Crowdsourcing Song Lyrics for American Idol
We’re used to seeing music fans pluck their own icons from obscurity to super stardom on shows like X-Factor and America’s Got Talent. Now they are being asked to help them pen a song.
Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen, a previous Canadian Idol competitor is teaming up with American Idol and Coca-Cola for their Perfect Harmony campaign.
The campaign allows viewers to choose the lyrics for a song composed by Jepsen. The new track is called Take a Picture, and fans are able to vote for their favorite lines.
Currently, fans can vote for the first verse. They are presented with a choice of three alternatives:
“Riding bikes with boy wonder
This year will be all summer”
Or
“Friday nights with boy wonder
Next year gonna grow younger”
Or
“Flying kites with boy wonder
Hold tight to me all summer”
Once the words have been voted on and decided, Carly will perform the song on the live season finale of American Idol.
Whilst this open innovation approach is not going to set the music industry on fire, it is nonetheless a useful for marketing exercise for both the program and the singer.
Carly says that among her reasons for taking part are the chance to get genuine feedback from fans and for the challenge of writing three sets of lyrics for the same tune.
“I loved the idea that it was a massive collaboration,” she said. “I know even with this past year, it’s been a big part of my process, hearing what the fans love.”
Reader Comments
In the case of American Idol, the type of people who are watching the show also tends to heavily reflect on who the winner will be. Thanks to the success of shows like Nashville Star there are very few country music sensations coming from the American Idol camp. However, you do on occasion have a country treasure to find, after all Carrie Underwood and a few other Idol rejects are doing extremely well in country music. The personality of the viewers tends to show in the actual contestants. Those who perform well in styles of music that the audience can connect with tend to stay on the show much longer.
Posted by Tristan Forkell on April 18, 2013
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