‘It’s Not Gonna Work.’ American Idol’s Lionel Richie And Luke Bryan Reveal The Songs They’re Tired Of Hearing During Auditions (And Same)

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This year’s edition of “American Idol” is set to air on ABC according to the 2025 TV lineup. Joining returning judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan is Carrie Underwood, stepping into Katy Perry’s role. Since both Richie and Bryan have been part of this reality competition for seven consecutive seasons, they shared their list of audition songs that are getting repetitive (and I must admit, I feel the same way).

It’s quite tiring, isn’t it, to constantly listen to the same audition songs again and again? It brings back memories of the mid-2000s when musical theater students often performed “Defying Gravity” from Wicked at auditions to demonstrate their vocal prowess. As for American Idol, judge Lionel Richie expressed his frustration over hearing a particular song during auditions, and I can certainly understand why.

This occasion was different – the phrase ‘It’s a Man’s World,’ a saying I’ve been hearing for quite some time now. Whenever they begin to sing that, I always respond by saying, ‘Hold off. It’s not going to succeed.’

James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” can touch anyone deeply. It’s a potent, emotionally intense song that captivates both the audience and the singers performing it. However, the profound impact the song is meant to have might lose its edge after multiple listenings. We’ve encountered this R&B hit before, during Clark Beckham’s audition in Season 15 of a popular TV show and also during Adanna Duru’s performance on American Idol or The Voice.

I firmly believe that when you’re listening to the same audition song multiple times, it’s crucial for the contestant to put their unique spin on it. This showcases their creativity and true understanding of the song’s meaning. Luckily, Lionel Richie announced that the James Brown classic will be featured this season, offering singers an excellent opportunity to make the song their own!

They sang “It’s a Man’s World” not once but twice, yet you would never guess that it was about a man’s world.

Once again, Lionel Richie demonstrates his exceptional knack for recognizing a successful song. During the Season 23 premiere, we heard only one play of “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World,” performed by the gifted Amanda Barise. At just 26 years old, she left the judges in awe with her soulful delivery and powerful belting of those notes with true vigor. Her performance was so impressive that it was instantly clear she was on her way to Hollywood! I’m eagerly awaiting the second rendition of this James Brown classic this season to see how it unfolds.

It’s revealed that “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown isn’t the only tune that grates on the judges. Luke Bryan also has his personal pick for a song he finds repetitive, and it’s hard not to sympathize with him:

I wonder if you could tell us how often, Ryan, the song is played? To be honest, it’s a fantastic tune, but we found ourselves saying, “watermelon sugar, flying high.

Due to the catchy but repetitive nature of Harry Styles’ hit “Watermelon Sugar,” it often finds its way into people’s heads after numerous listens, as even Katy Perry joked about wanting to prohibit the song during Season 19 due to overexposure. However, during the Hollywood Duets, Anthony Guzman and Adriel Carrion sang this well-known melody with an engaging harmony and a fresh energy that revitalized the often-heard tune. This performance was impressive enough for Katy Perry to advance them to the next round.

It makes perfect sense that listening to the same audition songs again and again can be exhausting. Choosing a popular song may appeal to judges and viewers, but a real star will use their opportunity to impress with something original. However, as Amanda Barise and the successful duet singers from Season 19 demonstrated, even well-worn tunes can sound fresh when sung by the right artist who brings a unique twist to it. Catch new episodes of American Idol every Sunday at 8/7c on ABC, or stream them on your Hulu subscription.

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2025-03-11 18:41