Pandemic Playlist: Our top 5 American Idol performers will move and exhilarate you with their incredible voices
Hello there, music-loving friends. As another week of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic dawns upon us, things are starting to normalize, albeit in a somewhat strange way. As humans, we are remarkably good at making the best of any situation, and it looks like now that the novelty of the quarantine period has worn off, we're all starting to adjust to living our lives from home for the time being.
It's a testament to our willingness to keep fighting despite any obstacles in our path, and a rousing tribute to our patience and sense of camaraderie. If you witnessed the latest season of 'American Idol' this year, you would have seen plenty of those spirited qualities on display as well. The grand finale of Season 18 recently concluded on Sunday night, where the talented subway singer from New York, Just Sam, was crowned as the eventual champion, narrowly beating another fan-favorite, Arthur Gunn, to the grand prize. So in honor of Just Sam's win last night, here are our Top 5 songs from our favorite 'American Idol' performers over the years.
Pandemic Playlist - 'American Idol' Edition
'Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)' - Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson was the inaugural winner of the very first season of 'American Idol' in 2002, so it only makes sense to kick off our pandemix with her. Although she has churned out quite a few hits throughout the years, the 2011 track 'Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)' is undoubtedly one of her most popular tunes. The official YouTube video has over 352 million views, and the songs lyrics pack a punch, especially in our current coronavirus crisis. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger / Just me, myself and I / What doesn't kill you makes you stronger / Stand a little taller / Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone."
'It's Not Over' - Daughtry
Chris Daughtry was an incredibly talented contestant who placed fourth on the fifth season of 'American Idol'. Thanks to his supercharged vocal displays in the competition, Daughtry landed an RCA recording contract soon after the show concluded and formed his own band called Daughtry, whose debut album went platinum after just five weeks. The song 'It's Not Over' remains one of Daughty's most compelling performances, earning him over 77 million views on YouTube alone. The powerful lyrics "Being strong, holding on / Can't let it bring us down / My life with you means everything / So I won't give up that easily" also serve as a huge motivation for this ongoing coronavirus pandemic we find ourselves in.
'Before He Cheats' - Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood remains one of the best country music performers to ever storm through the 'American Idol' gates. Blessed with a gorgeous voice that is as textured as it is powerful, Underwood annihilated the competition in Season 4 of the show, eventually ending up as the champion in 2005. Since then, she's had a string of successful chart-busters, earning plenty of plaudits and critical acclaim over the years. She's already won 7 Grammys and 15 American Music Awards so far, and it doesn't look like she'll be losing momentum any time soon. 'Before He Cheats', a cautionary tale about a cheating lover remains one of her most popular songs, earning her 122 million views on YouTube alone.
'Believe' - Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert is a global music superstar, most famously known as the current vocalist of the rock band Queen. Replacing one of the greatest vocalists of all time, Freddie Mercury, is no mean feat, but Adam Lambert possesses a distinct, powerful voice that is capable of performing superhuman vocal acrobatics. He's come a long way since placing second on the eighth season of 'American Idol' in 2009, and thanks to his incredible rockstar voice and innate theatricality, Adam Lambert remains one of the most popular contestants to have ever appeared on 'American Idol'. Although his hits like 'Whataya Want from Me' have earned close to a 100 million views on YouTube alone, we thought we'd share this phenomenal live rendition of Cher's 'Believe' in order to best showcase Lambert's amazing voice.
'I Will Always Love You' - Jennifer Hudson
Although Jennifer Hudson only finished in seventh place during her Season 3 stint on 'American Idol' in 2004, she has arguably gone on to become one of the most intense and gripping vocal performers of our modern age. Blessed with a powerful, soaring voice that can hit notes most singers could only dream of hitting, But Hudson is also a remarkably versatile entertainer. She won Oscar, BAFTA, SAG, and Golden Globe awards in her film debut for 'Dreamgirls', and has gone on to judge (and win) prestigious singing competitions like 'The Voice' in recent years. This moving version of Dolly Parton's 'I Will Always Love You' remains one of our favorite Jennifer Hudson performances, because the singer who recorded the quintessential version of the song, Whitney Houston, is actually standing up and hanging on to Hudson's every word. It's a breathtaking performance that just keeps getting better with time.
Pandemic Playlist is a daily list of songs that will keep you entertained instead of feeling drained while you're isolated at home. Look out for a fresh selection of great tunes from MEAWW to refresh your mood every day!