On Wednesday, March 25th, on American Idol, the remaining 10 contestants performed songs from Motown to win your vote on a special 2 hour episode. Smokey Robinson, who has written over 4,000 songs was the American Idols mentor for the week to prepare for their performances.
“When we say the contestants are singing ‘The Sound of Motown’ on their studio tracks, they have literally recorded their vocals over some of the most familiar instrumental tracks in history,” says Simon Fuller, creator, founder and executive producer of “American Idol/19 Entertainment”. “Everyone will recognize these instrumental tracks, and we’re very grateful to Motown for the unprecedented move of unlocking their vaults and allowing our finalists to record their vocals over these famous recordings and make them available exclusively on iTunes.”

The 10 songs that were performed on American Idol with Rickey Minor conducting the show’s live band were:
- “Ooo Baby Baby,” Anoop Desai (released in 1965 by the Smokey Robinson-led Miracles, the song became the group’s biggest hit in two years, peaking at No. 16. Twelve years later, the song was an even bigger hit when Linda Ronstadt changed the spelling to “Ooh Baby Baby” and took it to No. 7)
- “For Once In My Life,” Megan Joy Corkrey (written by Ron Miller and Orlando Burden, Stevie Wonder’s single spent two weeks at No. 2 in 1968, making it his second-biggest hit to that date)
- “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone,” Allison Iraheta (written and produced by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, the song didn’t become a hit single until it was recorded by the Temptations in 1972 and their version went right to No. 1)
- “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” Michael Sarver (a song that was later a hit for the Rolling Stones (1974) and Rick Astley (1989))
- “(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave,” Lil Rounds (written and produced by team of Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland, Martha & the Vandellas’ song was hot enough to peak at No. 4)
- “Let’s Get It On,” Matt Giraud (Marvin Gaye’s biggest hit of the ’70s )
- “The Tracks Of My Tears,” Adam Lambert (Smokey Robinson’s composition recorded by his group, the Miracles. It reached No. 16, in the same year, 1965. Two years later, Johnny Rivers had an even bigger hit with the song when his cover version went to No. 10. In 1976, “The Tracks Of My Tears” was a hit for the third time when Linda Ronstadt’s remake checked in at No. 25)
- “You Can’t Hurry Love,” Scott MacIntyre (Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard were No. 1 for the seventh time when the Supremes’ song topped the chart in 1966. The Holland-Dozier-Holland tune was a hit again in 1983 when Phil Collins’ energetic version climbed to No. 10)
- “Get Ready,” Danny Gokey (Featuring the sweet vocals of Eddie Kendricks, the song reached No. 29 for the Temptations in 1966)
- “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You,” Kris Allen (Marvin Gaye’s original version of this song became his biggest hit to date when it peaked at No. 6 in 1965)
The guest mentor Smokey Robinson rose to his feet after watching Adam Lambert hit all the right. Judge Simon Cowell said Lambert delivered the night’s best performance and became a star in his eyes. Fellow judge Kara Dioguardi agreed, saying Lambert showed “true artistry.”
But, the four judges were also equally impressed by the vocal stylings of Allison Iraheta, Matt Giraud and Kris Allen. Lil Rounds and Danny Gokey scored mixed reviews for their renditions as Cowell told Rounds, 24, of Memphis, Tenn., she’d missed a potential “Idol”-defining “moment” by picking the wrong song. But the judge Simon had harsher words for Gokey, deeming the 28-year-old crowd pleaser “clumsy and amateurish.”
Judges slammed Michael Sarver’s cover of “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.” Cowell called Joy’s performance “horrible” while Randy Jackson declared it a “train wreck” and “mad crazy.”

America has voted with over 36 million calling in and placed Michael Sarver, Scott MacIntyre and Matt Giraud land in the bottom three. Simon Cowell was the one to deliver the guillotine chop:”Michael, you’re going home.” Despite his song choice, Michael Sarver accepted his fate in a very classy manner as the latest Idol cast off. The judges chose not to save the oil-rigger, and he will soon be reunited with his babies after weeklong bicoastal media frenzy.

Source: americanidol.com; omg.yahoo.com; popcrunch.com.

This entry was posted on Friday, March 27th, 2009 at 7:28 am and is filed under Americal Idol.