Song predictions: Top 7: Songs from the Cinema

The theme for Top 7 week is "Songs from the Cinema."  I'm not sure what is included in the definition of "cinema," but because I am a nerd, I went through a whole bunch of soundtracks and picked out songs that would suit our top 7.

This is an interesting week.  It opens up a lot of different song types and styles.  It also opens up a lot of the Beatles songs (via Across the Universe and A Hard Day's Night,) Prince (through Purple Rain) and, if anyone dares go there, ABBA (Mamma Mia!)

Adam is best placed this week because he has such a variety of songs to choose from.  He comes from a musical theatre background, and with the number of musicals adapted for the screen, he could end up on familiar ground.  However, this could backfire for him if he wants to be seen as a recording artist, not a Broadway star. 

Lil could be in trouble because of her penchant for picking songs that are too big for her.  The problem for Lil is that she has access to "I Will Always Love You" from The Bodyguard. 

Lil, take a big step back from The Bodyguard. You cannot sing "I Will Always Love You." I think even Tatiana could do it better than you. Step away from "My Heart Will Go On."  I actually think that if she mixed it up some, Dolly's "9 to 5" (from, duh, 9 to 5) could be a good song for her.  It could suit that all-one-volume thing she likes to do.  If she went the musical route, and she was willing to take to heart what the judges have told her, she has the potential to take on Queen Latifah with "Come So Far (Got So Far To Go)" (Hairspray) and turn it into a poignant performance. 

I would pay really good money to hear Allison Iraheta sing "Decode," by Paramore, which is on the Twilight soundtrack. Cons: it is on the Twilight soundtrack. Pros: Allison could sing the hell out of it. Vocally, she reminds me a lot of Paramore, and that comparison could help her.  To avoid comparison to artists with similar vocals, she could pull out the anthem "Don't You Forget About Me" from The Breakfast Club. 

Matt Giraud could end up going the cheap way out and singing Seal's "Kiss from a Rose" (Batman Forever), which would be a fairly safe choice.  I'd be interested to see what he'd do with "In Your Eyes" (Say Anything soundtrack).  Set that to a piano, it'd be awesome.  He could also piano-rock "Such Great Heights" from Garden State (the movie featured the Iron and Wine version, but the Postal Service did a faster version that has a really catchy intro he could play out on piano, then get up off the bench and sing.  He has access to "Signal Fire" by Snow Patrol (Spiderman 3) which is a great song that he could do his piano thing on, but he might have the same problem he had with "You Found Me"--sounding too close to the original. 

Kris Allen. I think he could do a really nice version of "She's Like The Wind" (Dirty Dancing) but the question is, will he want to?  He is standing on the brink of bottom 3-ness and this song might be too safe for him.  Somebody is going to sing "Mrs. Robinson" this week, and it might just be Kris.  But given Kris's talent at taking older songs and making them new, "Walking On Sunshine" (High Fidelity) could be a good one for him to try.

Danny Gokey.  For some reason, I can see him doing a good job on Aladdin's part from "A Whole New World" because it is right up his alley: smooth vocal, slightly cheesy.  Alternatively, "Against All Odds" (Phil Collins, from Against All Odds.)  There is also "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice (Closer) and “One Song Glory” from RENT. 

 Anoop Desai.  "Purple Rain" by Prince (Purple Rain) would give him the freedom to do what he does, which is soul-y, borderline sultry slow stuff.  For hilarity's sake: Noop Dawg singing "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.)  Come on and tell me that wouldn't be awesome.

 Adam is really in a good spot this week considering that there are a number of musicals which have made their way to the cinema.  Hell, he could redeem "The Winner Takes It All" (Mamma Mia!) from when Arianna murdered it earlier in the season.  I could see him having a lot of fun with "Jailhouse Rock."  He is also possibly the only member of this season who could legitimately sing "I Am The Walrus" (Across The Universe) and make it cool, not ridiculous.  He has a great shot with “Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me” (U2, from Batman Forever) because he has the stage presence, the voice, and above all the capacity to hit high notes.  But what I really want to see is Adam singing rock, which is why I am hoping he will sing "Welcome To The Jungle" by Guns 'n' Roses, from "Lean On Me."

 

Songs NO ONE SHOULD SING NO NO NO:

"I Will Always Love You" (I'm'a lookin' a'CHU, Lil)

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow"

"Moon River"

"Because You Loved Me"

"My Heart Will Go On"

"Come What May"

"I Do It For You" (I mean you, Danny)

"Footloose"

"I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" (because it is lyrically insipid)

"Bohemian Rhapsody."  Adam could do it, Matt could attempt it, but haven't we heard this one enough already?

Anything from High School Musical.