ok musical types help me choose a song to sing at my audition on monday.

[wannaBe]

am auditioning for xfactor on monday (yes yes I know, I must be mad, but I'm doing it with my eyes wide open and under no ilusions).

And I need a song.

I don't have one of these fantastically powerful voices like the whitney/celine sound-a-likes, and besides which I hate all those songs.

so far my short list includes "son of a preacher man" by dusty springfield, "the rose" and torn by Natalie Embruglia (sp?)

My fvoice suits country well although nothing screaching like Tammy Winette please.

turquoise you have a valid point. often acts are accused of thinking they're on stars in their eyes if they do a song that's too heavily associated with one person. also yes would like to be a bit more unique.

omg what am I letting myself in for.

Well what they really like is that time honoured X factor cliche, "making it your own".

So if you find a song that's a great standard, but has been done by loads of different artists, and just give a bit of your own input - you're in! That's why I'm suggesting Eva Cassidy, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald...

I'd listen to loads of different versions of the same song, and kind of mix them up?

How about Paul Simon's "Something so right", and the Annie Lennox version of it - see what you can do with that.

(off to see if I can find it on Youtube)

I'm still yelling for iris

Annie Lennox version but I prefer Paul Simon's. (which I can't find).

Indigo Girls stuff might suit your voice, and will be unusual. This is a good one.

what about

this?

or too popular perhaps?

Martha's Harbour

i do think the quickest way of making something your own is by singing something that is known as a male song - (eg iris), or by changing the tempo and avoiding the songs that are done to death at audition - eva cassidy sadly prob falls into that category.

not son of a preacher, they prob hear it LOTS!

Glad you are going

Iris if you can pitch it up would be good

dixie chicks wide open spaces

erm

NOT fields of gold purlease

Torn is ok to sing acappella if you have enough time to gain your confidence over the w/e

black velvet by Allanah Myles?

OK, my brain may be addled after watching eurovision, but how about 'Dreams' - Fleetwood Mac/Corrs ?

the problem with the corrs is that it doesn't really go anywhere imo

Do something you like and know really well. You will sing it better if it's already in your voice, especially if you are nervous. It's very exciting. Good luck!

House of the Rising Sun

Apart from The Animals, it has been sung by Tracy Chapman, Sinead O'Connor, Nina Simone, Dolly Parton, Bob Dylan and lots more. A lot of bands just copy The Animals, but there are some really interesting - and very different performances - especially by the women. If you've got Limewire or MP3 Rocket (p2p) you'll find loads. I think it's Sinead who does it a capella and it would work really well if she didn't do it so slowly, she really drags it out. It's very effective a capella.

Deanna Carter - Did I shave my legs for this

Foggy Foggy Dew? Tam Lin? Old folk songs can be very effective unaccompanied, and also quite surprising and unusual, and also need a good voice to carry off.

Ain't no Sunshine
Autumn Leaves both will work a capella

I love Carole King's Way over yonder, but it might be too simple and it's more blues than country but with a bit of gravel going on, it would sound fantastic...

Or on that theme, something by James Taylor?

Don't do Fields of Gold it was done by whatserface from Birmingham last year...

Do something classic/old, unusual but interesting!

Message withdrawn

Ooh, have you heard Ray La Montagne? He's more souly/bluesy but you could camp it up in a country style. His Jolene (different song) is lovely, as is most of the stuff on the album that's on.

James Taylor

I love 'Let the River Run' is that your sort of voice? i think Carly Simon did it

Ray La Montagne

Shelter

Jolene

Carole King

Way Over yonder

Up on the roof?

You make me feel like a natural woman?

Pick something you know inside out. You want to concentrate on the performance not on remembering your words.

Agree with barn btw Dixie Chicks are great, these days not affiliated with being out of date.

Also I am such a folky dokey I'd be warbling off a kate rusby.

whatever you choose make sure its one you like, one you are confident with and one that you can sing