Fantasia Barrino, who at 19 years old, won American Idol (Season 3) did a performance of "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess that caused Simon Cowell to say she was the best contestant to ever compete in any competition, including the more than seventy Idol champions crowned nationally and internationally since the show began its first global incarnations. He said, ever. That's pretty high praise from Simon Cowell.
From there, she released an album (which was nominated for three Grammy Awards), wrote an autobiography that became a Lifetime movie in which she played herself - and was Lifetime's second most watched movie in its 22-year history - landed the lead role of Celie in The Color Purple on Broadway in 2007 (which she earned rave reviews for), won a Grammy, had a baby, and landed on VH1's list of 100 Greatest Women in Music. This is her version of "I'm Here". Prepare yourself - it's phenomenal. My favorite part is when she says, "I'll stand as TAWL as the TAWWWWLEST tree."
Jennifer Hudson, who also competed on American Idol in the same season as Fantasia (she was eliminated several weeks before the finale), went on to have an meteoric career. In addition to winning the biggies - a Grammy, a Golden Globe and an Oscar - she's won countless other awards including an NAACP Image Award, a Teen Choice Award, a BET Award, a Soul Train Award, and a SAG Award.
Sung at Oprah's request, here is her version of "I'm Here" performed at The Kennedy Center Honors:
Sung at Oprah's request, here is her version of "I'm Here" performed at The Kennedy Center Honors:
Both versions are amazing, but different. With Fantasia's, you get a real sense of a person who has struggled. It's emotional, raw and deep. I can't watch it without feeling like I want to cry.
Jennifer's version is powerhouse. All voice. Dynamic and beautiful. I'm not sure the addition of the choir was necessary as she was rockin' it all by herself, but I love anything that includes a Gospel choir, so I'll let it slide.
Here are the lyrics if you want to follow along - each singer started the song off a little differently, but then they go on to sing the same lyrics. I suggest you read them over and watch the videos several times. Not only am I still watching them, I now have the song downloaded on my iPod.
I'M HERE
I don’t need you to love me.
I don’t need you to love.
I got…
I got…
I got my sister.
I can feel her now,
She may not be here, but she still mine.
I know she still love me.
I got my children.
I can’t hold them now,
They may not be here, but they still mine.
And I hope they know I still love them.
I got my house.
It still keep the cold out.
I got my chair.
When my body can’t hold out.
Got my hands.
Doin’ good like they s’pose to.
Showin’ my heart.
To the folks that I’m close to.
I got my eyes.
Though they don’t see as far now.
They see more ‘bout how things really are now.
I’m
I’m gonna take a deep breath.
I’m gonna hold my head up.
I’m gonna put my shoulders back,
And look you straight in the eye.
I’m gonna flirt with somebody
Whey they walk by
I’m gonna sing out.
Sing out.
I believe I have inside of me
Everything that I need to live a bountiful life.
With all the love alive in me,
I’ll stand as tall as the tallest tree.
And I’m
Thankful for each day that I’m given,
Both the easy and hard ones I’m livin’.
But most of all
I’m thankful for
Loving who I really am.
I’m beautiful.
Yes, I’m beautiful.
And I’m here.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2012: From A Bodyguard, To Men Of Honor, To Good Deeds
2011: Just What I Need
2010: Waterfront Dining
2009: The Best Is Yet To Come
2008: It’s Not Just A Medicinal Oil After All
2007: Tracy Hilltop
2006: Calming The Flatulent Tiger
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!
Jennifer's version is powerhouse. All voice. Dynamic and beautiful. I'm not sure the addition of the choir was necessary as she was rockin' it all by herself, but I love anything that includes a Gospel choir, so I'll let it slide.
Here are the lyrics if you want to follow along - each singer started the song off a little differently, but then they go on to sing the same lyrics. I suggest you read them over and watch the videos several times. Not only am I still watching them, I now have the song downloaded on my iPod.
I'M HERE
I don’t need you to love me.
I don’t need you to love.
I got…
I got…
I got my sister.
I can feel her now,
She may not be here, but she still mine.
I know she still love me.
I got my children.
I can’t hold them now,
They may not be here, but they still mine.
And I hope they know I still love them.
I got my house.
It still keep the cold out.
I got my chair.
When my body can’t hold out.
Got my hands.
Doin’ good like they s’pose to.
Showin’ my heart.
To the folks that I’m close to.
I got my eyes.
Though they don’t see as far now.
They see more ‘bout how things really are now.
I’m
I’m gonna take a deep breath.
I’m gonna hold my head up.
I’m gonna put my shoulders back,
And look you straight in the eye.
I’m gonna flirt with somebody
Whey they walk by
I’m gonna sing out.
Sing out.
I believe I have inside of me
Everything that I need to live a bountiful life.
With all the love alive in me,
I’ll stand as tall as the tallest tree.
And I’m
Thankful for each day that I’m given,
Both the easy and hard ones I’m livin’.
But most of all
I’m thankful for
Loving who I really am.
I’m beautiful.
Yes, I’m beautiful.
And I’m here.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2012: From A Bodyguard, To Men Of Honor, To Good Deeds
2011: Just What I Need
2010: Waterfront Dining
2009: The Best Is Yet To Come
2008: It’s Not Just A Medicinal Oil After All
2007: Tracy Hilltop
2006: Calming The Flatulent Tiger
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!
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