A compilation of twelve previously available recordings, American Idol - 10th Anniversary - The Hits: Volume 1 presents one track from each of the show's nine winners plus three notable finalists. The tunes are arranged chronologically based upon which season each artist appeared on the show. Don't look here for anything fancy commemorating a decade of American Idol. The packaging is disappointingly simple. There are no photographs or biographies of any kind in the booklet. The only information provided is songwriting, production, and musician credits for each song.
With only about forty-five minutes of music, the overall value isn't great. There are legitimate complaints to be made about which contestants were omitted. Season four runner-up Bo Bice had a huge hit with "Inside Your Heaven," his 2005 debut single. Katharine McPhee, season five's runner-up, was certified gold for her 2007 release "Over It." Blake Lewis, second place in season six, scored a top ten Billboard Dance chart hit in 2008 with "How Many Words." Season seven runner-up David Archuleta nearly topped the charts with "Crush" in 2008. All these hits are missing in action, despite ample room on the album. It should be noted that hits recorded by artists not under contract to 19 Entertainment (Josh Gracin, Elliot Yamin, among others) were likely not considered due to licensing issues.
The original Idol champ, Kelly Clarkson, kicks the set off with her 2004 smash "Since U Been Gone." Peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, the single wound up selling more than two million copies. Season two victor Ruben Studdard might've been better represented by his 2004 top ten single "Sorry 2004." Instead we get his cover of Delaney and Bonnie's "Superstar," the B-side of his winner's single. It was a major hit for Studdard on Billboard's R&B chart, earning him a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal. Incidentally he lost to Luther Vandross, whose own 1984 version of "Superstar" was the model for Studdard's take on the song.
The first non-winner to appear on the album is season two runner-up Clay Aiken, with his 2004 single "Invisible." Though it barely grazed the Billboard Top 40 (peaking at number thirty-seven), it fared much better on the Adult Contemporary chart. Strictly based on chart performance, either song from Aiken's double A-side single "The Way/Solitaire" would have been more appropriate. Third season winner Fantasia Barrino had an R&B chart-topper with "When I See U," certified gold in 2007. Of her several big hits, this double Grammy nominated song (Best Female R&B Vocal, Best R&B Song) was an ideal inclusion.
Article comments
1 - lct
I am surprised that double platinum Crush did not make the album. David Archuleta could have represented the youth...
2 - heartsong
The first thing I noticed was David Archuleta's Crush was not on the album. This song had over 2 million legal downloads. Wow. How could they miss that?
3 - Melanie
Wow I guess 2 million copies sold and #2 album and #2 single wasnt enough to get David Archuletas Crush on the CD! Do you know that Crush was the highest selling single that was never sung on Idol Do all these represented "hits" have double platnium status? By the way Adam has not even come close to two million on any hits! And last I checked he hadnt sold as many albums as David! Just another example of litlle support from his label! Really glad he didnt accept the new contract with Jive! Dont think he wanted to go down with the sinking ship!With top guys leaving I think he made a bold right choice!Most everyone would agree that David was snubbed! Its just wrong-but David still respects them and talks on his Vlogs about how good Idol is the year! Maybe he will end up with Interscope-them seem to know a good thing when they see it!
4 - misha
The word "hits" is being used very loosely, lol!
5 - archangel48
Crush is a terrific song that sold 2 million. David's album made it to #2 behind Taylor Swift's Fearless. Very nicely done Mr. Archuleta! Too bad you couldn't get the same respect for The Other Side of Down. It's a GREAT album filled with many gems! Can't imagine how many illegally downloaded Crush and TOSOD?
6 - lacey
Why was "Crush" by David Archuleta left off this album? I'm not going to buy it because I get sick and tired of the AI machine snubbing David A.
7 - hollyre
Yeah, what's up with no Crush by David Archuleta? Probably would have bought the cd if it had been included. It was a great hit by a great artist. Try David's new The Other Side of Down cd. Wonderful.