Adam Lambert, let's rock & roll.
American Idol's theme tonight is rock & roll, which raises the obvious question: "What should Adam sing?"
Lambert, the "It" guy of this season has been on fire all year with some show-stopping performances that have the music, TV and Internet worlds abuzz.
He's already delivered some rock & roll classics with major fanfare, including "Satisfaction" and "Born to be Wild."
But with Guns & Roses' Slash serving as the guest mentor this week, there are some amazing possibilities.
First the obvious:
"Sweet Child O' Mine": If ever there was a song screaming for Adam to perform, this is it. With a voice as distinctive as Axl Rose, Lambert could knock this one off the planet. Can't you picture Adam rocking out with that Axl sway?
"Welcome to the Jungle": This song is a bit more risky, particularly with conservative middle America, but Lambert could have fun with this one also. This too would be a vehicle for his Adam-wail.
"One": Lambert has consistently picked songs with some meaning behind them (out of all of the songs in Michael Jackson's catalog, he sang Black or White, during Jackson week), so "One" has all the makings of a tremendous performance. We could see Adam stripping it down into a ballad and, alas, making Paula cry again. U2's "With or Without You" or "Beautiful Day" would also be magnificent.
"Don't Be Cruel": With American Idol the closest thing to the Ed Sullivan show during the glory days of television, Lambert could have an iconic performance singing Elvis Presley's "Don't be Cruel." Elvis broke free as a mainstream star with his brilliant Ed Sullivan performance, maybe Lambert can do the same.
"Hey Jude": Speaking of stars of the 50s, who better than the greatest Rock & Roll band of all-time? With his soothing, mellow (at times) voice Lambert could sparkle with a vulnerable song like this. But can he finally answer the riddle of what this song is all about?
"Smells Like Teen Spirit": We're fairly certain that there's no way a Nirvana song would ever get sung on American Idol, but Lambert would cement himself as show's most alternative star if he were to pick this 90s grunge-rock classic. It's not a singer's song, but Lambert, as Randy would say, "you can sing the phonebook, dude!"
"Doll Parts": If he won't sing Kurt Cobain, how about his troubled widow Courtney Love? If he took this feminist anthem and turned gender on its head, Lambert would be the talk of the country tomorrow morning. A bit risky, but this is the same guy who's shown little restraint on, or off, stage.
"Light My Fire": Might Adam Lambert actually channel Jim Morrison and sing this 60s hit? It's another performance song that is tailor-made for his theatrical abilities and Lambert has proven he's not afraid to take on the darker, moodier songs. (Remember Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire?)
"Proud Mary": Lambert knows how to shake up a good soul song. Look what he did with "Tracks of My Tears," the song that established him as Idol's frontrunner. Whether he chooses a Creedence Clearwater Revival or a Tina Turner version, it could actually prompt Simon to give another standing ovation.
"Somebody To Love": Lambert stole the show during the auditions with "Bohemian Rhapsody." He can hit Freddie Mercury's notes and has the same gift of being able to combine raw emotion with a theatrical performance.
All of these songs might be a little too ambitious. He does want to win, by the way. And after ending up in the Bottom Two last week, Lambert might be leaning toward a more safe choice. And what's safer than to channel Clay Aiken from Season 2, with "Bridge Over Troubled Water?"
What should Adam sing? You decide.
