Dear ‘American Idol’: How About Some Road Tunes?

Travel Blog  •  Eva Holland  •  05.06.09 | 12:45 PM ET

I’ll admit it: For the first time since Clay Aiken came in second and got all the glory anyway, I’ve been following “American Idol” this year. I’m a pretty halfhearted viewer—I tend to browse the recaps the next day, and then find the performances that interest me on YouTube—but I’ve still managed to take note of the various theme nights the “Idol” producers have come up with. Opry Night, Idol at the Movies, Rat Pack Standards, even Disco: the diversity of American musical eras and traditions represented is admirable.

Nonetheless, I’m left wondering about one great American tradition that “Idol” seems to have overlooked. Where’s the homage to road music?

There’s certainly no shortage of material—just check out our list of the top 40 travel songs of all time, or our recent pair of road-tripping playlists, for proof. I can picture the show playing out: Allison Iraheta could do a slinky, growly version of “Proud Mary,” Adam Lambert could rock out to Highway Star or “Ramble On.” Kris Allen could croon “Leavin’ on a Jetplane,” Ben Affleck-style—the girls would love it—and Danny Gokey could… Well actually, in my vision of Road Trip Night, Danny has already been voted off. Paula could wax incoherent about the journey and the destination. It would be a perfect fit, don’t you think?

Any “Idol” fans out there who’d like to see a Road Trip Night? What would be your song choices for the remaining contestants?

Tags: Music, Pop Culture Travel, Road Trips, Television, North America, United States, News and Briefs

Eva Holland is co-editor of World Hum. She is a former associate editor at Up Here and Up Here Business magazines, and a contributor to Vela. She's based in Canada's Yukon territory.


6 Comments for Dear ‘American Idol’: How About Some Road Tunes?

PhDude 05.06.09 | 1:06 PM ET

Adam was AMAZING last night! Not only was he amazing he answered his critics, with the help of Gokey, and showed us the difference between screaming and singing. Everybody can now stop saying that Adam screams… If you want to know what a scream sounds like just listen to Danny killing (and I mean that in a bad murdering chalk outline kind of way) the poor innocent song Dream On. That is screaming. You know it. It was bad. Yuck. My ears were bleeding. His fans know it too. I am sorry but there is a difference between screaming and Rock N Roll. We saw that difference last night. Vote for the Worst pick Danny Gokey = screaming. Adam Lambert = Rock N Roll.

Sheila 05.06.09 | 1:53 PM ET

On the Road Again - Canned Heat

Truckin’ - Grateful Dead

Lots of good travelin’ songs….

JD 05.06.09 | 2:14 PM ET

My road songs might include “On The Road Again” (Willie Nelson), “Take Me Home Country Road” (John Denver), “The Long and Winding Road” (Beatles), “America” (Neil Diamond). 

I’m a fan of Danny’s and I agree that the scream was not very good at all.  But at least he had the courage to attempt it.  Remember that rock is not Danny’s style of music which is why I think it was awesome for him to attempt to attempt that scream instead of being safe.  Adam was good last night, although I’m not a fan of rock music (I wouldn’t buy an album with that kind of music), but Adam has had a night or 2 when he wasn’t as good as other nights.  I’m thinking of “the poor innocent song” Ring of Fire.  Sorry, but he totally ruined that song (made up for it with “Mad World” though).  Adam and Danny are both great singers, but Danny’s music style is much more to my liking, as it is apparently to plenty of others since he hasn’t been in the bottom 3 so far.  I believe this is the first song that Danny didn’t just nail.  He is still amazing though, as all of them are.  Truthfully I don’t think there are any singers left that “vote for the worst” can pick…they (VFTW) need to go crawl in a hole till next year…..Good luck to all the singers.  All are amazing in their own way.

Gia 05.06.09 | 9:53 PM ET

I also like Danny.  I like Kris too.  Adam is way above the rest of them, it is no competition this year.
I agree that Dream On would have worked without the scream.  He should have picked another song.  Since Danny hasn’t been in the bottom two, others must like him as well.  Clay AIken was never in the bottom two either.  I think all of the singers are incredible.  Good Luck to them all.

Travel-Writers-Exchange.com 05.07.09 | 12:49 PM ET

Hmm…Interesting.  I must admit that I haven’t paid much attention to this season of American Idol.  I don’t know, I wasn’t “feeling it.”  Anyway, my song choices would be “Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin, “Jett City Woman” by Queensryche (love this song and the band—Adam could probably “rock” this one out), Highway to Hell by AC/DC (another rocker song for Adam, great band), Who Says That You Can’t Go Home by Bon Jovi (ok, another rocker song for Adam), and this all I can think of right now.

coffee fan 05.25.09 | 1:15 PM ET

they should make an Idol remake tape, or a CD including all the most voted on songs, original renditions

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