I've been meaning to write this for weeks, but have put it off till the last minute... nevertheless, it is possible that you are still juggling the lineup for the Idol finale. (Given the Top 5 debacle, it may even be probable.) And so, these words.
I assume that you are going to bring Renaldo Lapuz back to reprise "We're Brothers Forever." You guys must be aware that you struck gold with that audition; you devoted almost ten minutes to it, and chose it as the free HD download on iTunes promoting the rest of the Idol videos. (Thanks for that, by the way; the full majesty of his outfit could not possibly be appreciated on my standard-definition television screen.) The song is catchy, and unlike William Hung, Renaldo is actually capable of carrying a tune in a bucket.
But perhaps you are having cold feet. Perhaps you are thinking that it would be tacky to bring him back, or that you shouldn't make too big a deal of it. Perhaps you are thinking of having him come on stage, wave, sing a chorus, and leave. I hope not. You need to think big. This is the one, the only chance anybody has to legitimately make this song a hit single, and I for one really want that to happen.
This is the key: do not be afraid of taking it too far over the top. It can't be done. Ideally, this should be the biggest production number in American Idol history. Have Rickey Minor arrange the song for the entire orchestra. Bring in a full gospel choir to sing backup. Have Cirque Du Soleil dramatize it. Think big. (Just make sure to keep Renaldo in the mix; he is the lead singer.)
If you can get him to add a bridge, that probably couldn't hurt, but don't even think of trying to write one yourselves.
Think big.
Posted by Shmuel at May 21, 2008 4:47 PM