Sean rings out his ears and puts the vomit bowl away...

Last night's (April 8, 2008) American Idol seriously disappointed and almost made me blow chunks. I am all for taking twists on songs that truly are great and either perform them straight out or re-imagine them. Last night, two songs that I would put in my personal top 20 list either underperformed or just torn to shreds... Robbie Williams' 1998 hit Angels and Queen's The Show Must Go On.  Part 1 will address the dismal thrashing of The Show Must Go On.

Carly Smithson delivered a horrible version of The Show Must Go On that I fear will discourage people from trying to hear what this great and honest song tells. Inspirational in that it does what William's Angels does also - keep fighting and don't let them see you cry until you win.

"Inside my heart is breaking, my make up may be flaking, but my smile still stays on... The Show Must Go On!"

Here are two great versions. First is a video (sorry couldn't find a live version on YouTube) is from Queen. The second is from Baz Luhrman's film Moulin Rouge, with Jim Broadbent and Nicole Kidman giving a great dramatic rise to the song (ignore the French dubbing at the beginning). Enjoy and don't even think about Carly's huge drive off a high cliff.

Here are the lyrics to this song about going on when obstacles get in your way and pain is a factor.

Empty spaces - what are we living for?
Abandoned places - I guess we know the score..
On and on!
Does anybody know what we are looking for?

Another hero - another mindless crime.
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime.
Hold the line!
Does anybody want to take it anymore?
The Show must go on!
The Show must go on!
Inside my heart is breaking,
My make-up may be flaking,
But my smile, still, stays on!

Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance.
Another heartache - another failed romance.
On and on!
Does anybody know what we are living for?
I guess i'm learning
I must be warmer now..
I'll soon be turning round the corner now.
Outside the dawn is breaking,
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free!

The Show must go on!
The Show must go on! Yeah!
Ooh! Inside my heart is breaking!
My make-up may be flaking!
But my smile, still, stays on!
Yeah! oh oh oh

My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies,
Fairy tales of yesterday, will grow but never die,
I can fly, my friends!

The Show must go on! Yeah!
The Show must go on!
I'll face it with a grin!
I'm never giving in!
On with the show!

I'll top the bill!
I'll overkill!
I have to find the will to carry on!
On with the,
On with the show!

The Show must go on.

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Sean says...

Kylie

So thanks to fellow Vox neighbor Mark and my real life friend Randy, my Kylie Minogue obsession has been rekindled again!  Unfortunately, Kylie's new album "X" doesn't seem to be coming to the US stores anytime soon. The only chance I have at it is either on-line or by getting my "triumvirate" member and best mate's in-laws importing it from Australia!  So thank god for YouTube!  Screw iTunes' intercountry blocks! 

Kylie, I would argue, is the World Queen of Pop.  She has been around 20 years, has Top 10 and 20 hits around the world, and says she lives in Los Angeles because its one of the only places on the Earth that she wouldn't be recognized (except of course West Hollywood as many of us know - wink). Why in the world she never took off in the USA I will never know. She isn't the greatest singer, she doesn't give into the raunch that Madonna does sometimes, and she usually stays out of the gossip rags but she is just a great constant. My friend and fellow fan Jim tells me its probably because she is mainly seen as a dance music star here. But in the end she survives and gives us the gift of her light song. And she is really incredible with her gay fans.

Enjoy!

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