This week, American Idol goes to the movies, with director Quentin Tarantino sitting in as mentor as the contestants take on the frustratingly vague theme of “songs from film.” (Tarantino has actually served as a guest judge on the show in the past, and he’s not exactly a pushover, which should be awesome when he deals with Lil Rounds’ outsized ego.) The bloodthirsty Tarantino has always had a deft touch when it comes to putting together soundtracks for his own flicks, and part of me kind of hopes that the seven remaining Idol contestants will be restricted to songs that he paired with his body of work over the years. After the jump, it’s time to play Fantasy Idol one more time—and hey, the results sound kind of like the hallways of my college dorm!
Kris Allen: “Lonesome Town” (from Pulp Fiction)
Eight million tweens’ hearts, broken by Zac Efron’s merciless mocking of their spending power on Saturday Night Live, would become whole once again.
Anoop Desai: “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” (from Kill Bill, Vol. 1)
NB: Don’t emulate Leroy Gómez’s dancing.
Matt Giraud: “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind)” (from Jackie Brown)
It would probably result in a few unfortunate comparisons to New Kids On The Block, but then again, his hats kind of made those a long time coming.
Danny Gokey: “Stuck In The Middle With You” (from Reservoir Dogs)
He may as well go all-in with the cheesiness.
Allison Iraheta: “If Love Is a Red Dress (Hang Me in Rags)” (from Pulp Fiction)
Simon and Kara would likely take this Maria McKee song to task, since they probably are unfamiliar with it, but I think Allison’s rich voice could handle this track well. (As long as she doesn’t freaking smile again.)
Adam Lambert: “Jeepster” (from Death Proof)
Not sure where he’d be able to go after this, but it’s a no-brainer of sorts.
Lil Rounds: “Son Of A Preacher Man” (from Pulp Fiction)
It’s not the most inspired pairing, but what about Lil has been?
And in memoriam of Megan Joy Corkrey…
“Woo Hoo” (from Kill Bill: Vol. 1)
American Idol [Official site]
Earlier: “Vanishing Point” Revs Up The Soul Mobile
“when he deals with Lil Rounds’ outsized ego”
I think you’re confusing her with Adam Lambert and Danny Gokey.
Adam Lambert has to go with (Urge Overkill’s version of) “Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon.” No?
Caw caw! Woo hoo!
@BigRicks: that was my second choice!
@brasstax: don’t confuse gokey’s outsized midwestern-grade-school-teacher glasses and lambert’s outsized hawthorne-heights-aping haircut with rounds’ outsized ego.
@doublewhiskycokenoice: to be fair, those glasses are a good thing for danny:
[topidol.wordpress.com]
@Maura Johnston: I love how that blogger wrote I’m warning you, the first lyric is You are my God… before posting one of Gokey’s songs.
Anoop could do amazing/hilarious things with the Statler Brothers “Flowers on the Wall.” I think I just really want someone to perform that song. Adam? ANYONE? PLEASE!
I really think that the only in a QT movie would be an amazing constriction for the night.
It would be amazing if “Red Dress” found its way onto American Idol in any capacity, but keep dreaming, right? I wish more people knew about Maria McKee. Her songs are HARD, and if done well, could be knockouts.
All those would be pretty great. Nice picks.
@Varina: You Gotta Sin to Be Saved is an incredible record, and I fell again for her in a big way with her last couple of discs (including that intimate live one). What a frickin’ great voice…
Maria McKee? The gal who sang on “Show Me Heaven” on the “Days of Thunder” soundtrack.
Ok. I have no idea how the hell I pulled that randomness out of my ass.
Maura, your movie theme night was soooo much better than the real one. They should have stuck to Tarentino movie music.
I love Idolator commenters for loving Maria McKee!
@TopIdol: “Show Me Heaven” is the least of all she’s ever done in her 25 year career.