* American Idol Top 8 Preview

Who will shine with the music of Queen?

American Idol is on Tuesday 04/11/06 (8:00-9:00 PM ET). This week, the top 8 sing the music of Queen.

American Idol Season 5 Top 8
Taylor Hicks
Chris Daughtry
Kellie Pickler
Paris Bennett
Katharine McPhee
Bucky Covington
Elliott Yamin
Ace Young

Did you know Queen was still performing after Freddie Mercury died? Can you name eight Queen songs? Therein lies the challenge – and the opportunity. I’ve divided some Queen songs into three groups: high-risk, medium-risk, and low-risk.

The high-risk songs are those that you could probably name (e.g. Bohemian Rhapsody), and I think that anybody attempting these will be compared – most likely unfavorably – to Freddie Mercury’s original renderings.

The medium-risk songs are still popular Queen songs that could get a performer in trouble for karaoke-like performances.

The low-risk songs are lesser-known but still very singable Queen songs. Note there are fewer than eight. This means somebody will have to take a risk.

High-Risk Queen Songs

1. Another One Bites The Dust
2. Bohemian Rhapsody
3. We Are The Champions
4. We Will Rock You

Medium-Risk Queen Songs

1. Crazy Little Thing Called Love
2. Killer Queen
3. Under Pressure (Queen & David Bowie)

Low-Risk Queen Songs

1. ’39
2. Don’t Stop Me Now
3. Fat Bottomed Girls
4. I Want to Break Free
5. Save Me
6. Somebody to Love
7. You’re My Best Friend

Who has the most to lose? In my opinion, those whose voices are most like Freddie Mercury’s (not that any are close), which would be the high male voices and the low female voices. So I think that Ace, Elliott, and Katherine will have the hardest time tomorrow trying to sound unique and non-Queen-like. The others all have unique styles that should allow them to perform in a memorable manner.

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