Some of the hardest songs to perform are show tunes.
Not to put down any singer performing other music, but show tunes are a huge hurdle to master.
Singers do not want to sound gimmicky or like they’re putting on a show (ironic, obviously) but they also want to sound close to the source material. It is a thin line to walk!
There is a lot of debate about what the hardest Broadway songs to perform is. If you were to check the message boards, you’d see songs from various productions.
Some would say “Think of Me” from Phantom of the Opera, “Pity The Child” from Chess, “(Not) Getting Married Today” from Side by Side by Sondheim, “Giants in the Sky” from Into The Woods, and many more.
One song that is difficult has to do with the range involved in singing it, but also the fact it is one of the most popular songs on Broadway.
“Defying Gravity” is from Wicked and even if you’re not into the theater, chances are you’ve heard it before. Children sing it at school talent shows. Singers perform it for their big auditions.
In fact, people have performed it countless times since 2003 on competition shows, like America’s Got Talent and American Idol.
For this week’s All-Star Duets, singer Ada Vox teamed up with someone who is very well known for singing “Defying Gravity.”
Lea Michele from Glee! On the hit FOX show, Lea performed the song in a battle duet. It is important to point out that Lea’s character’s mother was played by Idina Menzel – the original Elphaba from Wicked.
So, if there is anyone that Ada would want by her side, it is Lea Michele. Because, TBH, no one wants to sing “Defying Gravity” next to Idina Menzel, for fear of not sounding good enough.
Obviously, Ada didn’t need to worry about this performance. Her voice worked perfectly with Lea’s and the performance went off without a hitch!
After the duet, Lea told American Idol host Ryan Seacrest that Ada’s talent was off the charts. When he asked if she had to do much when preparing, Lea laughed and said:
“I didn’t have to do anything! I mean it has just been so great, this voice has been out of control. Getting to sing with someone of this vocal caliber was an honor and it was so fun to sing together.”
After the comments from Lea, the judges got their turn to tell Ada what they thought, and they were all so positive.
Lionel Richie was the first judge to comment and he said:
“Every time I think I’ve figured out, ‘okay Ada is going to be here, Ada goes through the o-zone.’ Let me just tell you, a star is born. No kidding!
There’s no denying your presence, there’s no denying your voice. You are a statement. I applaud you!”
You can see what Katy Perry and Luke Bryan had to say (and why they were on their feet and shaking around) in the video below.
Please SHARE this incredible performance with your friends and family on Facebook today.
Ada is having a much more successful run on American Idol this season. Originally, she auditioned during season 12 but was cut at the top 50 round.
Now that she is full expressing herself for who she is, she’s found her stride in the competition and become someone to watch out for.
What do you think of Ada’s voice?
You can catch her audition and learn more about her history and what led her season 16 of American Idol in the video below:
