Watching American Idol this season, I've come to the not-so-astute realization that we can't all like everyone who makes it to the top ten each season. There are different musical styles, personalities and, let's face it, some pretty crappy singers who make it through.So I've begun to fantasize about an all-star AI top ten. Imagine if everyone that you really liked from the top ten of all the past seasons of AI were in the top ten together. I know the top ten can't be all the handsome rocker men I so adore, but it can be a good mix of good music, memorable personalities, and lasting talent.
If memory serves me correctly (and we all know it probably doesn't), these are the contestants that I'd pick, in no particular order:
1. Brooke White, season seven, fifth place
No, I'm not a sucker for a crier. I simply love her singer/songwriter style, something we really haven't ever seen in Idol and something I hope we see more of. When AI started, it was the boy-band voice, then it moved to the rockers; hopefully Brooke has started a new force of no-nonsense talent coming through.
2. Justin Guarini, season one, second place
I honestly don't know how to justify this choice when he did that really, really bad musical movie, whose name we will not mention. But to me, Justin personifies the American Idol spirit. He did have a well-rounded originality, and very, very cool hair. His sparkling personality and infectious gregariousness made him a fun performer to watch, and the boy could sing anything. I feel kind of bad that his career really went nowhere and I'm not sure why that was. Oh wait, I think we are back to that really bad movie. Time to move on ...
3. Gina Glocksen, season six, ninth place
I can't remember another contestant who was so true to herself, so happy, and so grateful to just be on the show (although Carly from this season had a similar attitude). I looked forward to hearing what Gina would sing each week; and I fondly remember her rendition of Heart's 'Alone.' She was voted out far too early.
4. David Cook, season seven, still going
At its inception, American Idol seemed to value boy band and Mariah Carey clones. As the seasons went on, originality was valued more and more. David Cook shines in a sea of originals, proving to be the contestant most willing to take a risk and continue to be true to himself. He's my favorite right now, and as in all seasons past, I hope he doesn't win (second place is a nice place to be!) so that he can get on with his career and not have to play "Mr. American Idol" for the next year.
5. Michael Johns, season seven, eighth place
Yep, he's definitely the most beautiful contestant ever to grace the AI stage. But he likes all the same music as I do, so when that incredibly charismatic stage presence reared its handsome head, singing one of my favorites, I'd melt. So we have good looks, great taste, heartfelt honesty and all-around nice guy. Michael Johns, you light my fire (I had to; I know it's campy, but I just had to!).
6. Blake Lewis, season six, second place
Another true original. How, oh how, can someone have a hauntingly clear and beautiful voice and beat-box at the same time? Blake pulled it off, and it was always fun to see how he'd change up and song and make it his own each week.
7. Jennifer Hudson, season three, seventh place
I know she belongs here now, because I know what greatness she has gone on to achieve. She doesn't really stand out in my mind as someone that was particularly original, or stunningly charismatic, but she's on my list for her obvious potential. Sometimes American Idol contestants can make a huge career for themselves, and AI serves only as the starting point.
8. Bo Bice, season four, second place
I'm a sucker for the Southern Rock, and no Idol contestant has ever done it as good as Bo Bice. This is as close as I could get to a country music style representative for this list (although Kelly Pickler made the runner-up list), as I am not a country fan (unless we are talking about Kenny Rogers, but I admit that to no one).
9. Fantasia Barrino, season three, first place
Why Fantasia? You've got to love her hard-luck, single mom dream-come-true story. She's unique and spunky, her voice and performances filled with emotion. Fantasia was never a wanna-be; she was the real deal; another contestant who was true to herself and came out ahead because of it.
10. Chris Daughtry, season five, fourth place
The rocker who started it all had to be on this list. Whether you love him or hate him (love him!), you've got to admit that he started something special on American Idol. He made the boy-band types look like a bunch of sissies (well-deserved) and inspired his rocker predecessors to continue to stomp the competition.
Runners-up
With only a list of ten and seventy people to choose from, let's just say narrowing it down was quite a task. Here are some contestants who deserved an honorable mention:
- Chris Sligh (season six, tenth place) -- Too bad he gave up as time went on; loved his soulful voice and unique persona, his 'do and the fact that he had a drop-dead gorgeous wife.
- Chikezie Ezie (season seven, tenth place) -- When he was hot, he was hot, but he needed to make bluesy and soulful song choices each week.
- Taylor Hicks (season five, first place) -- For his dancing style alone, Taylor makes the mention, although he was a fun performer.
- Constantine Maroulis (season four, sixth place) -- What would we have done without "the look?"
- George Huff (season three, sixth place) -- Gotta love that smile and enthusiasm.
- Carly Smithson (season seven, sixth place) -- Because she could belt it out with a smile, even in Spanx.
- Ace Young (season five, seventh place) -- Just for looking good. Really good.
- Jon Peter Lewis (season three, eighth place)-- Because he wrote for TV Squad last season, of course.
- Elliott Yamin (season five, third place) -- For crying openly and often, like every man with a sense of himself should. And for getting his teeth fixed.
- Melinda Doolittle (season six, third place) -- Simply for her professionalism and the best rendition of 'My Funny Valentine' I have ever heard.
- Kelly Pickler (season five, sixth place) -- For finally trying sushi, and for being perky and cute-as-a-button.
- Diana DeGarmo (season three, second place) -- For being a true competitor at her young age.
Did I get all of your favorites? Are you appalled that I left out Kelly Clarkson? Can you make peace with the fact that I don't like country music, and that I don't think all of the winners of AI deserve to be on this list?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-09-2008 @ 10:12AM
Leota said...
I love the singer/songwriter stuff, I hope we see more of that in the future.
Enough with the Nickleback soundalikes already.
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5-09-2008 @ 5:01PM
iqkid12 said...
i agree the "nickleback" sounding voices are getting old and what we hear on the radio on a daily basis. I think the list should have Melinda Doolittle, Elliott Yamin, Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Tamyra Gray, and Carrie Underwood in the Top 10.
5-09-2008 @ 10:23AM
Dave said...
Like country music or not, this list is crap without Carrie Underwood.
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5-09-2008 @ 10:41AM
Captain Obvious said...
Agreed. Although, if I made my list it would include Carrie, Kellie, and Bucky. To each his own.
5-09-2008 @ 10:43AM
Jimmy said...
A pretty credible list, with the exception of Blake Lewis and Taylor Hicks.
My all-time (non-winner) list would have to include Elliott Yamin and Melinda Doolittle.
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5-09-2008 @ 11:37AM
Tracey said...
I'm not just appalled... I'm the shocked, stunned, in-need-of-oxygen kind of appalled right now. An all-time AI list without Kelly Clarkson? Not even an honorable mention? You have *got* to be kidding! She has got to be the most well-rounded singer in AI history. Do you not remember "Stuff Like that There" on Big Band night? Yeah, that's the same girl ran the pop charts with Since U Been Gone. Oh, and that's the same girl who pulled rocker-chick out of her bag of tricks with "Never Again." But wait - not too long ago she sang a graceful, gorgeous rendition of Ave Maria for Pope when he was in New York.
I'll take any excuse at this point - lack of sleep? Tight deadline? Bad date last night? The size of your heart or your shoes? Whatever the reason, you missed this one by a mile!
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5-09-2008 @ 10:53AM
Captain Obvious said...
Josh Gracin, too!
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5-09-2008 @ 11:13AM
Ryan said...
No Kelly Clarkson. No respect for this list. Sorry.
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5-09-2008 @ 11:25AM
willy the impeached said...
Great list except for one small issue Brooke White!! WTF were you thinking? She couldn't even remember her lyrics! If not for her bubbly personality she wouldn't have even made it on the show.
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5-09-2008 @ 12:14PM
Dan said...
Mine not in any order:
Melinda Doolittle
Sabrina Sloan
Asia'h Epperson
Josiah Lemming
Justin Guarani (never watched before season 6, but saw a clip of him and he could really sing)
Phil Stacey (say what you will, he had a beautiful voice)
Jason Castro
David Cook
Frenchie Davis
And that Phantom of the Opera chick (I think her name was Briana) with the crazy makeup, her voice was haunting and it would be fun to see her compete on the big stage.
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5-10-2008 @ 1:25AM
Susan11 said...
well, IMO I would give the first 9 spots to Taylor Hicks, and the 10th spot to Bo Bice because he has an incredible voice.
Taylor deserves the 1st nine for two reasons, the first being that he is incredibly talented. Not just with singing , but dancing, playing the harp, leading an great band, writing, arranging, etc. Things that many of the others can not do at all.
Too bad he couldn't have been on the show with his band and his harp and his original music, it would have been fantastic. I would make a large bet that not one of the people who put him down have have ever seen one of his live shows, or heard one second of his original music. This was a man way beyond AI when he got on there, but thats all right, he got what he wanted out of them. The second reason he deserves the 1st nine spots is just for putting up with all the crap he gets from AI and all the idiots that believe everything they read and have no frame of reference to recognize good music. Its sad. Taylor remain forever nice and tolerant of this garbage but I can not.
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5-09-2008 @ 12:10PM
corey said...
I hate lists that start with number 1. Where's the suspense? You're missing the whole point of lists.
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5-09-2008 @ 2:27PM
Greekkisses said...
I love Taylor Hicks and Chris Daughtry! Chris made the show sexy and Taylor was a blast to watch and won me over week after week. They both have fantastic voices and are the most memorable for me as well as the best season Idol has had. Last year? Boring other than Blake who should have won. Enough of the slow, gut wrenching songs....belt 'em out and have fun as Taylor did....that is a show. Growl 'em out with feeling but don't bore us to death with yet another Whitney or Mariah (gag) song. You chose wisely even though I did personally think Taylor should have been in top 10 and perhaps leave off Brooke. Cute as she is and a talent in the works (she just needs some pro coaching I think) Taylor was much more memorable and I never got tired of his "Whooooo" compaired to Brooke's "Boo hoo".
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5-09-2008 @ 1:38PM
Patti said...
Hey, Debra. Funny, my sister and I did this just a couple of weeks ago. Your list is close. Only change for me would be to add Constantine to the top, maybe replacing Fantasia.
Check this YouTube out for a treat: Gina & Constantine singing an awesome duet at Constantine's concert earlier this week. And the video doesn't even come close to doing it justice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEKSmBkYTNk&eurl=http://www.youeithergetitoryoudont.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1633&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=1350
Enjoy.
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5-09-2008 @ 1:28PM
Oreo said...
Bo Bice I can't stand.
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5-09-2008 @ 5:18PM
Stel said...
10. Taylor Hicks (he's a fun, live performer...Woo!)
9. Michael Johns (he just started to loosen up and show his bluesy side; wanna see more)
8. Gina Glocksen (best female rock voice ever on the show! gone too soon.)
7. Kelly Clarkson (best female pop voice ever on the show!)
6. David Cook (wanna hear HIS originality; no more covers of covers...)
5. Bo Bice (fun, in a throwback kinda way.)
4. Chris Sligh (interesting)
3. Elliot Yamin (doing jazzy/bluesy; no cheap R & B, please.)
2. Brooke White (one of the most interesting female performers; but, no crying, unless it's feeling the song!)
1. Constantine Maroulis (rockin' glam crooning theaterboi!! Bringing sexy back!!)
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5-12-2008 @ 2:52PM
Nola said...
Quite the lists appearing.There are so many to remember.
Whenever I hear criticism regarding Taylors voice, I always remember what Simon said, "You really have a very good voice" with all your balminess".
I think Taylor belongs in Vegas, along with Wayne Newton, Paul Anka, as they are all excellent entertainers.
You have to be an entertainer, not just a singer, no one will remember you.
The ones that stick in my mind are: Bucky Covington, Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, Taylor Hicks, Elliott Yamine,
Diana d'Garbo, Chris Daughtry, Kelly Pickler, Kelly Clarkson, and Fantasia.
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5-10-2008 @ 6:06PM
OK DeSign said...
Totally agree.
but i hate season 7 now.. it's really sucks.
i hope they will get better cuz' i don't really know if i will keep watching this...
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5-11-2008 @ 7:15PM
Terry Skaggs said...
Bad fantasy to have the queen of blubbering as #1, obviously author has no taste in music or in assessing talent.
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5-11-2008 @ 7:48PM
MarcDom7 said...
A choice out of 70?
First season had a top 10.
Seasons 2-7 had top 12s.
12 x 6 = 72
72 + 10 = 82.
Whee! Even more to pick from!
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