Music Monday 1/9/17

It’s around this time of year that an annual tradition would start and millions would enjoy it numerous nights a week. I’m talking about American Idol, and for the first time since 2002, really 2003, that won’t be happening as the show concluded its run last year. A tradition of the show was the winner of the season singing and releasing a “debut” single referred to as their “coronation song”. In the beginning, as the show exploded in popularity, many of those songs charted high, even going to #1. Today, I present my favorite, and what I think is the best, of the coronation songs, Fantasia’s “I Believe”. Fantasia is probably one of the best winners in the of the show. She performed amazingly well, and consistently, week after week as she competed in Season 3, with her performance of “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess being one of the greatest singular performances in the show’s history. By the time it came down to the end, it was no competition between her and Diana DeGarmo as to who would win. The #1 debut of the song made Fantasia the first female artist to have such a debut with her first record and for good reason. The song is such a journey of hope and inspiration, I find it hard for me to not sing along as builds towards the end and Fantasia delivers its spirit as only she can. It was a high watermark to start of an amazing, yet understated career. Fun side note, Season 1 finalist Tamyra Grey was the writer of this song. It’s so great that she could be given this opportunity and come through exceptionally. I could go on about Idol for ages as it was a favorite of my family for years. I shan’t, but enjoy this wonderful song.