Britain's X-Factor Winner Sings Own Version Of DSB

[isla]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH36P2wtJBU



Journey axed Cowell

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sh ... TR=Bizarre

WHAT SIMON COWELL wants he usually gets.

But he met his match when veteran US rockers JOURNEY refused to let him release a cover of their anthem Don't Stop Believin' as X Factor winner JOE McELDERRY's first single.

The Geordie lad performed the 1981 ballad twice on The X Factor. And I'm not alone in thinking it could have got him the Christmas No1 if he'd released it.

Instead, he recorded the MILEY CYRUS song The Climb and, following a Facebook protest campaign, got beaten to the festive top spot by RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Killing In The Name.

Journey guitarist NEAL SCHON exclusively revealed: "We knew about Joe's song because Simon had contacted our management as he wanted to re-do the song with a different kind of arrangement.

"We listened to it and we declined. We said there was nothing wrong with the original version. If it's not busted, let's not fix it.

"My buddy RANDY JACKSON, who was on American Idol in the US with Simon, was stressing the fact that we should really let him do the new version because it would probably go to No1. But we stuck to our decision and now the song is doing well as it is."

Journey have allowed another cover version of their signature track to be released, which they did like.

The cast of US TV comedy Glee's version was at No6 in the midweek chart while the original is sitting pretty at No5.

Not that the rockers have anything against Joe. In fact, they'd be more than happy to share a stage with him.

Keyboard player JONATHAN CAIN, who wrote the track with former lead singer STEVE PERRY, said: "I wish Joe all the best. Maybe he will play with us when we come to Britain."

Jonathan was inspired to write the chorus of Don't Stop Believin' by his dad.

He said: "That had come from my father. I had suffered a lot as a musician in LA.

"I had some tough times, not having enough money to eat.

"And my father said to me, 'Stick to your guns, don't come back, don't stop believing.' And that kind of stuck in my mind."

It's advice that must have stuck in Simon's throat, too.

[Barb]

Can't say I blame Journey for not wanting that released. I hated it. Hard to believe that guy won... I think his voice is just alright, nothing spectacular!

[Luvsaugeri]

I didn't think it was very good either.

[Don]

Besides this particular cover, I'm not super keen on the Glee version either. Ironically, Glee's DSB is ranked one spot higher on the UK Charts than the original and may ultimately reach #1 over there as it cannibalizes potential sales from the '81 release.
The big killer here is that Sony is the ultimate benefactor as both versions are under Columbia records.

[Chubby321]

I think it was two days ago, I heard the DJ and his co-host gave props to Journey for turning down Simon. I could not remember the radio station though, but they thought it's cool that Journey said no.

Hi there Isla.

[ScarabGator]

it sucks, its too damn different.

[G.I.Jim]

it sucks, its too damn different.

I agree Gator. This version sounds like some bubblegum bullshit!

[Ftloperry]

Neal is right if it's not busted, let's not fix it. So glad that they said no. That version was horrible.

[annie89509]

I don't like this version, either. Sounds to bubblegum, as someone said. And, talking about the young SP sounding too much like a girl....this kid really sounds like a girl. How old is he?

[WalkInMyShoes]

His voice is "not unpleasant", how's that for a backhanded compliment? It sounds like an easy listening song, something that the local singer at the Holiday Inn would sing, or on a cruise ship, something like that. Much too smooth with no edge to it. I can't believe that they would consider using this song which is so overused the past few years.