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Katharine McPhee - American Idol 5 - Final 3 - Clive Davis' Choice - I Believe I Can Fly

Katharine McPhee
Song: I Believe I Can Fly Download 'I Believe I Can Fly' at iTunes Check out 'I Believe I Can Fly' at Amazon.com (R. Kelly Download 'R. Kelly' tracks at iTunes Check out 'R. Kelly' at Amazon.com)

Katharine McPhee seems surprised by Randy and Paula's negative reaction to her performance of R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" on the final 3 show.
We're a bit surprised with Clive Davis' choice for Katharine tonight. R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" has had the life sung out of it during American Idol auditions, to the point that earlier this year Simon Cowell is reported to have banned future auditionees from singing it! (This along with Alicia Keys' "Falling") It's not like it's a terrible song, but as we all know, too much chocolate makes us sick!
Katharine's version doesn't make us sick, but it doesn't blow us away either. An over the top arrangement and too many frilly trills spoil the performance for us. There are also a few off key moments especially during the euphoric ending.
Once again we find ourselves wishing Katharine would just stick to the melody and sing the song simply. Her voice is fantastic, but she plays around with it so much sometimes her vocal identity is obscured in a foggy musical miasma. With 2 more numbers left for Katharine to perform tonight, let's hope the fog lifts and she shows us how good she really is.

When Randy gives quite a negative take on the performance Katharine doesn't conceal her disappointment. She complains that the judges have been hard on her over the past couple of weeks.

As if to prove her true, Randy starts complaining to her about the song choice. It's quite comical when she reminds him that it was Clive Davis who chose the song! 

Strangely, Simon doesn't criticize the song. Could this be because head honcho Clive chose it? Instead Simon takes great pleasure in criticizing Randy for criticizing the song choice!

Something we can't criticize though, is Katharine's look tonight. She is more beautiful than ever in her figure hugging green satin dress.

Panel-Bites:

Ryan Seacrest:  (Introduction - From the audience, standing next to Clive) ...Clive Davis choosing the first songs tonight. What did he pick for Katharine? Let's see...

Intro clip...

Clive Davis:  (Alone, to camera) I've chosen the great R. Kelly classic "I Believe I Can Fly" for Katharine McPhee.

Clive Davis:  (To Katharine) So I'll tell you why I chose "I Believe I Can Fly". I wanted to come up with a song that can really give you an opportunity to dig down deep and a mordern day classic.

Clive Davis:  (To camera) The song really gives her an opportunity to have a Katharine McPhee sound. So that she's got to make it her own. She's got to go out there and soar along with the lyric and the melody and make it her own.

Clive Davis:  (To Katharine) You've got a great voice. You've got a big range, but when the radio goes on and you hear Whitney or you hear Alicia... I want when we record together to come up with a Katharine McPhee sound.

Katharine: Right.

Clive Davis:  So I think this song will give you a shot and a challenge of doing that.

Katharine: (Nods) Okay.

Clive Davis:  I'm looking for you to soar on it.

Katharine: Okay. (Grinning) I'm looking forward to soaring. (Laughs)

Clive Davis:  (To camera) I believe there'll be a big turn about for Katharine and that she will command the stage tonight.

Katharine Sings...

¯ See I was on the verge of breaking down ¯ Sometimes the silence can seem so loud ¯ There are miracles in life I must achieve ¯ But first it's got to start inside of me ¯ Yeah, oh-ohh, if I can see it ¯ Then I can do it ¯ If I just believe it ¯ There is nothing to it ¯ I believe ¯ (I believe I can fly) ¯ (I believe I can touch the sky) ¯ Think about it every night and day-ay-ayyy ¯ (Think about it every night and day) ¯ Spread my wings and fly away ¯ Ohhh, oooh-ohhh ¯ If I can see it ¯ See me running through that open door ¯ I can fly ¯ I can fly ¯ If I can spread my wings like eagles ¯ Hoo! I can fly-y-y-y-y-y-y-y ¯

(Cheers and applause)

Katharine: (Smiling, acknowledges the applause) Thank you.

Randy Jackson:  Uh!

Katharine: Thank you.

Randy Jackson:  So yo! All right, let me start off... let me start off by saying you look amazing. Right.

Katharine: (Smiling) Arrh. Thank you.

Randy Jackson:  But you know, my problem still is, these kinds of songs... I know that you really want to be that singer but I still don't believe you're that one just yet. To me it wasn't quite the right thing for you.

Shot of Katharine's dad and sister Adriana, who don't seem too impressed with Randy's critique!

Adriana McPhee: What the... !

Paula Abdul:  Katharine, that color for you is gorgeous and I'm just saying that because, as a woman speaking to a gorgeous woman. You look beautiful. I... I... This is difficult...

Girl in audience: She is incredible!

Paula Abdul:  (Turns to look behind her) She is incredible. You are incredible.

Katharine: (Laughing) You guys are hard on me the last couple of weeks.

Paula Abdul:  You know what... na... it's... it's... Randy.

Randy Jackson:  Song choice... It's the right kind of song... it's like...

Katharine: I didn't pick it!

Randy Jackson:  I know, but still... (Lots of laughter from the audience) ...No, no, no, no... No, no, no... I know... I know... but still... Sometimes you should just sing the melody. Sometimes just sing the melody is enough with a great melody.

Katharine: (Keeps smiling) Okay.

Simon Cowell:  Ah, I think you're being a bit unfair actually Randy. (Cheers)

Randy Jackson:  You do?

Simon Cowell:  Yeah, I do.

Randy Jackson:  Tell me...

Simon Cowell:  I'll tell you why...

Randy Jackson:  Tell me why.

Simon Cowell:  I'll tell you why.

Randy Jackson:  Tell me why. Tell me why.

Simon Cowell:  Because she didn't choose the song. It is an incredibly recognisable song with R. Kelly.

Randy Jackson:  It's a great song!

Simon Cowell:  And I think, apart from a couple of bum notes towards the end...

Katharine: Yeah.

Simon Cowell:  ...you kind of created a bit of a moment there for yourself.

Katharine: (Smiling broadly) Thank you.

Randy Jackson:  Ahhh... (Goes tight lipped and shakes his head slightly) ...I disagree.

Ryan Seacrest:  (Joining Katharine on stage) Katharine McPhee!

Katharine: Whoo!

Ryan Seacrest:  Were you sweating that one a little bit?

Katharine: (Laughing) Yeah!

Ryan Seacrest:  I think that Randy was being disrespectful to our guest! (Ryan does his mock disappointed face)

Simon Cowell:  Good point! Very good point.

Randy Jackson:  Ryan! Ryan!

Ryan Seacrest:  Yeah?

Randy Jackson:  With respect, it is a great song...

Simon Cowell:  Very good point!

Ryan Seacrest:  (To Simon) You finally agree with me.

Randy Jackson:  It's a great song!

Simon Cowell:  Oh, I totally agree!

Randy Jackson:  It's a great song!

Simon Cowell:  Very disrespectful.

Randy Jackson:  Clive picked a...

Ryan Seacrest:  Now, this is about Katharine now.

Randy Jackson:  Clive, you picked a great song!

Paula Abdul:  Katharine! Katharine, go like this (Paula puts her fingers in her ears, Katharine copies)

Ryan Seacrest:  The numbers for Miss McPhee...(Ryan gives out the voting numbers)... Thank you very much Kat!

Katharine: (Smiles and waves) Okay! (Big cheers)

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