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 Tim Urban.
Early Songs
- Audition - "Bulletproof Weeks" by Matt Nathanson
- First Hollywood Week Solo - "Come Back to Me" by David Cook
- Hollywood Week Group - "Get Ready" by the Temptations
- Second Hollywood Week Solo - "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay
"Apologize" - February 24, 2010
Written by Ryan Tedder
Timbaland's remix of this song by the band OneRepublic hit the top of the US pop charts in late 2007. It was the breakthrough hit for OneRepublic and represented Timbaland branching out into mainstream pop. "Apologize" set a new record for the most radio spins in one week at pop radio in the US.
Watch OneRepublic and Timbaland Video
"Come On Get Higher" - March 2, 2010
Written by Matt Nathanson and Mark Weinberg
"Come On Get Higher" was a slowly building pop hit for singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson throughout much of 2008. It reached #25 on the Billboard Pop 100 and broke into the top 10 at adult top 40 radio. The song sold over a million digital copies.
Watch Matt Nathanson Video
"Hallelujah" - March 10, 2010
Written by Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen released his studio version of the song "Hallelujah" in 1984, and it has since become a contemporary classic. Jeff Buckley's version released in 1994 is considered by many to be the definitive recording. Jason Castro's performance of the song on American Idol introduced "Hallelujah" to a new generation of fans. It was Alexandra Burke's first single after winning X Factor in 2008 and was an instant UK #1. Most recently Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris hit the charts with a Haiti benefit version and k.d. Lang electrified audiences with her performance of the song at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Watch Leonard Cohen Video
"Under My Thumb" - March 16, 2010
Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
"Under My Thumb" is forever infamous as the song the Rolling Stones were performing when a fan was stabbed to death at the Altamont free concert in 1969. The song depicts a sexual power struggle celebrating gaining dominance over a pushy woman.
"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" - March 23, 2010
Written by Freddie Mercury
According to Queen lead vocalist Freddie Mercury "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" was written in about 5 to 10 minutes in recorded in about half an hour. The song was released as a single in 1979 and became the group's first #1 in the US spending four weeks at the top.
Watch Queen video
"Sweet Love" - March 30, 2010
Written by Anita Baker, Gary Bias, and Louis Johnson
Anita Baker already was a moderately successful R&B singer, but "Sweet Love" turned her into a pop star in 1986 climbing into the pop top 10. The song brought her two Grammy Awards.
Watch Anita Baker video
"All My Loving" - April 6, 2010
Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
"All My Loving" was originally conceived by Paul McCartney as a country song. It was recorded in 1963 and never released as a single in the US. It did reach #45 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the strength of Canadian imports.
Watch Beatles video
"Can't Help Falling In Love" - April 13, 2010
Written by George David Weiss, Hugo E. Peretti, and Luigi Creatore
This song was written based on the melody of the classical French song "Plaisir d'amour" which was originally written in the 1700s. Elvis Presley's version of "Can't Help Falling In Love" was included on the soundtrack to Blue Hawaii and it went to #2 on the pop singles chart in 1961. A UB40 remake went to #1 in 1993.
Watch Elvis Presley video
"Better Days" - April 20, 2010
Written by John Rzeznik
Goo Goo Dolls song of assurance that the world can indeed be a better place was used as a theme song for coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina by both ABC and CNN. Released in 2005 it became the Goo Goo Dolls eighth top 40 pop hit.
Watch Goo Goo Dolls video
