Jetting into the stratosphere at number 3 is the weird and wonderful song which inspired the namesake of this blog, Haley's cover of (Sir) Elton John's 'Bennie and the Jets' on Top 11 week (after Casey's save). Like The Beatles' 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' and 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,' 'Bennie and the Jets' is a whimsical tune, a psychedelic joyride that's trippy and fun. What is notable about this performance is that it marked the turning point when Haley distinguished herself as an artist and established her own unique jazzy style. With 'Bennie and the Jets,' Haley became a serious contender and one to keep an eye on.
Inspired by Michelle Pfeiffer's character Susie Diamond from 'The Fabulous Baker Boys,' Haley began her performance on top of a piano. This dramatic entrance evinced the sexy smoky jazz lounge stylings that we will be seeing more of in her later performances. A student of jazz in high school and college, Haley has gained an innate ability to seamlessly fuse jazz with other eclectic musical influences from her childhood. Haley's rendition of this song can be equally split into two parts. The first half is light and jazzy, but after that spirited 'yeah!' she gave about halfway into it the performance took on a whole new character as Haley unleashed her inner diva and really belted it with her rich and powerful vocals. This was an incredible performance, even in light of her improvised exit version of this song over two months later.
The expression on JLo's face between 1:51 and 1:54 in the video below really said it all, and we all know what Steven thought of it (hint: see photo caption). Even Randy called it the 'best performance of the night.' While Haley got kudos from the judges the previous week for her soulful cover of 'You Really Got a Hold on Me,' 'Bennie and the Jets' further boosted her confidence and separated her from the rest of the competition. It's no wonder this song held a special place in Haley's heart, as it was also her 'exit song' and one of only two songs in the solo set she performed throughout the Idols Live! tour.
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.
Wish Vargas is still around to render this pin-up....
Picking up where we left off two weeks ago, rolling into the Top 5 is Haley’s excellent cover of Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep.’ This "dark bluesy gospel disco tune," as Adele herself called it, was number 1 on virtually all Adult Contemporary Top 40 charts and getting major airplay on radio when Haley in a stroke of genius chose it as her contemporary song choice on Top 7 week.
The picture of sheer elegance in her vintage red dress, Haley resembled a classic pin-up from a bygone era when beauties like Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield and Brigitte Bardot graced the covers of magazines and movie posters. In a departure from her previous performances, Haley seated herself behind the judges’ table and closer to the audience for a more intimate feel. This is yet another great arrangement; it is heartfelt and tender at the start, the gentle touch of her delicate voice as smooth as silk to our eardrums. Then Haley really kicked it up a notch in the chorus, serving a reminder of just how powerful her voice can be. By the time she belted out "Count your blessings to find what you look for, turn my sorrow into treasured gold" in that signature growl we've all grown to love, you can't help but marvel at those vocal pipes like her backup singers. Then she settles down again in that lovely soft jazzy croon of hers, just like that. I know some of you consider it sacrilege for me to compare her rendition favorably to the great Adele’s, but I'm sorry, Haley's version is every bit just as good.
Haley ending up in the Bottom Three after this performance was just one more indignity she endured this past season. No less a magazine than Entertainment Weekly had this to say in its July 22 issue (ref. pg. 73): "Somehow this killer take landed the Idol finalist in the bottom three. America, we revoke your voting rights." A YouTube video of this performance posted by Achiq74 nearly reached 2.5 million views before it was removed. Even today videos of Haley's 'Rolling in the Deep' remain the most highly watched of all her Season 10 performances, and we can clearly see why.
Welcome to this special birthday edition. As you know Haley will be turning 21 this Friday, a major milestone as birthdays go. Let's all wish her a very happy birthday! It's only fitting that her passage into adulthood arrives in the wake of her recent success on Idol and inking a major record deal. Although she won't be getting the day off because the Idols Live tour is scheduled for Toronto that night, I hope she'll find some time in her hectic schedule to celebrate this special moment with friends and even family. To commemorate this occasion I've compiled a few facts and pictures (and a couple of videos). So, without further ado....
On September 9, 1990 a star was born.
Haley's Sign: Virgo Element: Earth Stone: Sapphire Planet: Mercury A Virgo's Life Pursuit: To do the right thing Virgo's Vibe: Compassionate and caring A Virgo's Secret Desire: To love and be loved in return Virgo in a nutshell: When a Virgo is confident within themselves they are the most successful, structured and creative of all the signs.
1990 was a Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. The Horse is a fine animal: noble, strong, beautiful, determined, temperamental, with great stamina and endurance. Sounds a bit like Haley, right? A free spirit, Year of the Horse individuals (Horses) cherish their independence and rarely seek authority for answers. Always looking for excitement, they need constant stimulation to appease their wild and restless souls.
Their endless energy keeps them on the move and it is often hard to slow them down. They approach all tasks with great enthusiasm and can work on multiple projects without distraction.
Horses are known for their quick wit and never lack for friendship. Many are affected by their good humor and endless cheer. They have a persuasive nature which helps them obtain whatever they desire.
Pretty in Pink, Part 1: "I want my pink teddy"
Here's a little three-minute clip I put together for our birthday girl to the backdrop of a great John Lennon love song. Yeah I know, slideshows like these are a-dime-a-dozen on YouTube, but mine is 'extra special' of course. Besides, I just can't get enough of those captivating eyes and that mega-watt smile. Haley, this one's for making me fall in love again.
Aww, I think my heart just melted.
On this Day in Music (Sept. 9): 1941 - Otis Redding was born. His hit "(Sitting on) The Dock of the Bay" was recorded three days before he was killed in a plane crash in 1967.
1956 - Elvis Presley made his first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. He would make a total of three appearances on the show.
1966 – Adam Sandler was born. This SNL alumni's humorous Jewish-themed ‘Chanukah Song’ became a holiday hit in the mid-90's. Sandler later went on to become a successful actor in such comedies and rom-coms as 'Happy Gilmore,' '50 First Dates,' 'Punch Drunk Love,' 'Grown Ups' and 'The Wedding Singer.' Okay, it's a bit of a stretch to put him under 'This Day in Music History,' but I'm a fan so sue me. BTW 1966 was also a Year of the Horse. And happy birthday to you too, Adam.
1967 - "Soul Man," by Sam & Dave, was released. Yep, Haley's got soul in spades.
1971 - John Lennon's LP "Imagine" was released. You gotta be kidding me. The Beatles are arguably Haley's biggest musical influence and it just so happens by coincidence that Lennon's second album featuring his greatest and most recognizable title track, this heartfelt, humanistic and compassionate ballad envisioning a world free of war and hunger, was released on this very same day in 1971? 'Imagine' that. If this isn't karma then I honestly don't know what is. Watch the video below and tell me if it isn't the most stirring piece of music you've ever heard. "Imagine" is ranked #3 on Rolling Stone Magazine's '500 Greatest Songs of All Time.'
1972 - The Eagles' "Witchy Woman" was released. I love the Eagles and, yes, Haley managed to bewitch quite a few of us.
1978 - "Beast of Burden" was released by the Rolling Stones. Keith Richards said this song is allegorical, so here goes. You might say that Haley was the most 'burdened' of all the contestants, bearing her cross every week enduring undue criticism from Randy and JLo. She also has a tendency to unleash the 'beast' within her whenever she's in dire straits, like when she sang for her life during Hollywood Round 3 with 'God Bless the Child,' Top 5 week with 'House of the Rising Sun' and the week after that with 'I Who Have Nothing.' "Beast of Burden" is #435 on Rolling Stone Magazine's '500 Greatest Songs of All Time.'
Pretty in Pink, Part 2: "My date for the prom" (oh c'mon a guy can dream, right?)
Happy birthday, Haley! Well, that's it for this special birthday edition. I really shouldn't have, but below is also David Archuleta's version of "Imagine" from Season 7 for the ladies out there. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back next Wednesday for the continuation of my Top 10 (now Top 5) countdown.
