James Durbin Songs - American Idol Season 10
Born: January 6, 1989
Musical Style: Rock
Audition City: San Francisco
Backstory: James Durbin has lived the life of a struggling musician, having been in several bands. Much of the show's focus on James has been about him suffering from both Asperger's and Tourette's Syndromes.
Influences: Steven Tyler, Freddie Mercury, Robert Plant, Ronnie James Dio
James Durbin's San Francisco audition was hyped throughout the show as "the one," and his delivery of "You Shook Me" did not disappoint, although it was very reminiscent of Adam Lambert's vocal style. Making the performance even more compelling was the revelation prior to James Durbin singing was that James suffers from both Tourette syndrome and Asbergers syndrome. Selecting a Muddy Waters song might sound obscure, but "You Shook Me" has also been recorded by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck and B.B. King.
Watch VideoMore »
When James Durbin went through the audition process in season 10 of American Idol, his performances were marked by some amazing vocal acrobatics that blew the judges away. His performance of Judas Priest's "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" during the Top 24 week showed both the judges and the audience that he could control that power, giving an all-around solid performance that only hit those heights when it really mattered. This performance marked the first time a song by Judas Priest was used on American Idol.Buy from Amazon »
Throughout the early episodes of American Idol season ten, there was no question that James Durbin could sing, because he showed off his powerhouse vocal ability every chance he got. The big question was could he restrain those vocals enough to become a viable recording artist, but James Durbin laid all concerns to rest with his star-making performance of "Maybe I'm Amazed" during Top 13 week. Jennifer Lopez nailed it when she said James Durbin has "what the greatest rock singers have, and that's a melodic quality" to his voice. Paul McCartney originally included "Maybe I'm Amazed" on his 1970 solo debut, but it never charted in the United States until 1977, when a live version of the song reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Watch VideoBuy from Amazon »
James Durbin mentioned in the introduction to his version of Bon Jovi's "I'll Be There For You" that the band was "killin' it on the charts" in 1989. While James Durbin didn't have his best performance of the season during Top 12 week, his consistently solid appearances appear to solidify his standing as a favorite to make it to the finals. In fact, Steven Tyler agreed to perform with James Durbin should he make it to the finals. "I'll Be There For You" hit number one in 1989 at the height of Bon Jovi's popularity, and is regarded as one of the best songs of their career.
WatchBuy from Amazon »
One of the factors that explains Stevie Wonder's enduring popularity is that his music appeals to a wide range of music lovers from soul to pop, and hip-hop to rock. Some of his 70s musical output resonated with rockers, even leading to songs like "Superstition" and "Higher Ground" to be covered by rock acts over the past 30 years. So it makes sense that James Durbin took on "Living for the City" during Motown week with its heavy bassline and futuristic synths. James Durbin gave a solid if not stellar performance, but he owned the stage as he performed. "Living for the City" was a number one R&B and number eight pop hit upon its release in 1973.
WatchBuy from Amazon »
There are tough decisions to be made when a contestant is picking which song to sing on American Idol, but occasionally there are options so obvious that contestants would be crazy to pass them up. Such was the case with James Durbin, who rocked out to "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" on Elton John week of season 10. All three judges enjoyed the performance, but James Durbin got into a little bit of trouble by alluding to Michael Jackson's accidental burn while taping a Pepsi commercial back in the 80s. "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" broke Elton John's string of top 10 hits back in 1973 by only reaching number 12.
Watch
Purchase / Download OriginalBuy from Amazon »
A common theme of American Idol season 10 has been the judges praising performances while wishing that contestants would show another side and stretch their comfort zones. James Durbin did that during Top 9 week, perching himself on a stool to sing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Whether it was the restraint or the emotional connection to the song, something seemed a bit off with the delivery, leading to a lackluster performance. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was never released as a single, but is widely recognized as one of the best songs the Beatles ever recorded, as well as one of the best songs George Harrison ever wrote.
Watch
Personalities play a big part of how contestants are perceived on a reality show like American Idol, and season 10 finalist James Durbin may or may not have run into a personality issue when he clashed with mentor Jimmy Iovine during Top 8 week over song choice. No matter if he came off as arrogant or confident, James Durbin's choice of "Heavy Metal" from the movie of the same name was widely regarded as a solid performance, further cementing Durbin's reputation as "the rock guy." Heavy Metal was an animated adult science fiction movie released in 1981 based on the magazine of the same name.
Watch
Purchase / Download OriginalBuy from Amazon »
Fully embracing the 21st century theme was James Durbin, who brought along his own drum section as he took the stage during Top 7 week to perform a rousing and solid version of "Uprising." Of all the remaining contestants, viewers probably have the best idea of what a James Durbin concert will look like, as well as what a James Durbin album will sound like. The only thing that could be faulted in James Durbin's performance was his disjointed use of high falsetto vocals in the middle of the chorus that seemed more showboating than quality vocals. "Uprising" hit number 37 on theBillboard Hot 100 in 2009, as well as topping the Rock and Alternative charts.
Watch
Purchase / Download OriginalBuy from Amazon »
One performance that may rise above most American Idol performances when season 10's Top 6 week is remembered may be James Durbin's stadium-ready rendition of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow." The way James Durbin owned the audience with just a guitar and a spotlight was reminiscent of Bo Bice's version of "In a Dream" in season four, leading Jimmy Iovine to declare that he could win the title. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" was recorded by the Shirelles in 1960, and they took the song all the way to number one on the pop charts. The song helped them become the first all-female group to have a pop number one in the history of Billboard magazine.
Watch
Purchase / Download OriginalBuy from Amazon »
Musical Style: Rock
Audition City: San Francisco
Backstory: James Durbin has lived the life of a struggling musician, having been in several bands. Much of the show's focus on James has been about him suffering from both Asperger's and Tourette's Syndromes.
Influences: Steven Tyler, Freddie Mercury, Robert Plant, Ronnie James Dio
1. "You Shook Me" (Muddy Waters)
James Durbin's San Francisco audition was hyped throughout the show as "the one," and his delivery of "You Shook Me" did not disappoint, although it was very reminiscent of Adam Lambert's vocal style. Making the performance even more compelling was the revelation prior to James Durbin singing was that James suffers from both Tourette syndrome and Asbergers syndrome. Selecting a Muddy Waters song might sound obscure, but "You Shook Me" has also been recorded by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck and B.B. King.
Watch VideoMore »
2. "You’ve Got Another Thing Comin" (Judas Priest)
When James Durbin went through the audition process in season 10 of American Idol, his performances were marked by some amazing vocal acrobatics that blew the judges away. His performance of Judas Priest's "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" during the Top 24 week showed both the judges and the audience that he could control that power, giving an all-around solid performance that only hit those heights when it really mattered. This performance marked the first time a song by Judas Priest was used on American Idol.Buy from Amazon »
3. "Maybe I'm Amazed" (Paul McCartney)
Throughout the early episodes of American Idol season ten, there was no question that James Durbin could sing, because he showed off his powerhouse vocal ability every chance he got. The big question was could he restrain those vocals enough to become a viable recording artist, but James Durbin laid all concerns to rest with his star-making performance of "Maybe I'm Amazed" during Top 13 week. Jennifer Lopez nailed it when she said James Durbin has "what the greatest rock singers have, and that's a melodic quality" to his voice. Paul McCartney originally included "Maybe I'm Amazed" on his 1970 solo debut, but it never charted in the United States until 1977, when a live version of the song reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Watch VideoBuy from Amazon »
4. "I’ll Be There For You" (Bon Jovi)
James Durbin mentioned in the introduction to his version of Bon Jovi's "I'll Be There For You" that the band was "killin' it on the charts" in 1989. While James Durbin didn't have his best performance of the season during Top 12 week, his consistently solid appearances appear to solidify his standing as a favorite to make it to the finals. In fact, Steven Tyler agreed to perform with James Durbin should he make it to the finals. "I'll Be There For You" hit number one in 1989 at the height of Bon Jovi's popularity, and is regarded as one of the best songs of their career.
WatchBuy from Amazon »
5. "Living for the City" (Stevie Wonder)
One of the factors that explains Stevie Wonder's enduring popularity is that his music appeals to a wide range of music lovers from soul to pop, and hip-hop to rock. Some of his 70s musical output resonated with rockers, even leading to songs like "Superstition" and "Higher Ground" to be covered by rock acts over the past 30 years. So it makes sense that James Durbin took on "Living for the City" during Motown week with its heavy bassline and futuristic synths. James Durbin gave a solid if not stellar performance, but he owned the stage as he performed. "Living for the City" was a number one R&B and number eight pop hit upon its release in 1973.
WatchBuy from Amazon »
6. "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" (Elton John)
There are tough decisions to be made when a contestant is picking which song to sing on American Idol, but occasionally there are options so obvious that contestants would be crazy to pass them up. Such was the case with James Durbin, who rocked out to "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" on Elton John week of season 10. All three judges enjoyed the performance, but James Durbin got into a little bit of trouble by alluding to Michael Jackson's accidental burn while taping a Pepsi commercial back in the 80s. "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" broke Elton John's string of top 10 hits back in 1973 by only reaching number 12.
Watch
Purchase / Download OriginalBuy from Amazon »
7. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (The Beatles)
A common theme of American Idol season 10 has been the judges praising performances while wishing that contestants would show another side and stretch their comfort zones. James Durbin did that during Top 9 week, perching himself on a stool to sing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Whether it was the restraint or the emotional connection to the song, something seemed a bit off with the delivery, leading to a lackluster performance. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was never released as a single, but is widely recognized as one of the best songs the Beatles ever recorded, as well as one of the best songs George Harrison ever wrote.
Watch
8. "Heavy Metal" (Sammy Hagar)
Personalities play a big part of how contestants are perceived on a reality show like American Idol, and season 10 finalist James Durbin may or may not have run into a personality issue when he clashed with mentor Jimmy Iovine during Top 8 week over song choice. No matter if he came off as arrogant or confident, James Durbin's choice of "Heavy Metal" from the movie of the same name was widely regarded as a solid performance, further cementing Durbin's reputation as "the rock guy." Heavy Metal was an animated adult science fiction movie released in 1981 based on the magazine of the same name.
Watch
Purchase / Download OriginalBuy from Amazon »
9. "Uprising" (Muse)
Fully embracing the 21st century theme was James Durbin, who brought along his own drum section as he took the stage during Top 7 week to perform a rousing and solid version of "Uprising." Of all the remaining contestants, viewers probably have the best idea of what a James Durbin concert will look like, as well as what a James Durbin album will sound like. The only thing that could be faulted in James Durbin's performance was his disjointed use of high falsetto vocals in the middle of the chorus that seemed more showboating than quality vocals. "Uprising" hit number 37 on theBillboard Hot 100 in 2009, as well as topping the Rock and Alternative charts.
Watch
Purchase / Download OriginalBuy from Amazon »
10. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" (Shirelles)
One performance that may rise above most American Idol performances when season 10's Top 6 week is remembered may be James Durbin's stadium-ready rendition of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow." The way James Durbin owned the audience with just a guitar and a spotlight was reminiscent of Bo Bice's version of "In a Dream" in season four, leading Jimmy Iovine to declare that he could win the title. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" was recorded by the Shirelles in 1960, and they took the song all the way to number one on the pop charts. The song helped them become the first all-female group to have a pop number one in the history of Billboard magazine.
Watch
Purchase / Download OriginalBuy from Amazon »
