MTV Newsroom » Idol’s David Archuleta Stumps Our Resident Pop Music Nerd

Idol’s David Archuleta Stumps Our Resident Pop Music Nerd

14 Comments | Published by MTV News on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 12:02 pm.

Hey, so you know how on Idol they’re off the whole Lennon/McCartney thing and now onto songs released during the contestants’ year of birth? God, that made some of us feel real old last night. Anyway, this from MTV News’ Gil Kaufman, who lives in Ohio and not in New York:

They pay me to do a lot of things here at MTV, one of which is to be a walking encyclopedia of music. What was the name of that horrible Britney ballad with the black-and-white video that began her descent into madness (”Someday (I Will Understand)”)? How about the drummer who used to be in Maroon 5? Right, Ryan Dusick. I swear I knew both of those without even checking Google.

So, I had to admit I was a bit thrown off last night when “American Idol” front-runner David Archuleta began singing a song from the year of his birth, 1990, that didn’t ring a bell. At all. Not even the chorus. I can honestly say I’d never heard it, and considering I used to, literally, read and practically memorize the Billboard top 10 charts, I feared I was slippin’.

Turns out the tune is called “You’re the Voice” and it is from an album called River of Love from acclaimed producer David Foster, featuring a vocalist I’ve also never, ever heard of, Jeff Pescetto. Even better, it was originally sung in 1986 by an Australian guy named John Farnham, who, yes, I’ve also never heard of, but who was apparently one of the biggest rocks stars of the ’70s and early-’80s down under, best known for, yes, his hit covers of songs by Three Dog Night and David Cassidy. Now, I’m not saying I know it all, but if a guy whose only job is to know as much about popular music as possible can’t even place your song selection, you’ve got problems.

I have no idea what little Archie tried to clear, but here are some other songs from the year of his birth that might have, you know, resonated a little bit more: “Nothing Compares 2 U” (bonus points for Sinead O’Connor covering the Prince composition), “Hold On” (Wilson Phillips), “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” (Michael Bolton), and “More than Words Can Say” (Alias).
I’m just sayin’.

Wonder what our boys in Iraq are gonna say about this one next week.

Filed Under: American Idol

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14 Comments to “Idol’s David Archuleta Stumps Our Resident Pop Music Nerd”

Fiona Davis says:

9:31 on 03/27

Hey you guys - I suggest you all do yourselves a huge favour and make yourselves aware of JOHN FARNHAM. You're the Voice was on his album WHISPERING JACK which was released in 1987 and STILL holds the record here in Australia as the HIGHEST SELLING ALBUM EVER. John is still performing and is a HUGE star in this country, has been for 40 years. And you are VERY WRONG - he is not best known for your "cover versions" of song's. You will blown away by his incredible voice and talent and is an incredible entertainer.
Greek Golangco says:

12:24 on 03/27

John Farnham is best known in our country (the third world Philippines...) for his hit sobfest "Please Don't Ask Me," which is a beautiful song.

Said song has been covered by almost all our major local artists.

Has been famous here for decades...
James says:

1:19 on 03/27

John Farnham's song "Your the Voice" was actually a bit hit in Canada too. I could easily place this song. I loved it then and I loved David's version. I guess the old saying is true, "If it didn't happen in America, it didn't happen."

For someone "whose only job is to know as much about popular music as possible" you should be ashamed of yourself. Broaden your horizons man and check out some popular music from OTHER countries - ones that actually play good songs on the radio instead of a constant dribble of
(c)rap.
Cheryl says:

2:44 on 03/27

I have to say I was surprised Randy Jackson didn't know the song, who is a bit of an encyclopedia himself.

I LOVED that song when it came out, and I own Farnham's album "Whispering Jack." There are some other great tunes on there which showcase Farnham's powerful voice.

Here in the U.S., John Farnham is most famous for being a front man for Little River Band for a number of years.
Keith says:

3:46 on 03/27

I love that song! I was really surprised to learn that very few people knew of it...especially the "experts"

Listen to the song...it grows on you.

I think it's great though that David helped shine some light on the great talents of John Farnham!!
Jesse Q says:

4:35 on 03/27

This song is practically the Australian National Anthem, and it is a pretty killer track. Huge AI embarrasment for the judges to have not been familiar with this song considering David A.'s cover was by AI perennial guest, and music mogul David Foster. Smart, strategic song choice! Also it's pro-peace/ant-war message stays right in line with DA's other songs of social commentary. Possibly a new youth anthem(revisited) calling for peace. Nothing wrong with that!
Richi Pedersen says:

5:10 on 03/27

Shut up! You people are geeks! That song sucked and it was a stupid, pretentious selection from a very annoyingly glub little nerd. If there is ANY justice in this world (Taylor Hicks proved there ISN'T!), Archuletta will LOSE! He ain't nearly as good of a singer as the panel seems to think and more than that he is unwatchable. GO FIELD!
Linha Phan says:

4:00 on 03/28

There was nothing pretentious about the song. The only thing pretentious is to write off the song completely because it is unknown to you. While everyone was concentrating on why David Archuleta chose this song (yes, he did choose it), the answer to their question was right in front of eyes. David was singing his heart out to deliver a clear message to everyone how powerful this song is, the words, the music, just everything about it is incredible. With our economy in shambles, the futile war in Iraq, and our planet in peril, he chose to sing an uplifting song of hope and inspiration for the future and of strength to endure our dire predicaments. For once, remove your prejudgement and just listen. LISTEN.

Start the "You're the Voice" Project movement:
davidarchuletafans.wordpress.com/2008/03/27/youre-the-voice-rally-fanbase-to-unite-behind-powerful-lyrics-fan-blast/
Kathy Hagan says:

6:15 on 03/28

As I sat on Tuesday evening and watched my favorite contestant sing "You're the Voice," I had a sinking feeling in my gut. Why did he choose that? No one knew it! Oh, no. Poor David!
When the studio version dropped on iTunes, I went and listened because I love the kid. Wow. When given a decent timeframe to build the song, he really sells it. I haven't been able to STOP listening and swear David's version of this song could be a radio hit today. Relevant to today. Too bad the situation went down as it did.
Kathy Hagan says:

6:18 on 03/28

I'm a David A. fan who was disappointed in his selection on Tuesday night. I'd never heard the song and agreed, with the most part, with the judges.
I am enough of a fan to have listened to the studio version from iTunes. I'm so glad I did. When given an adequate time frame to build the song, David totally sells it. The vocals give me chills and it is now my favorite of his.

The song is so relevant to today and could be a radio hit, I swear.
Amanda says:

10:05 on 03/28

I also have to agree with most of what the above says, SHAME on YOU and the judges that have no clue what this song is!! How can you call yourself expert if a 17 year old from Utah knows the song and you don't!! As a DavidA fan we were all a little nervous about the song but he pulled it off with excellant vocals, as always! Who cares that the song isn't popular! He sang it right and like Paula said, HE CAN SING THE PHONE BOOK!! GO DAVID A!!
xiale says:

10:27 on 03/28

i actually never heard of the song until David Archuleta sang it on AI. and it has grown on me since. i love the song now. it has a great message for all of us. im really glad david chose that song and i love the fact that he does not just perform for the purpose of entertaining and making people happy but chooses songs that make us all aware of our circumstances as well.
DAVID ARCHULETA YOU'RE (DEFINITELY) THE VOICE!
audry says:

2:03 on 03/30

I was shocked that judges with this calibre was not
familiar with the song and deemed it not ok song.
David choice you're the voice was brilliant. he chose a powerful song that leave message to humanity
to think about and wake up. we should watch this kid and listen to every song he performs regardless whether it is a popular song or not. Other contestant sing to win, David sings with his heart
and convey message to the world. thank god AI is aired all around the world. we need him to win in
this stage of humanity's delicate situation so he
could continue to inspire us.
Beth says:

9:47 on 05/11

As an Australian I am not shocked at all that the judges didn't know this song. They are exactly the 'calibre' of person, of 'expert', I would expect to not know this song. Surely you people can't really believe that Randy and Paula are experts? I'm sorry, you are right, they are experts in their tiny little universe of 'popular'. I was not surprised that Simon did know the song, because I actually do believe that he is an expert in his field, and I also wholeheartedly agree with what he said. It was the wrong choice for David. Why on earth would he choose to sing a song that 95% (perhaps more) of the audience would not know, in a contest that is decided by popular vote? I also agree that he did not do the song justice. It had none of the emotion it is meant to have. Listen to the John Farnham version and you will understand.

Oh and to you, the 'expert' that wrote this article, just to inform you of what's going on outside your little bubble, John Farnham is probably the biggest recording artist in Australian history and is considered to be one of the greatest voices in pop music history, with artists such as Tom Jones and Stevie Wonder proclaiming so. Listen to his version of the Beatles 'Help', or his beautiful ballads 'Burn for You', or 'Please Don't Ask Me' or even, his version of 'You're the Voice', and you will know why.