On Wednesday’s edition of “American Idol,” the final 12 sang songs from the years they were born. These dozen ditties were all among the best-selling tracks of their time and many of them contended for various music kudos.
“American Idol” has produced a slew of awards champs over its first nine seasons. Five of this year’s contenders dared to take on tunes that vied for musicdom’s highest honor — the Grammy.
Naima Adedapo belted out “What’s Love Got to Do With It” which won both Record and Song of the Year at the 1985 Grammys as well as Best Female Pop Performance for Tina Turner.
Haley Reinhart cooed “I’m Your Baby Tonight” which earned Whitney Houston a Best Female Pop Performance bid in 1991; she lost to Mariah Carey and “Vision of Love.”
Thia Megia sang “Colors of the Wind” which won the 1995 Best Song Oscar as well as the Grammy for Best Movie Song. And Vanessa Williams contended for Best Female Pop Performance losing to Annie Lennox (“No More I Love You’s”).
Casey Abrams tackled “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana which had contended for Best Rock Song in 1993 but was edged out by “Layla” from Eric Clapton.
Lauren Alaina declared “I’m the Only One,” a tune penned and sung by Melissa Etheridge which lost the 1995 Best Song Race to Bruce Springsteen and “Streets of Philadelphia.”
Who among these and the other seven contestants sounded most like a winner to you? Vote in our poll found to the right of this item.
