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 Didi Benami.
Early Songs
- Audition - "Hey Jude" by the Beatles
- First Hollywood Week Solo - "Terrified" by Katharine McPhee
- Hollywood Week Group - "No One" by Alicia Keys
- Second Hollywood Week Solo - "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan
"The Way I Am" - February 23, 2010
Written by Ingrid Michaelson
"The Way I Am" was the first top 40 pop single for indie pop singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson. It first gained significant attention being used on the TV show Grey's Anatomy. The song climbed into the top 40 late in 2007 and was featured on Ingrid Michaelson's album Girls and Boys. It also reached #2 at adult contemporary radio.
Watch Ingrid Michaelson Video
"Lean On Me" - March 3, 2010
Written by Bill Withers
Bill Withers' 1972 #1 pop hit "Lean On Me" has been covered by other artists a number of times. It is one of only nine songs to hit the top of the pop singles chart in versions by two different artists. Club Nouveau went to #1 with their version of the song in 1987. Bill Withers' childhood in the coal mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia inspired the writing of "Lean On Me."
Watch Bill Withers Video
"Rhiannon" - March 9, 2010
Written by Stevie Nicks
"Rhiannon," released in 1976, was the second top 20 pop single released by Fleetwood Mac from their self-titled album. Stevie Nicks took the name from a novel she had been reading. However, Rhiannon is also a figure from Welsh mythology.
Watch Fleetwood Mac Live
"Play With Fire" - March 16, 2010
With a nonsensical songwriting credit to Nanker Phelge, "Play With Fire" was released in 1965 as the B-side to the single "The Last Time." Legendary producer Phil Spector played the bass part in the studio on a tuned down electric guitar. The Rolling Stones' music licensee ABKCO Music sued Lil' Wayne in 2008 for copyright infringement claiming his "Playing With Fire" was based on "Play With Fire."
"You're No Good" - March 23, 2010
Written by Clint Ballard, Jr.
"You're No Good" first made its appearance on pop charts in 1963 in a version by soul singer Betty Everett. However, it is the Linda Ronstadt recording that went to #1 in 1975 that is remembered by most pop fans. "You're No Good" was Linda Ronstadt's first #1 and a centerpiece of the double platinum album Heart Like a Wheel
. She would follow it with hit versions of a number of other classic pop, rock and R&B songs.Watch Linda Ronstadt video
"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" - March 30, 2010
Written by William Weatherspoon, Paul Riser, and James Dean
Jimmy Ruffin, older brother of the Temptations' David Ruffin, released "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" as a single in 1966 and took it all the way to the pop top 10. Paul Young had his third consecutive #1 adult contemporary hit in 1991 with his cover of the song.
Watch Jimmy Ruffin video
