It’s the song of the summer in 2013 that everyone’s been talking about for months. The song that was performed as part of a medley during a certain controversial performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in August. Yep, I’m talking about Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines.”
Whether you love it or hate it, it’s still a catchy tune no matter what. And just when we thought there might have been a lull in attention over the hit that some call sexist and misogynistic (for both the song itself and the music video), all of a sudden two singing competition shows featured “Blurred Lines” within a week of each other. Coincidence? Who knows, but that of course means we need to compare the two and see who came out on top in the Battle of the Covers.
The X Factor Error Leads to Re-Vote for the Top 13 >>>
Duo Alex and Sierra were the first to take it on last week during the X Factor Top 16 show. These two singers are one of my favorite acts out of everybody left in the competition. They’re a couple and are so sweet together; you’d think they’d make us want to gag over how affectionate and cute they are, but you can’t help but love them. And then when they open their mouths, you love them even more.
Each and every time they step on stage, they take a well-known song, like Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and “You’re the One That I Want” from Grease and completely make it their own with stripped-down arrangements.
When I heard they were performing “Blurred Lines,” even I went, seriously? But they did what they always do and changed it up and made it a song that’s more on the sweet side than what everyone usually thinks of it.
And then “Blurred Lines” popped back up this week on The Voice, performed by Nic Hawk. When he started singing and I realized what song it was, my mind went right back to Alex and Sierra because I knew I was going to compare the two, whether intentionally or not.
Nic is a very theatrical and eccentric performer with a larger than life personality — I mean, how can you not like him for that? I actually found myself smiling the entire time during his performance because he’s an entertainer and he put on a show; he even did the rap bit. He went all in, that’s who he is.
But when it comes down to it — let’s be honest — Nic Hawk is not the best vocalist and he wasn’t anywhere near the best of the night. And I have to put on my critic hat and be real about this: Alex and Sierra are hands-down the winner of this battle, there’s no question about it.
The Voice and The X Factor Nominated at 2014 People’s Choice Awards >>>
And just because we’re now in the “Blurred Lines” spirit, here’s the original by Robin Thicke:
Now that you’ve watched or re-watched these two performances, who do you think sang “Blurred Lines” the best? Vote in the poll and leave your comments below.
The Voice airs Mondays at 8pm and Tuesdays at 9pm on NBC, and The X Factor airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8pm on FOX.
(Images courtesy of FOX and NBC)
Staff Writer, BuddyTV
Jeff Dodge, a graduate of Western Washington University, has been a TV news editor for many years and has had the chance to interview multiple reality show stars, including Randy Jackson, Nick Cannon, Heidi Klum, Mel B and John Cena.
