Tonight the contestants will perform songs from the year they were born, and I’m thrilled this is going to turn into an “Awesome Eighties Night on Idol” because 7 of the 8 remaining contestants were born in the 1980’s! So here are some guesses as to which songs the contestants might sing along with what I think would be fun to see them perform. I’m guessing somebody is going to perform a Bryan Adams song. And I’m keeping my fingers crossed that someone is brave enough to tackle a Sting song from his first solo album “Dream of the Blue Turtles” in 1985. There are three contestants born in 1985, and two lean towards jazz/blues (Kris and Matt), so it is possible that Sting could be performed tonight! Whatever happens, it’s sure to be a fun night! Any other guesses out there on great 80s songs and who should perform them?
1980 Danny Gokey
It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me, Billy Joel
Rock With You, Michael Jackson
She’s Out Of My Life, Michael Jackson
Off The Wall, Michael Jackson
It’ll be a heartbreaker if Danny sings “She’s Out Of My Life”, because everyone will be thinking about his wife who died recently, but he is a fan of Michael Jackson, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him tackle a Michael Jackson song from 1980, and Off The Wall was an absolutely fantastic album.
1982 Adam Lambert
Don’t You Want Me, Human League
Shake It Up, Cars
I Love Rock N Roll, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
867-5309 (Jenny), Tommy Tutone
I can totally see Adam singing “Don’t you want me, baby?”, but also think Adam could pull off a fabulous rendition of I love Rock N Roll! He kinda looks like Joan Jett too, so what the heck?
1984 Lil Rounds
What’s Love Got To Do With It, Tina Turner
Let’s Hear It For The Boy, Deniece Williams
Love Is A Battlefield, Pat Benatar
Lil could do a great job belting out a Tina Turner song, and I’d place some money on her singing this song tonight, but we’ll see. I have to put Benatar on her list though, because she was my idol in the 80’s!
1985 Kris Allen
Summer of ‘69 – Bryan Adams
Fortress Around Your Heart, Sting
Take On Me, A-Ha
I’m digging Kris Allen these days, and I really hope he does Bryan Adams (or Sting), but I totally can see him singing Take On Me too.
1985 Matt Giraud
If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free, Sting
Run To You, Bryan Adams
Suddenly, Billy Ocean
Okay, it’s wishful thinking but I can always hope for a Sting song, right?
1985 Scott MacIntyre
Every Time You Go Away, Paul Young
Can’t Fight This Feeling, REO Speedwagon
You’re The Inspiration, Chicago
Heaven, Bryan Adams
I had a hard time with Scott, but whatever he performs is gonna be sappy guaranteed.
1986 Anoop Desai
Walk This Way, Run-D.M.C.
Addicted To Love, Robert Palmer
You Give Love A Bad Name, Bon Jovi
We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off, Jermaine Stewart
I see Anoop trying to appear “cool” tonight, but it would be really funny to see him sing “We don’t have to take our clothes off, to have a good time . . . “
1992 Allison Iraheta
Free Your Mind, En Vogue
Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana
2 Legit 2 Quit, Hammer
I would love to see Allison totally rock out “Free Your Mind”, but maybe she’ll go grunge and tackle Nirvana? If she does, she’ll be the hero of her decade. And a Hammer song? Well, that’s just fun to think about!