Carly Smithson — “Shadow of Your Smile” — American Idol 7 Top 24 — Video MP3

Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 09:55 PM | American Idol 7, Carly Smithson

Carly Smithson American Idol Top 24

Carly Smithson performs “Shadow of Your Smile” on American Idol Top 24

See? She admitted in the video that she was signed when she was 15 and all that. However, MCA Records did not “implode” — it was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003. Don’t lie Carly. A lot of major recording artists were under MCA Records.

*****

Wow, Carly Smithson can blow. She can blow your mind! Hahaha.

OMG, it seems that Carly Smithson is indeed the chosen one — Simon Cowell dissed her unnecessarily! Sigh. Arch Angels we can still stop her! Hahaha.

But seriously, I loved it. It was a great vocal. Go Carly!

Listen to the audio:

Pre-Order Carly Smithson Top 24 on iTunes

Direct link to MP3 and video clip:

Carly Smithson Top 24
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Carly Smithson fan thread at Rickey Forums

Carly Smithson audition

Good news! Carly Smithson’s debut CD “Ultimate High” has been released! Go Carly!

Listen to Carly Smithson’s debut single
“I’m Gonna Blow Your Mind”:

Carly Smithson — Ultimate High (on Amazon)
Carly Smithson — Ultimate High (on iTunes)
I’m Gonna Blow Your Mind (on iTunes)

43 Comments for Carly Smithson — “Shadow of Your Smile” — American Idol 7 Top 24 — Video MP3

1

That was really good! Style, soft touch and power. I’m a believer as of tonight.

Spriggzoid on February 20, 2008 at 9:59 pm
2

I wish i could like this girl. If I close my eyes she is just fine…

takai7 on February 20, 2008 at 10:16 pm
3

Ugh, is it just me or does she come off as horribly insincere? I don’t get it, either. I mean, she’s got all the components. Inspirational story, unusual background, interesting job. But something just… doesn’t fit.

Syesha and Asiah have attitudes and confidence, but there’s something charming about them.
When she said “sick isn’t an excuse,” I just thought BITCH.

Ugh… am I just being overly judgemental?

DJ Ryce on February 20, 2008 at 10:31 pm
4

I’m a believer, but — is she a rocker or a pop singer?

Chicago-48 on February 20, 2008 at 10:33 pm
5

Also, the girls are gonna kick boyz butts.

Chicago-48 on February 20, 2008 at 10:33 pm
6

ITA with comments #2 and 3. She can certainly sing, but I just can’t bring myself to like her for some “missing puzzle-piece” reason, and it’s not really the previous-record-deal thing. She’s just not that likeable as a personality for some reason.

jonidepp on February 20, 2008 at 10:35 pm
7

I didn’t like the song, but she can sing, and I voted for her. I hope she chooses something more engaging next time!

Ripley on February 20, 2008 at 10:37 pm
8

There is a post eating monster out there, Rickey!
This 2nd try, very briefly:

Carly sang very well this evening.
Choice of “Shadow Of Your Smile” was divine.
There were areas of oversinging (yelling) but if she checks that next week, she’ll improve.

AI/Nigel Lithgoe should NOT have resorted to pre-show hype creating an unfair bias towards her because she IS talented.
AI/Nigel Lithgoe should have opted to reveal her previous show business connections if they truly believed in their candidates’ ability & let the chips fall where they may.

In order to create empathy/sympathy for a maligned candidate, Simon was the go-to in harshly critiquing her, which appeared staged, imo. Because I have believe her to be 1 of 4 or 5 girls this evening with the best vocals made Simons commentsseem ridiculous & contrived as though to say, “see, we can criticize Carly just as we snark on other contestants because she is just like the rest, no better”.

Some may continue to dislike Carly due to the pre-pub, (shame on AI for possibly setting her up for failure or at least NOT winning) but I wanted to give her a fighting chance.
Carly did well & I’m looking forward to her & the remaining competitors next week!

aprylette on February 20, 2008 at 10:49 pm
9

She did ok.. but I didn’t like the song. I just didn’t like anyone tonight.. bleh.

As for the “Sick is no excuse”
She’s right. Why call or think she’s a bitch for telling it like it should be told.

Pallaton on February 20, 2008 at 10:54 pm
10

I was not impressed with Carly. Maybe she can sing any song correctly and hit all the notes the way she should but there is something in her voice I don’t like. I would not buy her CD and would not enjoy listening to her singing.

jogr on February 20, 2008 at 10:57 pm
11

She can sing but I sort of felt like I was in the ballroom of the SS Poseidon.

Does American Idol really want a winner that comes with so much negative history?

Simon hit it on the nose for once with his commentary.

socal09 on February 20, 2008 at 10:57 pm
12

She’s sick. I’ll give her another week.

GwendolynD on February 20, 2008 at 10:58 pm
13

Well said Aprylette. SIMON should NEVER have brought up the buzz regarding any of the contestants.

Bettysline on February 20, 2008 at 11:03 pm
14

That’s right, Bettysline! Nigel said AI VOTERS don’t read or care about the internet info/comments. But he aptly responded to the Carly controversy didn’t he with the bio-intro of her & via Simons’ statements regarding her. LOLOL

aprylette on February 20, 2008 at 11:20 pm
15

She is getting way too much publicity. Her pic is everywhere. Everybody knows her, but what about the other girls who can truly out-sing her?

Chicago-48 on February 20, 2008 at 11:23 pm
16

Re: Pallaton

The “Sick is no excuse” comment just seemed like a really catty thing to say, considering that several of the girls were sick. Specifically, I got the impression that she was targeting Kristy Lee or anybody else that was having an off-night.

Kelly, Trenyce, and even Syesha this year all came back from illness to give amazing performances. And they managed to be humble and gracious while they did it.

I just thought she had a lot of nerve saying it, considering she sat out of the show more than anybody else yesterday.

DJ Ryce on February 20, 2008 at 11:24 pm
17

She is also one of my favorite girls this year!!!

CarrieUnderwoodFanForever on February 20, 2008 at 11:29 pm
18

This girl is Gooooooooood!

Speaking as someone that doesn’t follow every little bit of American Idol news and not knowing what the hype or buzz is about I thought she was awesome.

I can’t wait to hear her at 100%

smashing on February 20, 2008 at 11:49 pm
19

she actually was really good but i feel that ramiele matched her vocally and performance. i feel alexandrea out did both of them with her style & originality. we’ll shall see how they do the next few weeks.

AZIdolFan on February 21, 2008 at 12:15 am
20

She easily has the best vocals of all the girls. I’m excited to hear her when she’s not sick! I do think the “sick” comment was probably unnecessary, but it didn’t sound like she was being catty or insulting the others who were sick. Also unnecessary were Simon’s comments. There’s no need to bring up her “hype”. Just let the girl sing and see what she can do. She’s good!!

PhilPhan on February 21, 2008 at 12:41 am
21

I dunno…I was left a bit puzzled after this one. She had two different tones depending on how she pushed her voice, it was weird. She sounded great on the softer / melody parts & I think she has a nice tone there. However, when she went for the big notes it sounded like she was really pushing it & there was suddenly an odd rasp that wasn’t there before. My wife said to chalk that up to the possible illness, but we’ll see. Personally, I thought Ramiele sang circles around her tonight.

baka77 on February 21, 2008 at 12:51 am
22

She’s no Kelly Clarkson.

obamagate on February 21, 2008 at 12:52 am
23

I agree with obamagate. Ironically, I was watching all of kelly clarkson’s performances from season one today, and unfortunately carly will be compared to her. It’s not nearly as good. Yes she can reach great heights with her voice, but the tone of her voice isn’t great. I REALLY wanted her to be amazing, but she didn’t quite hit that level to me…

oboeadam on February 21, 2008 at 1:04 am
24

i have the same observation, she sings good but there’s something missing. maybe appeal, charm…

vegasbabe on February 21, 2008 at 1:06 am
25

I did not get this performance at all. The song was really bizarre and boring. I was really hoping she was going to blow me away with her voice and she just… didn’t.

Some of the other girls really stepped up and made Carly look bad, IMO.

Plus, I don’t think her outfit was very flattering and her mannerisms annoy me. I’m disappointed.

awau on February 21, 2008 at 1:35 am
26

Well! If that’s what she sounds like sick, I am excited to hear her when she’s well. I thought her performance WAS the best of the night, with Ramiele a close second. Two different styles, but both so classy.

joyous on February 21, 2008 at 1:42 am
27

Funny how you can always see what the favorites of the producers are. Already predicted yesterday that Christy and Carly were gonna be the first and last performers, just to have a good opening and a good end

Brammos on February 21, 2008 at 2:58 am
28

sorry. didn’t like it…very cruiseship vocal…and her personality did nothing for me… maybe i’ll connect next week?

vlollis on February 21, 2008 at 7:13 am
29

No doubt about it she can sing. The question I have is can she sell records? The ultimate enigma for Clive Davis.

Personally, I think its time for America to move on and have a new talent … not a recycled wannabe.

Carly, you HAD your chance.

peter.parker.000 on February 21, 2008 at 7:29 am
30

I don’t care for her at all. I want to like her, but I feel like she’s a snake in the grass taking an opportunity away from a talented “newcomer” that deserves a first shot in the music business. Pitting these fresh new talents against experienced performers just seems contrived on the part of AI. It’s an easy way to build up their favorites and get the outcome they want. It all seems like too much of a set-up.
I feel certain Carly Smithson pissed some girls off tonight with her comment “sick is no excuse”. She should have kept that thought in her head as I’m sure it made her no friends at the end of the night. But then what does she care? She’s the “chosen one”.
RICKEY, WERE SOME OF THEM LIP SINKING???!!!!

lbyrd on February 21, 2008 at 7:53 am
31

Can’t someone do something about her facial expressions? Ewww she reminds me of someone from the Addams family. Sorry.

takai7 on February 21, 2008 at 8:12 am
32

Carly has a wonderful voice (one of the top, but not necessarily THE top), but what little I’ve seen of her personality grates on me–”snake in the grass” feels about right. Maybe it’s Rickey’s screen cap of her arched eyebrows that’s forever seared in my mind.

GirlyGirl45 on February 21, 2008 at 8:43 am
33

i didn’t like this performance because:
1. she didn’t give everything she got, co’z she was sick.
2. even if she did, the performance was over the top. the song doesn’t require a belting voice.

shay on February 21, 2008 at 10:25 am
34

She didn’t impress me…and I didn’t like her song choice

sunystone on February 21, 2008 at 10:39 am
35

Bottom line, the girl can sing and I like her for that! Another pick!

bfashion58 on February 21, 2008 at 11:20 am
36

I finally figured out who it is she reminds me of: Boy George! Check it out:
http://i.rollingstone.com/assets/rs/13/506/images/22857_lg.jpg
I think it’s the eyes…

jonidepp on February 21, 2008 at 12:06 pm
37

The singing was kinda all over the place. It’s like… look I can blow this note now, and then I’m tender again, and then you haven’t really heard nothing yet, I’ll blow you away with the last note. Not a very cohesive performance. She didn’t sell the story, but more trying to sell herself.

I didn’t buy it.

And she came off too nervous and self-conscious as well. Don’t want it so badly, girl! Relax!

heavyblow on February 21, 2008 at 1:28 pm
38

It’s interesting on forums how some people interpret to the negative and others to the positive.

To me, Carly was just stating what you all should be thinking, being sick is no excuse. This is showtime and you simply have to deliver. Like Syesha did last week. Carly was sick like some others and was simply trying to make sure nobody would say she was copping out. Unfortunately some people then went the other way with it and want to paint her as catty. It’s tough being judged not only on how you sing but how you look and everything you say.

Spriggzoid on February 21, 2008 at 3:28 pm
39

I think this whole “Controversy” over Carly is a perfect example of why American Idol has always (with the exception of Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood) Ended up with the wrong person in the winners seat
This should be about the person who has the best voice and nothing more. Although I do agree that a successful Artist should not be allowed to compete, Carly is not yet a success. One failed album does nothing to further someone’s career, and there are many reasons why it could have failed ( bad song choices, bad marketing, label failure or lack of promotion and name) People have no Idea how difficult the record industry is to break into. Millions of artists get deals every year and fail, for reasons other than being talented.
The fact is this girl is virtually unknown and one of the best performers to grace the AI stage in all 7 seasons. If people voted on talent she would most likely win. My fear is people will let bitterness, or liking other contestants for the wrong reason, or stupidity interferes with getting the best to number one. I am willing to put money down that Carly will not win even though she should because AI voters almost NEVER vote for the right reasons….Talent.

nycsinger2000 on February 21, 2008 at 3:29 pm
40

I agree, Spriggzoid. I took the comment “being sick is no excuse” as a statement directed at Carly, by Carly. I certainly didn’t think that she was pointing fingers at fellow contestants. That would be snarky & I don’t believe that she is stupid enough to invite more hate. You can’t tell me that she isn’t aware of the internet mess over her, lol! The negative interpretation of that very statement might be additional fallout as a result of AIs’ unfortunate decision to overexpose her. Very bad decision.

aprylette on February 21, 2008 at 4:32 pm
41

nycsinger2000, thank you for bringing some sanity to the discussion. I completely agree with your assessment. Carly strikes me as not only being super talented, but demonstrates superior musicianship in her interpretations of the performances. So not just a wonderfully accurate and nuanced vocal ability, but also an incredible musical agility to sing around the melody with intelligence. This, as far as I am concerned, separates her from the crowd. But, the more sophisticated the talent, sadly, the less likely they’ll win.

musiclover50 on February 21, 2008 at 6:57 pm
42

nycsinger2000, i do agree that more of the voting should be done on talent, as currently it’s too much of a popularity contest. that being said however, there is also a certain x-factor that must accompany the talent (not substitute for it mind you) in order to turn a win on AI into record sales & true marketability. personally i think that is where carly is lacking. she just doesn’t have that certain something to complete the x-factor. talent yes, the “package”? to be determined…

jonidepp on February 21, 2008 at 7:18 pm
43

She can definitely sing, but she’s missing that “it” factor they keep talking about. I’m trying to like her, but I just don’t see her being the next American Idol.

jng000 on February 24, 2008 at 6:17 pm