FROM CHRIS' AMERICAN IDOL BOARD ON FOX'S WEBSITE
Chris at the beginning of interview: I am doing I walk the line by Johnny Cash. It was written in 1955 and I think it was a very edgy song for its time.
Barry: Which song are you doing?
Chris: I walk the line by Johnny Cash.
Barry: Like I keep my eyes wide,
Chris: very different version, a very different version
Barry: Well good, lets
, lets do it.
Back to Chris in interview
Chris: The lyrics have a lot of relevance to me, um because he wrote it for his wife at the time on how he was going to stay true to her even though he was touring the world.
Barry: Lets hear it first with the piano
Chris: As much as I respect Johnny Cashs creativity, we are going to try something different tonight.
Barry: Chris knocked me out. Um that was um a, I mean I know I walk the line just the way everybody else knows Johnny Cashs version of I walk the line. I v never heard this rendition of it.
Barry: Instead of the typical rock n roll half time, I was hearing that.
Back to Chriss interview
Chris: Working with Barry was awesome. He just seemed like a really genuine guy and was really wanting to help us make sure that we arranged these songs the best we could, to make them current and bring the best out of a song that we probably normally wouldnt do.
Singing-----
Barry: You dont need me baby, you got it. Out a all of them, um Chris seems to have a real good handle on who he is and what is his strength.
Song
Judging:
Randy: Chris, howd that feel man. How you feel about that?
Chris: Real good.
Randy: Youre always havin a good time on stage dont you. (screaming from the audience) Wow
Let me say this, I dont think it was the best vocals youve done since youve been on the show, but what I loved about this, is you took a song, that everyone knows, you put a different spin on it, made it an alternative record, that fit exactly who you are and I love every week that you know exactly who you are, and you don't veer from that path."
Paula: There are a few of you American Idols on stage that I wait for everyweek that I cant wait to hear what youre gonna sing and what your gonna do, you are so true to who you are and you don't ever abandon that, that's what so amazing about you Chris, you grow and you grow"
Simon: I agree with Randy, I don't think it was the best vocal we have heard from you so far, but I don't think it matters because there is an enormous difference between what you just did then which was to take a great song, make it your own version, it was completely the opposite to what I hated about Buckys version of O'Boy. And actually, I've got to tell ya you are the first artist that we've ever had on this show who's actually refused to compromise. And for that Bravo.
WERE DID CHRIS HAVE THE CHANCE TO RESPOND TO SIMON'S COMMENTS? (Chris only responded to Randy's first question)
Chris could have mentioned it was Live's version when talking to Barry about doing it. Then everyone would have known, including the judges. But, he didn't. Or, if he did, it was cut out. Which is a bad thing to cut, if they did.