American Idol fans frequently want to know more details about the songs they hear their favorite contestants perform on the show. Check out the details on songs performed during elimination rounds by Crystal Bowersox.
"Up To the Mountain (MLK Song)" - May 25, 2010
Courtesy 19 Recordings
Written by Patty Griffin
This song was written in response to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 1968 "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech that was given the day before he was assassinated. Patty Griffin first played it live in 2005 and in 2006 it appeared on the album Nashville by soul artist Solomon Burke. She recorded it for her 2007 album Children Running Through. Kelly Clarkson was given a standing ovation for her performance of the song at the 2007 Idol Gives Back charity event on American Idol. Kelly Clarkson's version was recorded and reached #56 on the Billboard Hot 100. Crystal Bowersox recorded a studio version that was released as a single on May 28, 2010 the day after the American Idol finale.
Watch Kelly Clarkson live
"Black Velvet" - May 25, 2010
Written by David Tyson and Christopher Ward
"Black Velvet" became a breakthrough smash single for Canadian singer Alannah Myles in 1990. It went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal. The song was also a top 20 country hit for Robin Lee in 1990. Alannah Myles never again reached the pop top 10 in the US.
Watch Alannah Myles video
"Maybe I'm Amazed" - May 18, 2010
Written by Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney first recorded and released the song "Maybe I'm Amazed" in 1970. It was included on his first solo album McCartney. Paul McCartney has confirmed that he wrote the song for his wife Linda. A live version of the song included on the Wings Over America album reached the pop top 10 in the US.
Watch Paul McCartney and Wings live
"Come To My Window" - May 18, 2010
Written by Melissa Etheridge
"Come To My Window" was Melissa Etheridge's first single releaed after publicly announcing that she was a lesbian. In 1994 the song became her second top 40 pop single. It won a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal.
Watch Melissa Etheridge video
"Falling Slowly" Duet With Lee DeWyze - May 11, 2010
Written by Glen Hansard and Marketa Iglova
Glen Hansard and Marketa Iglova took home an Academy Award for Best Original Song from a Motion Picture in 2008 for "Falling Slowly." It appears in the film Once. Hansard is perhaps best known as the leader of the Irish rock band the Frames. The song was also performed by Kris Allen in 2009 during American Idol's week of movie songs.
Watch Glen Hansard and Marketa Iglova live
"I'm Alright" - May 11, 2010
Written by Kenny Loggins
"I'm Alright" was the first of major hit singles by Kenny Loggins written for movie soundtracks. It became his second top 10 hit single as a solo artist in 1980. The song appears on the soundtrack to Caddyshack and is best known for accompanying a dancing gopher at the end of the film.
Watch Kenny Loggins live
"Summer Wind" - May 4, 2010
Written by Henry Mayer and Johnny Mercer
"Summer Wind" first hit the charts briefly in a 1965 version by Wayne Newton. However, it is Frank Sinatra's 1966 recording for his album Strangers In the Night that is considered definitive. The song reached #25 on the pop singles chart but went all the way to the top of the easy listening rankings.
Watch Frank Sinatra
"No One Needs to Know" - April 27, 2010
Written by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and Shania Twain
This song was released in May 1996 and became Shania Twain's fourth #1 country hit single. It was her third consecutive to top the chart and featured on the album The Woman In Me. "No One Needs To Know" was also included on the soundtrack for the movie Twister.
Watch Shania Twain video
"People Get Ready" - April 20, 2010
Written by Curtis Mayfield
The original version of "People Get Ready" recorded by the Impressions reached #14 on the pop singles chart in 1965. The call for everyone to be ready with the faith to get aboard the train that's comin' has gone down in history as one of the top pop songs of all time. Rolling Stone magazine listed it as one of the top 25 songs of all time. It returned to the Billboard Hot 100 in 1985 in a version by Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart.
Listen to the Impressions
"Saved" - April 13, 2010
Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
The gospel-inspired song "Saved" was recorded by Elvis Presley for his 1968 NBC-TV comeback special. The resulting soundtrack album for the special became Elvis Presley's first top 10 album since 1965's Elvis for Everyone.
Watch Elvis Presley live
