Jun 5, 2009 -- 9:43PM, hmfr wrote:

Sorry, love Adam & most of his performances, but that one was just...... weird.

I don't mean this in a rude way, cause of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion.  To me Ring of Fire is so representative of what makes Adam - Adam. I'm not sure if someone that doesn't like Ring of Fire really *gets* Adam.

OP, you pretty much articulated exactly how I felt the first time I watched "Ring of Fire".

It definitely marked the beginning of the end for me. Up until then, I liked Adam and I thought he was really hot, but I wasn't a crazed fan. At least not yet.

And then I saw "Ring of Fire": the hottest, weirdest, most innovative and disconcerting performance ever on Idol. I felt confused, violated, a little molested, enraptured.. and most of all, the second it was over, I wanted to watch it again. And again and again and again.

By the time I finished all of these repeat viewings, I was well on my way to being hooked. It's funny, the first time I heard the arrangement it was so weird and not quite right and I couldn't tell if I liked or hated it, but by the 20th listen it's pretty much the greatest thing you've ever heard.

I don't think anyone really liked it on the first try, did they? But you slowly get addicted and then you can't live without it.

i don't beieve what i am hearing but to those who did'nt like the live version of ROF listen to the studio version it is outstanding!!!!!!  to me adam HAS NEVER  given anything BUT HIS ALL.....   i love over the top adam and slow version adam BUT ADAM is just one of a kind to me..... but then again this is my opinion, to each is own.......

Jun 6, 2009 -- 1:30AM, swingink wrote:

I was hooked before this performance, but ROF certainly captivated my daughter and helped her understand why I was so into Adam.

Since most of the country listens to Country & Western music, it's quite possible that this performance cost him the title. I know a lot of folks who were so angry over this, calling it a disgraceful insult to Johnny Cash. It's like they will never get over it. As much as I loved it, they hated it and vowed never to forgive him for it, swearing to vote against Adam until the end. Unbelievable! I hope this wasn't how most people felt, but I do wonder if it's what made the difference in the final vote.

 

You may have a point there.  Those C&W fans can be rather sticky about how "their" music should sound.   I personally was hooked, line and sinker from the very moment he took the stage with this song.  I too grew up with Cash's version and even liked it, for what it was. BUT Adam took it to a whole new level.   And understanding that Cash was a rebel even during his more mellow years, he would have been flattered to no end with Adam's take on a classic country tune.

Cash embraced a lot of the younger crowd, didn't he sing with Trent Reznor?  How much more 'edgier' can you get than Trent or say Rozz Williams? If that isn't being a rebel and keeping in step with the times, I don't know what is!

For me, ROF defined Adam as an artiste, someone who isn't afraid to do the unthinkable.  :)

It showed, even more so than B or W or Satisfaction that Adam was truly one-of-a-kind.  Yes, his rock takes are impressive, but to do something that edgy takes big kahunas and the confidence which goes along with it.  Honestly, Adam only went up from there, totally standing apart from the crowds, on an ever higher rocket each week.  Everything up to that point showed him as someone to watch, to take note of, and he delivered it time after time. 

Even when he sang "Believe", Adam was already driving his vehicle to a world of uniqueness AI had been lacking for a very long time.  Adam brought it and then some!

Adam was a work in progress, a fascinating person to watch as he grew into this alternative/edgy rocker who could also do seriously intense ballads or fun, funky music... his take no prisoners, no holds barred attitude is catchy.  And seeing how it worked for him, I feel Adam has more tricks up his sleeve still.    His creativity flow is majorly impressive.

Adam had me when he walked into his audition.  I said to myself then that this was the one to watch and boy was I right.  Ring of Fire shocked me silly in a good way and my son called from school after it was over asking if I'd seen it.   Both my kids and I were hooked from then on.  RoF is iconic and so is Adam already.  No one will be able to top him now on AI.