Will the VOICE find its VOICE with its Season 6 Winner?

I have to confess, I have never watched an episode of The Voice which is now in its 6th season after debuting in the spring of 2011. I'm sure there have been numerous great singers performing on the show, most more talented then yours truly. I also must confess that I haven't watched American Idol for the last few seasons either. We all enjoyed Simon Cowells below the belt (but funny as all) comments to the contestants and the bickering between Paula Abdul and Simon. But what really peaked my interest was that Winners for the first several American Idol seasons would start releasing top quality songs on their recordings. Not songs that would be often hard pressed to be released as B-sides on a single back in the day (anybody remember B-sides?). In my opinion, the primary reason the Idol winners (and often 1st, 2nd and 3rd runner up contestants) were successful with radio and record sales was the quality of the songs.

It has been said by many, that "it all starts with a song" and they aren't kidding. If you don't have a great song you're not going to make a star out of anyone. Too many times songs are selected for these artists because of "who wrote the song", "who controls the song", translation: "who stands to gain money IF the song is a hit". Well I'm here to tell you that if you release a crappy song it isn't going to be a hit and there isn't going to be much money to be had :)

If I could give one piece of advice (as if they are listening) to the producers of future Idol and Voice winners it would be simply be: Find the absolute best songs you can that fits your artist and go with that song regardless of who wrote the song or who owns the publishing. Heck take an old song and re-work and have the artist make it their own - its no secret that some of the best songs ever written were not written recently. OR maybe the next time Adam Levine and his Maroon 5 band mates come up with another song like "Pay Phone", "Love Somebody" or "Daylight" he'll decide to let the Voice Winner take this song to the bank AND finally answer the question: "Will The Voice ever produce a star"?

Inside TV has some insightful information on this same topic here: The Voice vs. American Idol

In this article, Forbes magazine tells us last year the top earning American idol winners and Alumni - I think its possible to say that each of these 12 folks on the list have earned more than all of The Voice winners combined: Top 12 American Idol alumni earnings from 2013

Here's the gal that started it all winning "American Idol" season 1 - Kelly Clarkson singing "A Moment Like This" - the first of many great song released by Kelly since her 2002 debut:

Okay that's my soapbox for now - the reason for today's rant is that I realized I couldn't find a new song that I really liked enough to write about. Recently I've written about "Human", "Say Something", "Story of My Life", "Pompeii", "Happy" and "All of Me" - and each of these songs are STILL on the charts because they are THAT good. I'm sure there is something new out there I will really love but I just haven't heard it yet. Stay tuned I'll be looking and listening :) You can always tell me your favorite new song by voting on our "Love Song" poll at Vote for Favorite Love Song or post on our Facebook page at LoveSongs.com on Facebook

Music, Love & Laughter,

~Vincent James @ LoveSongs.com

Weekend Flashback Feature - "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson

Now that American Idol Season 9 is fully in gear, I decided to take a look back at where it all started in 2002. As we all know Kelly Clarkson won the first year and has since gone on to sell over 20 million albums worldwide. Its safe to say that American idol has definitely fulfilled its purpose in finding new music stars (and bringing in boatloads of money to the shows creators, producers and FOX not to mention Simon Cowell and the many others involved :)). "A Moment Like This" was perhaps the perfect first coronation song for AI as it delivers both lyrically and musically on the emotion of the moment for the winner (no pun intended). It truly is one of the great ballads of the decade. There have been 8 other Idol winner songs since then and honestly I have a hard time remembering any of them. Kelly's winning song went to #1 on the Billboard Top 100 chart in both US and Canada and went on to sell a million copies of the single alone (and this is before the paid download era so would probably be more if it happened today). Take a walk down memory lane from 8 years ago and take a listen and watch the original video here: "A Moment Like This" by Kelly Clarkson (YouTube)

Spring is Here - Lets hear some great new tunes!

Hard to believe it just 5 weeks ago there was like 2 feet of snow still outside (and 6 weeks ago it was still falling). The long awaited spring has finally arrived and it feels soooo good. I'm looking forward to see what interesting music news comes across the wire this new season and what new songs are released. There was a ton of great new pop songs near the end of 2009 into 2010 but lately there hasn't seemed to be much. If you happen upon an incredible new pop song please let us know by posting it hear so we can check it out. It doesn't matter if its a ballad, rock, country or R&B as long as its got that amazing hook that draws you in. The kind of song that will rise up the chart without any promotion or hype at all just because the song is that good.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend folks (sorry we missed our post on Friday was a crazy few days)...we'll be back on Monday nite with another post and a new featured song!

~Vincent James @ LoveSongs.com

Wednesdays Song - "Already Gone" by Kelly Clarkson

Kelly, Kelly, Kelly still love you! On her 4th album including her American Idol debut CD in 2003, Kelly shows she has no plans to leave the pop music scene anytime soon. This album featured "My Life Would Suck Without You" (#1 Billboard Hot 100), "I Do Not Hook Up" (#20 and another great pop/rocker like "My Life would Suck.." and now she hits us with "Already Gone" which made it to #13 on the Hot 100 chart. This is a haunting mid-tempo song that draws you in slowly one line at a time in the verse...then the soaring chorus of "Already Gone..." seals the deal and you undeniably in love with another Kelly tune. I was so glad to see her bounce back from the disappointing "My December" and look forward to seeing many more great tunes from her. 10 Million albums sold in the US and counting way to go Kelly and thanks to American Idol for finding this talented girl! Watch and listen to "Already Gone" here:

"Already Gone" - YouTube

Imagine for minute how many lives would have been different had Justin Guarini had won the First American Idol back in 2002. You just never know where fate is gonna take you!

Music Biz exec to replace Simon Cowell at American Idol?

Didn't I just post about this yesterday - man I'm psychic ha ha. Seems that music biz veteran Tommy Mottola (ie. the former Mr. Mariah Carey) is being courted by producers to replace Simon Cowell. I don't know if Tommy or any music biz exec has the charisma to pull this off but I guess we'll have to wait and find out. I wonder if its not working out Fox will pull an NBC move and yank the new judge and try to get Simon back :) The entertainment biz is a strange place. Here's a CNN Article on the possibility of Tommy Mottola replacing Simon: Tommy Mottola to replace Simon?

I watched both nites of Idol this week - there were a few singers that really caught my attention and some interesting back stories (and the whip was a nice touch too from the Barney girl :)). All in all its shaping up to be a good season and looking forward to the Hollywood round in a few weeks.

That's for Wednesday folks its been a crazy crazy day in my world. Have a great nite and will be back tomorrow with another tune for ya!

~Vincent