American Idol Compilation Series
Encyclopedia
The studio album
s in the American Idol compilation series are compilations of songs by American Idol
contestants normally released every year towards the end of the season or after the season has ended. For the first 5 seasons, the albums consist of cover songs from all the finalists of the season, and is released as CDs before the last episode by RCA Records
. After Season 5, such compilations were released only sporadically. Compilations for individual contestants were released digitally starting Season 6. No compilations were released in Season 7.
Starting Season 10, compilation albums are released for sales on iTunes straight after the contestants' performances during the season.
After Idols debut season, the top four finalists (Kelly Clarkson
, Justin Guarini
, Nikki McKibbin
, Tamyra Gray
) each recorded a version of the song in the event that they won; but only the winner (Clarkson) released it as a single. The single was included in Clarkson's debut album Thankful
.
After season two, the winner (Ruben Studdard
) and runner-up (Clay Aiken
) each released simultaneously a single containing two songs of one original and one cover. The originals are "This is the Night" (Aiken) and "Flying Without Wings" (Studdard); and the covers are "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (Aiken) and "Superstar" (Studdard)
After season three, the winner (Fantasia Barrino
) and runner-up (Diana DeGarmo
) each released a single containing three songs of which one was a rendition of "I Believe." Barrino's debut album, Free Yourself
, included "I Believe" and "Summertime." DeGarmo's debut album, Blue Skies, included "Dreams" and "Don't Cry Out Loud."
After season four, the winner (Carrie Underwood
) and runner-up (Bo Bice
) each released a single for "Inside Your Heaven
" and which included one cover song from the show, "Independence Day" (Underwood, also on Showstoppers) and "Vehicle" (Bice). Underwood's debut album Some Hearts also included "Inside Your Heaven" and achieved 7 times Platinum certification.
After season five, the winner (Taylor Hicks
) and runner-up (Katharine McPhee
) each released a single with an original song and a cover rendition. The original songs are "Do I Make You Proud
" (Hicks) and "My Destiny" (McPhee). The covers are "Takin' It to the Streets" (Hicks) and "Over the Rainbow
" (McPhee, renamed to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow").
and runner-up Blake Lewis
released 5-song EPs exclusively to iTunes
. Sparks's contained the winner's single, "This Is My Now
", as well as four songs she performed on Idol: "I (Who Have Nothing)", "A Broken Wing", "To Love Somebody" and "Wishing On a Star". Lewis's EP did not contain "This Is My Now", but instead all the songs on the EP were songs he performed on the show: "You Give Love A Bad Name", "Time Of The Season", "I Need To Know", "Love Song" and "When The Stars Go Blue". Compilations for other contestants were released to iTunes later a few weeks later, and it was also possible to download all the recordings this season as a collector's edition.
Both Jordin and Blake also released several other songs as singles. These studio-recorded tunes are available both on iTunes
and americanidol.com. For Jordin Sparks, these singles were "If We Hold on Together", "You'll Never Walk Alone", "Rhythm is Gonna Get You", "On a Clear Day", and "Hey Baby". For Blake Lewis, these singles were "You Should Be Dancing", "Mack the Knife", "You Keep Me Hangin' On", "Imagine", and "This Love".
's and Adam Lambert
's version of "No Boundaries." Another Wal-Mart exclusive a 5-track EP was also later released with songs from the Top 4 finalists: Kris Allen and Danny Gokey's Renegade, Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert's Slow Ride, as well as Adam's Whole Lotta Love, Danny's What Hurts the Most and Kris' Ain't No Sunshine. On iTunes, digital albums of recordings from the two finalists were released.
.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
s in the American Idol compilation series are compilations of songs by American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
contestants normally released every year towards the end of the season or after the season has ended. For the first 5 seasons, the albums consist of cover songs from all the finalists of the season, and is released as CDs before the last episode by RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
. After Season 5, such compilations were released only sporadically. Compilations for individual contestants were released digitally starting Season 6. No compilations were released in Season 7.
Starting Season 10, compilation albums are released for sales on iTunes straight after the contestants' performances during the season.
Season 1
| Year | Album Title | Chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | American Idol: Greatest Moments American Idol: Greatest Moments American Idol Greatest Moments is the first American Idol soundtrack from the original season of American Idol. It contains two cover songs from Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, the winner and runner-up of the original season, one song from the remaining eight finalists, one song by all the... |
4 (Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... ) |
643,000 |
After Idols debut season, the top four finalists (Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,...
, Justin Guarini
Justin Guarini
Justin Guarini is an American singer/songwriter and actor who rose to fame in 2002 as the first runner-up on the debut season of the television show American Idol.-Background:...
, Nikki McKibbin
Nikki McKibbin
Katherine Nicole "Nikki" McKibbin is an American rock music singer-songwriter who finished third in the debut season of the reality television series American Idol. Prior to American Idol, McKibbin appeared in the first season of Popstars...
, Tamyra Gray
Tamyra Gray
Tamyra Monica Gray is an American actress, singer and songwriter, who finished fourth place on the first season of the musical reality competition American Idol in 2002. Record and television executive Simon Cowell — who judged the show for nine seasons — was disappointed when she was voted off...
) each recorded a version of the song in the event that they won; but only the winner (Clarkson) released it as a single. The single was included in Clarkson's debut album Thankful
Thankful (Kelly Clarkson album)
-Sales and chart performance:Release of the album was preceded by the single "Miss Independent", which become a top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hit and a #1 top 40 smash. In thanks to the success of the single, as well as buzz from her American Idol win , the album sold well in the United States...
.
Season 2
In addition to the compilation album by Season 2 contestants, a Christmas album American Idol: The Great Holiday Classics was released later in the year featuring recordings of Christmas songs by contestants from both Season 1 and Season 2. Both compilation albums were certified gold.| Year | Album Title | Chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | American Idol Season 2: All-Time Classic American Love Songs American Idol Season 2: All-Time Classic American Love Songs Season 2: All-Time Classic American Love Songs was compiled of classic American love songs performed by the top eleven finalists from season 2 of American Idol and contains two ensemble tracks. It was released in 2003.... |
2 (Billboard 200) | 648,000. |
| American Idol: The Great Holiday Classics | 28 (Billboard 200) | ||
After season two, the winner (Ruben Studdard
Ruben Studdard
Christopher Theodore Ruben Studdard , best known as Ruben Studdard, is an American R&B, pop, and gospel singer. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol...
) and runner-up (Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken
Clayton Holmes "Clay" Aiken is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and author who began his rise to fame on the second season of the television program American Idol in 2003. RCA Records offered him a recording contract, and his multi-platinum debut album Measure of a Man was released...
) each released simultaneously a single containing two songs of one original and one cover. The originals are "This is the Night" (Aiken) and "Flying Without Wings" (Studdard); and the covers are "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (Aiken) and "Superstar" (Studdard)
Season 3
| Year | Album Title | Chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | American Idol Season 3: Greatest Soul Classics American Idol Season 3: Greatest Soul Classics American Idol Season 3: Greatest Soul Classics is a soul music compilation that was released on April 27, 2004. It contains one cover song from each of the twelve finalists of the third season of American Idol and one ensemble.... |
10 (Billboard 200) | 266,000 |
After season three, the winner (Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Monique Barrino commonly known as Fantasia, is an American R&B singer, Broadway and television actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, she released her debut single, "I Believe", which...
) and runner-up (Diana DeGarmo
Diana DeGarmo
Diana Nicole DeGarmo is an American singer and Broadway actress. She finished as the runner-up on the third season of the reality/talent-search television series American Idol, narrowly missing the win by about 2% out of over 65 million votes...
) each released a single containing three songs of which one was a rendition of "I Believe." Barrino's debut album, Free Yourself
Free Yourself
Free Yourself is the debut album by American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino, which was released on November 23, 2004. The album was a great success for Barrino, selling over 240,000 units in its first week, and reaching number eight on the United States Billboard 200 chart...
, included "I Believe" and "Summertime." DeGarmo's debut album, Blue Skies, included "Dreams" and "Don't Cry Out Loud."
Season 4
| Year | Album Title | Chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers Season 4: The Showstoppers contains one cover song from each of the top 12 finalists during season 4 of the television show American Idol, along with a song that features all 12 of them together.The CD was certified gold on July 26, 2005.... |
6 (Billboard 200) | 332,000 |
After season four, the winner (Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...
) and runner-up (Bo Bice
Bo Bice
Harold Elwin "Bo" Bice, Jr. is an American singer and musician who placed second to Carrie Underwood in the fourth season of American Idol. He has recorded three studio albums, including one on RCA Records...
) each released a single for "Inside Your Heaven
Inside Your Heaven
"Inside Your Heaven" is a song written by Andreas Carlsson, Pelle Nylén, Savan Kotecha and produced by Desmond Child. Two versions of the song were released as singles in 2005 : one by American Idol winner Carrie Underwood, and another by Idol runner-up Bo Bice.Underwood's recording of the song,...
" and which included one cover song from the show, "Independence Day" (Underwood, also on Showstoppers) and "Vehicle" (Bice). Underwood's debut album Some Hearts also included "Inside Your Heaven" and achieved 7 times Platinum certification.
Season 5
| Year | Album Title | Chart Position | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | American Idol Season 5: Encores American Idol Season 5: Encores American Idol Season 5: Encores is compilation album released on May 23, 2006 and contains one cover song from each of the top 12 finalists during season 5 of the television show American Idol... |
3 (Billboard 200) | 381,075 |
After season five, the winner (Taylor Hicks
Taylor Hicks
Taylor Reuben Hicks is an American singer who achieved fame in 2006, when he won the fifth season of American Idol. Hicks got his start as a professional musician in his late teens and performed around the Southeastern United States for well over the span of a decade, during which he also released...
) and runner-up (Katharine McPhee
Katharine McPhee
Katharine Hope McPhee is an American pop singer, songwriter, actress, model, and television personality. She gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of the Fox reality show American Idol in 2006, eventually finishing as the runner-up.Her self-titled debut album was released on RCA Records...
) each released a single with an original song and a cover rendition. The original songs are "Do I Make You Proud
Do I Make You Proud
"Do I Make You Proud" is a soul-pop song written for American Idol season five winner Taylor Hicks by Tracy Ackerman, Andy Watkins, and Paul Wilson of the Absolute production team, and co-produced by Dave Way...
" (Hicks) and "My Destiny" (McPhee). The covers are "Takin' It to the Streets" (Hicks) and "Over the Rainbow
Over the Rainbow
"Over the Rainbow" is a classic Academy Award-winning ballad song with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It was written for the movie The Wizard of Oz, and was sung by Judy Garland in the movie...
" (McPhee, renamed to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow").
Season 6
For the first time, the compilation album was made available as digital downloads only. Compilations of individual finalist's performances were also released. On the day after the season six finale, the winner Jordin SparksJordin Sparks
Jordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
and runner-up Blake Lewis
Blake Lewis
Blake Colin Lewis is an American singer-songwriter and beatboxer who was the runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol. His major label debut album A.D.D. was released on December 4, 2007 through 19 Recordings/Arista Records. On October 30, 2007, his first single "Break Anotha" was released....
released 5-song EPs exclusively to iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. Sparks's contained the winner's single, "This Is My Now
This Is My Now
"This Is My Now" is a song written by Jeff Peabody and Scott Krippayne. It is Jordin Sparks's first single. The top two finalists of the season 6 finale of American Idol. sang it during the May 22 and May 23, 2007 finale shows. It was chosen over thousands of other entries in a songwriting contest...
", as well as four songs she performed on Idol: "I (Who Have Nothing)", "A Broken Wing", "To Love Somebody" and "Wishing On a Star". Lewis's EP did not contain "This Is My Now", but instead all the songs on the EP were songs he performed on the show: "You Give Love A Bad Name", "Time Of The Season", "I Need To Know", "Love Song" and "When The Stars Go Blue". Compilations for other contestants were released to iTunes later a few weeks later, and it was also possible to download all the recordings this season as a collector's edition.
| Year | Album Title | Chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | American Idol Season 6: Greatest Hits American Idol Season 6: Greatest Hits American Idol: Greatest Hits was released on iTunes on June 12, 2007. The album was finally released almost a month after the May finale. The album contains 11 cover songs, by the finalists and Jordin Sparks' winning single. The Collector's Edition contains 76 songs and includes cover songs by... |
||
| Jordin Sparks EP Jordin Sparks (EP) Jordin Sparks is an EP by American Idol season 6 winner Jordin Sparks. Sparks performed a song for the show each week of the season, and each song appeared on the day after the performance for sale as a studio version... |
2 (Digital Albums) | 49,000 | |
| Blake Lewis EP Blake Lewis (EP) Blake Lewis is an EP by Blake Lewis, the runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol. It was released digitally on May 22, 2007.-Background:... |
3 (Digital Albums) | 46,000 | |
| Melinda Doolittle Melinda Doolittle Melinda Marie Doolittle is an American singer who finished as the third place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol... EP |
3,400 | ||
| Chris Richardson Chris Richardson Christopher Michael "Chris" Richardson is an American singer-songwriter who was the fifth-place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol.-Personal life:... EP |
900 | ||
| LaKisha Jones LaKisha Jones LaKisha Ann Jones is an American singer. She placed fourth on the sixth season of American Idol.-Personal life:Jones was born at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, to a teacher at the Flint Foundation Academy... EP |
700 | ||
| Sanjaya Malakar Sanjaya Malakar Sanjaya Joseph Malakar is an American singer of Indian origin, who was a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. He gained national attention on the series, controversially advancing to 7th place with public votes, despite being poorly received by the show's judges, particularly Simon... EP |
600 | ||
| Phil Stacey Phil Stacey Joel Philip "Phil" Stacey is an American singer who first gained national attention on season 6 of the television talent show American Idol. After being eliminated from the competition on May 2, 2007, he was signed to a recording contract with Lyric Street Records... EP |
500 | ||
| Haley Scarnato Haley Scarnato Haley Suzanne Scarnato is an American singer who was the 8th-place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. Scarnato announced in an interview in November 2009, her album Strongheart was scrapped after she left her management, but is working on a new album and "Strongheart" was her old... EP |
100 | ||
Both Jordin and Blake also released several other songs as singles. These studio-recorded tunes are available both on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
and americanidol.com. For Jordin Sparks, these singles were "If We Hold on Together", "You'll Never Walk Alone", "Rhythm is Gonna Get You", "On a Clear Day", and "Hey Baby". For Blake Lewis, these singles were "You Should Be Dancing", "Mack the Knife", "You Keep Me Hangin' On", "Imagine", and "This Love".
Season 8
After season 8, an album was released exclusively to Wal-Mart which contained songs from the show from various top ten finalists. The album included both Kris AllenKris Allen
Kristopher Neil "Kris" Allen is an American musician and singer-songwriter from Conway, Arkansas, and the winner of the eighth season of American Idol...
's and Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert
Adam Mitchel Lambert is an American singer, songwriter, and actor from San Diego, California. In May 2009, he finished as the runner-up on the eighth season of American Idol...
's version of "No Boundaries." Another Wal-Mart exclusive a 5-track EP was also later released with songs from the Top 4 finalists: Kris Allen and Danny Gokey's Renegade, Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert's Slow Ride, as well as Adam's Whole Lotta Love, Danny's What Hurts the Most and Kris' Ain't No Sunshine. On iTunes, digital albums of recordings from the two finalists were released.
| Year | Album Title | Chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | American Idol Season 8 | 34 (Billboard 200) | 77,616 |
| American Idol Season 8: The 5 Song EP | 17 (Billboard 200) | 57,176 | |
| Kris Allen, Season 8 Favorite Performances | 50 (Billboard 200) | 16,000 | |
| Adam Lambert, Season 8 Favorite Performances Season 8 Favorite Performances (Adam Lambert album) Season 8 Favorite Performances is a compilation album by Adam Lambert based on his American Idol performances. The album was released digitally through iTunes and consists of studio recordings made by Lambert during season 8 of American Idol. It does not include live performances at the Nokia... |
33 (Billboard 200) | 37,514 | |
Season 9
| Year | Album Title | Chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | American Idol Season 9 American Idol Season 9 American Idol Season 9 is a compilation album and contains one cover song from each of the top ten finalists during the ninth season of the television show American Idol and was released on May 11, 2010. It debuted at #77 on the Billboard 200.... |
77 (Billboard 200) | 21,000 |
| Lee DeWyze Lee DeWyze Leon James "Lee" DeWyze, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter from Mount Prospect, Illinois, and the winner of the ninth season of American Idol. Prior to Idol, DeWyze had a solo career and formed the Lee DeWyze Band. He had also released two independent albums called So I'm Told in 2007 and... , Season 9 Favorite Performances |
9 (Heatseekers Albums) | 5,000 | |
| Crystal Bowersox Crystal Bowersox Crystal Lynn Bowersox is an American singer-songwriter and actress, who was the runner-up on the ninth season of American Idol... , Season 9 Favorite Performances |
6 (Heatseekers Albums) | 5,000 | |
Season 10
In this season compilation albums of studio recordings of all contestants' songs were released digitally after the performances every week apart from Top 3 and Top 2. After the Top 2 performances, compilations of 14 selected songs from the season by each of the two finalists were released. Special 5-song EPs from each of the Top 4 finalist were released for sale in Wal-Mart in June 28, 2011.| Year | Album Title | Chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | American Idol Top 13 | ||
| American Idol Top 12 | |||
| American Idol Top 11 | |||
| American Idol Top 11 Redux | |||
| American Idol Top 9 | 9 (iTunes top albums) | ||
| American Idol Top 8 | |||
| American Idol Top 7 | |||
| American Idol Top 6 | |||
| American Idol Top 5 | |||
| American Idol Top 4 | |||
| American Idol Season 10: Lauren Alaina | 42 (Billboard 200) | 17,000 | |
| American Idol Season 10: Scotty McCreery | 12 (Billboard 200) | 42,000 | |
| American Idol Season 10 Highlights EP: James Durbin James Durbin (singer) James Durbin is an American rock singer and guitar player from Santa Cruz, California, who finished in fourth place on the tenth season of American Idol.-Early life:... |
31 (Billboard 200) | 60,000 | |
| American Idol Season 10 Highlights EP: Haley Reinhart Haley Reinhart Haley Reinhart is an American singer from Wheeling, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois who placed third in the tenth season of American Idol. Reinhart is currently signed to 19 and Interscope Records.-Early life:... |
37 (Billboard 200) | 59,000 | |
| American Idol Season 10 Highlights EP: Lauren Alaina Lauren Alaina Lauren Alaina is an American singer from Rossville, Georgia. Alaina was the runner-up on the tenth season of American Idol. Her debut studio album, Wildflower was released in October 2011.... |
24 (Billboard 200) | 85,000 |
|
| American Idol Season 10 Highlights EP: Scotty McCreery Scotty McCreery Scott Cooke "Scotty" McCreery is an American country singer from Garner, North Carolina . He also won the tenth season of American Idol on May 25, 2011. His debut studio album, Clear as Day was released in October 2011... |
10 (Billboard 200) | 191,000 | |
Other Releases
| Year | Album Title | Chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | American Idol 10th Anniversary – The Hits American Idol 10th Anniversary – The Hits American Idol 10th Anniversary – The Hits is a compilation album that includes hits from several American Idol winners and former contestants, celebrating the tenth anniversary of the show. Clay Aiken, Daughtry, and Adam Lambert are the only artists included on the album who have not won the title.... : Volume 1 |
136 (Billboard 200) | 7,000 |
Individual solo albums
After Idol, several finalists and winners released their own solo albums and singles. For a list of major-label studio albums by Idol recording artists, see American Idol contestants discographyAmerican Idol contestants discography
This is a comprehensive listing of official post-Idol releases by various contestants of the television show American Idol.All of the compilations and singles of the show as well as most of its contestants' singles and albums were released by 19 Recordings with Sony Music Entertainment This is a...
.
External links
- Season 5 album review from Houston ChronicleHouston ChronicleThe Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, USA, headquartered in the Houston Chronicle Building in Downtown Houston. , it is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States...
(accessed May 25, 2007).