., Clay Aiken style, rather than as a rock song.

I've been calling for almost three hours and have only gotten through twice!

It's now almost 11 o'clock, and I haven't gotten through once. I have other things I need to concentrate on.

I've been calling since the lines opened on the West Coast. STILL haven't been able to get through (for Adam).

I got through all 3 of Kris's lines.... voted 6 times inside of 15 minutes. When did you all vote?

Too funny about the wail--ever listen to Mariah Carey? We all used to joke after about the 2nd album--wait for the dog whistle pitch...

Overdone is never a good thing, but when you start out, it can make you a star, as long as you don't continue into excess. Also, if you hate the wail, I can definitely say that I have learned to appreciate the skill and chops it takes to produce that wail this season on idol--just go back and listen to Danny try to replicate that Aerosmith song. not everyone can control it and do it well, those who can aren't the hacks I once thought. JMHO. And I'm from the whole heavy metal generation and love most of it--screams and all.

I did like tonight, that he showed a little more of his regular voice, which I also think is quite nice.

If it's controlled, it's called range. Adam he sing a really great range of songs.

If it's controlled, it's called range. Adam he sing a really great range of songs.

Are you kidding me? If it's a controlled wail, it's called range? In what world?

I mean, I know the guy does have range and he can sing and perform, but he is NOT ALL THAT. And he does wail sometimes. Don't get me wrong...I do like Adam, but as far as singing goes...LUCY could sing, but I wouldn't say she was the best singer out there.

Kris is gonna take it all folks. Sorry Adam lovers. I'm not hating but just calling it as I see it. Kris came from behind only because the judges refused to recognize his talent and pushed for an Adam/Danny finale from day one.

I totally agree Toeclipper.... Sometimes when Adam is "singing" it is next to impossible to understand the words that are coming out of his mouth. Especially noticed it tonight on that god-awful last song. Didn't get any of the lyrics when Adam sang the song but understood every word when Kris sang it. (not that they were worth understanding)

wslmom:
You understood the lyrics the second time because you heard them for a second time. Kris didn't complete his words. I was thinking that as he ended the song. Mind you, it was not a memorable song.

The reason why the judges have been on Adam's bandwagon all season is because in their world (people in the music business), they recognize his technical abilities and wished they or the people they produce had those skills. The anti-Adam crowd turns theatrical background into a criticism. Many pop/rock performers have been on stage. Why is that a weakness? Too theatrical for walking down a staircase was one criticism this season. Then Gwen Stefani used the same entrance. It just showed Adam has put more thought and preparation into his performance.

It will be interesting to see who wins. There are lots of votes for Adam, lots of votes for Kris and lots of votes for anti-Adam. Funny how a two person finale has three categories.

The reason the judges have been so on Adam is because they get the most for their money. Actually they get by WAY cheaply with Adam. All they have to pay him is one million dollars. Imagine if he lost, the money he could REALLY pull in....its not about Adam. Its about the money they will make on Adam without paying him too much.

I LOVE this idea--an all around artist! They've done this on Country Star (or whatever its called, TNN or CNN I think) and it turned out really good. It certainly would show us more of the type of star that they would be, rather than rehashing the oldies. Let's at least be thankful that they have let them play instruments the past couple years.

That is a great idea.

Being a huge Inxs fan when I was a kid, I watched Rock Star: Inxs (and Super Nova). The contestants on there had perform an original song one week. I believe most of them already had at least a rough idea of a song so that would help with time constraints. I do think that the Idol contestants time is much more structured than the Rock Star contestants. Also, all of the Rock Star contestants were in bands that had some previous success (opened for larger acts, had songs on movie soundtracks, large hometown followings, etc.), so I think that, in general, Idol contestants are less developed as artists. But I love that we now get to see the Idol contestants play instruments and would like to see what else they can do - like chelli said - see what they are like as an all around artist. That's what is great about Adam and Kris - they have both shown they know their way around arranging a song. Lots of people have great voices, but what else can you do?

BTW, one more thing I loved about the Rock Star format - the bottom three was decided by votes, but the judges (band members) chose who they were sending home.

It's a singing competition, not a songwriting competition. Some Idol contestants (and even winners) are not songwriters - a lot of singers are not songwriters for that matter - so it would give an unfair advantage to those who are. Imagine if you nailed every song you performed all season, and you went out on a bad note because you have never written a song before.

I guess I should have read further before I made my first post.. anyway, that's exactly what I said.. have them write their own or have someone work with them. They do that for those "Rock Star..." shows and it ends up being the first single the band comes out with, or at least one of the first.

They could have the top 3 or 4 start working on it in case they make it to the final. For the most part, though, they probably already have written their own already. At least I'm sure Kris has having already been in a band and whatever and Adam too. Their lives arean't going to get any less busy, so they might as well get used to it if they want it that badly.

The point I was making is that not all singers write songs. If Idol is now suddenly going to be a singing/songwriting competition, that changes it up and, in my opinion, not for the better.

I don't think they would have time to work on it, not with the jam-packed schedule they already have between rehearsing their individual songs, the group numbers, the music videos, the guest mentors and other assorted appearances. They do need some time to sleep, eat, etc.

Yeah, because having them sing ONE original song out of the three in the finale that they either wrote or had help writing would be so much worse than the garbage coronation song they sung last night. I feel bad for whomever wins.

SlinkyGirl:
By making the competition more than just singing, Kris would be given more of a chance. Kris fans are looking for a way to even the playing field. Since Kris plays an instrument, let's make them all play instruments. Imagine how the final would be if Scott were in the final. I don't think the addition of songwriting would be even either. On one hand, Adam has access to a lot of people to help him out. I was once in a show where the band consisted of people who later became musical directors for other shows and one was Rosie O'Donnell's music director on her TV show. For every show Adam's done, there are a few talented connections.

I am a Kris fan but I don't believe I even mentioned that in my original post. I think I was complimentary to both finalists. Adam's got a great voice, I just prefer more mellow music. Besides, Adam is going to be fine even if there is an upset tonight.

Anyway, it's too late this season for a songwriting portion to help or hinder anyone - and who knows if Kris is even songwriter! I just think it would be interesting to see what some of the more interesting contestants have under their belts. Maybe stretch them a little farther. I guess, most of all, I would like to know more about who they are as an artist instead of being forced to sing a genre they wouldn't pick in a million years. And I could care less about the back story when I buy music.

Agree- definitely will NOT be dowloading the final song from itunes. Although I probably should... someday, some weird collector geek out there will want it because no one will download it. Could be worth money... lol !!

Your use of "he" is confusing. He who?

Someone finally said Adam was pitchy because he finally WAS, for once.

He has an amazing voice and amazing control. Kris, on the other hand...ooops. Needs more control.

They should have stopped the contest after the first round, for sure. Unless they were going to let Adam and Kris pick the other two songs they were singing.

I didn't mind the second song so much. But maybe that's just because I am comparing it to the third song - which makes ANYTHING look good, frankly. Whether the second round songs were good for a finale or good for the particular singer, they were at least good songs to begin with.

Brenda: He didn't have a choice. That was the idea, to have them BOTH sing the SAME song and then compare them. I'm sure, given the choice, NEITHER of them would have picked that piece of unimaginative drivel.

Thanx for telling me. With that said, Adam has the better vocal range.

I agree, to some extent. That finale song was so bad neither of the two could make it any good to listen to.

I totally agree with you on the performance aspect of Adam--it would be an awesome show, from what we've seen. I also like Kris because, I think he could belt out an awesome accoustical album, but would have a more intimate concert (which is very nice if you've ever been to one). As you say, they need to have more control over what type of music they will put out--that's always is the factor in whether or not people will buy their music.

I think Adam was being nice when he pointed to Kris and said HIM (Kris was also nice - he did it back); he's been that way all season. Complimentary of mentors, contestants, judges, etc. I don't necessarily think it means he wants to lose and for Kris to win. I think he was just showing his appreciation for Kris's talent.