Phillip Phillips’ ‘Home’ gets boost from the Olympics
Phillip Phillips’ “Home” has gotten a boost, thanks to NBC playing the song during Olympics coverage of the women’s gymnastics team. It helps that the team is doing well.
His coronation song has jumped to No. 1 on iTunes. It has sold more than 577,000 downloads to date but the Olympics should boost that to well over 700,000.
“Just saw where ‘Home’ is on the iTunes chart!” Phillips tweeted. “Thank you everyone who has bought it & supporting me.”
You can hear him sing the song on Sunday at Gwinnett Arena for the Idol Live sold-out date.
- Steven Tyler had mixed feelings about doing “Idol,” he told Rolling Stone.
“I loved it and hated it,” Tyler admitted to the magazine. “It was a great job, I sat next to J. Lo and I made a ton of money. It was a moment in life and it became larger than life.”
“It was just hard work: seven-hour days and then I went and did the [Aerosmith] album for eight hours after that,” Tyler says.
- Jordin Sparks will be in Atlanta next week to promote her film with Whitney Houston “Sparkle.” Melissa Ruggieri, our music blogger/writer, and I will do a double-team interview with her next week.
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74 comments Add your comment
Harriett
August 1st, 2012
9:09 am
Oh, poor Steven Tyler.
Congratulations to PP on the success of his song and glad to hear he’s actually embracing it. It is a good song–much better than anything else he did on the show, imo.
Deirdre
August 1st, 2012
9:30 am
So Steven was tired while judging Idol? That’s an excuse to be paid for sitting, watching and then saying nothing?
Woodpappy
August 1st, 2012
9:33 am
I think Phillip is going to do much better than folks give him credit. Way to go Georgia Boy.
As for Steven Tyler, I don’t think he really knows what “hard work” is……
Harriett
August 1st, 2012
10:21 am
He did say “beautiful,” D–about fourteen hundred times! Imagine how tiring that was!
G
August 1st, 2012
10:47 am
I try my best to support the success of “G”eorgia people, places, and things. But at times……………
Tito
August 1st, 2012
11:20 am
“G”reat point G, i feel the same.
Woodpappy
August 1st, 2012
11:26 am
You’re right Harriett, that even wore me out.
Deirdre
August 1st, 2012
11:31 am
A Pu**ycat Doll(apparently Pacman doesn’t like that word) is in the running to host X-Factor(how typical of Simon). They’d better decide soon!
Brad Paisley is still in talks with Idol.
Melanie Amaro has released her first single. The girl has a great voice but will anyone care at this point?
Tito
August 1st, 2012
11:38 am
Deirdre, I think Mel waited too long to come out. That will hurt her, like you said, who remembers her???
bknsty14
August 1st, 2012
11:57 am
After watching McKayla Maroney’s vault last night (her perfect vault), it dawned on me that in these events in which the judges vote on deductions, they need to start to list and in some cases justify these deductions. There is no reason she shouldn’t have had a perfect score on that vault and if she did something wrong, I would love to know what it was.
DanJ
August 1st, 2012
12:26 pm
I think the timing of the release of Melanie’s Single was good and the release of her CD should be when the live shows start. With 13 million views of her audition song Listen on youtube I doubt she will be forgotten. What she has to do is make her CD UNFORGETTABLE. The worst thing and yes I’m repeating myself is to rush a song or CD out that is not good. I thought Bo Bice was great but the CD? Horrible! Same for Lee and to a lesser degree Crystal. You can throw in Diane D, Justin, Taylor etc. All had varying degrees of talent their CD’s were JUST PLAIN BAD!
Mercedes S.
August 1st, 2012
2:01 pm
Glad to see PP finally embrace “Home”. It was a great choice for those fabulous five girls – where in the world are they more at home than in a gym? And what possessed NBC to make the awesome music choice?
Amen to “14 ” at 11:57. Please include Jordyn Wieber on the mat.
Seth T
August 1st, 2012
2:24 pm
If the link works, this is Melanie’s new release – “Don’t Fail Me Now”. She is signed with Epic Records.
Pretty standard modern Pop, hard to say if it will take-off in sales. Not a song I would buy, and doesn’t really demonstate the features of her voice much – but we’ll see if it captures the interest of music buyers.
http://soundcloud.com/melanieamaro
DanJ
August 1st, 2012
2:35 pm
Thanks for the link Seth. While it’s not a ballad that shows her voice I think it’s pretty good. It sounds current anyway. I was more amazed at her photo. She’s either lost quite a bit of weight or they air brushed her photo.
Sam-A
August 1st, 2012
2:44 pm
I am wondering why the little blonde Russian girl, who came off the beam crooked, landed sideways and stepped down to the next level, then down another level, and then apparently didn’t acknowledge to the judges, was given 15.3++’s – pretty much the same as some others with perfect performances and landings. She had also bobbled at least 4 times while on the beam. Deserved 14-something.
Mercedes S.
August 1st, 2012
2:50 pm
Sam-A – someone (or two) among the judges likes the feral (she looked like a fox) Russian girl
Mercedes S.
August 1st, 2012
2:56 pm
Thanks, Seth. Sounded a bit too auto-tuned for me. Reminded me of a sixties Brit girl, Sandie Shaw.
Wish she had found a less repetetive song. Also less yodel-y.
Seth T
August 1st, 2012
2:57 pm
@ DanJ – I read some time back that Simon & Co. had sent Melanie to, or devised for her – a training camp – that focused on how to handle herself in the business — and included a weight-loss and conditioning program. And now she’s ready to step-into the ring.
Deirdre
August 1st, 2012
3:08 pm
Time will tell if she’s ready to step into the ring. She’ll have to start making the talk show circuits and we’ll get a good look at whether or not “boot camp’ worked for her. The song is pretty standard pop schlock…..so much for taking time and not rushing a release.
I sound negative, I know. I actually love Melanie’s voice. I just think that the X-Factor machine may have done her more harm than good. The UK version of the show gets it’s winners moving a lot faster than this.
Seth T
August 1st, 2012
3:15 pm
@ Mercedes – seems that a number of the newer Pop songs repeat the same line over and over – then a line of lyrics, then back to over & over. A lot of the songs are focused on a dance or shake your body beat and the listener hears the drum & the synth, — but never really picks-up on much but the main line of the lyrics. An older example is ***Walk Like an Egyptian***, what were the lyrics? Like the song though.
,
JTesla
August 1st, 2012
3:15 pm
Wait, 7 hour days… what 2, 7 hour days is too much for him? Wonder what he thinks of us poor slobs doing 8 hour days for 5 straight days.
Seth T
August 1st, 2012
3:37 pm
I agree with D that she will need a lot more exposure, and maybe some better songs to get rolling. If X-Factor is really investing 5 million into her development and promotion — (could be a lot of trick accounting in that figure) — I would assume she will get a lot of promo in this new fall show, starting September 12.
As we all know, the quest for becoming a relevant upper-level artist is getting tougher with all the talent shows and smaller Independent labels and artists using YouTube, etc.
Can she rise faster and stay longer than Javier Colon and Jermaine Paul? How about PP, can she catch him in sales soon? Is Simon blowing smoke, or will he create an International Star.
DanJ
August 1st, 2012
3:46 pm
@Seth-I think she was viewed by Simon as a raw, rare talent and they thought she needed a transition period. It’s obvious she’s lost weight. Being the first winner of the USA version I think they have to have a star. Jennifer Hudson transformed herself and I think Melanie has as well. As much as I hate to say the package helps the sells. If you believe the hype the X-Factor goes beyond the voice it’s the total package. I doubt Adele would have won! Because of this I think it was wise of Simon to get her ready. We can debate the timing but I don’t see waiting is a big issue. The sales will tell!
Sam-A
August 1st, 2012
4:02 pm
JT: Add an hour for lunch, when most can’t go home, + 30-60 mins r/t driving time, and it’s more like 10 hours. I’m sure ST had a limo and driver at his disposal to deliver him to and from the theater.
All of a sudden every outlet is tight-lipped about medals so far today – I want’ to get results – I only peek in during commercials and for random few mins here and there, so would like to know who won asap after the events. I’ve googled every wording I can think of, and used “today”, “8/1/12″ – they’re giving up nothing except that boring rowing stuff.
Harriett
August 1st, 2012
4:08 pm
There is something on the men’s individual gymnasts on MSN, Sam
Sam-A
August 1st, 2012
4:21 pm
Thanks Harriett – I’ll go back there.
Deirdre
August 1st, 2012
4:55 pm
Try yahoo.com. They have a section at the top that let’s you look at results without spoiling it for others.
Sam-A
August 1st, 2012
4:55 pm
‘Night all – safe trips home for all.
Harriett
August 1st, 2012
5:00 pm
Same here. Bye.
Mercedes S.
August 1st, 2012
5:12 pm
I hve a London 2012 app that’s pretty good about early results. Or I just check some British outlet.
Deirdre
August 1st, 2012
9:34 pm
A review of Melanie Amaro’s song:
Melanie Amaro may not have been “The X Factor” Season 1’s most current-sounding contestant (that would have been Marcus Canty), its most charismatic (Astro), coolest (Josh Krajcik, Drew Ryniewicz), or even most sympathetic (Chris Rene, natch). But she definitely had one thing going for her: THAT VOICE. Melanie was arguably the most technically perfect vocalist on the show, which is no doubt why “X Factor” voters awarded her Simon Cowell’s $5 million contract over the above-mentioned, somewhat lesser-lung’d finalists.
Which is why it is so utterly mind-boggling to me that when Melanie finally released a new single this week–after disappearing for months while supposedly undergoing some sort of rumored, Epic Records-mandated makeover–the song, “Don’t Fail Me Now,” is Auto-Tuned to the point where Melanie’s mighty voice is rendered nearly unrecognizable. This vocal makeover is disappointing. It seems like some overzealous engineer in L.A. Reid’s studio totally didn’t listen to the song’s title, because this is an Epic fail.
Deirdre
August 1st, 2012
9:37 pm
Continuing:
The song itself isn’t too bad, and wouldn’t sound out of place on some CW Network show–although it’s hardly worth $5 million. And it’s hardly the slam-dunk single that Melanie needed to remind “X Factor” fans that she exists, since while she’s been M.I.A., most of the show’s focus has shifted to promoting its new judges, not its old contestants. But this song would have sounded a lot better, I think, if producers had just handed Melanie a microphone and gotten out the heck of her way.
Deirdre
August 1st, 2012
9:38 pm
You might be asking, “Did Deirdre write this review?” I wish!
DanJ
August 1st, 2012
11:14 pm
Hi Deirdre, I’m not sure what music is in now but Melanie’s song sounded GaGaish. As in Lady GaGa + Garish! Not my cup of tea but we will see how it does. I do agree they failed to use her greatest asset. Her voice! So I do agree with the review based on my musical tastes. Thanks for the information!
Seth T
August 2nd, 2012
12:47 am
from Deirdre /August 1st, 2012/9:34 pm
“”"makeover–the song, “Don’t Fail Me Now,” is Auto-Tuned to the point where Melanie’s mighty voice is rendered nearly unrecognizable. This vocal makeover is disappointing. It seems like some overzealous engineer in L.A. Reid’s studio totally didn’t listen to the song’s title, because this is an Epic fail.”"”
I mostly agree, not sure it is an “epic fail” though, until they pump the promotion mill. The comment about an overzealous engineer in Reid’s studio rings a bell though, as I recently worked with some musicians and a singer to put together a track for their local band for a demo – on an original song.
We had a good melody and song structure put together, but the studio owner/sound engineer kept pushing for changes and a different feel to the song. Since it’s basically “piece work” in recording the track, he patched it together to his own liking, and it ruins the song, in our opinion.
Now we have to scrap the whole thing and start over, a couple nights wasted, and plenty of arguments with the sound engineer, These guys think the whole project belongs to them once you get started, and can be the most arrogant know-it-alls, even on your dime.
While we can argue with them, Melanie can’t and has to do what she’s told. L.A. Reid & Co. has had success, but they also have the means and the money to bury their deluded mistakes – so Simon & Melanie may need some better advisors and songs to get up to the International Superstar status.
The first time I heard “Home” by PP, I was very impressed, with both the lyrics and the feel/structure of the song. But not by this first Release of Melanie’s, seems like just another auto-tune, synth warbler with a good beat. But then, some of that stuff sells big to the younger market.
Deirdre
August 2nd, 2012
8:05 am
Morning!
Great comeback by our gymnast, Danell Leyva last night. He fought hard for that Bronze medal. And the girls’ 4×200 was really fun to watch.
Mercedes S.
August 2nd, 2012
8:07 am
Ahem, Seth, I respect your technical knowledge and enjoy the bits you tell us from the professional music world, but please, don’t put “Home” and “Fail” in the same class! I was hooked on PP’s song the first time I heard it, and love the way it has been used at the Olympics, while Melanie’s “fail” is completely soulless.
Breezy
August 2nd, 2012
8:08 am
I kinda like the song. Not a great Melanie fan, but did’t think it was bad as the review. We shall see.
Deirdre
August 2nd, 2012
8:20 am
I had to reread Seth’s post cuz I didn’t think he said anything negative about Home. And comparing one winner’s first release to the other’s seems fair. With Home, I felt that it was one of the very few times that a coronation song helped rather than hurt a contestant. It’s a great song with a catchy tune that sparked my interest right away. With Melanie’s song, it’s like listening to Britney Spears and Melanie’s voice is far and away better than Britney’s so I can’t help but wonder why the producers didn’t focus on showing off that voice.
Sam-A
August 2nd, 2012
8:32 am
I really have to question “most charismatic” Astro – he was a spoiled, pompous little brat from day one, with an unjustified bloated ego. Unlike many young black men I’ve encountered, who still hold doors for you and act like well-brought up young gentlemen, this kid’s Mom really failed at her job. That title should have gone to the little 13 year old girl (sorry, name escapes me) who was charming and personable.
Deirdre
August 2nd, 2012
8:52 am
Y’all know my stance on children in high pressure, very public contests. I don’t think anyone under the age of 18 ought to be on any of the performance contest shows.
IMO, Astro was obnoxious and rude and self-centered but I know very few adolescent males who aren’t. He’s put in a situation where famous people are telling him how wonderful he is and then he’s publicly humiliated by a vote that doesn’t go his way when he had every reason to believe(thank you judges) that it would. He reacted badly…as did Rachel Crow. Children who are already dealing with the ravages of puberty should not be put in this situation…..period! While some handle it well(not so much because of their upbringing but because they are just wired to stay calm) others, like Astro and Rachel blow a gasket.
Sam-A
August 2nd, 2012
10:00 am
But you’ve overlooked that from the start, Astro refused to dance with all the others, sassed back at the judges and in general just pouted and acted rude throughout the whole show. Rachel just collapsed to the stage crying when she was eliminated. She was never rude and belligerant.
Agree there should be an age limit. Too much pressure.
Sam-A
August 2nd, 2012
10:44 am
Mercedes: Any new films starting this weekend (PLEASE!!)?
DanJ
August 2nd, 2012
11:01 am
I agree that all the shows should have an age limit. When you put a child under the microscope or spotlight the chance of a meltdown is great given the emotional toll it takes. It robs them of their childhood. Michael Jackson is a good example.
As for Astro and Rachel you have to blame the producers. They could have sent Astro home for not following direction. Rachel IMO tried out for the show to help her parents. In her meltdown she said she was sorry. Sorry for what? She’s a child and should have never been allowed to try out. Astro is a different case. I think he tried to carry the persona of a rapper. IE the swag! Problem is at the heart of the matter he too was a child and acted as a child with a tantrum. I thought Jazzlyn Little should have been in the top 4 girls but she had stage fright and Simon was wise NOT to put her through. Maybe she comes back this year and I hope she does with great confidence and understanding.
All of these show USE the contestants! They chew them up and spit them out if they don’t succeed right away. How many Idol contestants lost their label after their first CD didn’t sell well? It’s a dog eat dog business and nice folks seldom finish first. My point is simply that it is foolish for us to think a child will act as an adult. Rachel and Astro aren’t to blame the shows are! Neither should have made it to the live shows! Even contestants like Heejun pouted and he was older.
These shows don’t care about anything other than the bottom line…ratings. Meltdown? Great for the show! They care nothing about the ramifications down the road and yes some of these contestants will have them. Sad but true. Sorry for the vent!!!
Rodney Ho
August 2nd, 2012
11:37 am
Just listened to Melanie Amaro’s “Don’t Fail Me Now.” Nice hook but geez, what the hell did they do to her voice. It’s as if they cheez wizzed all over it! Why would she of all people need so much voice processing???
Deirdre
August 2nd, 2012
11:39 am
Don’t apologize for venting, Dan. What you said is true.
Astro’s behavior was out of control. What I object to is laying the blame on poor upbringing. I’ve seen kids with horrible family lives, with parents who are either oblivious or too busy or they just don’t care, grow into lovely, well-mannered adults while parents who wrack their brains daily for some way to get through to their kids end up with rude, ill-mannered hellions.
Astro, at 15, was showing very few signs of puberty. Delayed puberty can play havoc with a kid’s emotions. Some kids handle it ok, others do not. Astro’s defiance was more likely his way of trying not to look like a child even though every word out of his mouth was childish.
Deirdre
August 2nd, 2012
11:48 am
Rodney, read the review I posted last night around 9:30. Seems like you’re not the only one who wonders what happened to Melanie’s wonderful voice.
Rodney Ho
August 2nd, 2012
11:54 am
That’s the type of Auto-Tune crap they do to Paula Abdul, Jennifer Lopez or Britney Spears.
Deirdre
August 2nd, 2012
12:09 pm
I agree! Poor Melanie needs to pull a Kelly Clarkson and get away from her “handlers” They are not helping her.
Seth T
August 2nd, 2012
1:35 pm
@ Mercedes — I think you hit the nail on the head when you said Melanie’s song is “soulless”. Pretty much standard pre-formed Pop without the character of her voice.
But the only comparison I was making was of first-release songs — liked “Home”, but didn’t care for Melanie’s song. Otherwise, you’re right, there is no comparison between the two.