Idol Introspective, Part 3

It's Part 3 of our look into iconic reality competition show American Idol! Season 3 was one of my least favorite, with the talent level just not matching up to the majesty of Season 2, so my interest level was way down. There's been some really good things come out of this season though, so it wasn't a total waste of time.

The third season of American Idol ran from January 19th, 2004 to May 26th, 2004 on Fox. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the judges panel included singer and entertainer Paula Abdul, TV personality and businessman Simon Cowell, and record executive and TV presenter Randy Jackson. After auditions in 6 US cities, 118 contestants received their "Golden Ticket" to Hollywood for a chance to be a Top 12 finalist and perform weekly on national television. The contestants were not only judged by Abdul, Cowell, and Jackson, along with some guest judges, but also voted on by the public via call-in votes. The winner of Season 3 received a record deal with J Records and a cash prize of (allegedly) $250,000.

As a reminder for this series, we'll take a look at each of the Top 10 or 12 (depending on the season) contestants and a song of theirs. The songs will be dependent on if they've put out any music that's streaming, or it will be a memorable performance from their time on the show. Let's jump in!

12th Place - Leah Labelle, Seattle, Washington

Spotlight Song: Sexify (written by P. Williams)

12th Place in Season 3 went to Washington's Leah Labelle Vladowski (known simply as Leah Labelle), who was 17 at the time of competition. She auditioned in New York City, New York with the Whitney Houston song I Believe in You and Me. Labelle was eliminated in Week 1 (Soul Week) after singing You Keep Me Hangin' On by The Supremes. Labelle tragically passed way in a car accident in 2018 at the age of 31. She released a solo EP and multiple singles that are available on Apple Music, and predominately performed pop, R&B, and soul music. Her contribution to the Season 3 Greatest Soul Classics soundtrack was Betcha By Golly, Wow by The Stylistics. Her song Sexify was released as a single in 2012. She was not my favorite on the show admittedly, and I'll honestly say I didn't like this song either. It felt chaotic and all over the place, and her voice just doesn't do it for me.

I got a whole bunch of ways to turn him on, girl/He’ll come home, girl, if you know what I mean/I got a whole bunch of ways all in your tone, girl/He’ll be gone, girl, if you know what I mean/I’ll sexify you, have you thinking about my name/In the middle of the day, and that’s guaranteed/I’ll sexify you, have your friends thinking/Boy, man, there ain’t no way, and that’s guaranteed

11th Place - Matthew Rogers, Rancho Cucamonga, California

Spotlight Song: (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay (written by S. Cropper, O. Redding)

11th Place went to California's Matthew "Matt" Rogers, who was 25 at the time of competition. He auditioned in Los Angeles, California with the James Ingram song Just Once. Rogers was eliminated in Week 2 (Country Week) after singing Amazed by Lonestar. Now 47, Rogers is a TV host and singer focusing on country and pop music. He hasn't released any studio albums or singles, but has hosted multiple sports and entertainment shows since 2004. Rogers's contribution to the Season 3 Greatest Soul Classics soundtrack was (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding, which is available to listen to on YouTube. I remember liking him alright and being disappointed when he was voted off so early. This is a good cover of this song, and you can hear those country notes in his voice throughout.

Sitting in the morning sun/I’ll be sitting when the evening comes/Watching the ships roll in/Then I watch them roll away again/I’m sitting on the dock of the bay/Watching the tide roll way/I’m just sitting on the dock of the bay/Wasting time

10th Place - Amy Adams, Bakersfield, California

Spotlight Song: You Make Me Feel Brand New (written by T. Bell, L. Creed)

10th Place went to California's Amy Adams (no, not that one), who was 24 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Atlanta, Georgia with the Fontella Bass song Rescue Me. Adams was eliminated in Week 3 (Motown Week) after singing Dancing in the Street by Martha & the Vandellas. Now 46, Adams is a singer and vocal coach. She hasn't released any studio albums or singles, but did do a stint in theatre in production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. Adams's contribution to the Season 3 Greatest Soul Classics soundtrack was You Make Me Feel Brand New by The Stylistics, which is available to listen to on YouTube. I liked Amy well enough, even if she wasn't my favorite. This is a good enough cover, even if her vibrato is a little much at times.

My love/I’ll never find words, my love/To tell you how I feel, my love/Mere words could not explain/Precious love/You held my life within your hands/Created everything I am/Taught me how to live again/Only you came when I needed a friend/Believed in me through thick and thin/This song is for you, filled with gratitude and love/God bless you, you make me feel brand new/For God blessed me with you, you make me feel brand new/I sing this song ‘cause you

9th Place - Camile Velasco, Haiku, Hawaii

Spotlight Song: Mr Sensi (composer unknown)

9th Place went to Hawaii's Ciara-Camile (simply Camile for the show) Velasco, who was 18 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Honolulu, Hawaii with the Fugees song Ready Or Not. Velasco was eliminated in Week 4 (Elton John Week) after singing Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John. Now 40, Velasco is a reggae singer who goes by the stage name Eli-Mac. She has released one studio album and one EP, along with multiple singles, since 2005. Velasco's contribution to the Season 3 Greatest Soul Classics soundtrack was Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) by Aretha Franklin. Her song Mr Sensi was released as a single in 2017. I was not a huge fan of Camile either, just not thinking she had a strong enough voice to be Top 12 material. This song is alright but not really my style.

Oh, Mr. Sensi, give me your love/I need your loving all day/Oh, Mr. Sensi, give me your love/I need your loving always/Mr. Sensi/I need your loving all day/Mr. Sensi/I need your loving always/The way you keep me in the evening, you keep me nice and warm/The way you taste me in the morning, you keep me coming back for more/The way you lift me up so high just so me never want to come down/The way you hold me tight in the night, your loving always keep me safe and sound

8th Place - Jon Peter Lewis, Rexburg, Idaho

Spotlight Song: Everybody Falls (composer unknown)

8th Place went to Idaho's Jon Peter Lewis, who was 24 at the time of competition. He auditioned in Honolulu, Hawaii with the Van Morrison song Crazy Love. Lewis was eliminated in Week 5 (Movie Soundtrack Week) after singing Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley. Now 46, Lewis is a singer & songwriter who focuses on funk, blues, rock, and pop music. He has released two solo studio albums and one album as part of the group Midas Whale (who competed on The Voice) since 2006. Lewis's contribution to the Season 3 Greatest Soul Classics soundtrack was My Girl by The Temptations. His song Everybody Falls was originally featured on the 2008 album Break the Silence. JPL wasn't my favorite contestant, but he wasn't the worst, either. I couldn't find a good transcription of the lyrics, but if you're into the alt rock sound you might think this is alright.

7th Place - Jennifer Hudson, Chicago, Illinois

Spotlight Song: Spotlight (written by M. Eriksen, T. Hermansen, S. Smith)

7th Place went to Illinois's Jennifer Hudson, who was 22 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Atlanta, Georgia with the Aretha Franklin song Share Your Love with Me. In an enormous upset, Hudson was eliminated in Week 6 (Barry Manilow Week) after singing Weekend in New England by Barry Manilow. Now 44, Hudson is an EGOT winning singer, actress, producer, and TV host who focuses on R&B, soul, and gospel music. She has released four solo studio albums, been cast in five Broadway productions, and accumulated many TV and movie roles since 2006. Hudson's contribution to the Season 3 Greatest Soul Classics soundtrack was Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye) by Gladys Knight & The Pips. Her song Spotlight was originally featured on the 2008 album Jennifer Hudson. She drove me crazy on the show (not really sure why), but it is literally insane to me that JHud not only didn't win, but didn't even crack the Top 5 as she was easily the most talented person in Season 3. She truly rose above all of the really unfair criticism she received on the show, even earning a well-deserved apology from Simon Cowell, and she's honestly the type of generational voice that just wows you to hear.

Are you a man who loves and cherishes and cares for me/Is that you, is that you, is that you, yeah/Are you a guard in a prison maximum security/Is that you, is that you, is that you, yeah/Do we stay home all the time ‘cause you want me to yourself/Is that you, is that you, is that you, yeah/Or am I locked away out of fear that I’d find someone else/Is that you, is that you, yeah/Well, I don’t like living under your spotlight/Just because you think I might find somebody worthy/Oh, I don’t like living under your spotlight/Maybe if you treat me right, you won’t have to worry

6th Place - John Stevens, East Amherst, New York

Spotlight Song: It Had to Be You (written by I. Jones, G. Kahn)

6th Place went to New York's John Stevens, who was 16 at the time of competition. He auditioned in New York City, New York with the Fred Astaire song The Way You Look Tonight. Stewart was eliminated in Week 7 (Gloria Estefan Week) after singing Music of My Heart by Gloria Estefan & *NSYNC. Now 38, Stevens is a singer and composer who focuses on swing, big band, and traditional pop music. He has released three solo studio albums since 2005 and has performed long term with the Beantown Swing Orchestra in Boston. Stevens's contribution to the Season 3 Greatest Soul Classics soundtrack was You Are Everything by The Stylistics. His cover of It Had to Be You was originally featured on the 2005 album Red. I think I unfairly disliked "Teen Sinatra" on the show because I didn't yet have an appreciation for this type of music, but he's still a little lackluster for my personal taste. I will say though for his age at the time, his tone and his ability to sing these Sinatra songs is nothing to shake a stick at.

It had to be you, it had to be you/I wandered around and finally found the somebody who/Could make me be true, could make me blue/And even be glad just to be sad thinking of you/Some others I’ve seen might never be mean/Might never be cross or try to be boss, but they wouldn’t do/For nobody else gave me a thrill, with all your faults, I love you still/It had to be you, wonderful you, it had to be you

5th Place - George Huff, New Orleans, Louisiana

Spotlight Song: A Brighter Day (written by H. Diaz, F. Jerkins, K. Jerkins, D. Thomas)

5th Place went to Louisiana's George Huff, who was 23 at the time of competition. He auditioned in Houston, Texas with the Joe Cocker song You Are So Beautiful. Huff was eliminated in Week 8 (Big Band Week) after singing Cheek to Cheek by Fred Astaire and What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. Now 45, Huff is a singer and songwriter who focuses on gospel and R&B music. He has released two solo studio albums and one EP since 2004 and has been Jennifer Hudson's longtime backup singer and vocal arranger. Huff's contribution to the Season 3 Greatest Soul Classics soundtrack was Me and Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul. His song A Brighter Day was originally featured on the 2005 album Miracles. I always got the impression that George was a sweetheart, but this voice just didnt' resonate with me. It is crazy that he placed higher than JHud, but I love the fact that they've been friends through all these years.

We believe there will be a brighter day/Situations tend to weigh us down/And it’s easy to let ‘em steal your joy away/It’s always when you are the closest to almost getting through/Change seems far away/Everyday we living, problems all around/Things you can’t brace yourself for, and then tomorrow’s another day/I know that it ain’t easy, no way/To smile and hide the pain/Oh, I’ve been there before, so I’m telling you/When you’ve had enough, you wanna give up/You gotta believe, we believe that there will be a brighter day/Seems you can’t go on, just stay strong/You gotta just, we believe that there will be a brighter day

4th Place - LaToya London, Oakland, California

Spotlight Song: More (written by L. London, R. Rideout)

4th Place went to California's LaToya London, who was 25 at the time of competition. She auditioned in San Francisco, California with the Aretha Franklin song Chain of Fools. London was eliminated in Week 9 (Disco Week) after singing Love You Inside Out by the Bee Gees and Don't Leave Me This Way by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Now 47, London is a singer and actress who focuses on R&B, soul, and jazz music. She has released one solo studio album since 2005 and won an Ovation Award for her performance in The Color Purple. London's contribution to the Season 3 Greatest Soul Classics soundtrack was If You Don't Know Me By Now by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Her song More was originally featured on the 2005 album Love & Life. LaToya was probably my favorite contestant this season, and I was sad she didn't make it all the way to the end. R&B isn't always my favorite genre, but I still really enjoy her voice.

Say my name and I’ll come running/To see what you need, baby/Forget what I gotta do, I’ma come for you/‘Cause I’m your fool, baby, yeah/You’ve got me wrapped around every one of your fingers/Starting some trouble 'cause I can’t let go, yeah/I need some of that hugging, kissing, squeezing, touching/Oh, I want more, yeah/I keep coming back, I need some of that/Hugging, kissing, squeezing, touching, I want more of it/Ooh, I want more

3rd Place - Jasmine Trias, Mililani, Hawaii

Spotlight Song: Excuses (written by G. Maestro, V. Herbert, M. Riddick)

3rd Place went to Hawaii's Jasmine Trias, who was 17 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Honolulu, Hawaii, but her audition was not televised. Trias was eliminated in Week 10 (Top 3 Week) after singing Saving All My Love for You by Whitney Houston, Mr. Melody by Natalie Cole, and All By Myself by Eric Carmen. Now 39, Trias is a singer and entertainer who focuses on pop, R&B, soul, and OPM music. She has released one solo studio album and multiple singles. Trias's contribution to the Season 3 Greatest Soul Classics soundtrack was Midnight Train to Georgia by Gladys Knight & the Pips. Her song Excuses was originally featured on the 2005 album Jasmine Trias. I liked Jasmine alright, but was honestly shocked she made it to the Top 3. She has a pretty voice, but not one I'd necessarily say is built for R&B.

This I gotta tell ya so you can’t even act surprised/I’ll be gone tomorrow, it's too late to apologize/I don’t wanna beg you to treat me like you need to/It’s gonna hurt me, but I gotta go/I thought I could change ya, but I really had to check myself/I can’t seem to change ya and I’m just going through hell/I refuse to do it anymore/What am I still here for if your heart ain’t in it no more/I can’t make you love me, make you want me/Ain’t no excuses, boy, I’m about to lose it, boy/You’re leaving me no choice, there’s no excuse at all/I can’t make you need me, make you happy/‘Cause you make excuses, boy, I’m about to lose it, boy/You’re leaving me no choice, and there’s no excuse at all

2nd Place - Diana DeGarmo, Snellville, Georgia

Spotlight Song: Don't Cry Out Loud (written by P. Allen, C. Sager)

Season 3's runner up was Georgia's Diana DeGarmo, who was 16 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Honolulu, Hawaii with the Aretha Franklin song Chain of Fools. DeGarmo was eliminated in Week 11 (Finale Week) after singing Idol original I Believe, No More Tears (Enough is Enough) by Barbra Streisand & Donna Summer, and Don't Cry Out Loud by Melissa Manchester. Now 38, DeGarmo is a singer and actress who focuses on country and pop music. She has released two solo studio albums, starred in multiple theatrical productions, and is married to American Idol season 5 alum Ace Young. DeGarmo's contribution to the Season 3 Greatest Soul Classics soundtrack was I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Gladys Knight & the Pips. Her cover of Don't Cry Out Loud was originally featured on the 2003 album Blue Skies. I was Team Diana by the end of this season, but it wasn't a devastating loss for me. Remembering she was this season's youngest contestant, she sounded great and has a nice theatrical tone to her voice.

Baby cried the day the circus came to town/‘Cause she didn’t want parades just passing by her/So she painted on a smile and took up with some clown/While she danced without a net upon the wire/I know a lot about her ‘cause, you see/Baby is an awful lot like me/Don t cry out loud/Just keep it inside and learn how to hide your feelings/Fly high and proud/And if you should fall, remember you almost had it all

1st Place - Fantasia Barrino, High Point, North Carolina

Spotlight Song: When I See U (written by S. Watters, L. Biancaniello, K. Risto, W. Nugent, J. Sewell, E. Nuri)

The third American Idol was North Carolina's Fantasia Barrino, who was 19 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Atlanta, Georgia with Lauryn Hill's Killing Me Softly with His Song and Tina Turner's Proud Mary. Barrino was declared the winner in Week 11 (Finale Week) after singing All My Life by K-Ci & JoJo, Summertime from Porgy and Bess, and Idol original I Believe. Now 41, Barrino (who now mononymously by Fantasia) is a Grammy-winning singer and actress who focuses on R&B, pop, hip hop soul, and gospel music. She has released seven solo studio albums and was the first Idol alum to star on Broadway when she portrayed Celie in The Color Purple. Barrino's contribution to the Season 3 Greatest Soul Classics soundtrack was Chain of Fools by Aretha Franklin. Her song of When I See U was originally featured on the 2006 album Fantasia. I'm sorry, but I have never been able to see the big deal with Fantasia. She came off as so obnoxious tot me on the show, and truly I think she and Jennifer Hudson should've been fully switched this season.

I put your picture on my mirror/Start to blush when somebody says your name/In my stomach, there’s a pain/See you walk in my direction, I go the other way/I go the other way/I start to stutter when I speak/Try to stand, but my knees go weak, baby/What’s happening to me/In the dark, can you tell me what it means/I lay my head on my pillow/Got me starting out the window/Wish on a star for a sign/It’s the reason why/You’re always on my mind, oh, yeah/When you come around, I get shy/Baby, when I see you, see you/When I see you, baby, when I, yeah/Never know when you might walk by, on by/So I gotta be right on time when I see you/When I see you, ooh, yeah

I hope this trip back to 2003 was fun for everyone! Happy lstening, and see ya'll next week!