Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Fortunate Son’ Performed on ‘American Idol’ by Skylar Laine
Top five 'American Idol' contestant Skylar Laine performed Creedence Clearwater Revival's 'Fortunate Son' on the show tonight (May 2). Judge Randy Jackson said he thought the legendary band would love her performance.
Which could very well be true. But let's set the scene: Picture the most annoyingly peppy waitress you've ever dealt with at an otherwise personality-free chain restaurant. Now give her a microphone and remove from her all notions of responsibility to deliver any sense of the song's rather weighty social message.
Also, make sure she completely ignores the inherent irony of being plucked essentially at random to sing "It ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one" while wearing a fancy dress (along with about eight earrings) and singing on one of the most popular television shows in the country.
It's a chance any one of hundreds of hard-working rock bands crammed into tiny old vans right now would trade their entire record collection for -- including their well-worn copy of 'Willy and the Poor Boys.' And she spent those precious minutes turning one of the Top Classic Rock Songs of all time into a vocal show-off party.
If you think that would still appeal to CCR frontman John Fogerty -- a man who refused to play his own most popular songs for almost two decades over royalty disputes, and who went to court when someone accused him of copying his own style -- then yes, Mr. Jackson is probably right.
Updated 5/3: Somebody claiming to be John Fogerty tweeted "My Proud Mary and Fortunate Son sung by the Rock and Roll Girls. Love it!" Clearly, the real John Fogerty is being held against his will by pro-'Idol' forces. We've alerted the proper authorities.
Watch Skylar Laine Perform 'Fortunate Son'
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