The Story Behind Ruben’s Exit Song
Thursday night, Ryan announced that Ruben Studdard had recorded this season’s exit song.
Friday’s “Hollywood Reporter” reported that song will be a cover of “Celebrate Me Home,” a Kenny Loggins track from 1977. The song has traditionally been thought of as a Christmas song (Clay Aiken sang it on his 2005 Christmas tour.), so the lyrics have been tweaked to make it less seasonal.
This track was produced by Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, the prolific producers behind Janet Jackson’s early success. Lewis told the “Reporter” about the track, “Ruben is singing his pants off.”
As I mentioned Thursday night, Ruben is still under contract to 19 Recordings and managed by 19 Entertainment. So, this is a great way for 19 to use their biggest property to promote another of their properties. Iain Pirie, head of 19 Entertainment U.S. says the idea for Ruben to record the song came after the “warm reception” he got after appearing in last season’s finale.
So, it didn’t come after Ruben was dropped by J Records and you realized this would be a great way to rejuvenate his career? Or maybe after you realized how many downloads the exit song could sell and that if it belonged to your own company you could make a lot of money off it?
The track will be available on iTunes beginning March 12th—the first time it will be played on the show. Pirie says it is also expected to be included on an “Idol” compilation album—which I guess means they plan to actually do one this year…
If the song’s not ringing a bell with you, you can watch a YouTube video of U.S. troops set to it here.
Friday’s “Hollywood Reporter” reported that song will be a cover of “Celebrate Me Home,” a Kenny Loggins track from 1977. The song has traditionally been thought of as a Christmas song (Clay Aiken sang it on his 2005 Christmas tour.), so the lyrics have been tweaked to make it less seasonal.
This track was produced by Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, the prolific producers behind Janet Jackson’s early success. Lewis told the “Reporter” about the track, “Ruben is singing his pants off.”
As I mentioned Thursday night, Ruben is still under contract to 19 Recordings and managed by 19 Entertainment. So, this is a great way for 19 to use their biggest property to promote another of their properties. Iain Pirie, head of 19 Entertainment U.S. says the idea for Ruben to record the song came after the “warm reception” he got after appearing in last season’s finale.
So, it didn’t come after Ruben was dropped by J Records and you realized this would be a great way to rejuvenate his career? Or maybe after you realized how many downloads the exit song could sell and that if it belonged to your own company you could make a lot of money off it?
The track will be available on iTunes beginning March 12th—the first time it will be played on the show. Pirie says it is also expected to be included on an “Idol” compilation album—which I guess means they plan to actually do one this year…
If the song’s not ringing a bell with you, you can watch a YouTube video of U.S. troops set to it here.
posted Angela Henderson-Bentley @7:40 PM 
