Time and again, American Idol judges have warned against attempting Whitney Houston’s biggest ballads, and yet, in honor of the music legend’s passing, Idol’s March 7 episode will find the girls flipping through her extensive catalog. It’s a tall order, but it will certainly serve to separate the weak from the strong. Still, other than Season 11’s dynamo Jessica Sanchez, who should definitely rock one of Houston’s belty ballads, the ladies would be wise to opt for Whitney’s easier songs and avoid these classic Everest equivalents.
“I Have Nothing”
Warning: half of this list consists of songs from The Bodyguard. But this highly emotional, difficult ballad is sure to be a trying experience for any of Idol’s ladies – though as I said, Sanchez might have the chops to pull it off. It’s simply too iconic and too difficult. Choosing this behemoth of a song is a set-up for failure.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody”
This isn’t Houston’s most difficult song, but it’s harder than most singers might think. It involves incredible vocal dynamics and to boot, it’s terribly 80s. Unless a singer can perform this song as wonderfully as Whitney, it will just come off as a bouncy, dated number. Let’s leave this one for drunken karaoke nights, ladies. You’ll never best Ms. Houston on this one.
“Run to You”
This song is a difficult choice because of the build-up. Something many Idol contestants have trouble with, year in and year out, is taking on ballads that start slow and build to an incredible finale because they haven’t yet learned how to make the entire performance engaging from start to finish. “Run to You” is all about that progression, and unless the singer can really connect and hit those final notes with absolute perfection, the performance will be one big failure.
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“Didn’t We Almost Have It All”
While many Houston ballads offer difficulty in the final moments, this tune is a challenge throughout. The difficult phrases aren’t built up at the end, like many of her other iconic songs. Stamina is something many Idol contestants need to work up to throughout the competition and “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” requires every last ounce of a singer’s energy.
“I Will Always Love You”
Alright, this one’s a given. Just don’t. Besides the fact that this is the song everyone wants to sing, it’s the hardest to make original. No matter how great, now matter how perfect, any rendition will always, always be a subordinate copy of Whitney’s version. Always.
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