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'American Idol's' Adam Lambert vs. Paul McDonald: Who performed 'Tracks of my Tears' best?
Adam Lambert > Paul McDonald.Sorry for that trick question in the headline, but really, isn't it kind of obvious?
Don't take any offense to this McDonald, but there's pretty much no one who can top Adam Lambert's version of Smokey Robinson's "Tracks of my Tears."
Paul performed the song on "American Idol's" Top 11 show (Theme: Motown week!) and while we thought it was pretty good, we couldn't help buy say, "But Adam Lambert OWNS this song. Why would you perform it on the same stage?!"
When McDonald chatted with a group of reporters after the show, he spilled that he didn't know Lambert had covered the song before. "No. I never knew that was a song that had been done. I'm sure it has been," he says. "I don't know. I've been pretty much out of the 'Idol' loop for a long time... ever, pretty much."
Our take on the two performances? Lambert's performance of the Robinson classic was probably one of his best performances in Season 8. Heck, it's probably one of the best performances ever on the show. When he sang the song, you felt every line, every emotion he was feeling. You couldn't take your eyes off of him.
Paul changed the style to suit him and kind of channeled Bob Dylan on the tune. It was great to see him with his guitar and standing in one place, but the emotion just didn't match Lambert's. That being said, we're still totally downloading Paul's version on iTunes. He has one of the most radio-friendly voices out of all the Season 10 contestants.
We just got the impression that Lambert actually sat down, read the lyrics, really thought about them and connected with the song; McDonald probably just thought it was a pretty cool tune that he could "vibe" with.
You've heard our opinion, now let's hear from you. Watch the two performances and then vote in our poll:
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the fact that you put Paul in the same sentence as adam & even ask this question is utterly disturbing to me - there is no other than adam's talent interpretation his "gift" - I'm certain you have every fan of adam's feeling the same way! please never "go there" again... there is no comparison - our adam is in his own league never to be compared to any idol ever - enuf said!!
haha, I'll bite on your gambit for hits. Thanks for this, I am a huge Adam fan and so think he's better than anyone but it seems so many ppl forgot these moments. He is compared to James now and everyone talks about the rock "screams" which sure he can do but it was these moments, this & Mad World & If I cant have you that made as much if not more of an impression, as much talent as this season has, no one had had any moments like this yet.
Yeah, when i heard he was gonna sing this i was like, "No dude, don't do this song, you're not going to ba able to top Adam's, he sings it way too amazingly for you to be able to. Just don't"
I think he did good, and it was a good performacen for his style, but if we were saying who performed the song and it's meanings best (Adam even asked Smokey what inspired him to write that song), than Adam hands down. No competition.
Adam and Paul sang these songs so differently it is hard to even compare. No doubt Adam has the better "pure" voice, but love Paul's take on the song. I would listen to Paul's version on the radio and not change the station.... can't say I would do the same for Adam's version.
Ok sorry sorry but I cant stand Paul's voice, you are right to compare to a bob dylan type, I cannot stand him either. His voice is like nails on a blackboard to me but a least he didnt look like someones drunk uncle this time. He did ok considering. All I will say is that Adam Lambert could sing every single song that was sung tonight better than the contestants, he can sing anything and sing it well, always totally note perfect and always entertaining. they have worked hard to make these guys better, including no more live performing and its worked, they are certainly better than last year but still no knock out performances that I have seen and the judges love every one of them and every performance, I MISS SIMON!!!!!!!!!!
OMG Adam was so into the emotion and tone of the song's lyrics it looks like he needed a sec to recover when he finished. No comparison between the two. One's a happy go lucky sing a long version where you could substitute any words whartsoever. The other pure artistry, and without a zillion coaches like they have this year. I forgot how amazing Adam Lambert is.
Adam got my vote. That said I think Paul did a good job and it will keep him in the competition this week.
I voted for Adam. That said I think Paul did a great job and it will keep him in the competition this week.
My hair stylist said that was the night she fell in love with Adam Lambert, when he sang Tracks Of My Tears! She coulcn't believe he was actually on the idol show and not a huge star! We still can't believe he had to go on there to be recognized by the industry! This comparing Adam to anyone on idol is really looking lame to the outside world, Adam is a respected grammy nominated artist who earned that title, time for yu all to move on from using his name for hits and start enjoying what you have in Adam because there are plently of other Countries who would die to adopt this guy!! Yes, he is that amazing!!
i agree that adam sang with much heart, but that said it's a boring slowwwwwww rendition of the song. so boring, so so so boring and melodramatic. not all sad songs have to be sung with teary eyes.
i like paul's rendition and that's probably me being bias cuz i love bob dylan. but like the judges said, i just love his raspyness and the way he sings with tenderness in his voice. whew! i just love is vibe. i know many don't agree with me but you like what you like. i still think people will get tired of adam lambert's rendition of the song.