What Is and What Should Forever Be.
Catching the wind and sailing into the no. 4 position is Haley’s cover of Led Zeppelin’s 1973 psychedelic rock anthem ‘What Is and What Should Never Be' from their Led Zeppelin II album, the first of three songs she performed on Top 3 week. Like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, Zeppelin was part of the 'British Invasion,' becoming the second highest selling rock group (after The Beatles, who else?) in America and achieving legendary greatness in the Rock & Roll pantheon. Widely regarded as the predecessors of hard rock and heavy metal, Zeppelin revolutionized rock music in ways few bands had done. And guess what? Lead singer Robert Plant and guitarist Jimmy Page contacted American Idol to give Haley express permission and the honor to sing their song!
As Beyoncé noted in her introductory segment, Haley is a bona fide 'Rock Star.' To do a Joplin cover is one thing, but to take on Led Zeppelin really showed some daring. I still shake my head in wonder whenever I'm reminded of the fact that this is the same girl who sang ‘Blue’ and ‘Fallin’ early on in the season. Zeppelin covers had never been attempted before on American Idol, and Haley totally killed it! This performance is truly something to behold, alternating between vocals that are crystalline smooth and soaringly powerful. It is perfect from beginning to end, made even more special by the appearance of her dad on guitar (another first, and likely also last, on Idol). You just know Haley chose this song so she can rock it out with dad and, yeah, he does riff pretty good.
Haley received a well deserved ovation from the judges for this fine performance. Her slip onstage and smooth recovery only underscored the perseverance and ‘never-say-die’ spirit she displayed throughout a season of adversity in which she had to fight and pick herself up in the face of scathing criticism and ‘Bottom Three’ banishment week in and week out. If nothing else, Haley has earned our utmost respect and admiration. She is a goddess of classic rock, and we can't thank her enough for keeping its eternal flame alive.
Haley received a well deserved ovation from the judges for this fine performance. Her slip onstage and smooth recovery only underscored the perseverance and ‘never-say-die’ spirit she displayed throughout a season of adversity in which she had to fight and pick herself up in the face of scathing criticism and ‘Bottom Three’ banishment week in and week out. If nothing else, Haley has earned our utmost respect and admiration. She is a goddess of classic rock, and we can't thank her enough for keeping its eternal flame alive.
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