Taylor Hicks Proudly Soars to Number One
Published June 22, 2006
Taylor Hicks, the silver-haired soulman and winner of Season five American Idol can be proud. His CD, "Do I Make You Proud", is now the number one selling single riding the Billboard Charts. Idol winners are contracted to release a CD single for the show, written by the writers in the A.I. camp historically notorious for creating some version of drippy pop shlock.
Taylor Hicks' single, "Do I Make You Proud", with the flip-side, "Taking It to the Streets", released by Arista Records on June 13, engenders some surprise carrying not a bad title tune, but the flip-side rendition of the Doobie Brothers' tune is really enjoyable and completely in-line with Taylor's sound.
I love the jazzy instrumental riffs and the way Taylor's voice is so well suited to the saxophone accompaniment. As far as Taylor following Michael McDonald, who is undeniably endowed with one of the most recognizable voices in music, I compare it to the Elvis' song, "In the Ghetto", Hicks performed during the Idol competition. Taylor takes a well-known song and works it to a new creative level giving it a fresh life.
Sales of this CD mirrored Taylor's ascent to win on the American Idol program. It was slower to rise than some of the previous contestants' CDs, but as word got out about the tone of the tunes on the CD, it built momentum. "Do I Make You Proud" now soaring in the numero uno slot, has put the stop on pretty much every pop ranking single in sight as of the June 22, 2006 results. The single has simultaneously hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the Billboard Single Sales chart, and the Billboard Pop 100 chart making it the best selling song in the country with over 190,000 copies sold in its first week of release. "Do I Make You Proud", has also upset the two-week reign of Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" featuring Wyclef Jean, which falls to No. 2 on both the Hot 100 and Pop 100.
Checking out standard CD sales, and to cast enlightenment regarding the real world of music, Idol standards are downright stratospheric when comparing the statistics with the flow of sales with other musical artists. One prime example, Nelly Furtado's, latest CD, although drawing positive critical reviews, the single, "Promiscuous", reflects sales in the 6,000 range.
"Do I Make You Proud" ladels more gravy over the top of the list of accomplishments the Soulman has racked up since winning American Idol. Since his win, Taylor Hicks has signed the record deal with Arista Records, shot a smoking hot Ford commercial, and was then featured in People Magazine as this year's current Hottest Bachelor. Not only did Taylor Hicks score the cover, People gave him an eight page interview and a glorious pictoral spread.
Reviewing the Ford commercial and the song "Possibilities" written for the promotion, Hicks does a dynamic job, believably belting out the tune. Interestingly, there is some on-line buzz being generated for the song to be recorded outside the bounds of the Ford pitch. The song was written and produced by Harvest Music and Sound Design. Three folks from the Lansing, Michigan company created the tune. They are Julie Magsig, Mark Miller, and Steve Curran. Music houses from around the country were asked to pitch songs and Harvest drew the long straw, had the best tune, and won.
- Taylor Hicks Proudly Soars to Number One
- Published: June 22, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Culture: Advertising and Marketing, Music: Pop, Music: R&B
- Writer: Jewels Richardson
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- Jewels Richardson's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
II've been around awhile and know a little
something about music. I never thought in my
llife that I would see another artist in the
same class as Ray Charles. I simply cannot
believe it but it happened. Before i died
another one came along and his name is Taylor
Hicks. And he turned up on American Idol?
You've got to be kidding.
Yes, big surprise; American Idol got lucky this season. SO did we.
Taylor Hicks is the most amazing performer I have ever seen. Did you see him on the Jay Leno show this past Thurs.? He was so natural and has a great sense of humor. He has it all and he doesn't even realize how wonderful he is I don't think. I just love his voice and the fact that he is a looker is a plus to that voice, and personality. He is so grateful for everything and very intelligent and thanks his fans every chance he gets. Thanks for this great article.
Nancy, Carol, so nice to get a coherent response! What is is about Hicks that sometimes brings out the "strange" in cyber realms. Sheesh. Good to stay within topic. ;)
I'm very happy for OUR SOULPATROLMAN...he makes all of us Soul Patrolers very proud!!
and Jewel...Taylor is always gorgeous you are right!!...he completely deserved the spot of People magazine's hottest bachelor! :)
I love your reviews of Taylor. You approach his music and career with elegance. Thank You!!
I am not a joiner, either. But after hearing this man sing Sam Cooke during the Idol auditions, I tuned in every week to see "what happened to the guy with the grey hair..." Then I knew his name. And then I followed his music. I never thought he would win, because I thought he was too original and talented for the general public to appreciate. And then he won. Then I wondered if his music would sell, he is not exactly mainstream. And his single went number one. I have bought his CD, Under the Radar, his single the day it came out, and I have downloaded every song I can find of his on the web, I listen to his soothing soulful voice everyday. I guess I am a SoulPatroller. Groove on, Soul Man.
Yo, Bird; FLy Strong, FLy Free, and Man, I'm glad you decided to FLy by here.
Wow. Honored.
Taylor Hicks grew on me while on American Idol and I think he is a real star in the making with a long career ahead of him. The publishers of People magazine don't take risks - they go with sure things - and by putting Taylor on their cover of Hottest Bachelors issue they made a statement about his prospects that others of us have known about for some time. It's been extremely exciting to watch his memorphosis from struggling musician with faith in himself to winner of American Idol (a tough show to win let's face it - 30,000 to 1 odds), cover boy, the face and voice of a major national ad campaign for Ford, and everything else. And as Jay Leno said, "it couldn't happen to a nicer guy..."
I just can't get enough of Taylor Hicks and his nubmer one single, I need to hear it at least once each day. Taylor gets into each song completely and music comes from his soul. Thank God Taylor you asked for that flight ticket to LA to get on the American Idol. I have a feeling your going to have a lot of fans of all ages young and old. I can't wait to hear, more and buy more.
For the first time in a long time I feel the music when Taylor sings.I cant get enough of this man,he makes me happy when I see him and hear him.My day is not complete until I have my Taylor fix,he is intoxicating.Taylors appeal is with all ages and that will make him a superstar
I never doubted that Taylor would skyrocket to the top of the charts.He is an outstanding singer and performer,and he is drop dead gorgeous.Taylor personifies all that a superstar should be.Once or twice in a lifetime do we see the likes of such a talent.I am once again excited about music because of Taylor Hicks,he has lit a fire in the soul of America and I thank him for that.In my mind music is medicine for the soul and is the best form of entertainment.Taylor we love you and wish you all the best.
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When can we (I)stop hearing about the heroics of the Soulpatrolman? Good Lord in heaven, if I get a shirt that has his picture on it and says SOULPATROLMAN can I get laid anytime ever or what? I thought the phrase "Over the Moon' meant you'd eventually get over it, but guess not baby. Nice article. Groove on - with your bad self.
Saw Reality....____ dot com. too. Use your own name sometime you silly wench. Let me call you "Alias".
Just f.y.i. hey, heard Washington - something or other was gonna run it...
But bottomline do I have to wear the shirt? Lord.
Knew you'd check this *smooch* infiltrating your space.